Fortescue Metals Group Limited
(ASX:FMG) has hit out against Brockman Mining's
(ASX:BCK) attempt to build an independent rail line, saying there was no logical basis for the move.
In a submission to Western Australia's Economic Regulation Authority, Fortescue said there was no capacity available to Brockman on the railway.
The miner also says opening its rail line to Brockman - which is seeking annual shipping capacity of up to 20 mega tonnes - was not in the public interest, would not increase competition in the highly-fragmented iron ore market and would result in the inefficient use of the railway.
Fortescue says if Brockman trains were introduced, it would delay any future expansions to the railway, resulting in lost iron ore sales.
Brockman has previously negotiated with Fortescue but is now attempting to gain third-party access to the miner's rail line through the regulator.
Fortescue generated a net profit of $460.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2013.
