Fortescue brings China-Australia collaboration to the Pilbara

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) has welcomed a group of post-graduate university students from two West Australian and two Chinese universities to its operations as part of a collaboration project announced earlier this year.

Two students each from the University of Western Australia, Curtin University’s WA School of Mines, and Lingnan (University) College, Sun Yat-sen University, and Central South University in China with backgrounds in metallurgy, mining and environmental engineering, as well as business, attended the tour.

The initiative, aimed at increasing cooperation and innovation across the mining and resources industry, included a tour of Fortescue's mine sites and port and rail operations tailored to the group’s areas of study and experience.

The tour concluded with an innovation workshop in Perth with students contributing to discussions on new ideas and opportunities for improved safety, productivity and efficiency, based on their shared learnings.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Nev Power said the site tour was an opportunity to showcase Fortescue's world-class operations and provide real-life insights into the Company’s mining processes and use of leading edge technology.

"We are very excited to have some of the brightest minds from China and Australia, bring their significant expertise across the fields of mining, minerals processing and business studies to build a deeper level of engagement and innovation across the mining and resources sector," Mr Power said.

Professor Sam Spearing, Director of WA School of Mines, Curtin University, joined the students on the tour and noted the strong level of engagement and openness demonstrated by the Fortescue team.

“Collaboration across the business was very strong, while a highlight was seeing the Company’s incredible commitment to environmental protection,” Prof Spearing said.

Key highlights from the Tour included:
- Innovative beneficiation processes and optimisation of Fortescue’s Ore Processing Facilities
- Use of autonomous haulage and drill technology at the Solomon Hub
- Herb Elliot Port, Australia's most efficient bulk port operation
- Approach to environmental management including the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline and its industry leading groundwater systems

The tour is part of the pilot phase of the long term, collaborative relationship between Fortescue, the four universities and the participating students.