The Australian Port of Weipa, better known for exports of bauxite, has begun exporting a new cargo in the shape of mineral sands.
Some 70,000 tonnes of the product was exported to China aboard Dutch shipowner MUR Shipping’s 34,370-dwt African Merlin (built 2016).
Two shipments have now made their way to China in recent months, according to North Queensland Bulk Ports Corp (NQBP), which overseas activities at Port of Weipa in far North Queensland.
The shipments have been made by Clear Logistics Australia, which discovered the mineral sands deposit at Urquhart Point, on the South Bank of the Embley River about 5 km from Weipa.
Clear Logistics is a part-owner of Green Coast Resources, which is better known for its bauxite operations at Weipa’s Hey Point.
An “organisational refocus” spurred an opportunity to take advantage of the mineral sands deposit at Urquhart Point, said Clear Logistics marine superintendent Krysten Roberts.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to pivot our business into a new trade. The heavy mineral sands deposits were made up of elements for use in various commodities.
“These include Ilmenite, rutile and zircon, materials which are used in the production of paint, ceramics, sunscreen and cosmetics to name a few.”
NQBP chief executive Nicolas Fertin said the opportunity to export the mineral sands “aligns with the state-government-owned port corporation’s strategic focus” to support the diversification of the Queensland economy and trade.
“As a port corporation supporting more than 27,000 jobs in industries associated with our ports, we value opportunities to support emerging trade through projects such as this one with Clear Logistics,” he said.
Weipa has developed its economy on bauxite since the 1960s. Today, it ships around 30m tonnes of product per annum, most of which is bauxite for Rio Tinto.
“Exporting mineral sand — even in small quantities — is a testament of Weipa business and NQBP’s effort and dedication to introduce new trade,” Fertin said.
Weipa is a coastal town of about 3,500 people, situated on the Cape York Peninsula around 200 km from the tip of Australia.
