Atlas delivers first iron ore to port

Atlas Iron has hauled the first iron ore shipment from its Pardoo Iron Ore Project to Fortescue Metals Group's port facilities in Port Hedland.

The agreement with FMG, whereby Atlas Iron will utilise FMG's stockpile area, ore handling and ship loading equipment, represents the first-ever provision of a true third-party infrastructure service in more than 40 years of iron ore mining in the Pilbara.

Full announcement below:

ATLAS DELIVERS FIRST IRON ORE TO PORT

Atlas Iron Limited (ASX Code: AGO) is pleased to report that it has delivered the first iron ore from its 100%-owned Pardoo Iron Ore Project, to the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) Anderson Point Port facilities in Port Hedland, marking a significant milestone for Atlas Iron.

Mining is currently underway at the Pardoo Project, located 75 kilometres east of Port Hedland in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Ore is currently being hauled to Port Hedland on the Great Northern Highway in quad-configured road trains.

As agreed with FMG, the Atlas iron ore will be stockpiled in FMG's stockpile area and then reclaimed and loaded onto a Panamax (65,000 tonne) ship provided by Atlas' iron ore off-take customer in early December.

This delivery of iron ore to the FMG Port Hedland facilities and the subsequent use of the FMG ore handling and ship loading equipment, represents the first-ever provision of a true third-party infrastructure service in more than 40 years of iron ore mining in the Pilbara.

"The Pardoo Mining team led by Ken Brinsden and Jeremy Sinclair and managed by Adam Liebenberg and Mathew Ramsden, have achieved commissioning and ramp-up on budget and on time", commented David Flanagan, Atlas Managing Director. "They are part of a terrific group of professionals and I can't wait to see what they can accomplish in the years ahead."