- 1.5 million tonnes per annum deal with Gold Valley Iron Ore to boost iron ore exports
- Esperance iron ore circuit opens to second exporter for the first time
- First ore expected to be shipped in September
The Port of Esperance is set to welcome a new iron ore exporter in a deal that will boost iron ore trade by up to 1.5 million tonnes each year.
In a new agreement with Southern Ports, Gold Valley Iron Ore will be granted access to critical iron ore infrastructure at the Port, including rail receival facilities, conveyors, shed space and the ship loader.
Ore will be transported by road from the company's Wiluna West Mine to Kalgoorlie, where it will be transferred to rail.
This is the first time a second customer has been able to access the iron ore circuit through the Port and the first from the Wiluna area. Longstanding customer Mineral Resources Ltd will continue to export through the shared infrastructure at the port.
Gold Valley Iron Ore is expected to export its first shipment from the Port of Esperance in September 2024.
Iron ore is the Port of Esperance's primary export commodity, with more than 7.6 million tonnes exported in financial year 2022-23 and almost 37 million tonnes from 2018 to 2023.
As stated by Ports Minister David Michael:
"Opening up Port of Esperance infrastructure to a second exporter will see iron ore trade capacity maximised, resulting in a positive boost to the Western Australian economy.
"I am pleased to see the use of the rail system for this trade, which would otherwise be trucked by road to the Port of Geraldton.
"Unlocking this groundbreaking new opportunity at the Port of Esperance is backed by continued investment in our regional ports by the Cook Government.
"The Cook Government is investing strongly in Southern Ports' growth, with $116 million of funding announced in the recent State Budget for infrastructure upgrades and initiatives."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:
"The Port of Esperance is a vital cog in the regional economy, so this is a huge win for the local community and the wider Goldfields-Esperance region.
"Iron ore has been a vital trade commodity through Esperance port for 30 years and it is great to see that a second iron exporter has been secured."
