THE LAST train from Koolyanobbing has rolled into the Port of Esperance carrying the final load of iron ore from Western Australia’s Yilgarn region.
Mineral Resources’ final iron ore shipment left the Port of Esperance on the MV Ingenuity on Monday 30 December, carrying 173,013 tonnes of iron ore.
A spokesperson for Southern Ports said in the absence of ore from Koolyanobbing the port is continuing to actively explore new trade opportunities in iron ore, minerals and other commodities.
They were optimistic about the port’s capacity to open and support new customers and trade for the region.
“Already, the Port of Esperance’s newest customer Gold Valley has completed two export shipments including 174,834 tonnes of iron ore last month (December),” the spokesperson said.
The shuttering of the Ylgarn operation meant more than 600 of the 1000-strong workforce would be redeployed while others would be made redundant or would resign.
Ore has been mined in the Yilgarn since the 1950s, but Mineral Resources announced in June 2024 that the operation was no longer financially viable.
At the time Managing Director Chris Ellison said the decision aligns with the company’s strategy to transition its iron ore business to low-cost, long-life operations.
“This prudent and difficult decision was not taken lightly and follows years of investment to extend the life of our operations in the Yilgarn,” Mr Ellison said.
