Karara Mining, a joint venture between Gindalbie Metals and Ansteel, opened the terminal in Geraldton on Tuesday.

The port opening is a cornerstone of the Karara project's $1 billion-plus investment in infrastructure in the Mid West region.

Karara's export terminal is capable of handling 16 million tonnes per annum of magnetite concentrate or hematite direct shipping ore and is adjacent to Mt Gibson Iron's storage shed.

Attendees at the opening ceremony included Minister for Transport and Treasurer of Western Australia Troy Buswell, Ansteel vice president Yu Wanyuan and Gindalbie chairman George Jones.

"Geraldton has become the newest gateway for shipment of iron ore to China and the rest of the world," Jones said.

"For Gindalbie, today marks a combination of eight years of hard work, starting from a raw exploration prospect to one of the world's most premium magnetite mines.

"This project has been designed to be here for 50 years and we can absorb the changes in iron ore prices."

Jones also thanked Ansteel for their "unwavering" support.

"For about seven years they have been a strong and supportive partner, bringing critical elements to the project development, including a long-term off-take agreement, equity and project funding."

Buswell said the opening of the export terminal was not only an important day for the Karara team, but also Geraldton, the Mid West and the state's economy.

"In the last 12 months, nearly half of the jobs created in Australia were created in Western Australia," Buswell said.

"There are many positive learning's people can take away, in terms of how we as a state and we as a nation engage with our trading partners.

"We have to be careful in this state not to get sucked into negativity; there are so many positive aspects in our state.

"Sure, the price of iron ore went down a few weeks ago, but it's gone back up a bit now; it's not the end of the world.

"This project is here for the long term."

Buswell also praised and congratulated Jones on the project's achievements.

"You need people with drive and determination, and people who are prepared to make this project happen and that's what George has done."

DSO hematite is currently being stockpiled in the Karara storage shed, with the first shipment expected at the end of this month.

Karara has developed a fourth railway line inside the port to connect with the Karara project, located 225km inland.

Additionally, in the next five months the mine will ramp up to full production of 8Mtpa of magnetite and 2Mtpa of hematite.

Accompanied by an English translator, Ansteel vice president Yu Wanyuan said the port opening was a significant milestone.

"The development of this Karara project is a very important step for Ansteel as part of going global and our sustainable development strategy," Wanyuan said.

"I would also like to acknowledge the support provided by the Western Australian government.

"Ansteel is looking forward to playing a very positive role in the continued development of this state for many years to come."

The export terminal comprises a 297m storage facility, a dedicated berth (Berth 7) and a 5000 tonne per hour ship-loader.

It also has a twin-car rotary dumper, which is the only one at the Geraldton port.

Described as environmentally friendly, the ship-loader is fully contained, dust-suppressant and has extraction and fogging systems, as well as automated moisture analysers and a sample station.

Berth 7 can accommodate Panamax vessels capable of carrying 60,000 tonne loads.