PRO: Point Lowly Seaport

[rhino]

From the Australian:

SA ponders a Spencer Gulf port
Andrew Faulkner | November 16, 2007

A DEEP sea port in South Australia's Spencer Gulf is being discussed behind closed doors by the mining industry and senior state government figures, including Premier Mike Rann and Treasurer Kevin Foley.
The port is needed to fully cash in on the state's impending mining boom, spearheaded by the multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium, copper and gold mine near Roxby Downs.
Port Bonython, near Whyalla, is believed to be a leading contender for the port, but other options are on the negotiating table.
The state's Chamber of Mines and Energy chief, Jason Kuchel, confirmed this week that the industry was lobbying for a deep sea port in the gulf.
"We certainly need to be planning for that now because we'll need it in the next five to 10 years," Mr Kuchel said.
The high-level discussions with the mining industry were confirmed by state Infrastructure Minister Patrick Conlon and Resources Minister Paul Holloway.
"The Government's working with them to try to identify a site for future investment," Mr Holloway said. Former Chamber of Mines and Energy chief Phil Sutherland said Adelaide's deep water port was "a hell of a long way" from the plethora of mines being sunk in the state's north.
"The industry really needs a deep water port to the north of the state so it can get its product to the market in a cost-effective manner," Mr Sutherland said.

He also warned of the threat to the industry posed by the state's critical water shortage, predicting the 20 mines on the state's books would require a fivefold increase in water.
He feared the Great Artesian Basin would be over-taxed. "We shouldn't just keep dipping in. You know, another 20 mines, down goes a pipe."
He warned that a mix of desalination plants and local groundwater sources would not provide enough water to sustain the mining boom.
Mr Sutherland said the worst drought in the state's history has put the mining sector in a critical situation.
He called for more public investment in mining infrastructure, especially in large-scale water projects but also in smaller works such as local pipelines and rail spurs.

From what I understand, Port Bonython has a lot of restrictions because of the dangerous goods that are already shipped from there. It has been mentioned and sidelined before. I wonder if Whyalla will be deepened - currently the big ore carriers have to be filled by barges because they can't get into port. Or a long jetty could be built out into deep water, similar to Port Bonython's. I guess another option is Port Pirie, and another would be a brand new port.

[Cruise]

theres some really worring signs about water there.

[rhino]

Love your current location Cruise.

You better check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc86_Weoye0


Now - back to the thread......

[Cruise]

hehe

classic song

[Bulldozer]

theres some really worring signs about water there.

I wonder if a few more dams in the Flinders, similar to Aroona Dam, could go a long way to helping out? Sure, you'd have to pipe the water a fair distance, but if we can cheaply pump water from the Murray to the Eyre peninsula then it must be feasible if suitable sites can be found.

My preferred solution though would be nuclear desalination because it is independent of climate and also generates much needed electricity. Getting rid of the brine wouldn't be a problem either - build a big salt evaporation pan to take advantage of the high evaporation rate and extra salinity and sell the salt or derived products via the port!

[rhino]

In the Official Mining Thread, Norman has posted a You-Tube clip of a news bulleting about a new deepwater port in northern Spencer Gulf, to export concentrate and other ore from the mines up north. I feel this is a big enough topic to warrant it's own thread, in order to keep up with it's progress. I don't know how to get the you-tube link on here, but if someone could please do it, it would be a good start.

Link to page: http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/for ... &start=210 (it's at the bottom of the page)

[Wayno]

I wonder if any minority groups around Adelaide will complain about this Whyalla deepwater port proposal.

There will certainly be a steady stream of huge ocean ships going up/down the gulf each day. Polluting the clear view of the horizon some may say...

[AtD]

There's already a steady stream of ships going up and down the gulf each day.

[Wayno]

There's already a steady stream of ships going up and down the gulf each day.

yeah but wait til they need to install traffic lights due to the increased number of ships!

[Mants]

I wonder if any minority groups around Adelaide will complain about this Whyalla deepwater port proposal.

There will certainly be a steady stream of huge ocean ships going up/down the gulf each day. Polluting the clear view of the horizon some may say...

Adelaide faces out onto the Saint Vincent Gulf, this is to be constructed at the north of the Spencer Gulf, so no ships will pass by Adelaide.

[Wayno]

I wonder if any minority groups around Adelaide will complain about this Whyalla deepwater port proposal.

There will certainly be a steady stream of huge ocean ships going up/down the gulf each day. Polluting the clear view of the horizon some may say...

Adelaide faces out onto the Saint Vincent Gulf, this is to be constructed at the north of the Spencer Gulf, so no ships will pass by Adelaide.

Ah, good point

[skyliner]

The cheesy grin on your avatar suits the occasion mate! (No offense)

[Wayno]

The cheesy grin on your avatar suits the occasion mate! (No offense)

none taken

[Ho Really]

Has anyone mentioned that the port could well be at Port Bonython, just around the corner from Whyalla? It's not quite a new location, Santos has been exporting hydrocarbon products from there since 1983 by the use of a 2.4km long jetty (the longest in SA). Tankers are up to 110,000 dwt.

Cheers

[rhino]

It could be, and probably will be, at Port Bonython, but from what I have read it cannot be the same jetty, due to the very sensitive (explosive) nature of what is currently shipped from that jetty. Also the storage area inside the fence at Port Bonython is fully taken up with tanks, plant, and buildings for the liquids port, which means that there will be a large expansion of the site and a new jetty required.

Given those parameters, it is also likely that a new port, not far away (perhaps to the north of Point Lowly?) is on the cards.