Iron Mine Contracting secure major mining deal

Liontown awarded the contract – worth $240 million over three years – after it underwent a tender process late last year.

Iron Mine Contracting will carry out drilling, blasting, ore loading and hauling and waste handling as well as haul road construction and maintenance at Kathleen’s Corner and Mt Mann as part of the Kathleen Valley lithium project.

Located 680km north-east of Perth, the Kathleen Valley project is a Tier 1 battery metals asset with first productive expected to occur in the second quarter of 2024.

Liontown had a successful first blast at the site in February this year, marking the start of mining operations.

Liontown chief executive and managing director Tony Ottaviano said they were pleased to be continuing a partnership with Iron Mine Contracting which began in December before expanding in January.

“We have been impressed with the commitment and rapid ramp up by Iron Mine Contracting since they commenced work for us at Kathleen Valley and are therefore very pleased to be awarding them the full open pit mining services contract,” he said.

“The contract formalises the relationship we established late last year and allows us to safely and seamlessly continue on with our open pit mining operations to the high standards and volumes we expect.”

Iron Mine Contracting have committed to working with the Tjiwarl traditional owners during the project as part of the contract.