Ann: Marillana Update, page-2

As expected, MRL wasn't able to meet its obligations for the port and rail, so no surprise that another year added to everything. According to media reports over the last year or two, several miners are battling for increased port allocation at capacity restrained Port Hedland but the WA government is in no hurry to make a decision. The WA government's preference is for the miners to fund the development of an outer harbour at Port Hedland which removes any capacity issues, which they've all rejected. So it's now likely that the WA Government will make a decision that is likely to leave at least one of the competing parties unhappy, so they'll likely pursue legal action which will take an eternity to resolve. The upshot is that it's looking like BCK is facing many more years before a mine operation gets up and running unless it opts for a less desirable shipping alternative such as the port at Onslow.