Tweaked my interest about Winu to Telfer ore transport. If it happens there will be a lot of thought gone into making it feasible. Definitely not as easy as putting in a hundred plus minus Kms of road around Kalgoorlie IMO. Put some comments in a word doc/pdf but copy pasted below.
WINU - TELFER TRANSPORT IDEAS.
Previous posts on this topic in 2021.
GMcomments 11/8/21 general initial.
IMOlogistics of Winu to Telfer very tricky 23/8/21
LogisticsWinu/Telfer 23/8/21 follow up to previous post.
Somemore detail on land access Winu/Telfer. 27/8/21
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NCM’s takeover by Newmont and the subsequent announcement that Telfer is up for sale adds some interest to the synergies offered by the double train 20+- MT pa mill at Telfer to a potential buyer. Especially if that is Rio who already own the 500+Mt Winu resource. Many options and potential parties in the mix.
The posts above give some insight into the ground route(s) and associated logistics and access.
Callum Baxter’s comments are pertinent, if somewhat off the cuff with some details not accurate. [As is this document as well which is similar and lacking research in many areas.].
Apart from Minyari ownership the distance between Telfer and Winu is given as 80Kms whereas a direct line between the two on Google Earth shows 120 Kms which would need some 50 dune crossings and possibly detouring around Lake Warkarlykarly.
Further the comparison of trucking around Kalgoorlie is valid in terms of distance but necessarily terrain and ESG considerations in what is arguably a more sensitive environment. Climate extremes (heat/rain) impact both areas
Two simplistic routes Telfer/Winu:
Direct and a shorter “new” route to existing Telfer access road.
The shorter "new" route involves almost the same number of sand dune crossings but could make use of the existing Telfer access road (may not be an option in practice).
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Some transport options:
1. Road (need sand dune crossings or length probably excessive)
2. Conveyor (cost, capacity, power, maintenance tracks needed)
3. Rope conveyor (ditto 2)
4. Slurry pipeline. (cost, water, logistics, material preparation…)
5. Other (Rail? Extremely unlikely) or ??
Requirements:
1. Move up to some 30 Mt per annum Winu to Telfer.
2. Meet strict environmental conditions.
3. Meet first nations approval.
4. Power efficient to neutral.
5. Water efficient.
6. Maintenance and repairs easy.
7. Decommissioning at end of life.
8. Other (Telfer mill metallurgy)??
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1 ROAD
Mostly covered in the posts at start of document. There is unlikely to be a short route that does not need cuts in some sand dunes. There are some historical tracks which may be upgraded and even have old dune crossings which might be deemed usable though I suspect a tough ask.
I imagine that a minimum quantity of ore from Winu per annum would be 10 Mt with up to 30 Mt a possibility. Logistics of moving this quantity with trucks? Maybe an autonomous fleet with electric assist?
Route via Minyari or in close proximity?
2/3 CONVEYOR OPTIONS
While expensive up front the distance of transport can be closer to a straight line with towers keeping the belts above dunes where necessary.
Wear and tear in a sandy desert environment will be a consideration [among a multitude of others].
A dated clip but gives some idea of considerations for conveyors.
Rope conveyors are an option that is being considered by some companies and are in use already.For shorter routes they are more cost effective than trucking if company data are correct.
4 SLURRY PIPELINE
For specific purposes such pipelines have been in operation over decades.Having to build “bridges” or tunnels at sand dune crossings might be a tad more challenging than for conveyors.
Finding enough water could be a challenge.
Preparing material to transport is something in common with all methods above.Ore sorting and sizing to get a decent grade and material suitable for transport?Some processing at Winu/Calibre(?) which may reduce costs at Telfer???
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Minyari and Havieron - transport, ore blending, metallurgy etc etc etc.
(20min delay)
