Twiggy declares momentous day

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Andrew Forrest has hailed the loading of junior miner BC Iron’s first shipment of ore using his company’s railway and port facility as a “historic” day for the industry.

It was the first time a junior miner had been able to transport its own iron ore using another company’s railway line in the Pilbara, rather than transferring ownership at the mine gates, Mr Forrest said at last week’s loading ceremony on board the MV Zosco Dalian in Port Hedland.

“It will really change the paradigm in Western Australia,” he said.

“I think a lot of companies will see it can be done.”

BC’s chief executive Mike Young said the Nullagine deposit would have remained untapped without access to Fortescue’s 320km-long heavy haulage railway line.

Under the company’s 50-50 joint venture, the 20,000 tonnes of ore loaded last week had first been trucked 55km to the railway at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine.

The company of about 40 employees is the third to be given thirdparty access to Fortescue’s railway line and joins a select club of Pilbara iron ore exporters.

It intends to have shipped 1 million tonnes by about midyear.

Mr Forrest said Fortescue were negotiating with four other junior miners over similar infrastructure agreements, although the companies would not necessarily have to give up project equity.

“We made a commitment to help every junior iron ore company we possibly can,” he said.

“It’s not a charity, we don’t do it for love, we do it because it’s good business and it’s good for Australia.”

Andrew Forrest descends the gang plank of the MV Zosco Dalian, Port Hedland, after the ceremony to mark the first loading of ore from the the BC Iron Nullagine joint venture.