Darwin 11 July 2013. Northern Territory iron ore is about to hit the world stage with Sherwin Iron preparing to send its first bulk sample to China through East Arm Wharf.

Chief Minister Adam Giles has joined senior executives from Sherwin Iron to inspect the company’s Roper River ore stockpile which is starting to take shape at the port.

"This bulk sample export is a major milestone for a project that will employ up to 300 people when it is fully operational,” Mr Giles said.

The Roper River mine is located 500 km southeast of Darwin and is scheduled to move into full production early next year.

“This is the first new iron ore province to be opened up in the Territory in 50 years. It will be a huge boost to the economy and is another sign the Territory is open for business,” Mr Giles said.

At least 200 million tonnes of ore from the Roper River mine is expected to pass through East Arm over the project’s 20+ year lifespan.

“The mine will deliver substantial economic benefits to the local Roper Region, as well as the Northern Territory as a whole,” Mr Giles said.

“The mine has major project status and the Territory Government is fully committed to doing whatever it can to see this project succeed.”

Sherwin’s first shipment of ore is expected to leave East Arm within the month bound for potential clients at Chinese steel mills.

“This bulk sample is a critical step for Sherwin as it moves towards production by the first quarter of 2014,” Sherwin Iron Executive Director Rod Illingworth said.

“We could not have reached this important milestone without the support of Government, Traditional Owners, the community and the Sherwin Iron team.”

It comes as Australian Ilmenite Resources prepares to export its first shipment of Ilmenite sand from its multi-billion dollar SILL80 Project, also in the Roper region.

“This initial export of more than 8000 tonnes is destined for China and is a valuable long term project with an expected life of more than 40 years,” Mr Giles said.

The mine site is about 100 kilometres east of Mataranka and represents a brand new mineral industry for the Territory.

It is owned by Territory entrepreneur Jerry Ren and the mine is producing the highest grade material available in the world.

“There is very strong demand for this high-grade product and the company’s potential clients stretch from China to Saudi Arabia,” Mr Giles said.