Gindalbie opens Karara port terminal
Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett on Tuesday welcomed the official opening of ASX-listed Gindalbie Metals’ new iron-ore export terminal in Geraldton, Mining Weekly reports.
The official opening of the A$200-million Karara export terminal came ahead of the first magnetite production from the Karara project, which was expected in October this year.
The port facilities, which comprise a 297 m storage facility, a dedicated berth and a 5 000 t/h ship-loader, was a cornerstone of the $1-billion Karara investment into new infrastructure in the Mid West region, and was a key part of the integrated mine, rail and port logistics chain.
The export terminal is capable of handling up to 16-million tons a year of magnetite concentrate or hematite direct shipping ore exports from a dedicated berth, with associated rail and unloading infrastructure.
Gindalbie MD Tim Netscher said on Tuesday that the new export terminal set standards for efficiency, safety and the highest possible environmental standards in the Port of Geraldton.
“This is a sophisticated iron-ore terminal, which has a number of significant advantages and which includes the only rotary car dumper currently in the port,” he said.
Netscher added that the capital investment in the region provided a huge impetus to develop the region, creating a fully integrated logistics pathway that would help unlock the region’s resources, creating employment and economic benefits for communities across the region.
The Premier said on Tuesday that the expanded facilities at Geraldton port would enable the Karara project to work towards its full potential, while new, deep-water shipping facilities at Oakajee, 20 km north of Geraldton, were established.
“Oakajee port will accommodate Cape-class vessels, much bigger than those using Geraldton port, and be better able to support Karara’s targeted production of 30-million tons a year,” Barnett said.