MANGANESE exports are resuming from the Northern Territory’s Groote Eylandt, following the earlier-than-expected completion of repairs to GEMCO’s loader, severely damaged during Tropical Cyclone Megan in March 2024.
GEMCO parent South32 yesterday [19 May] said export sales have resumed and the first shipment of manganese ore is being loaded on Stenia Colossus and is expected to leave the newly reconstructed wharf in the coming days. Supramax bulker Loch Crinan is anchored offshore waiting to load.
Export sales are expected to increase over the June 2025 quarter and return to normalised rates over FY26.
Tropical Cyclone Megan was an intense weather system that produced record rainfall of 681mm and some of the strongest wind gusts recorded in 20 years. It flooded mining pits and caused significant damage to infrastructure, resulting in the temporary suspension of operations at GEMCO.
The wharf and shiploader were struck by the Cypriot-flag, 55,666 DWT bulker Anitikos which was alongside, loading, when the storm hit. The ship was unable to depart until 31 March 2024, when it sailed for Bahudopi, Indonesia.
Recovery activities began as soon as it was safe to do so and included dewatering pits and repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure, with South32 saying at the time operations were unlikely to resume until Q3 2025.
GEMCO estimates more than 317,000 hours were invested in the wharf recovery and rebuild, with more than 970 tonnes of steel and 740 tonnes of concrete removed from the seabed. A critical bridge connecting the northern pits of the Western Leases mining area and the processing plant was also rebuilt.
Engage Marine last month supplied tug Engage Outlaw to supplement GEMCO’s own Yimenda and boost ship-handling capability.
Separately, GEMCO is being blamed by the Sanjeev Gupta/GFG Alliance-operated Liberty Bell Bay [formerly TEMCO] manganese smelter in the Tasmanian port of Bell Bay being placed on ‘care and maintenance’ with operations limited indefinitely.
"Due to ongoing challenges with ore supply, Liberty Bell Bay (LBB) has no option but to enter a period of limited operations," a spokesperson said.
"LBB lost its main ore supplier last year due to Tropical Cyclone Megan which caused extensive damage to South 32's GEMCO infrastructure, placing pressure on inventory and working capital.
"We are still working through ore supply options at present. Price volatility globally and the imposition of tariffs in the US have also impacted operations."
The TEMCO plant was acquired by GFG from South32 in 2020, after the latter announced it was facing closure after a review. According to The Australian in March this year Mr Gupta handed security over his shareholding in Bell Bay to US vulture fund White Oak.
Liberty Bell Bay is a major Tasmanian employer and uses some 7% of the state’s energy.
It is reported that GEMCO is prioritising filling export orders.