Our Company

Karara Mining Limited was established in 2007 through a joint venture between China’s Ansteel Group – the Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (52.16%) and Gindalbie Metals Limited (47.84%) to develop and operate the Karara mine. Ansteel also holds a 35.89% interest in GBG.

Located 200km south-east of Geraldton, Western Australia, Karara is the largest mining operation and the first major magnetite mine in the Mid-West.

Karara produces a premium, high-grade concentrate product for export to steelmakers (66-68% Fe) magnetite concentrate at a design production rate of 8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).

The Karara Lifestyle

With an expected mine life of 30+ years, it will underpin a long-term iron ore business and provide sustainable benefits to the regional community in which we operate. The operation includes a large open pit mine, complex ore processing and beneficiation plant and significant infrastructure and logistics networks.

It is only a short commute (45 minutes) from Perth to our purpose-built airstrip at Karara. This provides the opportunity for you to spend more time at home and less time travelling. The mid-west offers a more temperate climate than other iron ore mining regions in the Pilbara region. The Karara village offers high quality amenities with ensuited rooms; 1Gbps Internet Bandwidth on site to enjoy video family face time and internet surfacing; an eco-walking/jogging trail in a natural bush setting, as well as swimming pool, mini golf, tennis, cricket, gym and volleyball facilities. Recently renovated dining and recreational room facilities and wet mess/tavern.

Our Investment

Since project inception, Karara has made a total capital commitment of some AUD$4 billion. This includes >AUD$1 billion in new common-use infrastructure in the Mid West, comprising an 85 km rail line, a dedicated 16 Mtpa export facility in Geraldton Port, a 330 kV power transmission line and a 140 km water pipeline. This significant capital investment is delivering long-term benefits to the Mid West region and Western Australia, including direct and indirect job opportunities, community partnerships, export revenue, taxes and royalties.

Our Commitment

Karara is an important part of the Mid West region community and we are committed to continue working closely with local communities to help identify and support sustainable development opportunities in the Mid West region. Our environmental objective is to maintain the abundance, diversity, geographic distribution and productivity of flora and fauna at species and ecosystem levels.  Karara will eliminate or minimise any actual or potential impact on flora and fauna at the Karara mine-site and our regional infrastructure through proactive application of our management system, and compliance with established policies and our licence conditions.

Key Milestones

  • OCT 2009
    Environmental Approval Granted
  • NOV 2009
    Start of Construction
  • MAR 2011
    First Shipment of Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) Hematite
  • JAN 2013
    First Shipment of Magnetite Concentrate
  • APR 2013
    Official opening by Hon Colin Barnett MLA, Premier; Minister for State Development
  • JUL 2013
    Mine commissioning completed
  • OCT 2013
    100th shipment
  • NOV 2013
    First shipment of premium, high grade (+65% Fe) magnetite concentrate
  • MAR 2014
    10 million tonnes of combined product shipped
  • APR 2015
    20 million tonnes of combined product shipped
  • JUL 2015
    Monthly production hits nameplate production run-rate of 8Mtpa for the first time
  • JUL 2015
    Achieved crushing record of 77510 wmt and daily con production record of 30365 wmt
  • SEP 2015
    400th shipment
  • NOV 2015
    Hematite DSO mining operations completed
  • AUG 2016
    Awarded Chamber of Minerals & Energy - Health & Safety Innovation Awards: Engineering Category; People’s Choice Category
  • OCT 2016
    Awarded Inaugural Department of Mines & Petroleum - WA Resources Sector Community Partnership Award
  • DEC 2017
    Full year production of magnetite concentrate 8.05 Mt exceeds nameplate of 8Mtpa for the first time
  • JUL 2018
    5 Year Mining Anniversary - mine commissioning
  • NOV 2018
    5 Year Mining Anniversary - first shipment of High Grade (+65% Fe) Magnetite Concerntrate

Our purpose

Karara is a multi-cultural mining company, adding value through resilience and innovation.

Our values

Safety First

Priorities change, however, the need to work safely will never change.

Teamwork

Effective communication is the soul of teamwork.

Integrity

We treat each other how we would like to be treated.

Respect

Respect is the basis for effective communication.

Strive for Support

One vision.
One voice.

Strategic Alignment

We understand our business plan & proactively work toward it.

News

Karara Mining 10 years’ Service Anniversary Event 2022

On 5 November 2022, we were honoured to have hosted our 42 employees, along with their significant other, who came together from various regions of WA, celebrated their 10 years’ service anniversary working at Karara Mining.

The event was held at The Westin Hotel where attendees were served with great food & drinks. We had awards presentation to our employees as well as a surprise gift for their guest. For keepsake, a photobooth was also set up for attendees at the event. It was great to see attendees coming together from various departments & locations, catching up with one another and celebrating the event. A great achievement in itself!

