Scottish engineering group Weir has won a record £100 million order to supply specialist equipment to an Australian iron ore mining project.
Under the contract, the Glasgow-based group’s crushing and pump equipment will be used on the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project, a joint venture between Fortescue Metals Group and Formosa Steel in western Australia. It is Weir's largest-ever single mining order.
Weir said the equipment will reduce energy consumption and waste by more than 30% compared to traditional mining technologies. The $2.6 billlion Iron Bridge project is expected to deliver its first ore in 2022.
Weir Group chief executive Officer Jon Stanton described the deal as a “landmark contract”. He added: “Fortescue challenged us to help create one of the most energy and cost-efficient magnetite ore processing facilities in the world.
"Our engineers have worked relentlessly to design a solution that is truly innovative - delivering significant energy, water and cost savings. This is a great example of working in close partnership with an ambitious customer who shares our passion for using innovative engineering to make mining more productive and sustainable."
