CSBP Fertilisers completes its critical piece of infrastructure

Following a pledge by Queensland premier Peter Beattie to invest A$570 mill to upgrade port, rail and marine infrastructure in the state, focusing mainly on the Blackwater rail system and Gladstone’s coal export terminals, the Western Australia (WA) government has promised investment of A$300 mill in eight ports over four years. This is earmarked mainly for a series of major projects expected to come on stream at bulk ports, although funds have also been set aside for container and general cargo

Rio Tinto has announced it will proceed with its A$400m commercial HIsmelt pig iron plant at Kwinana, near Fremantle, Western Australia, possibly leading to the construction of a steel plant. The WA Government successfully negotiated with BHP to acquire its former steelworks site and port facilities at Kwinana and has leased 70 hectares to HIsmelt.

The Western Australian Government is clearing the way for Rio Tinto’s proposed �1.5 bill HIsmelt-process iron and steel project in Kwinana by buying the necessary land and bulk handling business from BHP Billiton.

Driven by a seemingly insatiable international requirement for raw materials, Australia’s major bulk handling ports are continuing to focus on developing bigger and better facilities, which seem certain to be required regardless of fluctuations in the supply and demand cycle.