A NEW-TO-MELBOURNE bulk trade in mineral sands has seen a first shipment despatched after a logistics challenge was met by Iluka Resources, Qube, Australian Amalgamated Terminals, Port of Melbourne and the Victorian government.
The critical minerals are sourced from Iluka’s rutile-rich West Balranald project in the Riverina district of south-western NSW where, owing to deposits’ relative depth (about 60 metres below surface), Iluka has employed novel, remotely operated, underground mining technology.
The company says this technology enables access to ore bodies previously thought uneconomic, with marked reductions in both environmental disturbance and carbon intensity relative to traditional extraction techniques.
While commissioning of the plant had been delayed beyond original targets the departure for Bunbury a week ago [28 September] of the 40,145 DWT HSL Onomichi from Melbourne’s B/C Appleton Dock marked a major milestone for the project’s supply chain and, according to the Victorian Government, a significant step in building the state’s critical minerals industry—an increasingly important sector supporting renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Under the head logistics contract with Qube, awarded last year, the mined ore is loaded in Rotabox half-height containers and railed to Appleton Dock, where in turn two AAT mobile harbour cranes, shipped over from Gisborne and Tauranga by heavylift/MPP AAL Hong Kong last July, discharge the ore directly into vessels at berth.
The logistics chain has been built through targeted rail investment and port infrastructure upgrades at Appleton Dock, as well as Qube/AAT’s investment in the specialised equipment. The enhanced infrastructure at Appleton Dock includes upgrades to transition the facility to handle dry bulk commodities, while the PoM’s upgraded rail-connected facilities enable the transport of the critical minerals from the Qube Ultima Intermodal Terminal to the port.
The upgrades at Appleton include enhanced wharf infrastructure, improved rail interfaces, streamlined bulk handling processes and specialised equipment to support the efficient transfer of commodities from train to ship. These enhancements are transforming the facility into a multi-modal logistics hub, capable of handling dry bulk commodities with strong integration between rail and maritime operations, PoM says.
PoM CEO Saul Canon said they were "proud to support Australia’s expanding critical minerals industry by strengthening our rail-to-port capability".
"Upgrades at Appleton Dock are enabling more efficient transport of critical minerals by rail, unlocking new export capacity while improving supply chain performance," Mr Cannon said.
“Since 2016, we have invested more than $1 billion in infrastructure, with a further $1.5 billion planned by 2030. These investments are ensuring the port has the capacity needed to meet Victoria’s growing trade task.”
Pat Smith, AAT MD, said the rail siding upgrades and other investments the company has made, in partnership with the Port of Melbourne, herald a new era for Appleton Dock as it transitions from a general cargo facility to an intermodal terminal capable of facilitating the import and export of general cargo and bulk exports.
Director of Qube Bulk Todd Emmert, said, “Our freight and logistics solution leverage our heavy haulage and rail infrastructure experience and expertise, together with our proprietary Rotabox technology and specialist trailer equipment, which has been built using local suppliers, to deliver critical minerals from pit to port.”
The 2026-built HSL Onomichi, operated by Hudson Shipping Lines, was due to berth at Bunbury yesterday [4 October] to discharge the minerals for processing. Another shipment is expected next month, once stockpiles have been built up again.