Atlas Iron hits Sanjiv Ridge crushing milestone

The Hancock Prospecting Group-owned company achieved this major milestone ahead of schedule this month.

Atlas Iron chief executive Sanjiv Manchanda, for whom the mine was renamed for in recognition of his many years of service, including as former Roy Hill chief operation officer, congratulated the team for its hard work and dedication to meet the milestone ahead of time.

“Now with first ore crushed, we are focussing on building the product stockpile and commencement of road haulage,” Manchanda said.

“In a week that has been tough on West Australians who have faced a trifecta crisis of a COVID-19 five-day lockdown, Pilbara cyclone and severe bushfires, we at Atlas Iron continue to be incredible proud of the contribution our company and broader industry is making to the economy.”

With the project tenure granted, environmental approval secured and camp under construction, the Sanjiv Ridge mine is edging closer to becoming fully operational by the third quarter of the 2021 financial year.

Sanjiv Ridge is expected to extend Atlas Iron operations’ life by five to six years.

The project will boost Atlas Iron’s annual output, providing 4-5 million tonnes a year of lump and fines, which will be hauled by road to the Utah Point stockyard at Port Hedland.

The Sanjiv Ridge mine has a mineral resource of 64 million tonnes at 57.2 per cent iron and an ore reserve of 29 million tonnes at 57 per cent iron.