Fortescue has lodged a proposal with Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to develop the Wyloo North Iron Ore Mine in the resource-rich Pilbara region.
Located about 110 kilometres west of Tom Price in the Hamersley Range, the project entered a seven-day public comment period on February 17, 2026.
The proposal outlines conventional open-cut mining operations, targeting both above- and below-groundwater table deposits.
Key components include mine pits, waste rock landforms, ore and soil stockpiles, plus supporting infrastructure like an access corridor, haul roads, pipelines, power systems, workshops, and accommodation camps.
Groundwater abstraction and dewatering will enable deeper extraction, with dedicated water management facilities on site.
Extracted ore, boasting a high 59.6% Fe grade, will travel by road train just three kilometres northeast to Fortescue’s existing Eliwana Iron Ore Mine for processing.
Fortescue projects an annual capacity of 12 million tonnes of iron ore, aligning with its strategy to leverage satellite deposits near established hubs.
The mine development envelope spans 21,910.1 hectares, with up to 4,954.5 hectares of direct disturbance, reflecting efficient use of proximate infrastructure to minimise new builds.
Operations are slated for 13 years within a total lifespan of about 20 years, including two years of construction and five years of decommissioning.
Progressive rehabilitation will occur throughout, guided by a dedicated closure plan.
Sustainability features prominently, with post-construction power primarily from solar renewables, battery storage, and ties to Fortescue’s Pilbara Transmission Network.
Backup diesel generators ensure reliability, though the project acknowledges added emissions — up to 52,311 tonnes of CO2-equivalent Scope 1 annually from mining activities.
This fits Fortescue’s broader decarbonisation push, including fleet electrification and renewable projects, after record FY2025 shipments of 198.4 million tonnes.
The EPA referral under Section 38 of the Environmental Protection Act invites stakeholder input by today, via its consultation portal.
Detailed plans can be found in the Wyloo North Final Proposal Content Document.
Public scrutiny will assess environmental impacts, especially groundwater effects and habitat disruption in the Pilbara’s sensitive ecology.
Fortescue, a Pilbara heavyweight, eyes Wyloo North to sustain growth amid global iron ore demand, but approval hinges on balancing economic gains with ecological safeguards.
Industry observers note the project’s proximity to Eliwana optimises logistics, cutting costs and emissions versus standalone sites.
Yet, as Fortescue targets net-zero by 2030, Wyloo North tests its green credentials in a tightening regulatory landscape.
With Pilbara wind farms and battery expansions underway, this proposal underscores Australia’s iron ore sector navigating expansion and emission pressures.
