EXPORTS from the Yilgarn Iron Ore project in WA have resumed, with 176,000 tonnes loaded onto the Densa Shark at Esperance ahead of shipment to China.
While the ship departed last Sunday, loading required all of five days.
At full production, Yilgarn Iron is targeting annual exports of more than four million tonnes.
Haulage from Yilgarn's operations resumed in September, the first trainloads of iron ore reaching Esperance in November.
The shipment occurs less than a year after Mineral Resources' final export from the Koolyanobbing operations in the Yilgarn Hub. These were acquired by Yilgarn Iron Investments in June.
Yilgarn Iron is the second customer to use the port's iron ore circuit, joining Gold Valley, which has exported almost 2.5 million tonnes of iron ore through Esperance since its first shipment in October 2024.
(L-R) Yilgarn Iron Managing Director, Fergus Campbell, Southern Ports Chief Trade
and Customer Officer, Virginia Wilson; Aurizon Manager Growth, Andrew Clarke;
and Southern Ports COO, Scott Bates. Image: Southern Ports
Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said having Yilgarn Iron “come on board” as Esperance's second iron ore exporter was a great result.
"Two customers using our iron ore infrastructure means more volume and more shipments from our Port of Esperance, which ultimately means more hours for our workforce on the ground,” Mr Wilks said.
"Trade losses are never easy to weather, but by proactively pursuing opportunities to diversify our customer base and commodity throughput we continue to be a reliable partner."
Yilgarn Iron Investments managing director Fergus Campbell said it was a pleasure to be in Esperance to watch the loading of the Densa Shark.
“This is a fantastic milestone for Yilgarn Iron, the Yilgarn region and in particular the communities of Southern Cross and Esperance,” Mr Campbell said.
“Exporting our first 176,000 tonnes within less than four months of assuming control of the Yilgarn Iron Ore project is a testament to our hardworking and dedicated team, as well as to our suppliers and service providers.”
Ports and regional development minister Stephen Dawson said it was “fantastic to see iron ore from the Yilgarn Hub once again moving through the Port of Esperance”.
"More customers using the iron ore circuit delivers real benefits for the economy and reflects Southern Ports' continued progress in diversifying its trade across the state's southern regions,” Mr Dawson said.
"The [state government’s] targeted investment in port infrastructure such as the recent investment in the Esperance iron ore circuit is helping unlock new export and employment opportunities for the regions."