A targeted drilling program and first blast were safely completed by the company’s drill and blast team and strip activities are now underway to prepare the site for first ore to be crushed and processed at Iron Valley’s central facilities.
Iron Valley forms part of MinRes' Central Pilbara hub, which recently announced maiden Mineral Resources of 161 million tonnes (Mt) at 57.0% Fe and Ore Reserves of 51Mt at 57.5% as at 30 June 2025.
The hub is comprised of three sites - Iron Valley, Wonmunna and Lamb Creek - and has a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), with product hauled to the Port of Port Hedland and exported from the Utah Point berth.
Located 75km north west of Newman, Iron Valley is MinRes’ oldest continuously producing iron ore mine, with iron ore assets acquired from BCI Minerals in June 2024, having previously been operated under an iron ore sale and purchase agreement.
MinRes General Manager Central Pilbara Joe Brown said the development of the North Pit would aid the continuation of Iron Valley’s operations well into the future.
“Once operational, the North Pit will join the Eastern and Central Pits in producing iron ore at Iron Valley as a critical part of our Central Pilbara hub,” Joe said.
“This is another important milestone for our Central Pilbara team, who has enjoyed a successful year and included milestones such as loading our largest ship to date at Utah Point and setting a record for lump load out.”
“Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving this milestone safely and we look forward to progressing operations at the pit.”
In FY25, the Central Pilbara hub achieved shipments of 9.7 million wet metric tonnes – at the upper end of guidance.
Learn more about MinRes’ Central Pilbara hub.
