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BHP Billiton Celebrates 40 Years of Iron Ore Shipments from Pilbara
07/09/2009 - BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Western Australia's Pilbara communities celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the railing and shipping of the first iron ore mined from the Mt Newman Project, which is now known as BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Newman Joint Venture.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Western Australia's Pilbara communities recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the railing and shipping of the first iron ore mined from the Mt Newman Project (now known as BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Newman Joint Venture).
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In 1969, the Mt Newman Project celebrated three major milestones:
· The first iron ore was railed from Newman's Mt Whaleback mine
· The first shipment of iron ore left Nelson Point in Port Hedland on the Osumi Maru
· The Mt Newman Project was officially opened at Mt Whaleback in Newman
That year, a total of 6.45 million tonnes was mined and shipped from the region.
Today, BHP Billiton Iron Ore exports more than 124 million tonnes of iron ore per year.
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The anniversary signifies the combined achievements of BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Mitsui & Co., ITOCHU Corp., their predecessors Mt Newman and Goldsworthy Mining, and the communities of Port Hedland and Newman.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore has approved more than US$10 billion in expansion projects since 2002. The company's investment in the business is set to continue with installed capacity of the company's Pilbara operations expected to reach approximately 300 million tonnes by 2015.
The region's iron ore resources were first uncovered in 1957 by A.S. Stan Hilditch, who made a vast iron ore discovery while searching for manganese. At the time, iron ore was of little value because of a Federal Government embargo on its export that would not be lifted until 1960. The lifting of the embargo led to one of the world's largest iron ore developments—The Mt Newman Project—which saw more than A$2.2 billion invested in the Pilbara's iron ore production facilities, railways, ports and new towns.
The town of Newman was established in 1966 as five joint venture partners - BHP, AMAX, CSR, Seltrust and Mitsui-C. Itoh (ITOCHU) - invested in the development of the Mt Whaleback operation, a 426-km railway to the coast and new port facilities at Nelson Point in Port Hedland. BHP was appointed manager of the Project.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore President, Ian Ashby noted the 40-year milestone was not solely about the achievements of the business, but of the men and women whose hard work and dedication made the industry a reality. "Everyone at BHP Billiton Iron Ore today is extremely proud to be continuing the work and delivering the vision of those pioneering men and women who laid down the foundations for the industry 40 years ago," he said.
"We are proud to support community investment projects that contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the Pilbara,” added Ashby. “In financial year 2008, we invested A$20 million in the areas of greatest community need in the Pilbara - namely health, education, Indigenous development and township amenity".
Ashby, who has been at the helm of BHP Billiton Iron Ore since December 2006, has overseen the company's rapid growth projects to significantly increase iron ore production and shipping capacity in the Pilbara.
