BHP Billiton opens a 35 million production capacity Iron Ore Mine in WA

AUSTRALIA April 23 2014 1:35 PM

PERTH (Scrap Register): BHP Billiton hs opened its new Jimblebar iron ore mine 40 kilometres east of Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Jimblebar delivered first production in the quarter ending September 2013 and is expected to deliver phase one capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by the end of the 2015 financial year. Together with the installation of four mobile crushers, this will increase total Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) supply chain capacity to in excess of 220 mtpa (100 per cent basis).

Longer term, a low cost option to expand Jimblebar to 55 mtpa and the broader debottlenecking of the supply chain is expected to underpin capital efficient growth in WAIO capacity to approximately 260 mtpa to 270 mtpa (100 per cent basis).

“Mobile crib rooms and fuelling stations have been positioned closer to the mine pits so our trucks and equipment spend more time moving earth and less time travelling or parked out of action,” said BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Jimmy Wilson.

“Our pursuit of productivity gains and operational excellence is delivering significant value at Western Australia Iron Ore. The business is now well positioned to deliver high margin volume growth at a substantially lower cost,” he added.

“Over the past two years alone, we have invested over A$1.3 billion in the Western Australian community, including community projects, town servicing infrastructure, training opportunities and regional development activities and accommodation,” said Wilson.