AusRAIL, Market Sectors

Western Plains takes next step in Peculiar Knob project

<p>The next stage in cementing Whyalla as a growing export port was revealed yesterday (Monday, September 24) when Western Plains Resources released the findings of its bankable feasibility survey for the Peculiar Knob direct shipping iron ore project. </p> <p>The $108.8m project foresaw eight ore trains a week, travelling 585km to Whyalla, once the project is underway, the miner said, with operating expenses put at $55m a year of which logistics would take up about $34m.</p> <p>Before exports started in 2009, Western Plains would also:</p> <p>&#8226 Develop, using contractors, an open pit mining operation that extracts some 2.7mtpa (million tones a year) of ore to produce 0.95mtpa lump and 1.75mtpa fines</p> <p>&#8226 Construct an 85-km haul road to the Wirrida siding on the Central Australian railway line on which haulage of ore will be carried out by contractors</p> <p>&#8226 Construct a rail siding and associated rail loading facilities at Wirrida capable of loading a train carrying some 7,200t of product</p> <p>&#8226 Send some eight trains of ore a week to the Port of Whyalla, a distance of 585km</p> <p>&#8226 Construct a rail loop, tip pocket, storage shed and barge loading facility at Whyalla and</p> <p>&#8226 Utilise existing transhipment facilities at Whyalla to load capesize vessels moored 10km offshore in Spencer Gulf. </p> <br />