:: CSIRO Iron Ore Expert Joins Fortescue Metals

One of Australia's foremost CSIRO experts in iron ore processing has been snapped up by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd to help develop its $1.85 billion Pilbara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Dr John Clout is internationally recognised for advising companies including Rio Tinto, Hamersley Iron, Robe River, Portman Mining, OneSteel and BlueScope has accepted a fulltime appointment as Fortescue Metals' head of resource strategy. Dr Clout is widely respected in the global steel industry and in particular in Australia, China, Japan and Korea - key markets for Fortescue's Pilbara iron ore. He brings to Fortescue Metals internationally recognised expertise in iron ore geology, iron ore beneficiation, blast furnace performance and related international marketing.

A prolific publisher of papers on iron ore, Dr Clout has led a number of companies on their international metallurgical marketing strategies.