- Gold
Valley exports first shipment of iron ore from Port of Esperance
- More
than 78,000 tonnes of iron ore from the Wiluna West mine sets sail to China
- Port
of Esperance iron ore circuit demonstrates multi-user capability for the first
time in its history, with two exporters sharing its assets
Southern Ports and Gold
Valley have celebrated an historic first at the Port of Esperance following the
departure of bulk carrier MV Sifnos carrying more than 78,000 tonnes of iron
ore from the Wiluna West mine in the Northern Goldfields.
The successful delivery,
storage, loading and departure of the vessel marks the first time the port has
had two iron ore customers sharing its iron ore circuit assets, including shed
space, ship loader and berth.
Gold Valley joined
Mineral Resources Limited as the Port of Esperance's second iron ore customer
when a deal was agreed upon with Southern Ports in August.
Delivery of Gold Valley's
iron ore commenced at the start of October with a 900-kilometre journey by
truck and rail from the Wiluna West mine site to Esperance ahead of the export.
A vital link in the Port
of Esperance's iron ore circuit was upgraded in the lead up to the milestone
shipment through the Cook Government's $2.8 million investment in conveyor
replacements.
Comments attributed to Ports Minister David Michael:
"Western Australia's
mining industry continues to drive the country's economy with our ports playing
a critical role in connecting trade to the world.
"Southern Ports opening
its Port of Esperance to a second iron ore customer is another example of how
the ports sector is driving economic benefits for the southern regions of our State.
"The Cook Government
continues to invest in the growth of our ports as part of the vital supply
chain that boosts our economy and to deliver when new trade opportunities
arise."
Comments attributed to Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:
"This is an outstanding
outcome for the Goldfields-Esperance region.
"Attracting Gold Valley's
export task to the Port of Esperance will support the jobs of workers at the
port and in the rail freight supply chain."
Comments attributed to
Gold Valley Chairman Yuzheng Xie:
"It was a proud moment
for everyone at Gold Valley to watch the MV Sifnos load with our
Wiluna West iron ore before it heads to China.
"Exporting through the
Port of Esperance has opened new opportunities for us, and we look forward to
continuing our partnership with Southern Ports."
