RFPs invited for Multi-User Iron Ore Facility for Esperance Ports

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has given the go-ahead for the next stage of developing a new iron ore export facility at the Port of Esperance. The State Government has accepted an Esperance Port Authority board recommendation to start a procurement process to identify a private sector consortium to design, finance, construct and operate a multi-user iron ore facility (MUIOF).

Mr Buswell said potential proponents are invited to apply for pre-qualification to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Following this initial step, potential proponents will be shortlisted and invited to participate in a RFP process. All project funding and associated costs will be the responsibility of the private sector proponent ultimately selected through the RFP process. It is expected the preferred proponent will be identified later this year.

The Minister said the proposed facility would lead to an expansion of Esperance Port’s iron ore export capacity. The size of the new facility will be determined by the proponent building the new infrastructure after entering into contracts with miners. Currently the port has an operating licence to handle 11.5 million tonnes a year.

A market sounding exercise also confirmed previous industry studies that iron ore production in the Yilgarn Region could significantly grow in the next 10-15 years, and the MUIOF would be designed in such a way so as not to preclude the development of additional iron facilities in stages as justified by demand.

Interested parties have until 5pm on Friday March 1, 2013, to register their interest

For more information on the project and procurement process: www.esperanceport.com.au/muiof.asp