Mineral Resources Limited has confirmed that approximately 30 empty iron ore wagons derailed during a journey from Esperance to the Koolyanobbing Operation, close to 50 kilometres north of Southern Cross in Western Australia’s Yilgarn region.
The train, which was made up of locomotives and rolling stock, was south of Norseman on the Norseman to Esperance line, when the derailment occurred on Sunday 11 November. No-one was injured as a result of the derailment.
The train, comprising 106 wagons, was returning from Esperance after delivering 7488 tonnes of iron ore fines to Mineral Resources’ Esperance port facility.
Initial investigations into this derailment suggest that heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the region on Saturday was likely the cause of some ballast being washed out from under a small section of the track.
Mineral Resources is now working with Arc Infrastructure (the owner and operator of the railway track) to assess the damage to the track and how long it will take for the track to reopen.
This news comes less than a week after BHP was forced to derail a runaway iron ore train that travelled almost 92 kilometres across the Pilbara after a driver was inspecting an issue with the train when it continued without him.
At this stage, Mineral Resources does not expect the derailment to have an impact on Koolyanobbing iron ore production and shipment schedule, with Arc Infrastructure anticipating repairs to the track to be completed later this week.
Mineral Resources Managing Director Chris Ellison commented that the company continually reviews its operating procedures to ensure a safe workplace.
“We are working with Arc Infrastructure to determine the timeframe for track repairs. As soon as we have confirmation that the track is repaired we will resume haulage of ore,” Mr Ellison added.
