Australian iron ore company BC Iron Limited has announced that the West Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has granted the mining lease for the Nullagine iron ore joint venture (BC Iron - 50 percent/FMG - 50 percent) in Western Australia's East Pilbara region.
The grant of the mining lease is another key milestone for BC Iron and clears the way for the DMP to complete its review and approve BC Iron's submitted mining proposal.
BC Iron will commence mining at Nullagine later this year, and remains on track for its stated targets of first ore on ship during December 2010 and a production rate of 3 million mt per year and shipment of 1 million mt by June 30, 2011, a company statement said.