Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston today opened a state-of-the-art expansion of Fortescue Metal Group’s (FMG) Integrated Operations Centre.
Officially named the Fortescue Hive, the East Perth-based centre uses the latest technology to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of the company’s operations across the State.
Activities at the hive include operating FMG’s autonomous haulage and drilling technology, and the real-time monitoring of its iron ore processing facilities, mine sites and port.
Western Australia’s iron ore sector, which accounted for more than a third of global iron ore production in 2019, is a world-leader in deploying autonomous mining equipment.
Since the introduction of autonomous haul system technology, FMG’s 168 autonomous trucks have travelled more than 47 million kilometres and moved more than 1.4 billion tonnes of material.
Fortescue Founder and Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, and Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, also celebrated the official opening in Perth with various politicians and members of the iron ore miner’s Board of Directors and core leadership team.
The purpose-built facility includes Fortescue’s planning, operations and mine control teams, together with port, rail, shipping and marketing teams. It allows 330 team members across Fortescue’s complete supply chain to work together, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to deliver improved safety, reliability, efficiency and commercial outcomes, the company said.
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Dr Forrest said: “Mining is one of the most innovative industries in the world. Fortescue has long been a technology leader in the industry and was the first mining operation in Western Australia to control a railway from a remote location when we unveiled our Train Control Centre in Perth in 2009.
“Since then, Fortescue has continued to lead the pack and today we officially launch the Fortescue Hive, our reimagined IOC, which sits at the heart of our integrated supply chain to deliver critical ores to develop the great cities of our region and beyond.”
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said today “I congratulate FMG on the opening of the Fortescue Hive and its many advances in automation.
“WA’s iron ore sector continues to drive the digital mines of the future, reinforcing our reputation as a global leader in smart mining.
“This technology is not only transforming the iron ore industry, but is being trialled by other commodity groups such as the gold sector.
“Innovative centres such as the Fortescue Hive are a great win for worker safety, with a number of companies reporting improved safety outcomes across the State.
“The McGowan Government will continue to support programs and opportunities that upskill our workforce to ensure we meet the technological requirements of the future.”
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