BHP mines first iron ore from 80 mil mt/year South Flank in Western Australia

Mining giant BHP’s Western Australian 80 million mt/year South Flank mine has seen first iron ore production, the company announced May 20.

“South Flank is Australia’s largest new iron ore mine in over 50 years and is on time and on budget. South Flank’s high quality ore will increase [Western Australia Iron Ore’s] average iron ore grade from 61% to 62%, and the overall proportion of lump from 25% to 30%-33%,” BHP’s president for minerals Australia Edgar Basto said.

The mine, together with the existing Mining Area C, will form the largest operating iron ore hub in the world, producing 145 million mt/year, BHP said.

— Nathan Richardson