TASRAIL is finalising negotiations with Tasmanian company COVA Haywards to design and build its new bulk minerals shiploader at Burnie Port.
The contract is expected to be awarded next month, with the detailed design phase to commence immediately thereafter. Major fabrication is to start in early 2022, with the final installation and commissioning planned in the first half of 2023.
Federal member for Braddon Gavin Pearce welcomed the announcement, saying the federal government’s $64-million funding commitment for the facility is a vote of confidence in the long-term future of the region’s mining industry.
“Our mining industry is both a major contributor to our state’s GDP and to jobs in the region. On top of that you have hundreds of downstream beneficiaries. This project will benefit everyone along that supply chain. It’s money well invested,” Mr Pearce said.
“TasRail’s current shiploader was built in 1969 and has since loaded millions of tonnes of commodities for export including copper, zinc, pyrite and a range of iron ore grades. With the current shiploader nearing the end of its economic life, the Australian and Tasmanian governments have worked together to progress its replacement.”
The new shiploader is to provide more reliability, meet environmental and safety standards and increase load rates.
TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said COVA Haywards will bring its expertise and local knowledge to deliver the piece of infrastructure that the mining industry will use for decades to come.
“The new shiploader will dramatically increase productivity and reliability, therefore export opportunities for our highly-valued customers, which in turn will create more jobs and security in regional Tasmania,” Mr Dietrich said.
“We understand the importance of our role as Tasmania’s trusted provider of safe and dependable rail logistics solutions.”
Tasmanian minister for infrastructure and transport Michael Ferguson said TasRail’s shiploading capacity is critical for our resources industry.
“Our world class miners have the option of delivering their material by rail or road to TasRail’s Bulk Minerals Export Facility that stores the mines’ product undercover ready for the export campaign. The new shiploader will approximately double the loading capacity per hour improving the mining industry’s productivity and efficiency,” Mr Ferguson said.
“TasRail can provide a fully integrated logistics solution combining rail, storage and shiploading services. The new shiploader will guarantee the export supply chain for existing customers and provide options for new projects.”
TasRail will continue to maintain and operate the current shiploader for its customers.
