The development of Oakajee, which was about 20km north of Geraldton, would support the expansion of iron ore mining in the Mid-West region.
Work completed by the Mid West Development Commission showed that a number of major resource development projects in the State’s Mid-West could generate up to 60mtpa of iron ore for export by 2012.
The WA Government is considering a report on the design process, the timing of construction, and the operational management of the deep-water port.
Coinciding with the announcement a group of influential Chinese industrialists were visiting Oakajee.
Senior representatives from Sinosteel Corporation and its joint venture partner Midwest Corporation were visiting the proposed port site as the announcement was made.
Included in the party were representatives from China Rail and China Port as well as Sinosteel Vice President, Li Zhimin and General Manager, Wang Zhijunm.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the Oakajee site prior to considering what role the joint venture may play in its ultimate development.
Cheng Sijun, General Manager of Sinosteel Australia Mining Pty Ltd was accompanied at Oakajee by the new Chief Executive of , Bryan Oliver.
Commenting on the announcement, Bryan Oliver said, “This is good news for all members of the Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance. Midwest Corporation looks forward to working with state government and Sinosteel to ensure the best possible infrastructure for the export of iron ore to China from Geraldton.”
This article appears in the May 2006 issue of Australian Mining magazine.