West Australian miner CuFe has seen enough in the current level and direction of iron ore prices to restart mining of direct shipping ore at its 60%-owned JWD deposit, part of the Wiluna West project 700km east of Geraldton.
With prices 50% higher than when mining was suspended, exec director Mark Hancock says CuFe’s optimism for pricing through 2023 is supported by relaxed Covid-related restrictions in China and continued strong SE Asian demand.
The company is also benefiting from lower sea and road haulage costs and improved stripping ratios.
CuFe has drawn its $US2M prepayment facility with offtaker Glencore to assist ramp-up working capital and activity at its other projects.