Article: QR National gauges Pilbara network

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QR National gauges Pilbara network

QR National gauges Pilbara network
11 Nov, 2011 07:27 AM

QR NATIONAL is holding discussions with "a range of players" in Western Australia as it evaluates establishing a rail network to haul iron ore in the state's Pilbara region, chief executive Lance Hockridge said.

"We're in very, very early stages, but we're certainly interested," Mr Hockridge said after QR National's annual general meeting in Brisbane yesterday, The Australian Financial Review reports.

His comments are the strongest signal to date that QR National is seriously considering establishing a rail network to cater for so-called "junior" mining companies that do not have access to the private networks owned by BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals.

QR National is gauging setting up an open-access network that would allow smaller mining companies to "aggregate tonnages" to transfer iron ore from mines to ports.

If it does establish a network, it could provide both a rail track as well as freight wagons. Atlas Iron is among the companies that have been talking to QR National.