Fortescue’s approach to developing its Belinga iron ore project in Gabon is being underpinned by the same philosophy that built the company’s Pilbara operations over the past two decades: investment in people and local capability, according to Director Gabon Operations Rebecca Hayward.
Speaking at Africa Down Under, Ms Hayward said Fortescue’s Australian iron ore business — connected by 760km of heavy haul rail to shipping operations at Port Hedland and employing more than 20,000 people including contractors — was built on two decades of developing local capability, operators, technical specialists and leaders.
“What sits behind those numbers is two decades of learning how to build that capability in people to be a successful operation,” Ms Hayward said.
She said the same focus on people and skills was now central to Fortescue’s decarbonisation strategy, with the company committed to eliminating scope one and two emissions from its Australian iron ore operations by 2030 — without relying on offsets or accounting mechanisms.
“Our Pilbara operations currently emit 2.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, so we are a very heavy emitter, but we recognise our responsibility to act to address those emissions, and we will do so profitably,” she said.
“Fortescue’s decarbonisation is not just a technology challenge, it’s a people and skills challenge.”
Ms Hayward said Fortescue would need around 1,800 electricians across its Western Australian operations at peak, prompting the establishment of the “Power Up Training Centre” this year for electrical and mechanical trades, which currently has 120 apprentices enrolled, with a further 50 to be added next financial year.
Turning to Africa, Ms Hayward said Fortescue continued to assess global opportunities based on commercial potential and long-term value, with Africa representing one region of significant opportunity — and Gabon standing out as one of the company’s most significant exploration interests.
Fortescue commenced exploration and studies in 2022 at Belinga, a high-grade hematite iron ore deposit in Gabon’s Ogooué-Ivindo province, which Ms Hayward said represented a significant growth opportunity for Fortescue with the potential to support the country’s economic diversification.
More than 230,000m of drilling has been completed to date, predominantly in the western part of the tenement, with exploration expanded this year into the eastern areas to help define the scale and potential of the broader resource.
Ms Hayward said exploration would continue with close to 10 rigs operating by year’s end, running in parallel with engineering, geotechnical, environmental and social studies to inform future development decisions.
As at 30 June 2026, Fortescue had invested US$4.4 million in community projects across the region, identified through social studies, direct community engagement and alignment with government priorities. The investment spans health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, small business development, and sporting, cultural and civic activities.
The Belinga project currently supports more than 1,300 direct and indirect jobs, with more than 82% of those roles held by Gabonese nationals, and around half held by people from the local province.
“Those figures demonstrate Fortescue’s approach is not simply about bringing expertise into Gabon — it’s about building Gabonese participation and capability through local employment, skills development and knowledge transfer,” Ms Hayward said.
Central to this approach is “We Train for Gabon”, a program giving Gabonese participants practical experience within an established Australian mining operation, before returning home to apply that knowledge at Belinga.
“Our aim is for Gabonese people to have the skills and capability to not only help develop and operate, but sustain the Belinga development over the long term,” Ms Hayward said.
The program brings Gabonese nationals to Australia to train across three pathways: an academic stream combining a Graduate Diploma of Mining at the Kalgoorlie School of Mines with Fortescue’s vocational program; a 12-month professional stream placing graduates in disciplines including geology, engineering, legal, procurement and health and safety; and a 12-month vocational pathway including a Certificate II in Resources delivered through local TAFE.
Fortescue’s first two graduates have returned to Gabon and are now working at Belinga. A further 28 participants are currently training in Australia across the three pathways, with that cohort due to finish within one-to-two months. Another 20 participants are completing English language training in South Africa ahead of travelling to Perth and Fortescue is planning a further intake of up to 60 participants commencing in 2027.
