Mineral Resources (MinRes) has marked a new milestone at its Onslow Iron project in Western Australia with the final crushing plant constructed and truck load out circuit operational at the Ken’s Bore site.
Onslow, which shipped first ore in May 2024 ahead of schedule, is in the process of ramping up to 35 million tonnes (Mt) per year with an expected mine life of more than 30 years.
MinRes designed, built and is managing the pit-to-port mining and transport infrastructure which unlocks stranded iron ore deposits in the west Pilbara the company says would otherwise remain undeveloped.
Ken’s Bore lies around 150km east of Onslow and is operated by CSI Mining Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of MinRes.
Ken’s Bore now has three modular crushing plants each with a 12.5Mt per year capacity, which are designed to consume less energy and deliver lower dust and noise emissions.
The truck load out circuit has been developed to help optimise the haulage operation, which is underpinned by MinRes’ dedicated, private haul road running from Ken’s Bore to the Port of Ashburton.
With the aim of delivering a more efficient way of loading MinRes’ custom-designed road trains, the circuit features a bucket-wheel reclaimer loading ore onto a conveyor belt feeding product into trailers from above.
MinRes executive general manager Onslow Mike Tonkin said the two latest pieces of plant would bolster the project’s ongoing ramp up.
“Commissioning the third crushing plant allows us to significantly increase our crushing capacity and add to our stockpiles at Ken’s Bore,” he said.
“Similarly, the truck load out facility provides greater efficiencies to our haulage operation, allowing us to reduce loading times and increase the number of trucks transporting ore to the Port of Ashburton for export.”
“Both pieces of infrastructure demonstrate the in-house capability within the MinRes business and I congratulate everyone involved in the safe delivery of our crushers and truck load out facility.”
