Cape Lambert back to full iron ore exports

<p>Rio Tino said yesterday that operations at its Cape Lambert terminal in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, were back to normal, with the return to service of the rail car dumper which was shut down in late August.</p> <p>Rio said that after a series of tests, safety checks and a progressive ramp-up, the dumper returned to peak cycle overnight and had already unloaded several trains.</p> <p>Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief Sam Walsh said the early return was a credit to the recovery and repair teams and others who maintained on-going operations throughout the recovery phase.</p> <p>"Not only was this turnaround achieved well inside our expectations, but the difficult task was achieved with safety paramount for all involved," he said.</p> <p>"This has made an excellent effort all the more satisfying.</p> <p>"I am also pleased, not only that Rio Tinto’s other four dumpers at Dampier and Cape Lambert operated at peak capacity throughout the shut down, but that the flexibility gained through our one-port system meant we were able to minimise any loss of tonnage and minimise any demurrage as a result."</p> <p>Car Dumper 2 was taken out of action when a compressor car became wedged in the dumper at the terminal. </p> <p>The closure of the car dumper forced Rio to declare force majeure on some iron ore deliveries, which in turn added to the erosion of the Baltic Dry Index.</p> <br />