(Kitco News) - Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) had a good end to 2021. In December a total throughput of 68.5 million tonnes (Mt) represented a 6 per cent increase compared to December 2020.
The key area of Port Hedland area achieved a 9 per cent increase on total throughput for December 2021 compared to December 2020, with iron ore making up more than 98 per cent of total exports for the month. Port Hedland achieved a monthly throughput of 51.6Mt, of which 50.8Mt was iron ore exports.
The port’s imports totalled 210,000 tonnes, an increase of 28 per cent compared to December 2020. The Port of Dampier delivered a total throughput of 15.9Mt, a 3 per cent decrease from the corresponding month in 2020. Imports through Dampier totalled 69,000 tonnes, a decrease of 18 per cent from December 2020.
This compares to November last year when the PPA exported a total monthly throughput of 59.9 million tonnes, a 4 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2020.
Port Hedland achieved a monthly throughput of 43.9Mt in November 2021 of which 43.4Mt was iron ore exports marking a 5 per cent increase to total throughput compared to November 2020. Imports through Port Hedland totalled 167,000 tonnes, a decrease of 10 per cent compared to November 2020.
Last year, Mineral Resources (MinRes) partnered with Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill to investigate the development of a new iron ore export facility in Port Hedland, Western Australia. Stanley Point Berth 3 in South West Creek is shaping as a viable option for the major iron producers to expand their export capacities. The agreement would see Roy Hill provide services to MinRes and Hancock to develop and operate the facility, including rail haulage and port services. MinRes managing director Chris Ellison said a collaboration of this kind would shape the future of Australia’s mining industry.