PROJECTS – PORT SPENCEr PORT FACILITY

Infrastructure is vital to the success of an iron ore project, and a critical component to this is a port facility capable of supporting large-scale vessels for export. Currently no port in South Australia can directly load cape class vessels for bulk export. Cape class vessels range in size from 165,000 tonne to approx 250,000 tonne capacity.

Centrex proposes to construct a deep water port on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia to address these infrastructure needs and enable the development and export of magnetite ore from the Eyre Peninsula. The Port site, Port Spencer, is located approximately 210 km NW of Adelaide, 70 km NE of Port Lincoln, 21 km NE of Tumby Bay and 20 km SW of Port Neill.

Deep water (approx 20 m) is available 515 m offshore allowing the loading of Cape class vessels which when fully loaded have a draft of approx 18 m. Port Spencer is located away from populated communities and aquaculture. The project has local council support and will have low environmental impact compared to other export options. The development has the potential to become a multi-user facility to provide export services to other mining and rural activities within the region. It will facilitate the growth of Eyre Peninsula as a mining hub, and as a whole.

 

Development

Centrex intend to develop the port in four stages. Stage One will establish the foundation port infrastructure and allow the export of hematite and grain delivered to the site by double road train. Future stages will expand the operation to include the export of magnetite delivered to the site from the source mines by slurry pipelines. The site design also makes provision for future construction of rail in-loading facilities for delivery of grain and ore products if required by future users of the port. The port will be justified and built based on the success of the company’s magnetite exploration joint ventures. However, once constructed, the port will be available, on commercial terms, to other users.

Centrex has appointed Free Eyre to the owners design team to allow the local agricultural industry to be represented in the design process. Free Eyre will assist in reviewing the economic viability of the proposed grain export via smaller Panamax size vessels.

Fig. 1 :: Port Facility :: Flowchart of development timeline/ project schedule (Click to see image)

Fig. 2 :: Port Facility :: Table of development timeline/ project schedule (Click to see image)

 

Approval

The South Australian Government has determined that Centrex must prepare a Public Environmental Report (PER) for Stage One of the development and provided detailed guidelines setting out the environmental, social and economic issues which Centrex must address in the PER and submit to both government and public scrutiny. Centrex is continuing to work with an appointed case manager, various government departments representatives nominated from DPLG, DTEI and PIRSA to prepare the PER. The PER will incorporate much of the scientific work that has been undertaken on the project since 2008. A copy of the project guidelines can be found on the DAC website: http://dataserver.planning.sa.gov.au/publications/1417p.pdf

Enviromental Studies

Extensive environmental studies have been conducted into the areas:

• terrestrial ecology;
• marine ecology;
• oceanographic (wind and wave) activity;
• site geology and soil conditions; and
• groundwater.

Terrestrial Ecology studies involving flora and fauna field surveys determined that no endangered species or significant vegetation are present. Studies into Marine Ecology tested water quality, sediment and intertidal activity. No significant habitat was identified and minimal seagrass distrubance is expected to occur.

In addition, detailed analysis has been carried out to investigate the sand dunes of Rogers Beach outside the project’s boundary. It was found that natural vegetation has been disturbed by previous activity; however, there will be minimum impact to the beach formation and structure due to port construction and operation. Centrex will maintain public access to Rogers Beach. Stormwater design will also look to divert stormwater around the port site and utilise the current water dispersion area across Rogers Beach into the sea. Stormwater on the site will be retained in a dam and utilised onsite with no stormwater discharged from the site.

Further Marine Ecology surveys examined biological sampling from sub-tidal habitats (rocky reefs and sea grass beds, and sediment). This survey was part of baseline works to identify, interpret and mitigate potential impacts the proposed development may have on marine ecology.

The Lipson Island Ecology Study was conducted to characterise existing land and marine flora and fauna species and habitat. By ensuring the appropriate management plans are in place during construction and operation the potential impact of the proposed development on Lipson Island is not likely to be significant.


Other Studies

Since 2008 Centrex has undertaken studios into:

• socio-economic data;
• cultural heritage including indigenous and non-indigenous;
• seismic activity;
• noise and air quality; and
• surface water.

 

Visual Amenity

Port Spencer is situated behind a headland which screens most of the development from the adjacent Lipson Island camping area. Building height is expected to be a maximum of 40 m. The jetty will be approximately 515 m long with an L-section across the front sea facing part, which will be 320 m long. The total area of land required for Stage One is 48 hectares.

Stage One will include one 60,000 tonne grain shed (or equivelant capacity metal silos) and one 160,000 tonne hematite shed. During Stage Two a 250,000 tonne magnetite shed, dewatering plant and desalination plant is expected to be constructed.

The administration building will be positioned to the south of the Port site with light vehicle access from Lipson Cove Road. It is proposed Lipson Cove Road will be sealed.

Heavy vehicle access to the port is proposed by extending Swaffers Road. It is also proposed to upgrade the Swaffers Road / Port Lincoln intersection with additional slow down / acceleration lanes provided to provide safe entry and exit for trucks. Swaffers Road will be sealed.

Fig. 3 :: Port Facility :: Site layout (Click to see image)

Fig. 4 :: Port Facility :: 3D rendered image shows an artist impression of the Port at stage 2. (Click to see image) The large shed in the foreground is a magnetite storage shed and dewatering facility.

For more facts about Port Operation, including maritime security, ballast discharge, and technical updates, follow this link to community update No. 5:

http://www.centrexmetals.com.au/communityrelations/comm_factsheets.html