LAST YEAR Khutso Mampeule, Executive Manager of Spoornet’s iron ore business known as Orex, told us that export traffic on the 861 km Sishen - Saldanha iron ore line was on the way to recovery. Mampeule revealed at the end of May that the 1065mm gauge heavy haul route is to receive major investment over the next few years. Electrified at 50 kV 50Hz, the line is poised to stage a major comeback after recovering from a grim period when closure was being considered (RG 6.97 p361).
Key to the next phase of development is completion of a R7bn steel mill for state-owned iron and steel producer Iscor at Saldanha Bay. Due to be commissioned last month, the plant will take 1·8 million tonnes of ore a year.
Spoornet’s immediate aim is to increase line capacity from 22 to 27 million tonnes a year by 2001, giving it the ability to handle higher output from mines in the northern Cape where Iscor is spending R550m. Beyond that Spoornet will continue investing to take capacity to 38 million tonnes a year by 2010. This will include 4·2 million tonnes of manganese.
The capacity enhancement programme covers both infrastructure and rolling stock. The nine operational loops will be increased to 20, allowing 32 and eventually 35 round trips a week rather than the present 27. Train length will rise from 200 to 216 wagons, with some wagons able to carry 100 instead of 80 tonnes; a contract for 60 larger wagons has already been placed with Transwerk. The heavier trains will need more motive power, and a likely option is to add a diesel locomotive to the present standard set of three Class 9E electrics.
Spoornet is currently treating worn rail on parts of the route, and work includes planing about 12 to 13 km a month. It hopes to be able to start a rail replacement programme in 2008; this could cost up to R800m. o
