What if this was metallic sulfide ore?
Iron ore train derailment could cost $10 million
Friday, 30/01/2009
In Western Australia’s Pilbara, one of Rio Tinto’s massive iron ore trains has been derailed, spilling thousands of tonnes of iron ore.
The incident happened on Thursday night, no-one was injured and rail safety investigators have visited the scene.
It’s understood the train was on the Hammersley Line on its way to Dampier Port when more than 80 wagons came off the rails near a junction point, 80 kilometres north of Tom Price.
The damage bill is estimated at up to $10 million.
ABC rural reporter Laurissa Smith flew to the scene of the derailment.
She says 800 metres of track has been torn up, and it’s estimated it’ll take five days to clear the line.
“If you can imagine a big train domino effect, there’s just piles of these ore cars stacked on one another and the iron ore has slipped out all over the track and onto parts of the road, and it’s certainly a spectacular sight.”