Rex Minerals, SeaLink in talks for ferry services from Outer Harbor to Ardrossan
by: VALERINA CHANGARATHIL
From: The Advertiser
September 13, 2013 10:09AM
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A 200-capacity, high-speed daily ferry service for workers and the public from Adelaide to Port Ardrossan is on the cards as part of a mining operation on the Yorke Peninsula.
Rex Minerals and South Australian ferry services operator SeaLink have held negotiations for the service from Outer Harbour.
The one-hour ferry ride across Gulf St Vincent will complement Rex Minerals' proposed Hillside copper mine, south of Ardrossan.
The mine, if approved, will have an average workforce of more than 500 full-time workers over its 15-year life and another 1000 will be on site during the construction phase.
There is no provision for a mining camp or village on site so workers will come from nearby Yorke Peninsula towns and 80-120 workers are likely to be ferried in from Adelaide.
The mine proposal is pending South Australian Government approvals and was released for public comment yesterday.
"We always intuitively thought about the ferry as a good option," Rex Minerals executive director Steven Olsen said.
SeaLink will bear the operating and capital costs of the service and Rex Minerals will pay SeaLink on a "per man" basis for the use of the service.
Kangaroo Island ferry operator SeaLink, which is aiming to raise $16.5 million to list on the Australian Securities Exchange, yesterday said the operation was viable.
SeaLink managing director Jeff Ellison said the one or two high-speed ferries (up to 32 knots) would have extra capacity available to members of the public.
"We know it's feasible and will be a two or three times a day operation depending on Rex's schedule," Mr Ellison said.
Both said the service would boost tourism opportunities for Yorke Peninsula.
Rex has suggested a possible introduction of mine-related tourism opportunities, including tours and viewing during mining.
Recreational pursuits post mining are also on the cards to complement existing mining heritage tourist attractions of Yorke Peninsula like the Moonta Mines Museum.
Ardrossan is also home to the Stump-jump plough, one of SA's most significant inventions, and is a popular getaway for Adelaide residents for a spot of fishing, scuba diving and crab-catching.
A number of sporting clubs provide a range of recreational pursuits in addition to the opportunities available from the coastline surrounding Yorke Peninsula.
Read more: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/national-news/south-australia/rex-minerals-sealink-in-talks-for-ferry-services-from-outer-harbor-to-ardrossan/story-fnii5yv4-1226718282379#ixzz2ewMgEmom
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