Oz Minerals has reached a deal to ship its copper concentrate from Carrapateena to export markets from Whyalla.
The copper gold mine produced its first concentrate in December. Production for 2020, as the ramp up progresses, is expected to be in the range of 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of copper. Carrapateena is second in size to the state’s largest copper mine, BHP’s Olympic Dam, and has an expected mine life of at least 20 years.
Under the deal, secured containers of copper concentrate will be trucked 230km south from Carrapateena to Whyalla and shipped out in 5-10,000 tonne cargoes with annual shipments gradually increased in conjunction with the ramp‐up of the mine.
The three-year contract is the first major deal signed with a third party to export from the port, which services SIMEC’s South Australian haematite and magnetite iron ore mines as well as the Liberty steelmaking facilities in Whyalla.
SIMEC Mining Executive Managing Director Matt Reed said he hoped the three-year deal could be extended for the life of the mine.
The contract follows extensive third‐party trials in recent years, including wind farm transport and the current ship deconstruction, scrapping and recycling project utilising the old shipyard slipway.
“Our port is open for business, and the last few years have demonstrated that through the number and variety of trials we’ve undertaken,” Reed said.
“To take that to the next level and secure an ongoing contract is testament to our increased capability; and an exciting step in the evolution of the Whyalla Port.
“We will be able to transport this material safely, efficiently and with a high standard of environmental care; and expect our performance to lead to further long‐term contracts in the near future.”