Fortescue proposes to build $3.1bn iron ore mine & railway in WA

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) is proposing to build a $3.1 billion Australian iron ore mine and rail project within three years in Western Australia. 

Regulatory filings made to Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WA EPA) shows that FMG, through its subsidiary Chichester Metals, is proposing to develop and operate a new iron ore mine about 80 kilometres north-west of Newman. 

The Nyidinghu Iron Ore Mine will include the development of mine pits above and below the water table, an on-site ore processing from various sources, waste rock and tailings storage, an aerodrome, groundwater abstraction, surplus water management including aquifer recharge and other supporting infrastructure. 

“The proposal excludes transport, electricity and water pipeline infrastructure required to connect the proposal to existing operations. This infrastructure is included in the East Hamersley Railway Project proposal,” the WA EPA filing stated. 

FMG is also proposing to deliver the East Hamersley Railway Project through its subsidiary Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd. The project will build and operate a 106-kilometre railway and associated infrastructure such as communications and signalling, an ore loading facility, groundwater abstraction and discharge, borrow pits and quarries, culverts, bridges, diversion drains, pump station, construction camp, landfills and waterwater treatment plants as well as other supporting infrastructure as required. 

“The proposed railway connects the proposed Nyidinghu Iron Ore Mine to the existing Fortescue railway line 14 kilometres north-west of the Cloudbreak mine, crossing Weeli Wolli Creek and the Fortescue Marsh,” the WA EPA stated. 

The Nyidinghu Iron Ore Mine will have a development envelope of 92,301 hectares and a disturbance footprint of 12,365 hectares while the East Hamersley Railway Project will have a development envelope of 31,507 hectares and a disturbance footprint of 4,837 hectares. 

The Australian Financial Review has reported that the regulatory filings are contradicting to the suggestion made by chairman Andrew Forrest earlier this year about the mine development being deferred until 2030. 

FMG is due to publish its full-year financial results on August 28. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Environmental Protection Authority (1, 2); Australian Financial Review; Australian Mining