now iron ore terminal opened

A new iron ore port terminal and infrastructure has been opened in the Mid West region of Western Australia.


Gindalbie Metals built the port terminal and associated infrastructure in the Port of Geraldton for its Karara iron ore project.

The official opening comes ahead of the first production of magnetite concentrate from the Karara project, which is expected in October.

DSO hematite is currently being stockpiled in the Karara storage shed after delivery from recently commissioned rail and port infrastructure. Shipments are expected to begin within weeks.

The port facilities – which comprise a 297m storage facility, a dedicated berth and a 5000 tonnes per hour ship loader – cost more than $200 million and are a cornerstone of the Karara project's $1 billion-plus anticipated spend in infrastructure in the Mid West.

The new terminal can handle up to 16mtpa of magnetite concentrate or hematite DSO exports from a dedicated berth with associated rail and unloading infrastructure. The terminal includes a railway line inside the port, connecting the facility with the Karara project, 225km inland.

The Karara berth can accommodate Panamax vessels (loaded to 60,000 tonnes) and has a 5000tph ship loader.

The entire terminal is fitted with dust suppression and extraction at each transfer point, as well as fully automated moisture analysers and a sample station.

There are no common conveyors with other port users, including the nearby common-user iron ore terminal at Berth 5. The new Berth 7 has been positioned to avoid conflicts with other vessels mooring at other berths.

Gindalbie managing director Tim Netscher said the Karara Export Terminal set new standards for efficiency, safety and the highest possible environmental standards in the Port of Geraldton.

"This is a sophisticated iron ore terminal which has a number of significant advantages and which includes the only rotary car dumper currently in the port," he said.

"Combined with our investment in the new 85km spur line connecting the Karara project to the existing Mid West rail network, the new 330kV power line servicing the project and the new water pipeline, we have invested over $1 billion in infrastructure development and enhancement in the region.

"This provides huge impetus to the development of the region, creating a fully integrated logistics pathway that will help to unlock the regionís resources, creating employment, opportunities and numerous positive economic benefits for communities across the Mid West," he said.

http://myresources.com.au/news/17-othernews/6203-now-iron-ore-terminal-opened