Onslow Iron Port Transitions to Clean Energy: MinRes Achieves Gas-Powered Operations

Mineral Resources (MinRes) has successfully completed a major infrastructure upgrade at its Onslow iron project, shifting the Port of Ashburton’s energy supply from diesel to natural gas. The transition marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to reducing operational emissions while enhancing cost efficiency across its supply chain.

The Infrastructure Behind the Shift

At the heart of this transformation is a newly operational 14-megawatt gas-fired power station now connected to the Wheatstone Ashburton West Gas Pipeline. This connection enables the port to operate entirely on cleaner fuel, eliminating the logistical complexities and environmental burden associated with diesel-based operations.

The port serves as a critical hub in the supply chain, roughly 150 kilometres from the Ken’s Bore mine site. Vessels loading up to 20,000 tonnes of iron ore regularly pass through the facility for offshore bulk transfer. By transitioning to gas power, MinRes addresses both the operational demands of this high-volume activity and its environmental footprint.

Quantifying the Environmental and Economic Impact

The shift delivers substantial benefits on multiple fronts. The Onslow operation can now displace approximately 60 million litres of diesel annually at the port alone, translating into meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond environmental gains, the company streamlines operations by eliminating the extensive logistics required for diesel delivery and storage.

According to MinRes management, the move underscores their view that clean energy infrastructure is essential to maintaining industry sustainability and supporting the communities where operations occur. By connecting the port infrastructure to the gas pipeline network, the company achieves what executives describe as a more cost-effective operational model.

Onslow’s Broader Development Timeline

The Onslow iron project has progressed rapidly since launching production ahead of schedule in May 2026. By August 2025, operations had ramped to nameplate capacity of 35 million tonnes per year, establishing Onslow as one of Australia’s largest iron ore facilities and the country’s first dust-free project of this scale.

This latest infrastructure milestone complements MinRes’ previous commitment to sustainability partnerships. In October, the company established a joint venture with Robe River Services through its subsidiary CSI Mining Services, positioning traditional landowners at the centre of economic participation in the project.

Moving forward, MinRes remains focused on maintaining safe, efficient operations at full nameplate capacity while continuing to identify opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint across all Onslow facilities.