The Frances Creek mine is located 180 km south-east of Darwin and 25km north of Pine Creek. The site occupies and area of approximately 1000 hectares.

Iron ore was first mined at Frances Creek by the FIMCO between 1966 and 1974. Operations ceased when Tropical Cyclone Tracy caused substantial damage to the rail line linking the mine with export facilities in Darwin. An improved outlook for global iron ore markets combined with the development of the Alice Springs to Darwin Railway afforded an opportunity for Territory Resources to resume operations at Frances Creek in 2006.

Between 2007 and 2014, Frances Creek produced 10.3 million tonnes of high quality iron ore. Product was railed to Darwin Port and exported to customers in north Asia. A declining iron ore market resulted in open pit operations being suspended in December 2014. The site was placed into care and maintenance with a small team remaining to maintain the mine infrastructure as well as ensure public safety and environmental protection.

Territory Resources has been undertaking progressive rehabilitation of the site since 2015, works have included placement of a low permeability cover over the Waste Dump C landform, revegetation of Waste Dump D and definition of the PAF inventories in the Waste Dump A and Waste Dump B landforms.

Environmental management of the mine site is in accordance with all relevant Northern Territory legislation, as per the attached reports and licences.

Surveys conducted by external experts continue to find that there is no evidence that mining activities at Frances Creek are having a negative impact on the values of the receiving environment. These surveys include assessment of surface and ground water quality and biodiversity of the downstream waterways.