Bit of good news from AGO today in regards to FMG too.Third...

Bit of good news from AGO today in regards to FMG too.

Third party access to infrastructure in Pilbara - historic milestone

The first commercial shipment marks an historic milestone, ushering in an exciting new era of co-operation and infrastructure-sharing for the Pilbara iron ore industry with Atlas gaining third party access to the rail and port infrastructure developed by FMG.

Atlas signed a binding Heads of Agreement with FMG in August this year for access to FMG’s world-class Port Hedland port facilities for initial production from the Pardoo Project – representing the first Third Party Port Access Agreement of its kind in Western Australia.

Atlas Managing Director, David Flanagan, said “Atlas has overcome many obstacles and challenges to become the Pilbara’s first junior iron ore producer. We have successfully developed one of the lowest capital cost iron ore mines, established a quality resource base, secured environmental approvals, started mining and we are now shipping our first iron ore – all in record time.

“Most exciting of all, this is just the beginning of the Atlas story. Our vision is to become Australia’s fourth largest iron ore producer by early next decade and today marks an important first step towards that.

Fortescue Metal co-operation

David Flanagan said, “I would also like to express my warmest appreciation to Andrew Forrest and his team at FMG who have worked very closely with us towards delivering this first shipment in a timely fashion. “FMG has been a trailblazer in opening up the Pilbara to third party access and creating an environment in which new entrants such as Atlas can develop their business plans. We are looking forward to building on our association with FMG as we ramp up production from Pardoo and commence development of our second iron ore project at Abydos, 120km south of Port Hedland.”