Palabora magnetite halted by rail accident

[John Ashworth]

Palabora magnetite halted by rail accident

A fully loaded Transnet train has destroyed a bridge on the branch line between Phalaborwa and Hodespruit when it derailed

Des Latham
Business Day Published: 2010/09/21 11:25:28 AM

Palabora says early on Monday a fuly loaded Transnet freight train derailed and destroyed a bridge on the Phalborwa / Hoedspruit line in Limpopo.

The line is the main link between the Palabora mining company operation and the ports of Richards Bay and Maputo.

No-one was hurt, but the bridge has been taken down and shipments of Magnetite to all ports has been affected.

The company says the accident will have an impact on sales revenue.

Palabora is in contact with Transnet and is assessing the extent of the impact on its business and will be reviewing alternative options.

Transnet says the service may take up to five weeks to restore.

Transnet has had a number of rail accidents attributed to poor handling, track damage by thieves, signal failures caused by construction and a host of derailments on the prime Richards Bay line.