A SURGE of new iron ore mine development has occurred across the Pilbara region, both to meet an increasing demand by the world integrated steel makers and replace depleting resources.
A historic evolution is transforming the global iron and steel industry. From the recovery and treatment of iron ore to continuous casting, the change is profound.
The quest for efficiency and cost reductions has been particularly intense in the world’s steel industry during the last decade. Against this background, WA iron ore producers have lifted productivity.
Since 1990, eight new iron ore mines have been developed in the Pilbara – BHP Iron Ore’s Yandicoogina, Jimblebar, Yarrie and Orebody 18; Hamersley Iron’s Channar, Marandoo and Brockman No.2 Detritals and Robe River Iron Associates Mesa J – at a collective capital cost of around $800 million.
In the relatively short life of iron ore mining, more than 2.6 billion tonnes of iron ore have been exported to global markets, the majority of which has come from only four mines – Mt Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Mt Whaleback and Robe River.
