14/12/2009
ARG has signed valuable contracts with Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Limited worth more than $200 million over the next five years.
Starting December 2009, ARG will transport about 1.4 million tonnes per year of bulk mineral concentrates, metals and mining inputs on the North West rail corridor of Queensland between Mount Isa and Townsville.
News of this contract comes hot on the heels of another extremely significant milestone in November 2009 - the North West rail corridor has achieved one year LTI free.
ARG Bulk East GGM Chris Gregg said he was thrilled to be able to announce the signing of the agreements in combination with this very important safety achievement.
“ARG’s presence in this highly prospective region ensures QR is well placed to realise growth opportunities, increase market share and better meet our customers’ needs,” Mr Gregg said.
“We’ve also improved efficiency by consolidating a number of different contracts and are upgrading our wagon fleet to support the new arrangements.
“On our journey to achieving ZERO Harm and world class safety, one year LTI free is also a magnificent milestone and testament to the efforts of every person working along that rail corridor. It is a milestone I am very proud of.”
These are the first contracts signed by ARG since it took over rail operations between Mount Isa and Townsville in July 2009 from QR’s Regional Freight business, bringing its expertise and experience in bulk freight and competitive markets to this corridor.
The Mount Isa to Townsville rail line is strategically important to the global mining giant Xstrata for the transport of zinc and copper concentrate, copper anode and lead bullion from their operations in Mount Isa to their Townsville copper refinery and port operations.