Anketell closer with native title deal
The proposed Anketell port development in the Pilbara has cleared a key hurdle, with the State Government settling a $20 million native title agreement.
The deal with the Ngarluma people of the West Pilbara adds momentum to the Government's efforts to build a multi-user deepwater port near Karratha, with a capacity of handling at least 350 million tonnes a year.
Premier Colin Barnett returned from China last week with renewed hope the project could go ahead with the backing of steel giant Baosteel. It has a 20 per cent stake in Aquila Resources, co-developer of the $7.4 billion West Pilbara iron ore project
"This is a significant project that will unlock the potential of the West Pilbara by allowing small and mid-sized iron ore companies, and potentially producers of other commodities, to gain access to valuable port space," Mr Barnett said.
The Pilbara had iron ore exports of 527 million tonnes last year. Shipments are forecast to exceed 800 million tonnes by 2020.
The financial package involves a combination of payments over nine years by the Department of Lands to the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation and a trust structure for the Ngarluma people.
The agreement covered 4300 hectares intended for the port project.
