CZR Resources, WA Iron Ore producer Strike Resources and CSL Australia have entered into a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build an iron ore export facility at Port of Ashburton, in Western Australia’s West Pilbara region.
The agreement has been formed with the objective of working with relevant authorities to obtain approvals to add infrastructure to the Port of Ashburton to create a low-cost, multi-user bulk export facility for up to five million tonnes of iron ore per annum.
The creation of the proposed bulk export facility will consist of all landside facilities including but not limited to road train unloader, conveyer, storage shed, non-process infrastructure, jetty, fixed point transhipment vessel loader and ancillary infrastructure at the Port of Ashburton (POA) to facilitate the export of iron ore.
The Port of Ashburton is a multi-user port operated by the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA). PPA approval for the Port of Ashburton West Quay Facility is subject to the PAC obtaining all other required approvals and access to the Port of Ashburton is subject to the PPA’s published vessel movement protocols and as such, the PAC’s access to the West Quay berth is subject to other cargo loading/unloading activities and operations in the Port of Ashburton.
The POA Facility is an important step in CZR securing a low cost and sustainable export solution, in close proximity to its Robe Mesa iron ore project. CZR recently announced that its upgraded Mineral Resource now stands at 42.5Mt at 56 per cent Fe (62.7 per cent Fe.ca), and the POA facility will be incorporated in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and mine production scheduling, currently underway.
CZR continues to assess value accretive options to grow mine life and production rates at Robe Mesa, including strategic partnerships such as the Cooperation Agreement with Red Hill Minerals Limited.
Strike, as an existing producer of iron ore from its Paulsens East Iron Ore Project, and CZR, as a future iron ore producer from the development of its Robe Mesa Iron Ore and Ashburton Magnetite Projects, propose to utilise the Port of Ashburton West Quay Facility for the export of iron ore from its existing and proposed iron mines respectively.
CSL operates globally and has considerable experience in the loading and transportation of bulk materials including iron ore. The company has agreed to join the PAC as a part-owner of the Port of Ashburton West Quay Facility and to provide transhipment services to Strike and CZR.
CSL operates globally and has considerable experience in the loading and transportation of bulk materials. CSL has agreed to join the consortium as a part owner of the facility and to provide transhipment and marine services from it. CSL has existing iron ore transhipment operations in Cape Preston and Whyalla.
CZR Managing Director, Stefan Murphy, said, “The three-way partnership has the potential to be a highly successful means of establishing a new export facility at the Port of Ashburton. By joining forces, we increase our ability to secure necessary approvals and funding as well as significantly reducing capital and operating costs for each partner.
“The export facility would unlock substantial value for CZR, creating many jobs and generating substantial state and Native Title revenue in the process”
