Atlas Iron provides update on DSO projects in north Pilbara

Australian iron ore miner Atlas Iron has provided an update on its production expansion in its direct shipping ore projects in north Pilbara in Western Australia.
 
Atlas stated that it has received the final environmental approvals for the Mt Dove mine site, completing all the necessary approvals and agreements to commence mining operations at Mt Dove. The construction will start in early July 2012 with commissioning planned for December 2012. Atlas expects production from the Mt Dove mine to increase its north Pilbara production rate to 8 million mt per year in the March quarter of 2013.
 
The company expects to receive final consent to mine at Abydos Mine in September 2012.
With the first production from the Abydos Mine scheduled for the June quarter of 2013, Atlas' Pilbara production rate is expected to reach 10 million mt per year by June 2013.
 
As for Mt Webber, Atlas remains on target to commence production by December 2013. Production at Mt Webber will start at a rate of 2 million mt per year and ramp up to its 6 million mt per year installed plant capacity over time.
 
With the launch of production at the Mt Webber project, Atlas' output rate is expected to grow to 12 million mt per year.