Part of the Kimberley Iron Ore Hub

Irvine Island is one of three islands which make up the Kimberley Iron Ore Hub in Yampi Sound about 130 kilometres north or Derby on the Kimberley Coast.

The Hub has been a centre of mining for more than 50 years. It was the location of the first iron ore exports from Australia and remains the principal iron ore mining zone for the Kimberley region.

The area is part of the Yampi Sound Port, set aside for shipping and import-export facilities in recognition of its role in mineral exports.

Iron mineralisation at the Hub is much younger than the deposits of the Pilbara and is contained within sedimentary rocks. One layer in particular, the Yampi Member, contains very high concentrations of iron and has been the primary focus of exploration and mining activity in the region. This layer is about 40m thick and outcrops on all three islands of the hub.

To date, there has been no evidence of any commercial iron deposits on any of the other 800 islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago.

However, the Irvine Island resource has exciting potential for development. The ore – a mixture of magnetite and haematite deposits - has low impurities and sits close to deep water access for ship loading. The magnetite is ideal for beneficiation to high grade concentrate.

None of the material has to be transported by rail – the major operating cost of many Western Australian iron ore mines. And Irvine Island has the important advantage of being closest Australian iron export site to China 

A partnership approach to development

a pic of heritage survey to come

Pluton will develop the Irvine Island project in partnership with the Mayala community.

One of the most important steps in the project development was an agreement in 2007 to clear the way for an exploration program on the island. Traditionally, the Mayala elders had opposed the exploration of Irvine Island, They were concerned that an intrusion by mining companies would threaten the island’s cultural values.

In 2007, Pluton proposed a different approach -

• A role for the Mayala in planning and development
• The right of veto over any unacceptable exploration
• A share in the project income
• A low impact exploration plan
• A strategy to separate operations from significant sites
• A joint management committee to give Mayala People a say in the way the project is developed and operated

The two parties have worked together on exploration, heritage surveys and environmental studies. This cooperative program laid the foundations for a strong relationship between Pluton management and the Mayala People.

The strategy for cooperative development was enshrined in a binding agreement to support mining on the island, The agreement secured a number of key benefits for the Mayala people, including-

• A shareholding in the Company
• A revenue stream
• Guaranteed training and employment
• Business opportunities and
• Community development projects, including a cultural and interpretive arts centre to promote the Aboriginal culture of the region