Containers to boost safety at zinc mine
A SPECIALLY designed “half height” container is set to increase safety and boost productivity for MMG’s $ 1.4 billion Dugald River zinc mine.
The first of about 1750 containers have arrived at Townsville port ahead of their use at the northwest Queensland mine where construction is ahead of schedule with first shipments expected late this year instead of early next year.
MMG superintendent of port operations Daren Higgins said the specially developed half height containers had lid locking mechanisms that were automated to reduce the risk of operators working close to suspended loads when loading concentrate into ships.
The lower height almost meant they were able to double stack containers for transport back to the mine site to boost capacity if there were weather- related or other delays.
Mr Higgins said it meant twice the number of containers could be returned to the mine site to support production.
The 1750 containers have cost $ 11 million.
Northern Stevedoring Services, Wagners Transport, Aurizon and Toll Logistics have been engaged to transport the product and related cargo on behalf of MMG, while Swire Shipping delivered the first 500 containers to the port.
Concentrate will be loaded into containers at the mine, hauled by road to Cloncurry and railed to Townsville port where they will be emptied into a ship’s hold.
Swire Shipping commercial sales manager for North and Central Queensland Natalie Adamsson said they were thrilled to be part of the Dugald River mine and had a longterm commitment to facilitate the trade of Townsville and the region.
Port of Townsville general manager business development Claudia Brumme- Smith said the arrival of the containers was an exciting milestone for MMG.
“Not only is this great for the port but also the local businesses involved in transporting these shipments and the flow- on economic benefits to the regional economy in terms of jobs,” Ms Brumme- Smith said.
Dugald River, which will support thousands of jobs, is expected to rank within the top 10 zinc mines in the world and have an annual production of about 170,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate as well as byproducts including lead and silver concentrates.
The mine is expected to operate for 25 years although the ore body remains open at depth.