Green imperative drives Saldanha expansion plans

RAY SMUTS PORTS HANDLING commodities such as iron-ore and coal are often labelled ‘dirty’ ports, but one only has to look at the stringent environmental policing in place at Saldanha - South Africa’s premier iron exporting port - to realise this is pure fallacy. In the midst of a major upgrade at the port’s bulk terminal which will see considerable progress this year, South African Port Operations’ communication executive Christopher Gomez explains the environmental commitment faithfully followed. “We have to adhere to environmental legislation so we have at the bulk terminal an environmental monitoring committee consisting of all stakeholders. Its purpose is to act as a ‘watch dog’ over the expansion and refurbishment process. “In addition, we are in the final stage of the implementation phase of ISO 14000, an environmental system.” Gomez adds that the new equipment to be commissioned during the expansion and refurbishment project is ‘environmentally friendly’ to minimise dust pollution resulting from the handling of iron ore. The expansion update on the bulk terminal is as follows: • Second tippler. Erection of the equipment is ongoing and the estimated hot commissioning is now September 2005. • Stacker Reclaimers: The first is being hot commissioned, the second will follow later in the year and the third in April (estimate). • Shiploader 1A hot commissioning is ongoing. • Conveyor belts: Tippler conveyors will be complete by early 2005 and conveyor 214 is scheduled for completion later in the year.