Atlas Iron Ltd. announced that production has commenced at its third Pilbara iron ore mine, Mt. Dove, located 65 km south of Port Hedland in Western Australia, representing a key stepping- stone toward achieving its near-term Horizon 1 production target of 12 million metric tons per year (mt/y).
“Atlas has a proven track record in Pilbara mine development having now brought three mines into production within four years,” said Atlas Managing Director Ken Brinsden. “The company is on target to bring five mines into production in five years with the addition of the Abydos mine in June 2013, and the first phase of the Mt. Webber mine in December 2013.” With the commencement of production and haulage at Mt. Dove, Atlas remains on track to export between 7.2 million mt and 7.7 million mt in the 2013 financial year.
The first blast at the Mt. Dove mine occurred on October 28, 2012. First ore was mined in November 2012 and with crushing and screening plant commissioning now complete, high grade production has commenced.
Production from the Mt. Dove mine will increase Atlas’ north Pilbara production rate to 8 million mt/y for the first quarter of 2013. Although the mine life at the project is relatively short, the grade contribution will enhance the Atlas’ North Pilbara blending opportunities.
