Atlas Iron advances McPhee Creek plans

McPhee Creek is expected to have a mineral resource of 246.9 million tonnes a year at 56.3 per cent iron ore and a 20-year mine life.

According to the proposal, Atlas will extract iron ore from five open cut pits that are 30 kilometres north of Nullagine.

This will require clearing of up to 1913 hectares of vegetation within a 4365 development area.

The use of ore crushing and truck loading infrastructure is listed in the proposal, with the Hancock Prospecting Group subsidiary planning to transport the ore by truck to third parties for processing or sold as direct shipping ore.

“Any processing at third party locations is outside of the scope of this proposal,” Atlas Iron stated.

The mine will feature an accommodation camp and heavy and light vehicle access roads.

Mining is expected to run on a 24-hour basis for seven days a week.

Atlas Iron referred to the proposal as a “conceptual footprint”, signalling that the exact location of the footprint could change during mine planning.

The EPA proposal is now open for a seven-day public comment period.

“To date, various exploration and investigation activities have been completed in support of the proposal,” Atlas Iron stated.

“These include the clearing of access tracks and drill pads, for both resource and groundwater studies, and the construction of an accommodation camp to support these activities. “

Atlas Iron was previously granted the EPA approval for its Miralga Creek iron ore project in the Pilbara last year.