Albany Port expansion gets green light

Grange Resources says the approval for the Albany Port Expansion Project is a significant milestone for the development of the company's Southdown magnetite project.

Former Environment Minister Donna Faragher gave approval under the Environmental Protection Act having considered EPA recommendations and the public appeals process.

The port expansion will involve the removal of sand to create a new berth at the port and widening and deepening of the entrance channel.

The decision ends a five-year environmental assessment process.

The minister's conditions require that stringent operating procedures are in place to protect and respect the local marine life, environment and associated local businesses, including protocols for when whales and other large marine life are present in the operational area.

"The expansion of the Albany Port will enable it to cater for cape size vessels, supporting the proposed export of iron ore concentrate from the Southdown iron ore mine," said Grange Resources managing director Russell Clark.

He said the use of cape size vessels would contribute to shipping and operational efficiencies improving the economics of the project significantly.

See company statement below:

Grange Resources Limited ("Grange" or the "Company"), and its Joint Venture partner in the Southdown magnetite project, Sojitz Resources and Technology Pty Ltd, are pleased to announce environmental approval for the Albany Port Expansion Project has now been granted.

This approval represents a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the Southdown magnetite project located 90km outside of Albany, Western Australia.

The WA Environment Minister, Hon Donna Faragher, issued the approval under the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act, 1986 having considered EPA recommendations and appeals lodged during the public appeals process.

Grange Resources Managing Director, Russell Clark said that following a five-year environmental assessment process, the Minister's decision is a significant milestone for the Southdown project.

"The expansion of the Albany Port will enable it to cater for cape size vessels, supporting the proposed export of iron ore concentrate from the Southdown iron ore mine," Mr Clark said.

The use of cape size vessels will contribute to shipping and operational efficiencies improving the economics of the project significantly.

"We are very pleased to have Ministerial approval for the port expansion and will continue to consult with the local community about the project as well as State Government agencies to complete all environmental approvals processes.

"The Minister's decision was the culmination of extensive scientific studies, community consultation and submissions during which Grange worked closely with the Albany Port Authority and the local community."

The Southdown project has a potential mine life in excess of 30 years is expected to create permanent employment for about 600 local people in the Great Southern region. The Albany Port expansion will involve the removal of sand to create a new berth at the port and widening and deepening of the entrance channel.

"The JV project team has undertaken comprehensive scientific studies including state of the art water current modelling, incorporating extensive meteorological, ocean energy and marine habitat studies. This has resulted in the development of a management plan to ensure that work is undertaken within the prescribed conditions of the Ministerial approval for the port expansion."

The Minister's conditions require that stringent operating procedures are in place to protect and respect the local marine life, environment and associated local businesses, including protocols for when whales and other large marine life are present in the operational area.

The port expansion will also provide benefits for other port users, with potential for reduced operating costs.

"Albany Port has played a significant role in the development of the City of Albany, and the port expansion will make an important contribution to the city and local region into the future,' said Mr Clark.

Grange is Australia's leading magnetite and iron ore pellet producer, through its Savage River operations in Tasmania. Grange will use its extensive expertise at Savage River to help develop the Southdown project.