MinRes, Pilbara Minerals sign on to Lumsden Point facility

Mineral Resources and Pilbara Minerals have become the first customers for the highly anticipated Lumsden Point facility in the Port of Port Hedland.

In a statement released Thursday, Pilbara Ports said the two companies had signed an agreement to use the multi-user facilities, including the general cargo berths and mineral export berths.

The Lumsden Point redevelopment, part of an overall $565 million swathe of upgrades for ports around the Pilbara, is aimed at expanding trade opportunities in the northwest and to support the growth of renewable industries.

The agreements enable Pilbara Ports to progress securing tenure with Pilbara Minerals and Mineral Resources, allowing them to start developing their new facilities in the port.

Ports Minister David Michael said the project had progressed rapidly, with seawalls at Lumsden Point nearing completion.

“(This) will enable the next stages of the project to get underway, including dredging and causeway construction,” he said.

A MinRes spokesperson told Business News Lumsden Point would support the expansion of spodumene concentrate exports from its Wodgina lithium operation.

"The new port facilities will increase the reliability, frequency and capacity of shipping as demand continues to grow for the battery minerals required for the global energy transition," the spokesperson said.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with the WA Government on the project." 

The Lumsden Point upgrades were funded in part by a $129.1m contribution from the State Government