Ronsard Island has been chosen as the preferred site for a new iron ore port in the Pilbara, should one be needed, to cope with an expected increase in iron ore exports.
Ronsard Island has been chosen as the preferred site for a new iron ore port in the Pilbara, should one be needed, to cope with an expected increase in iron ore exports.
The announcement received a cautious welcome from the industry, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy supporting the need for further infrastuture in the north and potential major new iron ore force Fortescue Metals Group Ltd saying it wanted to see more details.
CME spokesman David Parker said the government had generally managed its ports well and that further development of the north made sense given the rise of iron ore as a valued export commodity and its proximity to key Asian markets.
Mr parker also said such a facility had the potential to benefit other commodities than iron ore.
"Once again its an example of the leagacy that resources development provides for the regions," Mr Parker said.
He said it also signalled WA intended to remain competitive at a time when high prices were providing signals to other potential players around the world to invest in commodity extraction.
FMG spokesman Julian Tapp said there would be a need for a new facility at Port Hedland in the future and did not dismiss the idea of Ronsard Island.
FMG is committed to developing a port at nearby Anderson Point which yesterday it said it may share.
The proposed new port, situated 80km west of Port Hedland, would have a capacity of more than 300 million tonnes, about three times Port Hedland's current capacity.
Areas within the new port would be set aside for major iron ore companies to build and manage their own infrastructure, as in Dampier and Port Hedland, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
Further investigation of environmental, heritage, marine, coastal engineering, geological and geotechnical issues at the site would be undertaken to confirm the spot's suitability.
Stakeholders including industry, local government and indigenous communities would also be consulted, she said.
There would also be areas for common-user berths for smaller companies and other shipping, overseen by a port authority, possibly a combined Pilbara Port Authority.
The full text of a ministerial announcement is pasted below
A preferred site has been recommended for the Pilbara's next major iron ore port.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said that if iron ore exports grew as predicted, they could exceed the capacities of existing ports at Dampier, Port Hedland and Cape Lambert within a decade.
"With iron ore exports potentially growing from 235 million tonnes (mt) a year, to as much as 595 mt over the next 10 years, we could need a major new iron ore port as early as in six years' time if the high growth scenarios are realised," Ms MacTiernan said.
"While the capacity of existing ports could potentially be expanded from 240mt currently, to about 540mt, estimates for possible future export demand are as high as 890mt by 2025.
"That is why the Government has begun the process of selecting a site for a new port with a capacity of more than 300 mt, or about three times Port Hedland's current throughput.
"A preliminary study by independent consultants examined six possible sites and identified Ronsard Island, about 80km west of Port Hedland, as having the most potential.
"The Pilbara Port Study independently reached the conclusion that Ronsard Island was the site with the greatest potential to satisfy multiple users at the necessary scale.
"Previous studies and views expressed by industry have also identified Ronsard Island as a preferred site for a large new iron ore port."
The Minister said the study, by Worley Parsons, investigated sites at Cape Preston, West Intercourse Island, Cape Lambert, Cape Thouin and Sherlock River, as well as Ronsard Island.
The consultants identified Sherlock River (Depuch Island) as the next best site.
However, heritage issues at this site would have made obtaining the necessary approvals difficult.
Factors that were considered to assess the suitability of sites for a new iron ore port included:
- proximity to likely areas of iron ore mining expansion;
- potential environmental impacts;
- capacity to meet the future needs of the industry;
- proximity to supporting infrastructure;
- the availability of construction materials;
- concerns with geology and geotechnical issues;
- concerns with potential flooding;
- the relative degree of shelter; and
- the relative development costs of providing basic infrastructure
Further investigation of environmental, heritage, marine, coastal engineering, geological and geotechnical issues would now be undertaken to confirm its suitability.
The Government would consult with stakeholders including industry, local government and indigenous communities during these investigations.
"Areas within a new port would be set aside for major iron ore companies to build and manage their own infrastructure, as in Dampier and Port Hedland," Ms MacTiernan said.
"There would also be areas for common-user berths for smaller companies and other shipping, overseen by a port authority, possibly a combined Pilbara Port Authority."
