AJM to examine barging, transshipment, container tipplers

For an iron ore, coal, bauxite or concentrate producer, traditional export infrastructure can involve a deep water port with a kilometre long jetty and a traditional shiploader. The price tag will normally run to billions of dollars. Where suitable facilities already exist, incumbents can make access difficult for newcomers.

Now, for reasons of economics and also geography, new producers are considering alternatives.

Paving the way, OneSteel is using a barge and transshipment route at Whyalla and iron ore junior WPG will undertake a similar operation, on a smaller scale, at nearby Port Pirie.

Citic Pacific is well advanced with a barge and transshipment system for its Sino Iron project at Cape Preston. IronClad Mining has plans for a floating harbor at Lucky Bay.

At Port Adelaide IMX Resources is using novel container tipplers attached to conventional cranes to load vessels with iron ore.

Aiding the miners’ cause are shipping companies like CSL and naval architects like Seatransport Corp. that are devising practical systems and concepts.

AJM’s detailed coverage will profile major projects and innovative technologies, with interviews with key players. If you would like to be mentioned, contact Mike Foley on email – michael.foley@informa.com.au, or tel 02 9080 4407.

AJM’s sister conference company is convening a conference on the same subject. “Innovative Bulk Material Export Solutions for Mining” will examine low cost shiploading, transshipment and port infrastructure for mineral assets. It will be held on 20-21 September at the Novotel Langley Hotel Perth. To get involved, contact Bruce Ewan on email – bruce.ewan@informa.com.au or tel 02 9080 4023