Hardey apijv

The Hardey/APIJV iron ore project is located from 30 kilometres to 85 kilometres south west of Pannawonica in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project is based on large JORC pisolite iron ore resources totaling more than 2.5 billion tonnes, with potential for substantial more growth as exploratory drilling continues.

The Hardey/APIJV Project will Consist of a Series of Open cut Mining Operations

The Hardey/APIJV iron ore project involves the developing and operating a series of open cut mines, the construction of a new 245 kilometres heavy haul railway network connecting the mine to the port and the building of a new deep water port at Anketell Point, 25 kilometres to the east of Karratha, capable of exporting over 350 million tonnes of direct shipping iron ore (DSO) annually for at least the next 20 years, accommodating multiple mining customers exporting multiple types of mining products.

Hardey/APIJV Feasibility Study Completed in 2012

The Feasibility Study examining the Hardey/API JV project, that was completed in 2012, is currently being advanced by improving the project's cost structure and configuration for the Joint Venture owners; Aquila Steel Pty Ltd and AMCI (American Metals and Coal International Pty Ltd). Both companies hold a 50 percent interest in the project. The Joint Venture company APIJV, that was inaugurated in early 2005, is managed by API Management Pty Ltd, from its head office in Perth.

The Hardey/APIJV mining and marketing Feasibility Study was conducted by APIM (API Management) and the rail and port infrastructure Feasibility Study was undertaken by Aurizon, with a final investment decision to be made by Hardey/APIJV in the latter half of 2016, subject to long term iron ore market fundamentals being positive.

Hardey/APIJV pit to Mine 90 Metres Below Water Table

The Hardey/APIJV mining operation is proposed to be undertaken as open pit mining using the conventional drill, blast and excavation technique. Mining is to continue to a depth of 90 metres below the water table with de-watering being carried out at a rate of 1.5 gigalitres a year. The dewatering rate will be adjusted to suit the operational water demand of the project to minimise risk and any surplus water discharge occurring. The mining operation will be backfilled as work progresses, to a depth of five metres above the pre-mining water table. The water consumption will used for dust suppression, washing of equipment and construction and potable purposes generally.

Natural vegetation will be disturbed over an area of 650 hectares to allow the mine pits to be established as well as for land clearing to accommodate roads, administrative buildings and an accommodation camp, including that for other utilities, such as the ore processing plant, crusher and screening facility. The Goldfields Gas Transmission Pipeline is located 20 kilometres from the site.

It is expected a construction workforce of around 600 personnel will be required to build the project infrastructure and up to 300 people will be required to run the operation on a permanent basis. The accommodation village is planned to be built 3.5 kilometres from the mining operation