Photo credit: Mineral Resources.
The Australian mining company Mineral Resources (MinRes) has successfully commissioned their fourth transhipper MinRes Rosily for their Onslow Iron shipments.
MinRes informs that the MinRes Rosily arrived in Exmouth in February and then sailed to Onslow for testing and commissioning before recently commencing operations.
The new transhipper joins an existing fleet of other three transhippers now supporting Onslow Iron’s ramp up to nameplate capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.
Each fully-enclosed MinRes transhipper measures 123 metres by 36 metres and has capacity to transport 20,000 tonnes of iron ore to ocean going vessels anchored 40km from the Port of Ashburton.
MinRes transhippers have a shallow seven metre draft when loaded with 20,000 tonnes, which avoids the need to construct a deep-water port and greatly reduces the project’s environmental footprint.
The operation is supported by two crew transfer vessels, which together play a key role within Onslow Iron’s unique transhipping operation, as the project’s haulage, port and transhipping operations are fully enclosed to ensure dust-free transport of iron ore from the Ken’s Bore mine site, located 150km east of Onslow, to the Port of Ashburton.
“Our transhipping operation is an integral component of Onslow Iron’s innovative transport solution that has unlocked stranded iron ore deposits in the West Pilbara,” says Jeff Weber, Executive General Manager Marine, and he adds that “It’s exciting to welcome the fourth transhipper to the fleet, with all vessels playing a critical role in the project’s ramp up. In the coming months we will welcome our fifth vessel, which will complete our initial fleet and set us up as the largest and most sophisticated transhipping operation in Australia.”
