The state government says current and emerging junior miners will benefit from the commissioning of the new Utah Bulk Loading Facility at Port Hedland which was officially opened today.
The state government says current and emerging junior miners will benefit from the commissioning of the new Utah Bulk Loading Facility at Port Hedland which was officially opened today.
The facility has a capacity of 18 million tonnes per annum and is capable of receiving Cape-size vessels up to 120,000T deadweight.
Atlas Iron has already sent its first trial shipment of iron ore from the port as part of the commissioning process.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien officially opened the multi-million dollar facility today.
He said it presented a unique opportunity for exporters and local businesses.
"The Utah facility will facilitate exports from current and emerging junior mineral producers looking to break into the iron ore export market for the first time, bringing significant economic and regional benefits," said Mr O'Brien.
"A significant opportunity has also been provided for local businesses to participate in the multi-million dollar Utah Bulk Loading Facility project.
"Unlike most recently constructed shiploaders which are imported, the Utah shiploader contracts were awarded to a collective of local companies to fabricate, erect and commission in Western Australia," he said.
Mr O'Brien also acknowledged the contribution of several of the state's large and junior miners in helping to fund the Utah Point Multi-user Berth project.
"The development ... would have been very difficult without the financial contribution to project capital and up-front payments from the mining sector, namely: Atlas Iron, Aurox Resources, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Consolidated Minerals, Mineral Resources, Process Minerals International, Mesa Minerals and Moly Mines," he said.
See statement from minister below:
The Port Hedland Port Authority's iron ore export capability has increased with the commissioning of the new Utah Bulk Loading Facility. Transport Minister Simon O'Brien was today on site to officially open the multi-million dollar facility.
"The Utah Bulk Loading Facility with capacity of about 18 million tonnes per annum is capable of receiving Cape-size vessels up to 120,000T deadweight," Mr O'Brien said.
"The Utah facility will facilitate exports from current and emerging junior mineral producers looking to break into the iron ore export market for the first time, bringing significant economic and regional benefits.
"Atlas Iron began its first trial shipment from Utah on September 17, 2010 as part of the commissioning process.
"A significant opportunity has also been provided for local businesses to participate in the multi-million dollar Utah Bulk Loading Facility project.
"Unlike most recently constructed shiploaders which are imported, the Utah shiploader contracts were awarded to a collective of local companies to fabricate, erect and commission in Western Australia.
"The custom built shiploader is commissioned with a loading rate of up to 7,500 tonnes per hour and will be used by exporters of a range of bulk minerals including iron ore, manganese, and chromite.
"The planned relocation of the existing stockpiled manganese and chromite ore from the east side of the port to Utah will assist in alleviating dust and improving amenity in the west end of the town of Port Hedland.
"The resources industry remains a key contributor to the social and economic development of the region.
"The development of the Utah Point Multi-user Berth project would have been very difficult without the financial contribution to project capital and up-front payments from the mining sector, namely: Atlas Iron Ltd, Aurox Resources, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Consolidated Minerals, Mineral Resources Ltd, Process Minerals International Ltd, Mesa Minerals Ltd and Moly Mines Ltd.
"The remainder of the project financing was sourced from port borrowings, which will be fully repaid from port user fees."
