BC Iron ships first ore from Nullagine

BC Iron has become the first Pilbara junior iron ore miner to transport product on a third party's infrastructure, with the first ore from its Nullagine joint venture shipped to Fortescue Metals Group's Herb Elliot Port.

Commissioning of train loading systems began in January, and ore is currently being stockpiled at the port in preparation for export.

BC Iron said Nullagine remained on track to ship 1 million tonnes of ore by June 30.

Fortescue executive director Russell Scrimshaw said the transport of ore along Fortescue's heavy haul railway proved that third party access could work on all kinds of infrastructure.

BC Iron managing director Mike Young said without the 50:50 joint venture at Nullagine with Fortescue, BC Iron would not have been able to take advantage of historically high iron ore prices.

"Fortescue committed to third party access in 2004 and they have delivered on that promise," Mr Young said in a statement released today.

"Despite early scepticism of the deal, we saw the value of being an iron ore producer much earlier than would have been the case without the partnership with Fortescue.

"The board and management of BC Iron would like to thank all at Fortescue who have been involved in the success of BC Iron, and there are many, starting from four years ago to today's first train."