Copper SA partners with Aurizon for copper logistics

BHP has announced that its Copper SA business has partnered with Australian company Aurizon to deliver an integrated rail, road and port logistics solution through four contracts valued at approximately $1.5 billion, supporting its copper operations in South Australia over the next decade. Under the arrangement, the transport of copper concentrate and cathode from BHP’s Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines, as well as other inbound freight, will shift to rail between Pimba and Port Adelaide.

South Australian business Symons Clark Logistics, already a trusted BHP transport partner, has been subcontracted by Aurizon to deliver the road transport component between Pimba and the mine sites.

The major shift to an integrated rail, road and port logistics solution will effectively replace an estimated 13 million km of truck movements annually — removing more than 11,000 truck movements from South Australian roads per year.

Global copper demand is forecast to increase by around 70% by 2050, driven by ongoing growth in traditional copper uses such as house construction and household appliances, the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy, and growth in data centres.

“This is Copper SA’s most significant logistics arrangement since the asset’s formation,” said Anna Wiley, BHP Asset President Copper SA. “The shift to more rail transport will improve road safety, lower emissions, create local business opportunities and deliver significant synergies for our business.”

“Aurizon is thrilled to partner with BHP Copper SA on this integrated rail, road and port logistics package, and to support over the next decade one of the Australia’s most significant resource operations,” said Andrew Harding, CEO of Aurizon.

Image credit: iStock.com/BeyondImages