Hamersley Iron to expand iron ore operations in the Pilbara

15/6/00
Hamersley Iron has been given State Government approval to expand operations at the Yandicoogina iron ore mine in the Pilbara.
Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett approved the company's request to increase the maximum mining rate at Yandicoogina by 33 per cent - from 15 million tonnes per annum to 20 million tonnes a year.
Mr Barnett said today the expansion would allow Hamersley Iron to meet further demand for Yandi product - a low impurity ore which had become increasingly accepted by iron and steel makers in recent years.
He said in 1999 sales of more than 10 million tonnes of Yandi ore were achieved by Hamersley compared to forecast sales of five million tonnes.
"It is encouraging to see the strong market acceptance of pisolitic ores," the Minister said.
"The increase in production will add to the importance of the Pilbara serving the fast growing iron ore market."
Mr Barnett said no major changes were expected to the facilities, apart from a new stockpile.
He said the increase would be achieved by increasing operating hours and throughput rates.
Yandicoogina, in the eastern Hamersley Ranges, 90km north-west of Newman, is Hamersley Iron's sixth and newest mining operation.
Construction of the $550 million open pit mine began in 1997 and the first ore was shipped from the port of Dampier in January 1999. The Dampier port was upgraded by about 10 million tonnes to accommodate the handling and shipping of Yandi ore.
Media contact: Diana Callander 9222 9686