Iron Bridge ramps up production
Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) Iron Bridge magnetite operation in the Pilbara region of WA is on track to safely and successfully deliver its FY25 shipping guidance.
Following an optimisation assessment of the dry plant in the ore processing facilities, the company anticipates that shipments from the project will increase to 10 – 12mt in FY26 and achieve an annualised production rate of 16 – 20mt in the second half of FY27.
The assessment of the dry plant focused on optimising the performance of the air classification circuit and downstream aerobelt conveyors at the site.
Workstreams included in-house redesign of the air classification units and installation of upgraded ceramic liners to address premature erosion and, as a result of these initiatives, Iron Bridge’s ore processing and production rate have improved.
This announcement follows a record nine-months in production for the company with iron ore shipments totalling 143.2mt.
Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto comments on the production results.
“We achieved another solid quarterly production result, shipping 46.1mt of iron ore while maintaining our outstanding safety performance,” he said.
Despite the supply chain at several Fortescue sites being impacted by extreme weather events, the company still ended the period with record numbers.
“This was a particularly impressive achievement, as the team safely and effectively navigated several significant weather events in the quarter.
“With record shipments achieved for the nine months leading up to March 31, 2025, we remain on track to deliver on our full year guidance.”
Iron Bridge, an unincorporated joint venture between Fortescue and Formosa Steel IB, owning 69% and 31% respectively, remains an important operation for the company.
The increase in production and shipping capacity, contributed 4.7mt in shipments to the company’s record number.
The project is an important player in the company’s journey to becoming one of the world’s leading green metal producers as magnetite is commonly used in the production of green iron and steel.