Iron knob

Arrium Mining and Materials is to restart iron ore mining at the historic Iron Knob mine near Whyhalla in South Australia. The mining operation is to be focused on two new pits, Princess West and Princess East, as well as recommencing mining in the historic Monarch Pit where iron ore mining in Australia began in the 1800's. Mining contracting company BCG Contracting will be undertaking the initial cutbacks on all of these pits.

It is initially planned to use a single digger for a period of seven months on†the Iron Knob project. This will be followed by a second dig fleet as the project ramps up to reach its targetted production rate of eight million bank cubic metres a year.

The first Blasting Operation has Been Carried out at the Iron Knob Mine for Over 15 Years

Arrium Mining signaled the first step in redeveloping the Iron Knob mine when it recently completed the first blasting operation at the mine for over 15 years. Arrium Mining and Materials is an ASX (Australian Securities Exchange) listed company that had its origins with One Steel and BHP. It employees over 10,000 employees throughout the world. The redevelopment work at the historic Iron Knob mine will include the reinstatement of the old railway line as well as the construction of crushing and screening facilities.

Iron Knob Mining Contract Awarded to BCG Contracting

In January 2014 Arrium Mining awarded the contract to recommence mining at the Iron Knob mine to Australia's largest private civil and mining contracting company, BCG Contracting, The contract is for an initial period of four years with the opportunity of having this extended for a further term. BCG Contracting already has a contract with Arrium Mining and Materials for the delivery of mining services to the company's South Middleback mining operation.

Iron Knob is the Home of the Australian Steel Industry

Iron Knob is where the Australian steel industry has its roots. It was once the home of the largest commercially-viable iron ore mine in the country. It is also in an area that is rich with Indigenous heritage sites and for this reason the mining operation will continue to work closely with the Barngaria people, especially when mining gets back to full production, when it is planned to develop a mutually beneficial relationship between the two parties.

It is currently planned to maintain an iron ore production rate of 12 million tonnes a year at the re-vitalised Iron knob mine, for at lest the next 10 years. It is the first mining operation to take place at the site since the late 1990's. One of the most important re-development projects to be undertaken at the Iron Knob site is the work to be carried out on the old railway line. This railway is vital to the safety and efficiency of the operation as it will eliminate the need to haul the ore to Whyhalla by truck on public roads.

In January 2014, BCG recruited 100 new personnel to work on the Iron Knob redevelopment project. The company was also transferring another 100 workers from another of its South Australian mine sites to work at Iron Knob, developing the two new pits and reopening the old pit, giving it a total of 200 people working on the project.