WA mining group add to calls on infrastructure

<p>The Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia has added to calls for higher spending on infrastructure to support commodity exports. </p> <p>WA iron ore export ports have seen little of the congestion which has hit the east coast coal ports. </p> <p>However, the WA chamber says that rail, road, and port facilities need sustained upgrades to avoid stagnation in the industry. </p> <p>The Minerals Council of Australia has already said in a pre-Budget submission that the Federal Government needs to spend more. </p> <p>Meanwhile, the Fortescue Metals Group has again claimed that BHP Billiton is holding up iron ore exports to China by preventing access to its rail facilities. </p> <p>Fortescue is planning a Chinese-financed railway from its new mine development to Port Hedland, but has also been seeking access to BHP Billiton’s facilities. </p> <p>BHP Billiton is awaiting Australian Consumer and Competition Commission approval of a new iron ore joint venture in which four Chinese steel mills will take an equity stake in its Jimblebar mine.</p> <br />