Australian magnetite producer Grange Resources Limited (Grange) has announced that the last remaining major permit for the Albany port expansion needed for the Southdown iron ore project to proceed has now entered the final stage of the approval process.
In the context of the approval process, West Australian Minister for the Environment, the Hon Donna Faragher, in a letter to the Albany Port Authority on August 12, 2010, advised that determination of the appeals to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WAEPA) report have been concluded by her and that some additional conditions have been included as a result. The final wording of the conditions will be finalized in conjunction with the decision making authorities and the office of the WEEPA.
The permit's proponent, the Albany Port Authority, has advised that "the decision by the
Minister will allow the Albany Port to undertake dredging for larger iron ore ships as part of the Grange's Southdown iron ore project".
Grange says that this constitutes another significant milestone for the company and for its Southdown project near Albany in Western Australia. The expansion project for Albany Port will allow the port to cater for capesize vessels, supporting the proposed export from Grange's Southdown iron ore mine. The use of the larger capesize vessels will contribute to shipping and operational efficiencies, as well as reducing by two thirds the shipping movements required in Albany harbour compared to the current smaller vessels.
Grange Managing Director, Mr Russell Clark said, "The permit will remove the last major environmental hurdle for the Southdown project and moves us significantly forward in making this project a reality."
As SteelOrbis previously reported, on January 18, Grange announced that the WAEPA has recommended that the expansion project for Albany Port receive environmental approval.
Grange's Southdown magnetite project in Albany, Western Australia is targeting to produce 10 million mt per annum of high grade magnetite concentrate to be shipped from the Albany Port. A feasibility study is currently being undertaken and will be concluded at the end of 2010.