Fortescue’s innovative relocatable conveyor comes online

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Fortescue has officially commissioned its new relocatable conveyor at the Cloudbreak iron ore mine in the Pilbara in a move expected to dramatically reduce the company’s haulage costs.

The five kilometre conveyor – which includes a semi-mobile primary crushing station and feeds directly into the Cloudbreak ore processing facility – can be positioned approximate to pits and relocated once mined, thus reducing haulage costs and delivering sustained efficiency improvements across the business.

Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines congratulated the Fortescue team for the safe and successful completion of this key productivity initiative.

“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,” Ms Gaines added.

“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.”

“Together with the rollout of autonomous haulage technology (AHS) across the Chichester Hub, this innovative conveyor system will contribute to further productivity and efficiency improvements and maintain our cost leadership position.”

Image credit: http://www.fmgl.com.au