Fortescue Metals Group has announced three major productivity and efficiency initiatives for its Pilbara iron ore operations, including an innovative relocatable conveyor trial at its Cloudbreak mine.
FMG on Tuesday provided the ASX with an update on its continued investment in safety, productivity and efficiency. The miner outlined three initiatives.
“As part of Fortescue’s assessment of options for the Firetail replacement project,” the release said, “the company is investing in an innovative relocatable conveyor trial at the Cloudbreak mine.”
Another initiative is the expansion of autonomous haulage technology at FMG’s Solomon Hub.
“Fortescue has successfully deployed CAT autonomous haulage technology at the Solomon Hub since 2012 with 15 AHS trucks now operating, achieving a 20% improvement in productivity. Up to twelve 793F trucks will be converted to AHS to further improve productivity across the site.”
And the third initiative outlined by FMG was the further rollout of more AHS vehicles at the Chichester Hub.
“The implementation plan for the rollout of AHS at the Chichester Hub from FY18 is now underway,” Fortescue said, “including commencement of commercial negotiations with suppliers as well as upgrade of the IT network at both the Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek mines.”
Approximately 100 haul trucks will be converted to AHS at Chichester, with an expected productivity return on par with that achieved at Solomon.