Wonmunna Iron Ore Mine : Mineral Resources Limited achieves first iron ore production

Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) said that it has achieved first iron ore production from its Wonmunna Iron Ore Mine in the Pilbara region in Western Australia.

The Australian mining services company said that the milestone was achieved within five months after beginning construction, in line with its guidance to bring the iron ore mine into production this quarter.

Mineral Resources Limited expects to ramp up production at the Wonmunna Iron Ore Mine to the approved five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) run rate in the June quarter of this year.

The Australian mining services company said that there is scope to expand the output of the iron ore mine to 10Mtpa after getting additional approvals for little additional capital cost.

Mineral Resources Limited achieves first iron ore production from Wonmunna Iron Ore Mine. Photo courtesy of Mineral Resources.

Ore from the Wonmunna Iron Ore project will be used for supporting the company’s Utah Point Hub iron ore blend, which includes tonnes from Iron Valley and will add production from the proposed Lamb Creek and Wedge mines.

The addition of production from the Wonmunna mine will help Mineral Resources Limited increase output from the Utah Point export facility at Port Hedland to 14Mtpa by the end of the December 2021 quarter.

The Wonmunna Iron Ore Mine, which is located 80km north-west of Newman, was acquired by the company from the Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation (AAMC) in the September 2020 quarter.

As per the terms of the deal, shareholders of Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation will be getting a royalty regarding the first 40 million dry metric tonnes extracted and removed from the area.

Chris Ellison – Mineral Resources Managing Director said: “Wonmunna’s rapid and safe development is testimony to the MRL team’s ability to deliver what others thought impossible. It is the innovative design of our NextGen crushing plants and the agility of our people who make this happen.

“Wonmunna’s development was completed on time and within budget. Once we ramp up Wonmunna to full production, the mine will provide permanent employment for 500 men and women.”

“This is a great outcome not just for MRL but also for AAMC’s shareholders, who will shortly receive their first royalty cheque from Wonmunna.”