After several delays and 20 years of planning, Fortescue Metals has successfully made its first magnetite product at the Iron Bridge mine in Western Australia – remarkably at first run grade of greater than 68% Fe.

Iron Bridge will produce 22 million tonnes per annum of high grade magnetite concentrate.

In marking the milestone, Fortescue Executive Chairman Dr. Andrew Forrest said: “I would like to congratulate every one of the 20,000 people who worked on achieving the most remarkable safety record during the construction of this incredibly complex project. It has been achieved through every phase including exploration, design, construction, and now operations. It is Fortescue’s Values in action and I particularly thank our leaders who amply demonstrated our Values.

“Iron Bridge will lead the way for a successful magnetite industry in Western Australia and is a game changer for not only Fortescue, but the wider iron ore industry,” Forrest concluded.

Iron Bridge signifies Fortescue’s entry into the highest grade segment of the iron ore market, providing an enhanced product range while also increasing annual production and shipping capacity. The operation is an Unincorporated Joint Venture between Fortescue subsidiary FMG Magnetite (69%) and Formosa Steel IB (31%).

Source: Fortescue