<p>The Fortescue Metals Group has lodged an application with the National Competition Council to have BHP Billiton’s Mt Newman rail line declared available for third party access.</p> <p>The group is planning a $1.8bn iron ore mine, rail and port system in the Pilbara and wants to use the line to help create a 500-km continuous rail loop, the <em>Sydney Morning Herald </em> reported.</p> <p>This would work by connecting Fortescue’s planned rail line at Port Hedland with the Mt Newman line.</p> <p>The company believes the circuit would have an annual haulage capacity of 500m tonnes if the competition council approves the proposal, the paper said</p> <p>Another mine venture, Hope Downs, is trying to obtain access to the BHP Billiton line through the Western Australian Supreme Court.</p> <br />
