Australian iron ore miners’ push into Africa has accelerated, with a Fortescue travelling party working on “very progressed” negotiations with the government of Gabon, and Rio Tinto taking a big step towards building a new mine, rail and port business in Guinea.

Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of iron ore, but with the best resources already taken during 55 years of mining in the Pilbara region, local producers are joining the rush toward Africa’s super-high-grade resources.