Our CEO Mr Changjiang Zhu highlighted in his speech on the day, the employees who have reached their 10th service anniversary have witnessed the Karara Iron Ore Project from construction and commissioning to fully operational in 2013 and to fruition of success today. The event was held to recognise their commitment, contribution, and loyalty to the Company. The appreciation was also extended to our employees’ guests for their unconditional support to our employees throughout their journey at Karara Mining.

We would also like to thank the colleagues who were on-shift on the day for the work coverage, to allow your fellow teammates to be able to celebrate this significant achievement together in Perth. Thank you for demonstrating Karara Values.

We look forward to 10 years’ service anniversary celebrations with more of you next year and the years to come!

Who We Are

Board of Directors & Senior Management
Gindalbie
Ansteel

Shao An Lin

Chairman

Mr Shao has worked with China’s Ansteel Group for more than 20 years. He holds a PhD in Mining and has held a host of senior positions in Ansteel’s iron ore operations, including as Chief Engineer of the Dong An Shan Iron Ore Mine, General Manager of Yan Qian Shan Iron Ore Mine and Deputy General Manager of Gong Chang Ling Iron Ore Co. In 2006, Mr Shao was appointed as General Manager of Ansteel Group Mining Company. He is also the President of the Metallurgical Mine Association of China. Mr Shao was appointed to the Karara Board in April 2013. In December 2016, Mr Shao was appointed as Chairman of Ansteel Group Mining Company and in April 2017 he was appointed Vice President of Ansteel Group Corporation.

Li Zhiqi

Director

Mr Li has extensive knowledge of management in the Chinese mining industry. He is qualified as a Senior Economist in material management and has held senior positions in Ansteel’s Iron Ore operations, including as General Manager of Fu Zhou Wan Clay Plant. He has held senior roles with Ansteel Group Mining Company including as Deputy General Manager of Affiliated Company; General Manager of Supply and Marketing Company; and General Manager of Finance. In 2016, Mr Li was appointed as Deputy General Manager of Ansteel Group Mining Company. Mr Li was appointed to the Karara Board in June 2016.

Zhu Changjiang

Director and Chief Executive Officer

Mr Zhu has over 20 years of experience with Ansteel Group Corporation of China. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Northeastern University of China and a master degree in Economics Management, and has held various senior maintenance positions across Ansteel Group Mining Company’s iron ore operations including as Manager - Mechanical Maintenance, Manager - Pelletizing Plant and General Manager Processing for the Gong Chang Ling Iron Ore Operation. In 2016, Mr Zhu was appointed as Deputy Director Production & Operations of Ansteel Group Mining Company. He is a Council Member of Metallurgical Mine Association of China. In June 2017, Mr Zhu was appointed to the Karara Board; he was appointed as General Manager Operations for Karara Mining in August 2017. Mr Zhu was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in October 2019.

Shi Lei

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

With a career spanning more than 30 years with Ansteel Group Mining Company, Mr Shi has extensive experience in finance and cost management for mining operations. He has held various senior positions in Ansteel Group Mining Company, including Superintendent Finance and Assistant Mine Manager for Ansteel Group Mining Company’s open pit iron ore operation, Deputy Mine Manager of Dengta limestone mine and Manager Finance for the Gong Chang Ling Iron Ore Operation. In 2014, he was appointed as Manager of the Finance Shared Service Centre for Ansteel Group Mining Company. He is a Finance Committee member of the Metallurgical Mine Association of China. Mr Shi was appointed as the CFO of Karara Mining in January 2017.

Christopher Gerrard

Company Secretary

Christopher joined Karara in May 2010 as Company Secretary. He provides leadership for the company’s legal and regulatory affairs, ethics and compliance programs and corporate governance activities including litigation, contractual, fiscal, property and other regulatory/legislative issues. Mr Gerrard previously served as General Counsel for Austal Limited, an ASX-listed global shipbuilder. He has held various senior executive and legal roles in government service and the private sector. He graduated from the Australian National University with Honours in Law and Economics. He began his career as an Associate for Justice RJA Franki of the Federal Court of Australia and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia. He is a Certificated Member of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Gindalbie Metals Ltd (47.84%)

Gindalbie Metals Ltd is an independent ASX-listed Australian resources company based in Perth, Western Australia. Instrumental in the development phase of Karara, Gindalbie is focused on the development of other projects in its portfolio, including the Mt Gunson base metals project in South Australia. Ansteel holds a 35.89% interest in Gindalbie. Please visit Gindalbie's website for further information.

Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (52.16%)

Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (the Ansteel Group) is located in the Liaoning Province of Northern China and is one of the largest steelmakers and iron ore miners in the country. It produces about 40Mtpa of steel, with plans to increase production to >50Mtpa and deliver major industry rationalisation in China. Ansteel provides underpinning support for Karara, including long-term demand for the supply of high-quality ore; ongoing offtake agreement arrangements; and funding support. Please visit Ansteel's website for further information.
Board of Directors & Senior Management
Gindalbie
Ansteel

Contact

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Contact site office

  • PHONE +61 8 6298 2400

Contact Geraldton port office

  • ADDRESS Lot 10, Reg Clarke Road, Geraldton WA 6530

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