The first 500 containers to be used to export zinc concentrate from MMG’s Dugald River mine have arrived at Port of Townsville.

MMG has invested in 1750 half height containers valued around $11 million to export their product.

Construction and commissioning at the north-west Queensland site is running ahead of schedule, with first concentrate expected in November/December this year, ramping up to nameplate capacity in 2018.

MMG general manager Dugald River project delivery Pierre Malan said that the timing of the mine’s opening was expected to co-incide with a surge in zinc prices globally.

“MMG approved this project in 2015 in anticipation that zinc prices would increase due to decreasing global supply on the back of key mine closures; and recent increases in the zinc price to a 10-year high have validated this decision,” he said.

“Today we welcomed the first 500 half height containers that will be used to export Dugald River concentrates; an overall A$11 million investment into this transport equipment.

“Concentrate will be loaded into these specially designed half height containers at the mine before being road hauled to Cloncurry then railed to Townsville Port, before being emptied into a ship using a rotainer attached to a crane.”

Northern Stevedoring Services, Wagners Transport, Aurizon and Toll Logistics have been engaged to transport the product and related cargo on behalf of MMG.

Port of Townsville Limited general manager business development Claudia Brumme-Smith described the arrival of the Mia Schulte with the first load of containers as an exciting milestone for MMG.

“MMG’s high-grade operation will produce upwards of 250,000 tonnes of exports from the Port of Townsville,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“Not only is this great for the port, but also the local businesses involved in transporting these shipments and flow on economic benefits to the regional economy in terms of jobs.”