Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) has successfully implemented their $33 Million relocatable conveyor, at an ore processing facility in Cloudbreak, Western Australia.
The five-kilometre conveyor is a key productivity initiative which includes a semi-mobile primary crushing station and feeds directly into the processing facility. The relocatable conveyor can be positioned close to the pits and relocated once mined. The new conveyor has been predicted to greatly reduce haulage costs, offsetting rising strip ratios and delivering sustained efficiency improvements across the business.
“The long and shallow nature of the ore body at the Chichester Hub presents unique challenges and opportunities. Since Fortescue first began operation with strip miners, the team has consistently brought new ideas and solutions to deliver the most from our ore bodies,” announced Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines on Fortescue’s proud history of embracing technology and innovation.
“In partnership with RCR Tomlinson, we have been able to adapt the relocatable conveyor technology frequently used in underground mining operations, allowing our team to respond to the requirements of the mine plan with greater flexibility,” she said.
Alongside with the rollout of autonomous haulage technology (AHS) across the Chichester Hub, this innovative conveyor system is on track to contribute to further productivity to the ore processing facility, and maintain cost leadership position.
More developments are still to come.