Koolan island

Mt Gibson Iron Limited acquired the Yampi Sound, Koolan Island, iron ore mine, in the Northern Kimberley region of Western Australia, in 2007, when it was successful in its takeover of Aztec Resources. The mine had previously been flooded with around 10 billion litres of sea water when BHP ceased mining operations on the island in 1993. Before BHP left the operation, the company blasted part of the hanging wall allowing the sea water to flood in. This resulted in a considerable marine life eco-system forming within the former open pit mine.

Iron Ore Production Resumed at the Koolan Island Mine in 2007
Despite this considerable handicap, hematite production resumed at the mine in the early months of 2007, with the first shipment of ore being shipped off the island in June 2007. Production began in the main pit, that contains a high grade product, in late 2011. Twelve months ahead of the other three satellite open pits on the island; Barramundi, Mullet and Acacia. The mine is currently in the process of lifting its annual production to four million tonnes of iron ore a year by 2014, from its current level of three million tonnes.

Koolan Island Produced 70 Million Tonnes of Iron Ore Between 1959 and 1993
The Koolan Island Mine, that is located about 140 kilometres north of the Western Australian town of Derby, had produced close to 70 million tonnes of iron ore between 1959 and 1993 when it was owned and operated by BHP.

Koolan Island Mine now Owned by Mt Gibson Iron Limited
The present owner of the mine, Mt Gibson Iron Limited, is a leading Australian independent mining company. It was established in Perth in 1996 and became listed on the ASX in 2002. The Koolan Island Mine iron ore is a high quality direct shipping hematite ore that is low in impurities. As at June 2012 the Koolan Island Mine had iron ore resources totalling 68.9 million tonnes grading at 62.7 percent iron. Mt Morgan Iron Limited's export logistics at Koolan Island simply consists of loading the ore at the mine's own ship loading facility on site onto Panamax ships that take the ore to its overseas customers.

Mining Activity Increases by 143 Percent in one Quarter at the Koolan Island Mine
Mining activity at the Koolan Island Mine increased by 143 percent in the quarter to March 2013 as a result of the mine's current ramp-up plan. The increase has been attributed to the resumption of two shift mining operations and the addition of extra personnel. A new maintenance workshop has recently been completed on site. Iron ore shipments from the Koolan Island Mine totalled 578,000 tonnes for the first quarter of 2013 and this is expected to increase substantially as the ramp-up plan gains momentum. A total of 134,000 tonnes of uncrushed DSO iron ore are stockpiled at the mine, along with 67,000 tonnes of crushed DSO ore.

Koolan Island Keeps Good Relationship With Traditional Land Owners
Koolan Island mine management encourages good relationship with the traditional owners of the land in the Yampi Sound area in keeping with the Koolan Island Co-existence Deed that has been agreed to by both the company and Dambimangari (Dambina-Ngardi) people. The deed has been in effect since April 2006 and it allows for the development of the mine as well as shipping the ore from the island, in return for employment and business opportunities that will create a benefit for indigenous
communities in the wider Kimberley region.
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A Good Look around Koolan Island ........