BHP and Aurizon Launch Integrated Rail, Road, and Port Logistics in South Australia
BHP has partnered with Aurizon, a leading freight rail transport company, to deliver an integrated logistics solution for its copper operations in South Australia. This collaboration will span 10 years and focus on rail, road, and port transport across BHP’s mining sites.
$1.5 Billion Contract to Transform Copper Freight Transport
The partnership includes four contracts valued at $1.5 billion. It will transfer the transportation of copper concentrate and cathode from BHP’s Olympic Dam, Carrapateena, and Prominent Hill mines, as well as other inbound freight, to rail between Pimba and Port Adelaide.
This transition aims to reduce road freight significantly. BHP expects to eliminate about 13 million kilometres of truck movements annually, which equals removing over 11,000 truck trips from South Australian roads each year.
Enhancing Safety, Sustainability, and Local Business Growth
Anna Wiley, BHP Asset President for Copper SA, highlighted the importance of this project:
“This is Copper SA’s most significant logistics arrangement since the asset’s formation. The shift to more rail transport will improve road safety, lower emissions, create local business opportunities, and deliver significant synergies for our business.”
Symons Clark Logistics to Support Road Transport Component
Aurizon has subcontracted Symons Clark Logistics, a trusted Port Adelaide transport company, to manage the road transport between Pimba and BHP’s copper mines in South Australia.
Strengthening South Australia’s Copper Export Pathway
Wiley added, “By value, BHP’s copper cathode is South Australia’s largest single export. This partnership forms a critical link between our operations in the state’s far north and our path to market at the Port of Adelaide. It’s about delivering South Australian resources to the world.”
Aurizon Focuses on Rail Freight Growth and Emissions Reduction
Andrew Harding, CEO of Aurizon, expressed enthusiasm about supporting one of Australia’s largest resource operations:
“We have been able to leverage our significant capability and existing footprint in South Australia to deliver a solution that puts the majority of freight onto rail, which in turns drives down transport emissions and delivers benefits for the broader community.”
Harding continued, “As Australia’s largest rail freight business, we see a big growth opportunity in South Australia especially with future-facing commodities such as copper that play such a critical role in the global energy transition.”