Fortescue Metals group has loaded its first commercial shipment of iron ore from the “Herb Elliott Port” at Port Hedland for delivery to major Chinese customer Baosteel.
The loading took place on 15 May 2008 and had 180,000 tonnes of high quality ‘Rocket” iron ore aboard the Cape size vessel Heng Shan.
According to Fortescue’s chief executive officer Andrew Forrest, the operation is the culmination of an extraordinary achievement by some 12,000 people who have worked on Fortescue’s operations since its inception in 2003.
“It is a testament to Australian ingenuity, persistence and hard work that Fortescue has managed to achieve this feat in such a short period of time,” Forrest said.
“It has been achieved, and I want to recognise, the support of the State Government, all the local people of the Pilbara and the faith of our customers, who recognised the growing demand for the Pilbara’s rich iron ore resources.
“In exactly three-and-a-half years since the very first discovery hole was drilled into Cloudbreak, we have planned, designed and built the massive infrastructure needed to start shipping ore.
“After nearly 10 million man hours, 200 permits, 13,000 engineering drawings, 330 contracts, 24,000 invoices, megawatts of passion and toil with buckets of sweat, stage one of our project is almost complete.
“The impact of our first shipment will have notable consequences. The global iron ore industry is now experiencing an abrupt change in the course of its massive consolidation.
“A vanguard of industry juniors has been further energised by our example. Steel mills across Asia, and, the workforces of the Pilbara, welcome a major new low cost supplier and a high quality alternative employer. Australia has a new flagship company that is proudly waving the flag.
“Our commitment reflects our character. Our character is the power to change the realities we face where our integrity triumphs over the scepticism of others, every day.”
Fortescue will complete the last commissioning phases of the mine, rail and port operations over the next few months and is increasing production from its existing operations to 55 million tonnes per annum.
“Once this project is fully completed, the mine, rail and port operation will be increased to allow for production to be increased to well over 100Mtpa,” Forrest said.