Essential marine cargo arrives at Onslow iron project

Essential marine cargo has arrived at Mineral Resources’ (ASX:MIN) Onslow iron project in WA.

The Happy Dover heavy transport vehicle from BigLift recently sailed into the Port of Ashburton, with cargo including 20m-high berthing dolphins, the loading wharf that was transported in two modules and landside port infrastructure including conveyors and transfer stations.

BigLift specialises in heavy lift and project cargos, with there being a limited number of these vessels in the world.

Happy Dover is equipped with two 450t cranes to lift and place the cargo directly onto the piles, with the wharf modules weighing 150t each and the largest dolphins weighing 270t each.

Once Happy Dover departs, the smaller mooring dolphins will be transhipped to the marine installation contractors jack up barge for installation.

Mineral Resources’ Onslow iron project director Darren Hardy said the arrival of the cargo is an important milestone for the company and project.

“Marine works are well underway at the Port of Ashburton, with the arrival of the BigLift vessel enabling wharf infrastructure to be installed,” he said.

“Work is also progressing on the enclosed storage facility that can store up to 220kt of product — all of the 340 foundation piles have been installed, with steel works commencing shortly.

“The installation of the wharf is integral to the operation of the transhippers that will be working 24/7 to carry iron ore to Capesize vessels anchored 40km off the coast.”

The Onslow iron project is one of the largest iron ore projects in Australia and will redefine mining in WA.

The project is forecast to ship around 35Mt of iron ore per year with an expected mine life of more than 30 years.

In a world first, Mineral Resources will deploy fully autonomous road trains equipped with autonomous haulage solutions. The fleet of 120 road trains will ensure safe, more sustainable and more productive transport activities for Onslow.