The construction of the Australian MRL Lamb Creek iron ore mine has commenced, with ore production expected to begin in 2026.

Recently, Mineral Resources Ltd (MRL) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Lamb Creek iron ore project, which not only marks the commencement of a new mine but also signifies the company's strategic optimization of its Pilbara supply chain. It is reported that
the Lamb Creek iron ore project was approved by the end of 2025, with an annual production capacity of 7.5 million mt, extending the operational life of MRL's Pilbara hub by over five years. Located 50 km from the Iron Valley mine, once completed, the Lamb Creek project will allow MRL to blend ore from both mines and transport the finished product to the Utah Point terminal at Port Hedland. Currently, construction is underway, including a 16 km haul road and a new crushing plant to be delivered by MRL's engineering and construction team. The first ore from the project is expected to be produced in Q4 of the 2025-2026 fiscal year (FY26).

Chris Soccio, CEO of MRL's iron ore business, stated that the Lamb Creek project will expand the company's operations in the Pilbara region. "The development of the Lamb Creek iron ore mine aligns with our five-year development plan for the Pilbara hub, which plays a significant role in our iron ore investment portfolio," he said. "I would like to thank the numerous MRL employees who have contributed to the Lamb Creek iron ore project – for many, this project represents years of hard work, approvals, and planning." "Equally important, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Lamb Creek mine is located – the Banjima People – with whom we have established a strong relationship, thanks to our early and ongoing consultations."

It is understood that the commissioning of the Lamb Creek mine also marks the company's gradual replacement of the nearby Wonmunna iron ore mine. MRL plans to transfer all employees from the Wonmunna mine to the new project, rather than reducing its workforce, thereby ensuring no layoffs during the transition of production from one site to another. In August, MRL released the mineral resource and ore reserve report for its Pilbara hub, which indicated iron ore reserves of 161 million mt at a grade of 57%, and iron ore resources of 51 million mt at a grade of 57.5%.