Fortescue Metals Group has hosed down any suggestion it is considering expanding its Solomon mining hub, despite the company filing environmental approval documents for a new mine at the complex this week. The Environmental Protection Authority opened public consultation over a Fortescue proposal to open new mining pits at the Solomon hub, aimed at extending the operation's mine life by 15 years, to 35 years. A mine closure plan attached to the documents suggests production at Solomon could be expanded by as much as 10 million tonnes a year, to 80mtpa. Fortescue is also conducting reviews of its port and rail system to test the feasibility of expanding its capacity to 180 and 205mtpa on a sustained basis. But, in the wake of a renewed attack on the expansion plans of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto by Fortescue chairman Andrew Forrest this week, a Fortescue spokesman said yesterday the company had no "current plans" to push Solomon beyond its existing production rate.