Magnetite Mines (ASX:MGT) has secured land access rail-side infrastructure development at the Razorback Iron Ore Project, located in Hillgrange, South Australia.
The securement of the land access was through the negotiation of an exclusive, binding land access agreement with a private landowner, which provides Magnetite with direct access to the existing Hillgrange rail siding, with about 5km of frontage to the rail corridor.
Magnetite reports the access agreement applies to a tract of land about 1,400 hectares in size with almost 5km of frontage to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) rail line, including the majority of the Hillgrange passing and good loops.
Rail network owner, ARTC has advised Magnetite that there are no known impediments for the company’s proposed development of an exclusive-use rail siding and spur line infrastructure at the Hillgrange location.
In addition, Magnetite has engaged with Australia’s largest rail freight operator, Aurizon, to provide support for ‘above rail’ services, such as trains, locomotives, and iron ore wagons.
Aurizon is assessing and providing cost estimates for rail haulage services from the Hillgrange siding to port options at Whyalla and Port Pirie, which are both subject to Memoranda of Understanding, recently signed by Magnetite.
Magnetite Mines Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tim Dobson says: “The availability of open access rail within 55km of Razorback is a valuable feature of the project.
“The availability of open access rail within 55km of Razorback is a valuable feature of the project”
The planned infrastructure at the existing Hillgrange rail siding will be Razorback’s connection to global markets, enabling access to the national rail network for the delivery of our high-grade iron ore products to customers.
Our relationships and agreements with local landowners and pastoralists are key to a successful outcome for the project and in this case, we are encouraged by the outcome achieved. A mutually beneficial and flexible land access agreement has been negotiated with the landowner at Hillgrange that will underpin a positive, long-term relationship for years to come.”
The company states that the land access agreement provides a range of access and development rights to Magnetite, including the flexibility to modify and optimise the planned rail connection configuration at the Hillgrange siding.
Magnetite reports the collection of baseline environmental and other data for the Hillgrange rail connection site and selected surrounding areas have begun to support integration into the primary project approvals program.
In addition, key field studies completed to date include flora and fauna surveys, groundwater sampling, noise logging, and geotechnical conditions.
Magnetite Mines is an ASX-listed iron ore company, focused on the development of magnetite iron ore resources in the highly prospective Braemar iron region of South Australia. The company has a wholly owned mineral resource of 6 billion tonnes of iron ore and is developing the Razorback Iron Ore Project.
Images: Magnetite Mines Ltd
