Formerly known as CMIEC, Sinosteel’s main resource asset in Australia at present is the Channar joint venture with Hamersley Iron in the Pilbara, a productive partnership that’s been going since 1990 when the mine began operations at 3 million tonnes per annum – increased to 10Mtpa in 1998.
Sinosteel, which has 40% stake in the Channar venture, is now seeking further opportunities, and not just in iron ore.
Coking coal, mineral sands and base metals are all on the shopping list of the Sinosteel consortium, which comprises China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), China Development Bank (CDB) and the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank)
Sinosteel Australia is led by recently appointed managing director Cui Xiaofei, a 33-year old accountant who re-located to Perth earlier this year.
Xiaofei told MiningNews.net the company has already been having negotiations with various parties, but declined to be drawn further citing confidentiality clauses.
A formal function planned next month in Perth will introduce Sinosteel to the mining sector in Western Australia, with Sinosteel’s President Huang Tianwen and the Chinese Ambassador to Australia Madame Fu amongst the attendees.
