Iron ore, having hit the doldrums late last year, is staging a strong recovery in Western Australia at the moment. We have recently noted the developments at the inner harbour berths of Port Hedland – a transport route that will integral to the evolution of the next tier of iron ore miners in the state – and the appointment of Ian Campbell as Chairman of the North West Iron Ore Alliance (NWIOA). In more good news, Rio Tinto has exported its three billionth tonne of iron ore from Australia, Aurox Resources has entered into a A$10 million Equity Line of Credit Agreement to help develop its Balla Balla project in the Pilbara, and NWIOA member Atlas Iron has agreed to merge with fellow miner Warwick Resources. (more…)