- 1.5
million tonnes per annum deal with Gold Valley Iron Ore to boost iron ore
exports
- Esperance
iron ore circuit opens to second exporter for the first time
- First
ore expected to be shipped in September
The Port of Esperance is set to welcome a
new iron ore exporter in a deal that will boost iron ore trade by up to 1.5
million tonnes each year.
In a new agreement with Southern Ports, Gold
Valley Iron Ore will be granted access to critical iron ore infrastructure at
the Port, including rail receival facilities, conveyors, shed space and the
ship loader.
Ore will be transported by road from the
company's Wiluna West Mine to Kalgoorlie, where it will be transferred to rail.
This is the first time a second customer has
been able to access the iron ore circuit through the Port and the first from
the Wiluna area. Longstanding customer
Mineral Resources Ltd will continue to export through the shared infrastructure
at the port.
Gold Valley Iron Ore is expected to export
its first shipment from the Port of Esperance in September 2024.
Iron ore is the Port of Esperance's primary
export commodity, with more than 7.6 million tonnes exported in financial year
2022-23 and almost 37 million tonnes from 2018 to 2023.
Comments attributed to Ports Minister David
Michael:
"Opening
up Port of Esperance infrastructure to a second exporter will see iron ore trade
capacity maximised, resulting in a positive boost to the Western Australian
economy.
"I am
pleased to see the use of the rail system for this trade, which would otherwise
be trucked by road to the Port of Geraldton.
"Unlocking
this groundbreaking new opportunity at the Port of Esperance is backed by
continued investment in our regional ports by the Cook Government.
"The
Cook Government is investing strongly in Southern Ports' growth, with $116
million of funding announced in the recent State Budget for infrastructure
upgrades and initiatives."
Comments attributed to Agricultural Region
MLC Shelley Payne:
"The
Port of Esperance is a vital cog in the regional economy, so this is a huge win
for the local community and the wider Goldfields-Esperance region.
"Iron ore has been a
vital trade commodity through Esperance port for 30 years and it is great to
see that a second iron exporter has been secured."
