BHP Billiton has committed US$301 million to replace two shiploaders at their Nelson Point port operations in Port Hedland.
The company claims the two new shiploaders will increase the reliability of their inner harbour port facilities. Each shiploader has a loading capacity of 12,500 tonnes per hour. BHP’s existing shiploaders, which are more than 40 years old, currently load iron ore at a rate of approximately 10,000 tonnes per hour.
This investment will also create additional port capacity and reduce bottlenecking as well as increase the capacity of our Western Australia Iron Ore supply chain towards 270 million tonnes per annum (100% basis), at a low capital cost.
Commissioning of the two replacement shiploaders is scheduled for the second half of 2014.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Jimmy Wilson, said: “This is an important investment that is consistent with our commitment to maximise the capacity of the Western Australia Iron Ore inner harbour and deliver substantial value to shareholders and other stakeholders”.
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