BHP Billiton Ltd's ramp up of operations in the Plilbara continues with the purchase of 10 more giant locomotives - with a combined value of up to $70 million - for hauling ore across the Hamersley Ranges.
BHP Billiton Ltd's ramp up of operations in the Plilbara continues with the purchase of 10 more giant locomotives - with a combined value of up to $70 million - for hauling ore across the Hamersley Ranges.
The 10 new trains - worth an estimated $5-$7 million each, follows the delivery of 13 locomotives to Port Hedland which are being tested ahead of entering service next month.
The 23 trains are part of an $115-$160 million agreement with Downer EDI Ltd signed late last year. The 4300 horsepower loco's will be built in Canada.
The full release from Downer EDI's website is below:
Downer EDI to provide a further ten locomotives to BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Pilbara operations - [back]
Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Downer EDI Limited (Downer EDI) today announced that its Rail division, EDI Rail, will provide a further ten heavy haul diesel electric locomotives to BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHPBIO). The additional order brings to 23 the number of locomotives ordered by BHPBIO for their Pilbara operations in the north west of Australia following the signing of the original contract in December 2004.
EDI Rail's contract with BHPBIO includes options for the supply of further locomotives to support BHPBIO's current mine expansion plans and potentially to also replace existing rollingstock. The contract comes with the supply of capital spares, parts and support services.
The locomotives, the SD70ACe model with 4300 traction horsepower and 16 cylinder engine, are being manufactured by EDI Rail's technology partner Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) at their facilities at London, Ontario, Canada.
Thirteen locomotives from the original order have been delivered to Port Hedland in Western Australia for testing and commissioning by EDI Rail and are expected to go into service for BHPBIO in December 2005.
To mark the occasion of the new order and the long standing technology partnership between EDI Rail and EMD, the Consul General of Canada, Mr L Richard Kohler, today hosted a presentation at the EDI Rail display coinciding with the AusRail Plus 2005 Conference being held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Canadian Government presented Downer EDI with the "Canada-Australia Trade Partnership Award".
Chief Executive Officer of EDI Rail, Mr Guy Wannop, said the supply contract with BHPBIO is a joint product development between EDI Rail and EMD and a significant step for EDI Rail in developing its business in the design, supply and maintenance of heavy-duty rollingstock in the mining sector of Western Australia.
"It is part of EDI Rail's growing presence as a national supplier and maintainer of freight rollingstock to Australia's mining and resource sector," Mr Wannop said.
EDI Rail is Australia's leading rollingstock provider with comprehensive design, manufacture, maintenance and refurbishment capability. Downer EDI is an Australian top-100 company, which provides comprehensive engineering and infrastructure management services to the public and private transport, energy, communications and resources sectors in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. www.downeredi.com
