Tag Archives: Qube

Qube to help fill Coburn mineral sands transport gaps for Strandline

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Strandline Resources Ltd says it has made another important step in its preparations for production at the Coburn mineral sands project in Western Australia, executing a long‐term haulage and logistics services agreement with Qube Bulk Pty Ltd.

Qube is Australia’s largest integrated provider of export logistics services and is highly experienced in haulage, storage and ship loading of bulk mineral sands products, including at the Port of Geraldton, according to Strandline.

Qube’s scope comprises a turnkey logistics solution from mine‐to‐ship, including operating the haulage fleet, product storage facilities at Geraldton and coordinating ship loading activities. The agreement covers 100% of the mineral sands products to be produced at Coburn over an initial 10‐year term (around 225,000 t/y).

Qube’s services include load product at Coburn mine site into Qube‐owned triple road trains on a continuous 24‐7 basis; transport of ilmenite and zircon concentrate products to Qube’s existing Berth 4 storage facility at the Port of Geraldton ready for direct loading to ship; transport of zircon and rutile products to purpose‐built storage facility at Narngulu, ready for campaign loading at Berth 4, Port of Geraldton; and coordinate product deliveries for ship loading at the port to meet Strandline’s customer requirements.

The terms of the contract are in accordance with the production plan, logistics requirements and overall operating cost assumptions contained in the Coburn definitive feasibility study, released in June 2020, which outlined a mine life of 22.5 years at a mining rate of 23.4 Mt/y.

Appointment of Qube follows the previously announced 10‐year port access and services agreement with the Mid West Ports Authority, which operates the Port of Geraldton in Western Australia.

Qube is now preparing its Narngulu storage facility and existing Berth 4 port storage facility and trucking fleet ready for first cargo later next year, Strandline said.

With the strong construction progress achieved to date at Coburn, Strandline remains on track to achieve first production of heavy mineral concentrate in the December quarter of 2022.

Strandline Managing Director, Luke Graham, said: “We are delighted to establish this long‐term relationship with Qube, a leading logistics provider across Australia and a well‐established operator in the mid‐west region of Western Australia. Securing the strategic storage at port berth‐side for most of Coburn’s product volume is a significant advantage, resulting in extra flexibility and cost efficiencies.

“This agreement, when combined with the previously announced operational contracts, including for the contract mining services, supply of electricity, LNG, fuel and facilities management on site, means Strandline has already locked‐in circa-65% of its forecast operating costs in line with the assumptions contained in the Coburn DFS.”

SIMEC’s Whyalla Port doubles handling capacity as it prepares for miner influx

Base metals, Bulk handling, Mining services, , , , , ,

SIMEC and port operator Qube have, SIMEC says, demonstrated their long-term commitment to the Whyalla Port operations in South Australia with the installation of a second Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC), doubling the port’s handling capacity.

The state-of-the-art port handling equipment complements Qube’s existing crane, which was delivered in 2019. It can handle the import/export of a variety of commodities, mining consumables and project-based equipment, according to SIMEC.

The doubling of handling capacity will make Whyalla Port one of the most competitive ports in the region, according to SIMEC, further enhancing its appeal to “third parties seeking a capable and competitive operation through which to transport their materials”, it said.

The second MHC is expected to be operational within the next three months, with a reach of 54 m and capacity up to 144 t, making it capable of handling bulk, containerised and project cargo shipments.

SIMEC Mining Executive Managing Director, Matt Reed, said the new crane was testament to Whyalla as a strong industrial gateway for South Australia.

“Since opening the port to third-party operators, we have seen it become an integral part of supply chains across South Australia,” he said. “With the additional investment from Qube, we expect activity at the port to continue to grow even further.

“Qube have been a fantastic partner in the port, supporting our existing steel and port operations while helping us realise the potential of this state-significant asset. Their team have been extremely professional, delivering high levels of safety and environmental performance.”

According to Qube Bulk Director, Todd Emmert, Qube sees Whyalla as the most logical port to service South Australia’s mining industry.

“With two mobile harbour cranes, this port rivals the service levels that that are currently available in Adelaide,” Emmert said. “Economic port operations, combined with the very significant cost savings that can be achieved by reducing the distance required to rail or haul products, makes Whyalla a local choice for miners who want to build and deliver robust and economic supply chains.”

Back in June, OZ Minerals became the first company to sign a long-term port services contract with SIMEC Mining’s Whyalla Port, with the miner looking to use the facility to ship copper concentrate from its Carrapateena mine.

Venture Minerals takes ‘one-stop shop’ approach at Riley with Qube agreement

Bulk handling, Mineral project development, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Venture Minerals has awarded bulk material handling services company, Qube, with preferred road haulage tenderer status for the Riley iron mine, in Tasmania, Australia.

Alongside this, Venture has also engaged Qube to provide the necessary Burnie Port Services to complete the logistics solution of delivering iron ore from Riley to on board the ship.

Venture said: “Securing Qube as the complete ore transport provider for the Riley iron ore mine will increase the efficiencies for one of the project’s key cost centres as the company progresses towards becoming the next Australian iron ore producer.”

Recently, Venture Minerals commenced dry screening operations at Riley as part of the ramp-up phase of the project. Full production is expected to occur upon successful commissioning of the wet processing plant, which is subject to financing, the company said.

At a $90/t 62% iron ore price, an August 2019 feasibility study on the project returned a post-tax cash surplus of A$31 million ($23 million) over the two-year production life of the mine.

Andrew Radonjic, Venture Minerals’ Managing Director, said: “Venture is fortunate to be working with Australia’s leading provider of bulk material handling services to provide a complete logistics solution in delivering Riley iron ore from the mine gate to the port and then on board ship. This one-stop shop approach will increase efficiencies and reduce costs which is all important when mining bulk commodities.”

He added: “Qube is a professional logistics company with modern, well managed vehicles and trained, professional drivers. Qube’s safety record was also an important part of our selection criteria and their real-time monitoring of vehicle movements is impressive.”

Qube bolsters mining and industrial logistics services with LCR buy

Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , ,

ASX-listed Qube Holdings has acquired industrial logistics company LCR, building up its mining and industrial services capabilities.

The deal was estimated to cost around A$135 million ($92.7 million), which would be funded by Qube’s existing undrawn debt facilities.

LCR is a “leading specialist provider of outsourced industrial logistics services, operating across mining, heavy transport, mobile crane and renewable energy industries including oil and gas”, according to Qube.

The acquisition provides Qube additional geographical diversity and service capability to enhance the company’s ability to provide reliable integrated logistics solutions, according to Qube. Both groups are aligned in their business models, which are driven by a strong safety culture, a solid and stable team, and a strong ethos to work with our local communities rather than simply in them, the company added.

LCR says it specialises in off-highway bulk commodity haulage and ancillary services, linking customer locations with rail infrastructure. It also provides critical, low cost services leveraged to increasing productivity, it said.

LCR CEO and Managing Director, Col Partington, said: “This alignment will continue under the support umbrella of Qube which will drive our collective goal to increase our presence and customer focus both in Australia and internationally. I am very excited for the staff and customers of LCR; Qube offers a great opportunity for all parties to be part of a growing national logistics business”

Qube Holdings’ Chief Operating Officer, Paul Digney, said: “The acquisition of LCR is significant as it provides Qube the ability to deliver enhanced broad spectrum mining and industrial services to its existing and future customers. LCR is well known for providing innovative lift and shift materials handling solutions across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“Qube is committed to developing strong business units that deliver value for our customer base.”