Fortescue's temporary port dredging injunction expires

"The injunction, which is part of a dispute over the existence of an indigenous heritage site, was initially granted ex parte," the company said.

Ex parte is a legal term meaning a matter is dealt with without the defendant needing to be present.

"The temporary injunction ... did not affect the company's expansion schedule, as dredging continues in areas unaffected by the injunction."

The expansion project will involve increasing the number of berths at Fortescue's existing Herb Elliott port facilities.

"The company remains on track to produce and ship ore at a 45 million tonnes per annum (Mta) run rate by the end of 2008 and to expand its infrastructure platform to 80 Mta by the end of 2009.

"To date, 54 shipments have departed from the Herb Elliott port facility and our product continues to be well received by our customers.

"The shipping schedule continues to progressively ramp up as more ore is delivered to the company's port site."

Fortescue said its customer base of some 30 steel mills continued to require product.