BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Western Australia’s Pilbara communities have celebrated a significant milestone in Australia’s mining history by marking 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).
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 and 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.