The importance of WA’s emerging magnetite mining
and processing industry continues to receive
widespread recognition. Here, Chairman of CITIC
Pacific Mining (CPM) Zhang Jijing explains how the
importance of this Sino Iron project goes much further
than just the economic returns expected. As the project
continues to grow, CPM has committed to a number
of initiatives which encourage sustainable mining
and minimise impacts on the natural environment.
Zhang Jijing
Chairman
CITIC Pacific Mining
CPM has a strong commitment to making a positive
contribution to the Cape Preston natural environment
South-west of Karratha, the Sino Iron project is poised to deliver
on the long-held dream of transforming Pilbara magnetite
deposits into a high quality, value-added export product,
creating local jobs and underpinning a new industry for
the state.
Key infrastructure is now in place and commissioning of the
first two production lines is well underway as CPM makes the
transition from developer to producer.
While most of the region’s established hematite mines are
located hundreds of kilometres inland, the Sino Iron project is
based close to the coast, at Cape Preston.
The plan is to barge the magnetite concentrate to larger
vessels moored 20 kilometres offshore where the product will
be transferred for the journey to Chinese steel mills. The port
itself is the first to be constructed in the Pilbara in more than
40
years.
It is a ground-breaking project on many fronts. Sino Iron is
among the largest mining and resources projects undertaken
by any Chinese company outside of China. And when complete,
it will be one of the largest magnetite iron ore mines in the
world. With a mine life of more than 25 years, the project will
deliver billions in royalties to Western Australia, along with the
socio-economic benefits that come with creating thousands of
direct and indirect local jobs.
Themagnetite concentrate that will be produced is considered
a premium product; high in iron content with lower impurities
than traditional ore. It is ideal for pellet production and will be
used at CPM’s special steel mills in China and marketed to other
Chinese steelmakers.
In addition, less energy is required to process Sino Iron
magnetite concentrate into steel compared to hematite products
from the Pilbara, meaning it has an overall net global benefit in
terms of carbon pollution reduction.
What sets Sino Iron apart from other Pilbara operations
is the project’s vast concentrator area where the value is added
by improving the grade of the ore. Through in-pit crushers,
Sino Iron
A massive project going beyond pure processing
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