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ASX Announcement 28 June 2016
A t l a s w e l c o m e s WA G o v e r n m e n t a n n o u n c e m e n t
Atlas Iron Limited (ASX: AGO) welcomes the announcement on the extension of reduced port charges by the WA Government. The reduced port charges announced by WA Government in 2015 have now been extended for another 12 months until 30 June 2017. Junior iron ore miners, including Atlas, exporting through the Utah Point port facility in Port Hedland will continue to receive a $2.50 per tonne discount from Stockyard 1 and a $1.73 per tonne discount from Stockyard 2 until 30 June 2017.
In a media statement released today, Transport Minister Dean Nalder said he would issue a direction to Pilbara Ports Authority to extend the discount regime to June 30, 2017.
"The Government has had great success with the Utah Point facility," Minister Dean Nalder said.
"The initiative to build the port has unlocked iron ore deposits that would have been difficult to access, enabling additional economic development in the Pilbara including thousands of jobs."
Atlas wishes to thank the Government for it's consideration of the Company's submissions on this matter.
The WA Government, and in particular Premier Colin Barnett and Ministers Bill Marmion, Dean Nalder and Sean L'Estrange, have shown a commitment to resolving the issues facing Atlas and other junior miners. With the help of their departments, they have assisted Atlas in devising solutions which will benefit West Australians in so many ways. Atlas is grateful for their engagement.
Background information
In May 2015 the WA Government announced support for the junior and mid-tier iron ore industry in the Pilbara of Western Australia. This included the provision of clarity around relief for users of the Utah Port Facility in Port Hedland, by announcing that it would lower port charges by up to $2.50 per tonne. Atlas will continue to receive a $2.50 per tonne discount from Stockyard 1 and a $1.73 per tonne discount from Stockyard 2 until 30 June 2017.
The port charge discount is conditional on the iron ore price staying below A$80 per tonne.
Investor Enquiries:
Atlas Iron +61 8 6228 8000
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Tony Walsh
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Company Secretary
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Media Enquiries:
Read Corporate +61 8 9388 1474
Paul Armstrong +61 421 619 084
Important Notice
This announcement does not constitute an offer to acquire or sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase any securities in any jurisdiction. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale to any U.S.
person or in the United States or any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, tender offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and neither such securities nor any interest or participation therein may not be offered, or sold, pledged or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to any U.S. person absent registration or an available exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933.
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Government of Western Australia
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
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Hon Dean Nalder MLA
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Hon Bill Marmion MLA
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28/6/16
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Minister for Transport
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Minister for State Development
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JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
Pilbara port fees kept down to help jobs
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Reduced charges at Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility maintained for junior miners
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Decision helps preserve employment for workers, contractors and suppliers
The Liberal National Government will extend price relief at Port Hedland's Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility to help junior Pilbara miners continue exporting iron ore and protect thousands of jobs.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said he would issue a direction to Pilbara Ports Authority to extend the discount regime to June 30, 2017.
The Government originally announced a $2.50 per tonne discount for the junior operators in May 2015, which was due to expire on Thursday (June 30, 2016).
Mr Nalder said the decision would help junior operators such as Atlas Iron and Mineral Resources Limited preserve employment for their workers, contractors and suppliers.
"The Government has had great success with the Utah Point facility," he said.
"The initiative to build the port has unlocked iron ore deposits that would have been difficult to access, enabling additional economic development in the Pilbara including thousands of jobs."
State Development Minister Bill Marmion said the Liberal National Government had also decided to extend the discount to manganese exports handled at the facility to encourage the remobilisation of the nearby Woodie Woodie mine.
"We would like to see Woodie Woodie recommence operations and the extension of the discount demonstrates the Government's support for remobilisation," Mr Marmion said.
The $2.50 per tonne port charge discount is conditional on the iron ore price staying below A$80 per tonne.
Fact File
Media contacts:
Transport Minister's office: Kirsten Stoney - 0428 144 010
State Development Minister's office: Gavin Simpson - 6552 6800 or 0438 483 970
Visit www.premier.wa.gov.au for any audio/visual coverage.
Follow WA Government News on Facebook and @WAGovMedia on Twitter.
Subscribe to have media releases emailed automatically from www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au.