Eliwana mine
Location
Eliwana mine is located in Western Australia
Eliwana mine
Eliwana mine
Location in Western Australia
LocationShire of Ashburton, Pilbara
StateWestern Australia
CountryAustralia
Coordinates22°28′16″S 116°49′40″E / 22.47103°S 116.827671°E / -22.47103; 116.827671
Production
ProductsIron ore
Production30 million tonnes/annum
History
Opened2020
Owner
CompanyFortescue Metals Group
WebsiteFortescue website

The Eliwana mine is an iron ore mine operated by the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 90 kilometres west of Tom Price. The mine forms the core of the company's Western Hub, one of three of its active mining areas, together with the Chichester Hub and the Solomon Hub.

Overview

Iron ore mines in the Pilbara region

Iron ore exploration in the area by FMG commenced in 2006 on land traditionally owned by the indigenous Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.[1]

By late 2016, FMG's Firetail mine, which produced high grade ore essential for blending with lower grade ore from other sides, was scheduled to be depleted by 2019.[2] FMG approved the construction of the Eliwana mine in May 2018, reportedly to replace the Firetail mine.[3]

Construction of the mine commenced in July 2019 at a projected cost of A$1.8 billion.[4]

The mine was officially opened on 8 December 2020 by the Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Johnston. Operated by the Fortescue Metals Group, the mine is scheduled to produce 30 million tonnes of iron ore per annum. During the construction of the mine, approximately 2,000 people were employed, while, once in operation, this number dropped to 500.[5]

A 143 km rail link, completed after the opening of the mine, connects Eliwana to the previously existing parts of the Fortescue railway.[5][1] The railway line was eventually completed in March 2021.[6]

The mine forms the core of the company's Western Hub, one of three of FMG's active mining areas as of 2022. Apart from the Western Hub, the company also mines the Chichester Hub, consisting of the Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mines, and the Solomon Hub, consisting of the Firetail, Kings Valley and Queens Valley mines.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Haselgrove, Salomae (9 December 2020). "Fortescue kicks off first Eliwana iron ore processing". Australian Mining. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Evans, Nick (27 October 2016). "FMG eyes replacement options for Firetail". The West Australian. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  3. ↑ Jamasmie, Cecilia (28 May 2018). "Fortescue goes ahead with $1.3bn iron ore project in Western Australia". MINING.COM. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Gluyas, Alex (5 July 2019). "Fortescue breaks ground at Eliwana mine and rail project". Australian Mining. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Media Statements: Fortescue's Eliwana mine officially opens creating 500 jobs". Government of Western Australia. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Gleeson, Daniel (25 March 2021). "John Holland on track at Fortescue's Eliwana iron ore project". International Mining. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "Overview of operations". www.fmgl.com.au. Fortescue Metals Group. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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