Sino Iron, developed and operated by CITIC Pacific Mining – a subsidiary of CITIC Mining International (CMI), is Australia’s largest magnetite concentrate producer and a major supplier of ironmaking feedstock to Chinese and other Asian steel mills.
Located on the coast of Western Australia’s Pilbara region, the fully integrated mining, processing and export operation produces a premium, low impurity 65% Fe concentrate. Independent life cycle analysis (commissioned by CMI) demonstrates a lower carbon emissions across the steel cycle (mine pit to ironmaking) which contributes to lower emission steelmaking.
During the year, Sino Iron achieved exports of approximately 14.9 million wet metric tonnes of concentrate to CITIC’s special steel plants and other steel mills. In late 2024 the project reached a major milestone, with the shipment of the 170 millionth tonne of concentrate since operations commenced more than a decade earlier.
Sino Iron continues to apply new technologies to drive greater operating efficiencies. In 2024, CMI deployed five new remotely-controlled autonomous drills. This breakthrough improves safety and eliminates potential human-related equipment damage.
While commodity prices remain volatile and the Australian mining industry continues to experience cost pressures, local labour shortages have started to ease in the past year. Total employee turnover at Sino Iron almost halved compared to 2023 and now sits below the industry average.
During the year, Sino Iron achieved exports of approximately 14.9 million wet metric tonnes of concentrate to CITIC’s special steel plants and other steel mills. In late 2024 the project reached a major milestone, with the shipment of the 170 millionth tonne of concentrate since operations commenced more than a decade earlier.
Sino Iron continues to apply new technologies to drive greater operating efficiencies. In 2024, CMI deployed five new remotely-controlled autonomous drills. This breakthrough improves safety and eliminates potential human-related equipment damage.
While commodity prices remain volatile and the Australian mining industry continues to experience cost pressures, local labour shortages have started to ease in the past year. Total employee turnover at Sino Iron almost halved compared to 2023 and now sits below the industry average.