Final piece of the puzzle

The final piece of Eliwana’s 143km of heavy haul rail project in the Pilbara region has hit the ground as part of a contract with Fortescue Metals Groups to bolster mine and rail infrastructure.

Track works are part of a $130 million agreement with Eliwana Mine and Rail Project and FMG to extend current signalling and train control systems as well as traffic capacity upgrades to communication infrastructure.

Once complete, Eliwana iron ore mine will be connected to the existing FMG Hammersley Line.

Eliwana mine, located 90km west of Tom Price, produced its first ore in December last year and is expected to produce up to 30 million tonnes per annum.

Final distressing works for the 130km of track, siding extension works, final grinding and correction are undergoing final stages of completion.

Signalling and communication works are set to be delivered by the end of the year with final ballasting and tampering work for up to 60km of the track is currently on schedule for completion.

John Holland rail delivery manager John Ma said crew had worked hard in challenging weather condition to make sure the project was on track.

“The safe unloading of the last long weld rail off the final rail train on the Eliwana project was a significant moment for us,” he said.

“It’s a huge undertaking - more than 240,000 sleepers were laid as well as 400,000 tonnes of ballast dropped with more than 12,000 welds joining the tracks together.

Track work is set for completion by late June.