Gold Valley’s first iron ore train leaves West Kalgoorlie bound for Esperance. Photo: Aurizon
The first 7,800-tonne trainload of iron ore from Gold Valley’s Wiluna West mine has arrived at Esperance Port.
Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks described it as a “significant milestone”.
“It not only demonstrates the capability of our iron ore circuit to handle multiple customers, but also highlights the willingness of our team to work collaboratively with new customers who are looking to trade through our ports,” he said.
“We look forward to Gold Valley Iron Ore’s first shipment of iron ore leaving our Port of Esperance in the coming weeks.”
A spokesman for Aurizon, which owns the trains, said the product was hauled by road contractors to Aurizon’s West Kalgoorlie facility and then railed to Esperance.
Aurizon has a 10-year haulage contract with Gold Valley to transport the mine’s ore.
“Aurizon is thrilled to see the first train underway for our newest customer Gold Valley,” Aurizon’s general manager Neil Sutcliffe said.
“Our train crews ensured a smooth and safe run down to Esperance for the inaugural service.
“We are looking forward to delivering for Gold Valley over the length of contract, and also in supporting their significant growth ambitions for the Yilgarn.”
Mr Sutcliffe said the first trains would deliver more than 8,000 tonnes of iron ore for Gold Valley, with Aurizon ramping up to full capacity 160-wagon trains over coming weeks with a payload of some 12,000 tonnes per service.
Weekender understands Gold Valley made the switch from Geraldton to Esperance Port so it could load into larger Cape class ships, which no other port south of the Pilbara can accommodate.
