Eyre Infrastructure Project (Iron Road)
Iron Road Ltd, a publicly listed company, is proposing to develop an iron ore mine in South Australia’s Central Eyre Peninsula. The 2015 business case for this project expected the mine to produce 24 million tonnes per annum of 67% iron concentrate ore when operating at full capacity. The project would facilitate the transport of the ore from the mine to the coast, and its export through a deep-water port facility at Cape Hardy.
Strategic Fit
The 2015 business case proposed to develop a deep-water port at Cape Hardy, and a 148 km heavy-haul, standard gauge rail connection between the mine and the port. The proposed infrastructure would be available for other users (‘open access’), including grain exporters and other miners in the region. The new rail line could potentially be connected to the National Rail Network.
Infrastructure Australia recommended the business case as a Priority Project, subject to the mine development proceeding.
The project is supported by the South Australian Government. In December 2019, the Australian Government committed $25 million towards developing and constructing the first stage of the Cape Hardy port.
The Australian Government notes the Cape Hardy project will bring together agriculture, mining, renewable hydrogen, green manufacturing and First Nations business into a multi-user, multi-commodity manufacturing and export hub in South Australia.
Societal Impact
Without the port and rail infrastructure, the economic activity associated with the mine, and the royalties and tax receipts expected to be derived from it, would not be realised.
The proponent’s stated benefit–cost ratio for the mine, rail and port infrastructure to Australia is 1.3, with a net present value of $3,800 million (7% real discount rate), representing a public net benefit for this privately funded project.
Deliverability
The business case proposed that the project will be delivered by Iron Road Limited, a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Iron Road Limited is currently evaluating the preferred development pathway for the Cape Hardy port precinct which will be based on progressing and finalising project partnership and funding commitments at both the Cape Hardy and Central Eyre Iron Project levels.
We encourage the proponent to provide us with further updates as major milestones are achieved.
Refer to Infrastructure Glossary for terms and definitions.