OPR wins Oakajee

Two Western Australian iron ore-driven port projects may be revived after Chinese and other potential developers showed renewed interest. Progress on the deepwater port of Oakajee, north of Geraldton, has stalled since Japan’s Mitsubishi – which ended up with sole development rights after buying out financially troubled partners – withdrew from the Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR) project in June 2013. OPR, originally launched by the WA Government in 2009, was planned as an up-to-100 Mtpa export logi

A A$6B port and rail project seen as the key to opening up Western Australia’s ore-rich Mid West region is in limbo after the Japanese developers effectively mothballed its development.

Iron-ore producer Gindalbie Metals Limited has signed an agreement for the provision of long-term bulk haulage services to transport iron ore from its Karara Project in Western Australia.

Australian iron ore producer Murchison Metals Ltd has confirmed that a number of Chinese groups are interested in helping to develop the A$4B ($3.3B) Oakajee iron ore port and rail infrastructure project in Western Australia.

The new iron ore port of Oakajee moved a step closer to realisation on 20 March when the Western Australian government signed a development agreement with Mitsubishi-backed Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR).