Port Latta, Tasmania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Port Latta Tasmania
Iron ore pelletizing plant
Port Latta Location in Tasmania
Population	0 (2016 census)
LGA(s)	Circular Head Council
Localities around Port Latta: Stanley Bass Strait Bass Strait Port Latta Rocky Cape National Park

Port Latta is a special place in North West Tasmania. It has a big processing plant and a port. These are used to send out iron ore from the Savage River mine.

What is Port Latta?

Port Latta is not a town where many people live. Instead, it is a busy industrial area. Its main job is to help move iron ore from the mine to ships. This ore is then sent to other parts of the world.

How Iron Ore Travels to Port Latta

Getting iron ore from the mine to the port is a big job. The ore travels through a special pipe called a slurry pipeline. A slurry is like a thick mud, where the iron ore is mixed with water. This makes it easy to pump.

The pipeline is very long, about 85 kilometres (53 miles)! It runs all the way from the Savage River mine to Port Latta. There's even a road, Pipeline Road, that runs next to it.

From Slurry to Ship

Once the iron ore slurry arrives at Port Latta, the water is removed. This process is called de-watering. After the ore is dry, it is loaded onto ships. Big conveyor belts move the ore directly into the ships' cargo holds.

The mine, pipeline, and conveyor belts can handle a lot of ore. They can move about 2.4 million tonnes of iron ore every year. That's a huge amount!

When Did Port Latta Start?

The mine and port at Port Latta first opened in 1967. They have been working for many years. In 2021, the plant was still very active. According to reports, it is expected to keep working until at least 2035. This means Port Latta will continue to be an important part of Tasmania's mining industry for a long time.