A tropical storm hit the Pilbara region over the weekend, forcing both BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Fortescue to temporarily restrict operations.
The Australian weather bureau said the storm made landfall late Saturday near Port Hedland, bringing up to 110 mm of rain.
The storm failed to develop into a cyclone, but flood warnings were in force for much of WA.
BHP said operations were halted at its iron ore export terminal in Port Hedland while Fortescue said it had suspended iron ore processing operations for up to 12 hours and also halted ship loading.
Despite the temporary closure of its port, BHP’s mining and real networks were able to operate as normal, BHP Billiton spokeswoman Kelly Quirke told MINING DAILY.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the weather system was moving further south and may have more impact on the goldfields region later today.