Hamersley Iron's decision to expand operations at Brockman mine welcomed

30/7/98

Hamersley Iron's decision to extend and expand operations at its Brockman mine in the Pilbara is a further indication of the strength of Western Australia's $3.6 billion a year iron ore industry, Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said today.

Mr Barnett last week approved a major expansion of the operation which will extend production at the mine site, about 50km north west of Tom Price, for a further five years.

The expansion will see up to 10 million tonnes of saleable ore produced each year for export from the company's shiploading facilities at Dampier in the State's North.

"The mine life extension is very good news as it will extend utilisation of existing infrastructure - consisting of plant, railway, accommodation, airport and roads in the area - which otherwise would have been decommissioned this year," Mr Barnett said.

Brockman No 2 Detritals Project began in 1992 as a four million tonne/annum, five-year operation and was previously expected to end this year.

The project will operate under existing environmental conditions. All waste mined from the mine's two new pits will be transported to backfill mined-out pits from the initial operation.

"This extension is a further example of iron ore companies diversifying their development plans to most effectively utilise existing resources, both ore and infrastructure facilities," the Minister said.

"It is pleasing to note that all iron ore players in the Pilbara continue to progress expansion plans to position themselves for the future."

Iron ore was Western Australia's largest mineral and energy export earner in 1997 surpassing gold and petroleum. Iron ore was second to petroleum in terms of the total value of production.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (08) 9222 9699