The State Government has started the formal acquisition process of land for the Anketell Port project, about 30 kilometres east of Karratha.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett and Lands Minister Terry Redman said the acquisition was vital to the development of the port, potentially the last major port to be built in the Pilbara.

“Last year, the Government signed a $20 million native title agreement with the Ngarluma people over 4,300 hectares of land covering the planned Anketell site,” Mr Barnett said.

“Now, the State Government is ready to proceed with the next step of the agreement by acquiring this land, providing further certainty to port proponents and interested parties.”

In September 2014, a consortium of major companies including Aurizon, AMCI, Baosteel and POSCO announced their intentions to proceed with a feasibility study for a port and rail development at Anketell, with an initial capacity of 40 million tonnes.

“Conditions are very challenging in the iron ore market at the moment, but Aurizon and its partners remain committed to progressing the initial planning and study phases for this important project,” the Premier said.

Mr Redman said the Anketell Port was intended to unlock the potential of the West Pilbara by providing port space for new and emerging mining companies.

“The development of the Anketell Port will significantly strengthen Western Australia’s position in global energy and resource markets by providing world-class project ready infrastructure and serviced land with capacity to meet demand from various markets,” he said.

“Acquiring the land for Anketell Port is a significant step for the Government’s plans to provide valuable port space for small and mid-sized mining companies.”

The State Government is currently working with Aurizon and its partners on a State Agreement for the rail component of the project.


Fact File

• Anketell is planned to be a multi-user, deepwater port with a capacity of at least 350 million tonnes at full development
• The State Government and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation signed a $20 million Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the Anketell Port site in April 2014
• A master plan for the Anketell Port and associated infrastructure corridor was released in June 2014