Transnet to increase the capacity of bulk terminal at Saldanha Bay
Transnet will increase the capacity at its bulk terminal at Saldanha Bay to allow more iron ore to be exported after the government set aside appeals by environmentalist groups.
The bulk terminal's capacity will increase from 38 million tons a year to 45 million. This comes after the department of environmental affairs and tourism gave the green light to the expansion of the iron ore export corridor between Sishen in the Northern Cape and the port of Saldanha in the Western Cape.
Transnet first applied to the department to expand its iron ore handling capacity in 2005.
The parastatal previously said the expansion would cost R921 million. It was expected to be completed by 2012.
In September Transnet approved capital expenditure to increase Sishen-Saldanha iron ore capacity from 41 million tons a year to 47 million. It is carrying out a feasibility study into a further expansion to 67 million tons. It ultimately aims for 93 million.
The department received appeals from Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve and the Saldanha Bay Action Group. The biosphere reserve company argued that the record of decision issued in August did not take cognisance of local issues. The environmental group was concerned about dust control, the effects of the expansion on the coastline and the seabed, and inadequate oil spillage containment measures.
Environmental affairs minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said that while the expansion would have a negative environmental impact, this could be "successfully mitigated. I am satisfied that this project will not have a significant detrimental impact on the environment, provided that the conditions … are implemented."
Kumba Iron Ore and Assmang are both increasing their production to meet growing global demand for iron ore, a key input in steel production.
Assmang is set to build the 16 million ton a year Khumani mine and Kumba is expanding its Sishen mine.
The Sishen expansion will add 13 million tons of output, with first production in July this year and full production at the end of next year, taking Kumba's annual output to 44 million tons.
The bulk terminal's capacity will increase from 38 million tons a year to 45 million. This comes after the department of environmental affairs and tourism gave the green light to the expansion of the iron ore export corridor between Sishen in the Northern Cape and the port of Saldanha in the Western Cape.
Transnet first applied to the department to expand its iron ore handling capacity in 2005.
The parastatal previously said the expansion would cost R921 million. It was expected to be completed by 2012.
In September Transnet approved capital expenditure to increase Sishen-Saldanha iron ore capacity from 41 million tons a year to 47 million. It is carrying out a feasibility study into a further expansion to 67 million tons. It ultimately aims for 93 million.
The department received appeals from Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve and the Saldanha Bay Action Group. The biosphere reserve company argued that the record of decision issued in August did not take cognisance of local issues. The environmental group was concerned about dust control, the effects of the expansion on the coastline and the seabed, and inadequate oil spillage containment measures.
Environmental affairs minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said that while the expansion would have a negative environmental impact, this could be "successfully mitigated. I am satisfied that this project will not have a significant detrimental impact on the environment, provided that the conditions … are implemented."
Kumba Iron Ore and Assmang are both increasing their production to meet growing global demand for iron ore, a key input in steel production.
Assmang is set to build the 16 million ton a year Khumani mine and Kumba is expanding its Sishen mine.
The Sishen expansion will add 13 million tons of output, with first production in July this year and full production at the end of next year, taking Kumba's annual output to 44 million tons.