Hancock Iron Ore has commenced production at the A$840m ($579m) McPhee Creek mine in Western Australia’s (WA) Pilbara region, delivering its first ore after nearly 19 months of development.
The mine is located approximately 100km north of the Roy Hill Mine and 30km north of Nullagine.
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The project had initially been scheduled to open in 2023, but progress was delayed due to environmental and regulatory approvals, with the federal government granting final clearance in September 2024.
Feasibility work on the McPhee Creek site began in early 2019 following Hancock Prospecting’s acquisition of Atlas Iron.
The company’s board gave formal approval for development in 2021.
According to Hancock, development included upgrading and sealing 100km of roads in partnership with the state government.
The work also involved moving one million cubic metres of earth and constructing mine facilities, workshops and a 220-room accommodation camp.
The company reported that the transition from construction to operational readiness had progressed without disruption.
Once fully operational, primary crushed ore will be hauled by road train from the McPhee Creek site to the Roy Hill facility for processing.
The processed iron ore will then be transported for export via port facilities.
Hancock Iron Ore said in a statement: “McPhee Creek is a testament to the collaboration across engineering, construction, approvals, safety, environment and stakeholder teams – all working with a relentless ‘solve it’ mindset.
“The vision and drive of our executive chairman, Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, continues to shape Australia’s resources sector. Her leadership has been instrumental in bringing McPhee from concept to reality.
“To everyone involved, this is an achievement to be proud of.”
