The first train load of Cairn Hill Magnetite – Copper – Gold ore leaves the Rankin Dam rail facility bound for Port Adelaide

IMX Resources Limited is pleased to announce that the first train load of Cairn Hill Magnetite – Copper – Gold ore left the Rankin Dam rail facility bound for Port Adelaide on Sunday 17th October.

IMX Resources Managing Director Duncan McBain said “The commencement of railing ore to the port was the next key milestone in the evolution of Cairn Hill as a producing mine. The successful loading of the first train is a culmination of combined efforts of IMX, Exact Mining Services, SBR, Flinders Ports and DP World over an extended period of time.”

Loading the rail wagons using the new 988 Caterpillar stick steer loaders

“The loading of the first trainload of ore is an historic day for IMX,” stated Simon Parsons, General Manager – Cairn Hill, IMX Resources. “Many months of hard work and commitment from many parties and individuals have brought us to this moment,” he said.

“Our ability to achieve this milestone could not have happened without the support of our service providers, our employees and the Coober Pedy community in general.”

Steve Staines (IMX), Simon Parson (IMX), John Knight (Exact Mining), Darren Lind (IMX), Bill Reed (SBR/SCT Logistics), Ray Jenke (SBR/SCT Logistics), Ron Bury (SBR/SCT Logistics), Alex Trouptsis (Exact Mining) and George Georgianoudios (Exact Mining)

“I can proudly advise that Cairn Hill remains on track to commence shipping in early December 2010.”

The total length of the train that departed Rankin Dam was approximately 1,043 metres carrying a total payload of around 3,593 tonnes of ore. From now until January three loaded trains will depart from Rankin Dam each week. From late January 2011 this will increase to six trains per week with the payload per train increasing to approximately 6,000 tonnes.

“It was great to see some locals involved in this milestone event,” said Steve Staines, Support Services Manager, IMX Resources. “Alex Trouptsis, George Georgianoudios and Derek Rowe were the first operators trained to use the new Caterpillar 988 stick steer loaders purchased by Exact Mining,” he said. The loaders are used to load the ore into the containers mounted on the rail wagons.