http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/30/3230563.htm?site=ri...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/30/3230563.htm?site=riverland

Port capability under scrutiny

Posted May 30, 2011 12:17:00

The Port Pirie Council will investigate what the town's port can handle with increasing demand for its export facilities.

Carpentaria Exploration revealed last week it would like to export iron ore from Port Pirie for four years until a deep-sea port is established in the region.

It is the second company to look at using the barge system at Port Pirie, following in the footsteps of WPG Resources, which is waiting for final Government approvals.

Mayor Brenton Vanstone says it is great to see interest in Port Pirie's export facilities, despite being widely acknowledged as sub-optimal.

"Port Pirie is development hungry and we want to see if other mining entities are interested in Port Pirie," he said.

The council is looking to get engineers to find how many barges could operate in Port Pirie.