Alliance of iron ore juniors hails Port Hedland gain

<p>While the bigger iron ore fish appear unwilling to co-operate on export infrastructure, Western Australian planning and infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has had more luck with the minnows.</p> <p>The North West Iron Ore Alliance &#8211 comprising Atlas Iron, BC Iron, Brockman Resources, and FerrAus &#8211 said today they had gained the reservation of two new multi-user berths in Port Hedland for its members and other junior producers.</p> <p>The berths would have the capacity for up to 50m tonnes of iron ore exports per annum, sufficient to cater for the initial production, it said.</p> <p>They are expected to be operational by 2012.</p> <p>The long-term capacity is to be handled as part of the Outer Harbour development, which is yet to be approved. </p> <p>Alliance chairman Megan Anwyl said the port capacity reservation represented "a breakthrough for the junior companies that make up the alliance, and demonstrated the Government’s strong commitment towards the diversification of the iron ore industry". </p> <p>&#8220Minister MacTiernan and the Port Hedland Port Authority chief executive, Andre Bush, should be congratulated for their efforts to maximise access to the inner harbour for the benefit of the state,&#8221 Ms Anwyl said. </p> <p>&#8220This is a very important step forward for the alliance and confirms our position within the Government’s long-term vision for the continued development and expansion of the port at Port Hedland.</p> <p>&#8220This is proof that collaboration brings benefits.&#8221 </p> <p>&#8220The alliance has already received expressions of interest from engineering companies to conduct a detailed scoping study for the port development work required for the new berths and associated infrastructure.</p> <p> &#8220We expect to announce the appointment of the preferred project manager shortly.&#8221 </p> <p>The alliance expects to export more than 50mtpa of iron ore by 2014.</p> <br />