Delivering 200 Tonnes of Tailings Filterpresses for a Northern Territory Gold Mine

The Challenge

Matec Pacific is the Asia-Pacific branch of Matec Industries, a global leader in turn-key solid-liquid separation systems, tailings management solutions, and wastewater treatment plants. Their equipment plays a key role in helping mining companies manage tailings safely and sustainably.

International Cargo Express was engaged by them to deliver a series of large-scale Tailings Filterpresses and critical parts for a gold mine processing plant in the Tenant Creek region of Australia’s Northern Territory.

The project required the delivery of multiple shipments from Italy, with goods imported from both Mulazzo and Cuneo into Melbourne and Adelaide. The cargo consisted of:

• Tailings Filterpresses
• Machine parts and components
• Crates, pallets, bundled items, and loose boxes

The total shipment was substantial:

• Net weight: 199,578 kg
• Gross weight: 202,073 kg
• Total volume: 1,073.97 cubic metres

Adding to the challenge:

• Goods were non-stackable, requiring careful handling and specialised storage
• Some items needed to be stored indoors with temperature control
• The shipment involved both RORO and containerised transport (loaded in 40′ Open Top containers and on MAFI trailers)
• Final delivery was to a remote mining site with logistical and access constraints

Coordinating such sensitive and high-value cargo demanded precise logistics management, specialist handling, and seamless coordination across continents.

Our Solution

ICE managed the entire logistics process, including complex multiple split shipments from different cities in Italy to different ports of arrival in Australia.

• Arranged both Open Top containers to be loaded in break bulk vessels and MAFI trailers to be loaded in RORO vessels.
• Booked sea freight to both ports of Melbourne and Adelaide, in Australia, and then arranged road freight via standard flat top trailers and low loaders to a mining site in Tennant Creek.

• Oversaw careful unpacking and loose delivery of all boxes, crates, pallets, and bundled items.
• Provided secure indoor storage, with temperature-controlled environments where required.
• Implemented tailored handling procedures for non-stackable goods, ensuring zero damage throughout transport and storage.
• Managed final road transport to the Tenant Creek region, meeting project timelines despite the complexities of remote delivery.

Results

✅ Freighted over 200 tonnes of critical mining equipment from Italy to Australia
✅ Managed full project logistics end-to-end
✅ Zero damage or delays across multiple complex shipments
✅ Supported the successful commissioning of a major gold mine processing plant