Iron ore is the raw material for the production of iron that is mostly further processed to produce steel. Small tonnages are also used in a variety of applications, including pigment manufacture, coal washeries and cement manufacture.
AUSTRALIAN BULK MINERALS TASMANIAN OPERATIONS - SAVAGE RIVER MINE
High grade iron ores mined at Savage River form part of a mineralised belt west of Waratah, which extends north eastwards to Burnie and out into Bass Strait.
The iron concentrate produced from the Savage River mill is pumped as a slurry through a pipeline 80 km to Port Latta, where it is converted into pellets ready for shipment overseas.
During 1997-98, production of iron (pellets) resumed with the re-opening of the Savage River Mine under new ownership and since then production at the mine has increased, from 820,841 tonnes in 1997-98 to 2,027,324 tonnes in 2000-01.
IRON PELLETS PRODUCED, Tasmania
|
 | Production |
| |
| Year | '000 tonnes |
|
| 1996-97 | 809.4 |
| 1997-98 | 820.8 |
| 1998-99 | 1,816.1 |
| 1999-2000 | 2,068.3 |
| 2000-01 | 2,027.3 |
Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. |
There were 459 people employed (including administrative staff in Burnie) in 2000-01. Capital expenditure totalled $18.7m.
SAVAGE RIVER MINE - 2000-01
|
| Units | |
|
| Production | | |
| -Iron ore pellets | tonnes | 2,027,324 |
| -Iron concentrate | tonnes | 38,300 |
| Employment | | |
| -Employees | no. | 225 |
| -Contractors | no. | 234 |
| -Total | no. | 459 |
| Capital expenditure | $m | 18.7 |
Source: Mineral Resources, Tasmania, Annual Review 2000-2001. |
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