The Australian mining industry, one of the largest in the world, is affected by all of these problems – expensive infrastructure, complicated environmental approvals due to significant land impact, costly maintenance, and difficulty in getting access to existing rail track. Not only are profits and exports reduced through inadequate infrastructure, but many resource projects remain transport –limited or even stranded, simply “stuck in the ground” without adequate or economically feasible transport available.
“String Transport Systems” technology comprises designs, patents, and knowhow in new rail technology for rail, rolling stock and other network components. It is scalable, low cost, low energy, environmentally sensitive and rapidly deployable rail infrastructure for freight and bulk commodity transport.
String Transport Systems Limited is commercializing the technology for the mining and freight sector with an initial focus on the Australian resources industry. Specifically, iron ore and coal haulage applications provide the immediate opportunities. STS directly employs the design team that created the technology for freight and bulk transport operations.
This commercialisation involves two key activities, a) the design, engineering and construction of the world’s first full scale and full length string rail system and b) concurrent project identification and commercial engagement with the industry. The demonstration project will be conducted in two phases:
Phase 1 will include the technical analysis and concept design and engineering documentation of a commercial scale demonstration track and other tasks essential to site selection and approval for construction.
The Phase 2, being project construction, will commence with site development approval and the availability of project funding. Phase two is to cost AUD $72 million depending on final project design and other contingencies. Phase 2 funding is to be raised during the Phase 1 design and engineering development and could involve a number of potential equity, debt or partner sources of funding.
Commercial market engagement will be undertaken in a number of ways, but especially with ProMet Engineers Pty Ltd (ProMet). ProMet is an industry leading mining engineering services business managing mine construction, project management, scoping and feasibility studies. STS have a binding agreement with ProMet to develop bulk haulage projects using the STS technology and will benefit greatly from their iron ore experience, local industry knowledge and direct client relationships. This activity has already begun.
The availability of a string transport rail system for bulk commodity haulage will have a significant impact on junior and mid-tier miners struggling to bring identified resources to production. This is especially the case in areas of identified export growth such as the Pilbara in Western Australia (iron ore) and Bowen and Galilee Basins in Queensland (coal). Competitively, even if conventional rail haulage was either made available or could be built, string rail transport is almost certainly likely to be of much lower cost. This will open up new mine projects, improve existing mine projects and overall increase Australian exports at a time of great demand.
The team behind STS includes the team of experts who worked on the 2 United Nations String Transport Projects. This team has been instrumental in the development of String Transport and other significant capital works projects internationally.
Locally, STS have an Executive Board that has developed the opportunity specifically for the Australian mining industry and established the relationships needed to succeed.