The Western Australian Government is facilitating the development of a new major deepwater port and industrial precinct at Anketell in the Pilbara.
The multi-user deepwater port and strategic industrial area, located 30 kilometres east of Karratha and 10 kilometres from Cape Lambert, will complement Port Hedland and Dampier ports.
The Anketell Port and Strategic Industrial Area will provide opportunities for new exports and the processing of iron ore and other minerals.
With an export capacity of up to 350 million tonnes per annum (Mpta), Anketell is essential to the expansion of the Pilbara.
The port will be serviced by existing towns, especially nearby Karratha, providing further business and development opportunities for Pilbara communities.
The project will help deliver benefits to the Western Australian and Australian economies, create employment opportunities and bolster the State’s export capabilities.
The Anketell Port and Strategic Industrial Area will include:
• a multi-user port with more than 350 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) export capacity,
• industrial land to accommodate future heavy industry development by third parties,
• a multi-user infrastructure corridor to accommodate utilities and transport infrastructure including roads and rail lines.
The Anketell port will be built by a private proponent under an agreement with the State Government.
A strategic industrial area of about 5000 hectares will be developed to accommodate a range of different users and different commodities and will include an infrastructure corridor to the North West Coastal Highway.
An additional area of about 800 hectares is proposed for future industrial use. Three iron ore companies, Australian Premium Iron (API), Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC Mining), have independently selected Anketell as the preferred location for their export facilities.
The State Government will work with these companies, with plans to commence operations by 2015. Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation is the representative body for the native title holders of the proposed Anketell project area. The State Government will work cooperatively with the corporation for the development of Anketell.
Environmental assessment The Western Australian Government is committed to ensuring responsible development of the Anketell Port and Strategic Industrial Area and will facilitate environmental approval for the project. Planning and development for Anketell will include extensive environmental studies and compliance with State and Federal environmental legislation.
Extensive environmental studies and investigations will be required to understand the environmental values of the area, with emphasis on minimising any negative environmental impacts.
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Dredging Today Staff, January 24, 2012; Image: wa.gov