Port Expansion
Port Pirie Regional Council can foresee receiving numerous future enquiries in relation to the export of ores and concentrates from the Port Pirie wharf particularly as exploration in the northern part of the state converts to real mining projects. It is clear that we must be ready with solutions when we receive approaches from the mining companies so that we can benefit as a community from the opportunities. Already several companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Flinders Ports, for exporting their product out of Port Pirie.
As a result Council commissioned Aurecon to prepare a Strategic Report which provides an overview of the City of Port Pirie and its many offerings. The Aurecon Report illustrates the strategic advantages that Port Pirie provides to the emerging mining sector in South Australia for the export of minerals and resources from the state. This is a result of Port Pirie already has access to key infrastructure (e.g. Water, power, road, rail, airport and telecommunication & natural gas); existing support services for the mining sector and a skilled work force.
This Report highlights that an expansion of the port is not only cost effective but also has a short lead time to become operational. The initial analysis has reviewed transhipping costs and concludes that with advancements in this area, that it provides a cost effective alternative to a highly capital intensive deep sea ports. Importantly, the recommended expansion option is scalable to meet the growing needs of South Australia’s emerging resource sector and is capable of being a strategic port solution to meet the needs of the emerging mining sector in South Australia.
Council also commissioned a video fly through of its preferred port solution for Port Pirie.
Council will be using both the Aurecon Strategic Port document and the video fly through to encourage mining companies to consider Port Pirie as a strategic Port solution for their projects as well as use these tools to sell the project to state and federal governments and infrastructure investors.
Strategic Port Expansion Flyer
Strategic Port Expansion Flyer (Chinese)