Rail Network
OPR will develop a state-of-the-art port and rail facility that will maximise value to the community, government and stakeholders and unlock access to global markets from Western Australia's mid-west region.
OPR is designing a strategic rail corridor from Oakajee to mines to the north east at Weld Range and Jack Hills under the exclusive development rights granted by the State Development Agreement. This corridor will also permit spur lines from the mines to the south east in the Karara and Koolanooka areas to also interconnect to Oakajee when required. Other spur lines have been investigated such as Weld Range to West Wiluna.The railway to Weld Range and Jack Hills has a length of about 520km. The system has been designed to handle iron ores from the various mines including lump, fines and magnetite concentrate.
OPR’s railway will be a heavy haul single track with passing loops that is designed to provide an initial export capacity of 35Mtpa. This can be expanded in small, efficient steps towards a possible ultimate capacity of 80-100Mtpa. This provides opportunities for small and large mining companies to gain access to export capacity at Oakajee in a timely manner.
The Prefeasibility and Feasibility studies on all aspects of the Railway and its operations have been completed and will be continued to a Bankable Feasibility status, with completion scheduled for early 2010. Environmental studies, including seasonal flora and fauna site investigations, are being conducted on the Oakajee-Weld Range-Jack Hills route, as part of approvals for railway construction that includes a PER. Heritage studies are being undertaken preparatory to approvals for geotechnical and ground water site investigations. The proposed rail corridor is designed to avoid towns, heritage sites and high value conservation areas and where possible residences, so as to minimise community and environmental impacts.
OPR has designed an integrated and optimised multi-user railway and port logistics chain, which will enable mid-west miners to access ore haulage and export facilities on equitable terms. Increased iron ore mining in the region will stimulate economic growth in the coming decades and OPR and its partners are set to become a key employer in the region.
