In an update on the staged ramp up of its Iron Bridge magnetite operation in Western Australia, Fortescue said it is targeting fiscal year 2028 to achieve nameplate capacity of 22 million tonnes per annum.
When the miner announced plans to build Iron Bridge in 2019, it pledged to have the project ramped up to full production rates by June 2023, noted The Australian Financial Review. By 2023, Fortescue updated its guidance to suggest Iron Bridge would run at full capacity by June 2025. However, the Financial Review, noted that problems with the water pipeline forced another schedule change in January of last year, when Fortescue said Iron Bridge would achieve its full capacity in September 2025.
The latest delay is due to “premature erosion” found inside the dry processing plant. Fortescue had to redesign the air classification units and install upgraded ceramic liners in the plant. The miner said, “Iron Bridge’s ore processing and production rate have improved as a result of these initiatives.”
Fortescue anticipates Iron Bridge shipments of 10-12 million tonnes (Mt) in FY26 and for the operation to achieve an annualised production rate of 16-20 Mt in the second half of FY27.
“Iron Bridge is on track to safely and successfully achieve its FY25 market guidance for shipments and operating costs,” the miner said in a statement. “It remains an important operation for Fortescue, increasing production and shipping capacity, while complementing and enhancing its existing product portfolio.”
Iron Bridge is an unincorporated Joint Venture between FMG Magnetite Pty Ltd (69%) and Formosa Steel IB Pty Ltd (31%).
Sources: Fortescue and The Australian Financial Review