Geraldton alliance to develop Mid-West iron mining

Geraldton alliance to develop Mid-West iron mining

Australia's Mid-West region based Midwest Corporation Limited, Murchison Metals Limited and Gindalbie Metals Limited formed the Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance in order to develop the iron ore industry in the region. The Geraldton Alliance will work in order to strengthen cooperation among governmental authorities and industry groups. Iron ore production capacity of Mid-West region is expected to reach 50 to 60 million mt per annum in 10 years. Former Western Australian State Development Minister Clive Brown will act as the independent Chairman of the Geraldton Alliance. All three foundation members of Geraldton Alliance are actively developing their stage one projects to provide a platform for further expansions: Murchison Metals began constructing a $24 million project to produce 1.2 million metric tons iron ore per annum begginning from early next year. Murchison is also planning 25 million metric tons per annum iron ore production in the region in 10 years. Gindalbie Metals is also carrying out efferts for its initial 1.5 million metric tons per annum direct shipping ore project and also carrying out feasibility studies to benefit from 400 million metric tons iron ore deposit in the region. Midwest Corporation is planning to begin exporting 1 million metric tons hematite iron ore per annum from its Koolanooka hematite project in the region. The company is also planning to develop the Weld Range project in the region, where 15-20 million metric tons per annum hematite and about 5 million metric tons per annum concentrates/pellet production is planned in five years.