Barry Fitzgerald

CITIC Pacific Mining has been given the green light to submit proposals for a 70 million tonne operation for its Sino iron ore project in the Pilbara following the passing of amendments to its state agreement act.

CITIC Pacific Mining managing director Barry Fitzgerald has resigned from the Hong Kong-listed company to take up a position with Hancock Prospecting, a week after an $US835 million cost blowout was revealed at the Sino Iron project in the Pilbara.

Across the Pilbara, in the Mid West, Yilgarn and Great Southern, WA’s iron ore sector is planning substantial growth.

The $10 billion Roy Hill project remains on track to start mining next year and achieve its first iron ore exports in the third quarter of 2015, its project director said today.

The developer of the $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore project has secured a unique insurance scheme which safeguards the project against construction delays and wage blowouts caused by cyclones on the volatile Pilbara coastline.

Gina Rinehart has virtually ensured her family's long-held dream of operating its own iron ore mine, securing final funding for her massive Roy Hill project.

Tensions between WA’s major iron ore producers and their smaller competitors will be on show at a major conference this week.

Roy Hill Holdings, its business partners and project contractors, have set up a $10 million community foundation they say will offer a “unique” approach to delivering educational and cultural programs to Pilbara communities.

A single worker en route to the Roy Hill mine site has been found to be in possession of cannabis, after police searching for illicit drugs visited a number of remote Pilbara worksites serviced by fly-in, fly-out workers.

SPECIAL REPORT: What’s next for the iron ore sector, as the final two ‘mega’ iron ore projects approach completion in the Pilbara?

Iron ore miner Roy Hill has officially taken control of its mine, rail and port operations in the Pilbara from lead construction contractor Samsung C&T, with the company now commencing ramp-up of production to target the nameplate 55 million tonnes per annum capacity.

The recently established Roy Hill Community Foundation has launched its first initiative at a primary school in Port Hedland, after securing $10 million in commitments.

A creative approach to engagement is the latest weapon in efforts to get the health message out to men. 

The state’s largest iron ore mine Roy Hill hit its nameplate capacity for the first time last month, according to Roy Hill Holdings chief executive Barry Fitzgerald, while the exact cost of the project so far has been revealed.

SPECIAL REPORT: Roy Hill Holdings and Chevon have joined the likes of Rio Tinto, BHP, Woodside and CBH Group in an updated ranking of WA’s largest exporters in the BNiQ Search Engine.