Area C mine

Area C mine
Location
Area C mine
Location in Western Australia
LocationShire of East Pilbara, Pilbara
StateWestern Australia
CountryAustralia
Coordinates22°55′12″S 118°58′28″E / 22.919955°S 118.974471°E / -22.919955; 118.974471
Production
ProductsIron ore
Production63 million tonnes
Financial year2021
History
Opened2003
Owner
CompanyBHP (85%)
Itochu (8%)
Mitsui Iron (7%)
Websitewww.bhp.com

The Area C mine is an iron ore mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 92 kilometres west-north-west of Newman. The mine is owned by BHP (85%), Itochu (8%) and Mitsui Iron (7%).[1]

The Area C mine is part of the Mount Goldsworthy joint venture, together with the Yarrie and Nimingarra mines.

Overview

The Area C mine was officially opened on 30 October 2003 by Premier Geoff Gallop, but ore had been railed from the mine to the port since 16 August.[2] However, bulk samples of the ore had been mined and sent to customers since late 2001.[3] The mine was initially scheduled to produce 15 million tonnes of iron ore annually.[4]

Ore from Area C is transported by rail to Port Hedland on the Mount Newman railway line.[5]

The mine was operated by HWE Mining.[6] In September 2011, BHP Billiton brought operations in house.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ Itochu and Mitsui Acquire Interests in BHP Iron Ore Jimblebar Itochu 21 June 2013
  2. ^ BHP Billiton's Area C Mine Officially Opened BHP Billiton 30 October 2003
  3. ^ Louthean, Ross (2004). The Australian Mines Handbook. Louthean Media. p. 241.
  4. ^ This month in mining: BHP Billiton commits to major iron ore project Engineering and Mining Journal May 2002
  5. ^ Rail BHP Billiton
  6. ^ HWE Mining awarded contract extension totalling $700 million HWE Mining 5 November 2007
  7. ^ Leighton flags potential sale of Pilbara iron ore business to BHP Billiton Leighton Holdings 9 August 2011
  8. ^ Completion of the Acquisition of HWE Mining Subsidiaries BHP 30 September 2011