Australian mining giant Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has shipped the first batch of iron ore from its Belinga iron ore mine in Gabon, with the help of its joint venture Ivindo Iron. It was the first time the company exported iron ore from a port outside Australia. The achievement was completed within a year after the company inked a mining convention with the Gabonese government.

Dino Otranto, CEO of FMG, said that the project has the potential to revolutionize the company’s product portfolio, and it will also bring growth opportunities for Fortescue across Africa.