Century mine’s return from the dead has taken another major milestone with New Century’s transhipment vessel, the MV Wunma, returned to dock in Karumba
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The return of the MV Wunma has allowed New Century to confirm export details for its first shipment of concentrate, with a 10,000t parcel scheduled for delivery in late October.
The MV Wunma transhipment vessel was formerly used by prior mine owner MMG and is custom-built for the shallow waters of the Norman River channel, used to transfer 5000t parcels of concentrate to export ships anchored in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
READ ALSO: New Century begins zinc pipeline operation
When MMG finished up in 2015, the vessel was sailed to PNG and docked for care and maintenance.
Earlier this year New Century initiated a refurbishment program for the Wunma in preparation for its return to Karumba and the program was completed on time and on budget.
It takes 12 hours for the vessel to load, transport and discharge concentrates and return to port and can operate day and night.
The restart of Karumba port operations means New Century has also reinstated the annual dredging program at the mouth of the Norman River.
The 2018 dredging program involved a $6.8 million commitment solely funded by New Century, and represented the first dredging activities undertaken at Karumba since early 2016.
New Century estimate that annual dredging costs are anticipated to around $2 million going forward.
Dredging was completed to a depth of 3.2m, which provides sufficient draught for ongoing transhipment of up to 5000t parcels of zinc concentrate from the Karumba wharf to the bulk cargo export vessels located around 20km offshore in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The dredging also provides significant benefits to third party users of the Karumba Port area, allowing expansion of cattle export and commercial fishing.
It follows the first live export vessel to leave Karumba in almost 12 months when 1900 head of cattle left for Indonesia on the MV Finola in June.
READ ALSO: New Century officially re-opens
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
