Media Releases
Industry Welcomes Esperance Commitment
19/01/12
WA’s peak resources body has welcomed a state government commitment to expand export capacity of Esperance Port, enabling the emerging iron ore sector in the Yilgarn area to thrive while at the same time meeting the needs of nickel and other industries.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said the commitment would see Esperance Port develop into a vital strategic export route for WA resources.
“Investment in port capacity and operations is essential if we are to reach the development potential of region,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“Many existing operations have expansion plans and the emerging iron ore sector in the Yilgarn area will require port capacity in the future.
“Current port capacity is already at breaking point, which has put pressure on local exporters to find capacity at other WA Ports, including Kwinana.
“The industry’s strong preference is for Esperance Port to be a bulk export facility. It is important to ensure that that there is a fair and open process for potential resource exporters to access increased port capacity.
“Road and rail linkages into the Port and the Port terminal infrastructure must also be able to handle the tonnages and products anticipated by Esperance Port.
Mr Howard-Smith said industry would be keen to see further detail of the plan and if wider and ongoing issues at the port are to be considered.
“Operational issues at the Port need to be addressed to enable existing port users to efficiently export their product," he said.
"Industry looks forward to continued engagement via the newly created Esperance Port Users Group."