【BHP Port Hedland Strike Expands, Raising Iron Ore Supply Risks】

Industrial action at BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia expanded further on August 9, with around 100 additional workers joining a 24-hour stoppage, bringing the total number of participating workers to about 150. The action followed a 24-hour ship-loading halt on August 8. Port Hedland is the world’s largest iron ore export hub, while BHP ships around US$80 million worth of iron ore through the port each day, increasing concerns over potential short-term disruptions to seaborne iron ore supply.

However, BHP said vessels continued to be loaded during the strike, while rival miners Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting are not expected to be affected by the industrial action. BHP and the unions are scheduled to resume negotiations on August 18 over a proposed four-year bargaining agreement.