BHP’s Copper SA has partnered with Australia’s largest rail freight operator Aurizon to deliver an integrated rail, road and port logistics solution through four contracts, supporting its copper operations in South Australia over the next decade.
The contracts are valued at approximately A$1.5 billion.
Under the arrangements, the transport of copper concentrate and cathode from BHP’s Olympic Dam, Carrapateena, and Prominent Hill mines, as well as other inbound freight, will shift to rail between Pimba and Port Adelaide. Symons Clark Logistics, already a BHP transport partner, has been sub-contracted by Aurizon to deliver the road transport component between Pimba and the mine sites.
“This is Copper SA’s most significant logistics arrangement since the asset’s formation. The shift to more rail transport will improve road safety, lower emissions, create local business opportunities, and deliver significant synergies for our business,” said Anna Wiley, BHP Asset President Copper SA.
“By value, BHP’s copper cathode is South Australia’s largest single export. This partnership forms a critical link between our operations in the state’s far north and our path to market at the Port of Adelaide. It’s about delivering South Australian resources to the world.”
BHP said the major shift to an integrated logistics solution will effectively replace an estimated 13 million kilometres of truck movements annually – removing more than 11,000 truck movements from South Australian roads per year.Source: BHP