Bids have been invited for the proposed $120m upgrade of Esperance Port in the south-east of Western Australia.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) said the upgrade is expected to facilitate mining growth in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.

CME director Damien Callachor said a number of mining projects could open up in the coming years, ensuring efficient and safe transport links to any of Western Australia’s ports.

The Esperance Port Authority completed a $54.7m upgrade in 2002, which made the port capable of handling Cape-class vessels and fully-loaded Panamax-class vessels.