Moly Mines Ltd. reported in late November it had begun mining iron ore at Spinifex Ridge, 50 km northeast of Marble Bar in the Pilbara of Western Australia. The company said mining had commenced at an annualized rate of 1 million mt/y of iron ore with approximately 18,000 mt of ore stockpiled ready to be crushed.
Moly Mines expected the first shipment of iron ore fines to occur in mid-December. According to the company, its export schedule was set months ago based on the anticipated completion of Moly Mines’ ore stockpile facilities at the Utah Point export facility at Port Hedland. Those facilities are now ready to receive Spinifex Ridge ore.
Construction of the processing plant and associated infrastructure is substantially complete and plant commissioning has commenced. Commissioning has identified some rectification work required to the conveyor on the stacking system, which was not expected to affect project schedule.
Moly Mines also has begun studies to increase the project production rates from 1 million mt/y. This is expected to be achieved with limited capital as current mining and crushing operations are currently day shift only. Exploration activities are also ongoing to expand the existing iron ore resource base.
