Iron Ore

BHP Billiton Iron Ore is one of the world’s leading iron ore producers with operations in Australia and Brazil. We sell lump and fine product from Australia and iron ore pellets from our Samarco operation in Brazil.

Our principal iron ore operations are based in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The operation comprises a complex integrated system of seven inland mining operations, more than 1,000km of rail, stock yards and two separate port facilities located in Port Hedland. Our operations are owned through a number of Joint Venture arrangements.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore is a 50:50 joint venture partner with Vale at the Samarco operations in Brazil.

Iron ore is a major component in many modern office towers, including iconic structures around the world.  It is also used extensively in motor vehicles, washing machines, refrigerators ovens and other whitegoods.

In pursuing ongoing growth plans, BHP Billiton Iron Ore is committed to working with its local communities to support sustainable development in the region and ensure their needs are incorporated into the company’s expansion plans.

Ian was appointed President, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, in December 2006. He joined BHP in 1987 and has held several senior management positions across a range of BHP Billiton’s businesses including Base Metals, Iron Ore, Mineral Development and the company’s former Gold division. Ian has a Bachelor Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Melbourne and is the Vice President of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

Samarco, Brazil

The Samarco operation in Brazil has an annual production capacity of more than 21 million tonnes of iron ore pellets and one million tonnes of concentrates. Our Samarco operations include open pit mines, a concentration plant, two pellet plants, port facilities and a 396 kilometre concentrate slurry pipeline between the mine and the pellet plants.

Western Australia Iron Ore

BHP Billiton Iron Ore is one of the world’s premier suppliers of iron ore, employing 13,000 people across the Pilbara. Mining operations are supported by the town of Newman while Port Hedland houses the company’s port and rail facilities.

The massive Mt Whaleback mine, established in 1968, is the biggest single-pit open-cut iron ore mine in the world being more than five kilometres long and nearly 1.5 kilometres wide.  Adjacent are smaller deposits, Orebodies 29, 30 and 35. Smaller satellite mines – Wheelarra and Orebodies 18, 23, 24 and 25 – are located outside the town of Newman. The Yandi and Area C mines are located about 100 kilometres north-west of Newman. The Yarrie mine is 200 kilometres east of Port Hedland.