The company commenced mining in December last year, crushing and screening operations began in June. Haulage operations are slated to begin on 18 July.
Atlas Iron expects production at the mine to double to six million tons, following the second phase expansion slated for completion by December 2014 quarter-end.
Atlas managing director Ken Brinsden said Mt Webber was one of the company’s lowest-cost mine developments with outstanding capital efficiency of $35 per annualised ton of production and very competitive operating costs.
"These lower capital and operating costs continue to improve our already-strong position on the global cost curve, and against our peers in Australia," Brinsden said.
The company said that the Mt Webber stage one project marks the completion of its Horizon I development program, and it will now focus on production optimization across its mines to further reduce costs.
Image: Western Australia Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Marmion and Atlas managing director Ken Brinsden. Photo: courtesy of Atlas Iron Limited.
