Seaport Consultants - Port and Transportation Consulting

This project involved a logistics analysis for a new copper/cobalt mining deposit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997. Seaport Consultants, Inc.'s assignment consisted of determining the most suitable and cost effective port through which to move product originating in central Africa. Seaport also determined the best methods to move backhaul cargoes and mine supplies.

The project was accomplished under contract to Morrison-Knudsen International, which was responsible for the rail analysis and contract negotiations. Dedicated trains would move copper cathode and cobalt from mine to port and return with prilled sulfur and mine consumables.

Ports in Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa and Angola were first evaluated through a field inspection and numerous industry interviews. In each case, Seaport examined

local rail access
port road networks
marine facility conditions
overall port productivity
environmental constraints
security
ocean freight rates to likely destinations.

We also determined rates for inbound cargoes, such as mine consumables, moving through each port and compiled ocean transport costs for use in the overall feasibility study.

A candidate port was identified and negotiations begun with operators and suppliers.

Finally, Seaport managed the concept design of a container able to carry copper cathode and drummed cobalt on the outbound rail journey from the Congo to port as well as bulk, prilled sulfur on the return rail journey back to the mine. The container would also be suitable for road transport. Materials handling, safety and ventilation requirements were addressed in the concept design.