7 April 2014
ABC News
Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he will speak to the potential financial backers of a proposed port in the Pilbara this week, to try and bring the project forward.
The State Government is pushing for the multi-user Anketell Port to be built about 30 kilometres east of Karratha, to alleviate pressure on the region’s existing ports.
The Premier will meet executives of steel company Baosteel in China this week to discuss the project.
Baosteel plans to import iron ore through Anketell for use in a steel mill.
Mr Barnett also says the signing of an agreement with traditional owners for the acquisition of the land is imminent.
“We have essentially reached an agreement with the Aboriginal people over the acquisition of the site by the state and I expect that to be finalised very shortly,” he said.
“I think the resolution of native title is imminent, all the issues are resolved there.
“To build a mine, a railway and a port is probably in the order of seven to eight billion dollars of investment but I have been working hard, as have others, over the last six months to try and bring that forward.
“I will be meeting with the chairman of Baosteel in Shanghai on Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m very hopeful we will see the project move forward.”
Courtesy of ABC News