Another step for Aussie ore facility
The design and construction of the $50m iron ore facility at Port Pirie in South Australia has taken another step forward, although the final approvals are still being sought.
The project will handle the high grade ore from the WPG Resources mine being developed in Peculiar Knob: extra volume over that required by the company – which should be around half of the 7 million tonnes per annum capacity – will be made available to third party users on commercial terms.
The design and build has been awarded to Kerman Contracting for a facility that includes train unloading, stockpiling, reclaiming and ship loading elements. Further, the operation will be enclosed to minimise noise and dust – similar to that in place at the Geraldton Port facility.
The design phase will commence immediately, however, the construction phase will not start until all necessary approvals are to hand. Key outstanding government approvals include the development application (DA) for the Port Pirie facility and approval of the mining and rehabilitation program. Both are now being reviewed by the regulators, which have asked WPG to provide additional information.
Construction is expected to be finished a year from now, in December 2011.
