Macro Metals has secured a life-of-mine contract to deliver services at a new iron ore project in WA, strengthening its position as a vertically integrated player in Western Australia’s mineral export market.
The deal—signed through its subsidiary, Macro Mining Services (MMS)—grants the company exclusive rights to carry out technical services, mining operations, and processing at the Extension Iron Ore Project, located near Port Hedland in the resource-rich Eastern Pilbara.
Project Rusty, a privately held firm, owns the tenement and has appointed RE:GROUP as the primary mining contractor. MMS will partner with RE:GROUP under a build-own-operate (BOO) model, positioning Macro to influence every phase of the mine’s supply chain.
“This life-of-mine mining services contract with RE:GROUP locks in revenue and margins for our business,” said Macro Director Simon Rushton. “It creates a very solid foundation for the contracting order book we are currently building.”
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A Strategic Iron Ore Project in WA’s Mining Heartland
The Extension project covers 27.6km² and holds an indicated mineral resource of 16.1 million tonnes at 54.2% iron. Metallurgical testing suggests up to 11.29 million tonnes of ore grading 57.16% Fe could be recoverable via dry screening.
Its location, just outside Port Hedland—Australia’s highest-tonnage bulk export port—gives the iron ore project in WA a logistical edge. MMS is already in discussions with Pilbara Ports Authority to secure export capacity of 1.5 to 2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), further cementing the project’s regional importance.
MMS’s responsibilities include mine site establishment, drilling and blasting, load and haul operations, and overseeing crushing and screening. Compensation will be structured on a cost-plus basis with a 15% markup, providing predictable revenue tied directly to project scope.
Integrated Supply Chain and Midstream Capability
In a move to maximize control over downstream activities, MMS will leverage Macro’s logistics and materials hub, located just 28km east of Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility. The site will support off-port stockpiling and potential ore blending, expanding the value proposition of the Extension asset.
This approach aligns with Macro’s business model, which emphasizes owning and operating as much of the mining supply chain as possible—from pit to port.
“We look to perform as many aspects of the supply chain as possible from pit to customer,” said Rushton.
Ownership Consolidation and Exploration Upside
Macro directors Simon Rushton and Rob Jewson each own 27.3% of Project Rusty. Subject to shareholder approval, Macro may acquire Rushton’s stake in the project via the issue of 175 million fully paid ordinary shares—potentially giving Macro a direct ownership interest in the iron ore project in WA it is contracted to service.
In parallel, MMS will explore untested mineralised outcrops across the tenement, raising the possibility of extending the mine life and expanding the resource base.
Pilbara Expansion Beyond Iron Ore
The contract follows a July 2024 announcement that Macro would earn an 80% interest in four manganese tenements in the Eastern Pilbara from Firebird Metals. This diversification strategy provides exposure to battery metals while reinforcing Macro’s commitment to Western Australian resources.
But for now, iron ore remains the cornerstone of the company’s growth story—and the Extension Iron Ore Project in WA offers a compelling platform for expansion.
Macro Metals’ entry into the Extension Iron Ore Project reflects more than just a services agreement—it signals a strategic evolution toward integrated mining operations in the Pilbara. With ownership pathways, logistical control, and resource upside all in play, the project may prove foundational to Macro’s broader ambitions in one of the world’s most competitive mining jurisdictions.
