EXPANSION FROM 60 TO 71mtpa
<p>The iron ore line is the main export channel for iron ore from the mines in the Northern Cape to the Port of Saldanha. The current capacity of the ore line is 60mt with 58mt for export and 2mt for the domestic market. Transnet plans to expand the corridor by increasing the capacity of the ore line to 75mt due to the increased demand on the ore line. The expansion programme will not only support the 2 major iron ore exporters Kumba and Assmang but also junior and emerging miners.<br />
The iron ore corridor contributes significantly to the GDP of South Africa. Incremental capacity solutions will be designed to support further increases in demand up to 90mt in the long-term. The project will also result in the standardisation of the ore line locomotive fleet with a simplified maintenance and operating methodology.<br />
The estimated capital requirement for 71mtpa is currently at R15bn (escalated), and includes a new berth, ship loader and stacker-reclaimer. Some rolling stock and rail infrastructure will also be required.</p>