Port Hedland's new shiploader opened

26/7/02
A new $8million shiploader at the Port of Port Hedland is expected to be handling more than one million tonnes of minerals per year by the end of the decade.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister today officially opened the facility at the port's No 1 Berth.
Ms MacTiernan said the shiploader was used by exporters of a range of bulk minerals including manganese ore, chrome ore, feldspar and copper concentrate and was capable of loading ships up to the Panama (70,000 DWT) size quickly and efficiently.
The Minister congratulated the Port Hedland Port Authority on their foresight in investing in the new facility.
"In its first year of operation the loader will handle almost 600,000 tonnes of minerals and provide a valuable asset for the Pilbara's smaller minerals operations," she said.
"This is a significant increase on the 130,000 tonnes per year that were exported when the Port Authority began planning for this facility in 1998.

"The fact that it was built on time, within budget, is operating viably and is predicted to handle steadily increasing loads, is a great tribute to the port's commitment to and confidence in the Pilbara.
"By providing high quality services for these exporters, the port makes an important contribution to attracting new investment and diversifying business and employment opportunities in the region.
"In addition, the new loader has been designed to have a much smaller environmental impact than its predecessor, with measures taken to prevent spillage into the ocean and wind blown dust."
Ms MacTiernan said the port was now looking at further investments to meet the needs of the region's industries, including deepening and lengthening the No 1 Berth and building a storage shed for bulk concentrates.
Minister's office: 9213 6400