Koolyanobbing iron ore mining project reaches first millionth tonne mark

27/4/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton says the Koolyanobbing iron ore mining and export project has reached its first millionth tonne mark in quick time.

In Esperance today to witness the transport by rail and the loading of the one millionth tonne of ore from Koolyanobbing, Mr Charlton today congratulated the mining company Koolyanobbing Iron Pty Ltd, Westrail and the Esperance Port Authority.

"Koolyanobbing Iron has a contract to export 1.5 million tonnes of fines and lump ore to China each year and this latest milestone has been achieved in just seven months," Mr Charlton said.

"All parties have been successful in addressing the main environmental concerns - dust emissions and level crossing noise - that were raised in the initial stages of the project.

"The port stockpile of iron ore has been fully enclosed and the wagon dumping of ore during the delivery process is damped down so that no dust escapes to affect the town or neighbouring beaches."

Mr Charlton said although noise had caused concern among some Esperance residents, the testing of rolling stock brakes and the sounding of horns at level crossings were part of Westrail's safety procedures and could not be ignored.

He said iron ore activities now functioned between four and 10 decibels lower than the majority of other activities at the Port of Esperance.

"The efficient and effective transport of iron ore by Westrail from the Koolyanobbing mine to Esperance port was achieved in part through the introduction of a train driver roster system," the Minister said.

"This would serve as a model for future mining agreements where Westrail was a key player."

Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Pty Ltd is 60 per cent owned by Portman Mining Limited and 40 per cent by Angang Australia Limited, which represents Koolyanobbing's major client, the Anshan Iron and Steel and Complex in the People's Republic of China.

Media contact: Ian Hasleby 321 7333