The Iluka mineral sands freight train has commenced trial operation from Hopetoun in northwest Victoria to the company's Hamilton Mineral Separation Plant.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder, welcomed the announced. He said heavy mineral concentrate from the Ouyen area would now go by road to the Hopetoun railhead and then be carried 300 kilometres on the standard gauge rail line to Hamilton.
"This new rail operation will be more efficient by removing the need for B Double trucks to carry the mineral sands all the way to Hamilton," Mulder said.
The alternative route could cut as many as 20,000 truck movements a year from the Henty Highway, he added. This could reduce road wear and tear and improve local services, particularly in rural cities and towns such as Hopetoun, Warracknabeal, Horsham and Hamilton, Mulder said.
The project was jointly funded by Iluka Resources and the Victorian Government. would lower private sector costs and encourage investment and resultant jobs in country Victoria.
"This $9 million Iluka Resources rail freight project involves Iluka providing $5 million and the Victorian Government $4 million, the latter largely through Regional Development Victoria.The project consists of a rail loading facility at Hopetoun, together with rail sidings and an unloading facility at Iluka's Hamilton Mineral Separation Plant," Mulder said.
Iluka Resources Limited processes heavy mineral concentrate at the Hamilton site of which 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes is exported primarily through the Port of Portland each year.
Mulder said the Government was committed to growing freight on rail in Victoria and providing more efficient access to ports with the assistance of rail operators such as El Zorro, which is running Iluka's mineral sands train.
Iluka's general manager, Australian operations, Steve Wickham said the rail freight project was another sign of Iluka's investment in Victoria.
The 10-day trial will allow Iluka to test optimal operational practices for full time operation when the train should run six days a week in each direction between Hopetoun and Hamilton.
Image: Iluka's Mineral Separation Plant, Hamilton, Victoria