Private mining services contractor Thiess has secured further mining and asset management work at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge magnetite mine in the Pilbara.
Private mining services contractor Thiess has secured further mining and asset management work at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge magnetite mine in the Pilbara.
The global contractor – which is co-owned by CIMIC Group and US firm Elliott Investment Management – locked in a two-year extension with the option to extend another two years with the iron ore major.
Thiess has been engaged at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge operation since 2022, with the contract extension designed to support ongoing ramp up at magnetite mine south of Port Hedland.
Under the contract extension, Thiess will mobilise additional personnel and fleet to expand the delivery of mining and asset management services.
Fortescue’s Iron Bridge – part owned by Formosa Steel – has been gradually ramping up off the back of a series of setbacks.
It churned out 19 million tonnes and shipped total 7mt in FY25, and intends to ship between 10 million and 12 million tonnes this financial year.
Iron Bridge's nameplate capacity of 22mtpa is targeted for FY28, five years on from when the miner was initially expected to be running at full production rate.
Thiess Group executive chair Michael Wright said the contractor had a long association with Fortescue in mine development and now in asset services and technology.
“The Iron Bridge project builds on this,” he said.
“It is a key part of Australia’s iron ore export profile, introducing magnetite, a premium product line with lower inherent emissions, and supports our ongoing strategy to diversify our commodities portfolio.
“As Thiess enters this new phase at Iron Bridge, we remain committed to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence, ensuring continued success for our client and the local communities in which we operate.”
Fortescue Iron Bridge operations director Graham Howard said Thiess’ expertise had been integral to the ongoing safe and efficient ramp-up of Iron Bridge.
“It ensures Iron Bridge continues to deliver long-term benefits for Fortescue and Formosa and our shareholders,” he said.
On home soil, Thiess has been providing drill and blast services, mining of overburden and ore, and equipment maintenance for Covalent Lithium at the Mount Holland mine.
Oversees, its recently secured extension to its overburden removal and mining activities contract at the Wahana project in Indonesia, among its global pipeline of work.
