Phosphate rock exports resume via Port of Townsville

More than 25,000 tonnes of phosphate rock has been exported to New Zealand via the Port of Townsville, following the PRL Group’s resumption of the North West Queensland’s Admore Phosphate Mine.

The phosphate rock was transported in containers from the mine to Mount Isa by road, then onto rail to the Port for storage, before being moved via conveyor belt and shiploader into the vessel, leaving the Port on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Port of Townsville General Manager Business Development Drew Penny said the recommencement of export operations would have many positive impacts for the region and again demonstrates the importance of the Mount Isa to Townsville supply chain has in supporting the economy.

“Whilst there was a temporary pause to phosphate rock exports from Townsville earlier this year, I must commend PRL Group for their hard work since taking over the Ardmore Mine to be able to begin exporting again so soon,” Mr Penny said.

He said capabilities on the Port’s Berth 8, managed by Glencore, included a shiploader, that could efficiently and quickly load cargo into vessels.

Mr Penny thanked PRL Group and Glencore for working with the Port to ensure a smooth process to begin the export operations again.

PRL Group Chief Executive Officer Nick Gan said this is an incredible achievement, delivering their first shipment 72 days since taking over the Ardmore operation.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of the Ardmore team and all of our partners who have been working with us to achieve this result, including the Port of Townsville, Aurizon, Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS), Glencore, Qube and the Queensland State Government,” he said.

MITEZ Chief Executive Officer Maria James said they were delighted to see PRL's first shipment from Port of Townsville since the completion of their acquisition of the Ardmore phosphate mine in September this year.

“Much work has been done since mine remobilisation and the necessary approvals to restart operations,” Ms James said.

“What a brilliant outcome that PRL have developed pit to port operations in such a short time frame. Cost effective and efficient freight solutions are required for the export of phosphate and PRL's considered and measured approach is commendable.

“MITEZ is proud to have PRL as a member, their innovative and tenacious approach to getting the mine up and running together with their commitment to the local community of Dajarra and the North West, and the flow on effects for the entire logistic MITEZ corridor supply chain is welcome and timely.

“We look forward to working with them and wish them every success.”

Glencore’s Townsville Manager for Refinery and Port Operations, Paul Taylor, said this was another example of the integrated Mount Isa to Townsville industrial supply chain at work.

“Glencore’s Berth 8 shiploader already handles our own and third-party products, including metal concentrates and fertiliser, bound for international markets. Working with PRL Group is a natural extension of our operations that connect the mineral wealth of the north-west region to global customers,” he said.