It is reported that Fortescue Metals Group Ltd has started earthworks at its $3.7 billion Pilbara project in Western Australia as it looks to ship its first ore from early 2008. The project is expected to lift production to 45 million tonnes a year, placing Fortescue as Australia's third largest iron ore miner.

Fortescue and its mining operations partner Roche Mining started ground breaking at the Cloud Break mine on Monday.

Fortescue said "The mines are the center piece of Fortescue's Pilbara Iron Ore and Infrastructure project and this development shows work is on track to commence extracting ore in mid 2007.”