Iron ore line shutdown under way

Transnet Freight Rail has shut down its export iron ore line for annual maintenance, the state-owned rail operator said last week. According to TFR spokesman Mike Asefovitz, this is due to annual maintenance not being able to take place during normal occupational conditions. “The line was shut down on Tuesday August 12 with the work expected to be concluded by Thursday August 21,” he said. “During this time specialised infrastructure maintenance and upgrade projects will be conducted over the entire section of the 861km railway line between Sishen in the Northern Cape and Saldanha in the Western Cape.” Asefovitz said the time would also be used for training of staff as well as holding key meetings involving as many of the roleplayers as possible. “At the same time the other stakeholders in the supply chain such as the mines also use this time to upgrade their own facilities and equipment.” Asefovitz said the cost of the shutdown was in the region of R114 million and included the installation work by contractors, materials used and labour. At least 58 million tons of iron ore is moved along the line and two million tons of manganese per annum.