Proposed new port for Upper Spencer Gulf

The South Australian Government has called for expressions of interest in...

  The South Australian Government has called for expressions of interest in developing 500 hectares of industrial land as a major new export harbour at Port Bonython, near Whyalla.South Australian Premier, Mike Rann said the new port could serve the growing mining industry in the state’s north.“Companies involved in the mining and resources industry have told us they need a new facility for the cost effective export of their bulk minerals and commodities from the Upper Spencer Gulf,” Mr Rann said.“The existing port facilities in the Upper Spencer Gulf are committed to capacity and, with the rapid expansion of the mining industry, we must consider extra port facilities as a priority.“The industry says that between seven and 13 million tonnes of ore could be exported through the new facility,” he said.Iron ore would be a major export through the port; however copper concentrate and other products would also pass through for export.Mr Rann said that environmental and native title issues will be considered as part of the assessment process.“We’ve demonstrated our commitment to investing in the infrastructure to help industry get their product to market,” Mr Rann said. “We completed the $45m channel deepening at Outer Harbour,” he said. “We’re spending $178m on the new Port River Bridges, which are nearing completion, and those will link up with our $564m Northern Expressway project – improving the efficiency of moving our exports from the north to the port.”