IRON ORE MINING: $2.1-billion expansion planned for Mount Wright

QUEBEC - ArcelorMittal Mines Canada (AMMC) of Montreal has announced plans to expand production at its Mount Wright iron ore mine near Fermont and build additional facilities at Port Cartier.

The planned investment of $2.1 billion will boost annual concentrate output to 24 million tonnes by 2013 from the current rate of 14 million tonnes. Pellet production will also go up to 18.5 million tonnes from 9.2 million tonnes. AMMC says 8,000 construction jobs and 900 permanent jobs will be created.

AMMC previously said it will boost iron ore production to 100 million tonnes by 2015, and the Mount Wright project is part of that plan. It is also subject to environmental and other regulatory approvals.

Information about current operations at Mount Wright is available at www.ArcelorMittal.com/MinesCanada.