PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The ribbon has officially been cut at diversified miner BHP’s $3.6-billion South Flank iron-ore mine, in the Pilbara.

South Flank is an 80-million-tonne-a-year operation, and will be the most technically advanced high quality iron-ore mine in Western Australia. Together with the existing Mining Area C, it will form the largest operating iron-ore hub in the world, producing 145-million tonnes of iron-ore each year. 

The mine started production in May this year, and the operation is expected to operate for the next 25 years.

The project included an 80-million-tonne-a-year crushing and screening plant, an overland conveyor system, stockyard and train loading facilities, procurement of a new mining fleet and substantial mine development and pre-strip work.

The project created more than 9 000 jobs during construction, and is expected to create more than 600 operational roles through its life.

“South Flank is BHP’s most technically advanced mine and creates the largest iron-ore hub in the world. It will sustain more than 600 ongoing jobs, plus opportunities for hundreds of local businesses and billions of dollars in royalties to Western Australia,” said BHP Western Australia iron-ore asset president Brandon Craig.

“South Flank’s product has high lump content and increases the quality of BHP’s blended products for steelmaking customers, improving blast furnace efficiency and supporting decarbonisation efforts. South Flank’s premium iron-ore will be shipped to global steel producers to build electricity, transport and urban infrastructure around the world over the next 25 years.”

Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday said that the opening of the South Flank mine was an example of how Western Australia's resources sector is planning for the future and that Western Australia is a secure and attractive place to invest. 

"From the turning of the sod with BHP and the Banjima traditional owners in 2018, I have seen the opportunities the South Flank project has delivered for Western Australia.

"The project has created, and will continue to create, hundreds of jobs for Western Australians, and work for local businesses. It's pleasing to see BHP's focus in attracting and retaining a diverse and skilled workforce. 

"The South Flank project shows what is possible when Western Australian businesses, big and small, are given the opportunity to provide goods and services to large scale resources projects in the Pilbara." 

State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook noted that investment driven by projects such as South Flank were essential to creating Western Australian jobs and supporting local business.

“The government is committed to ensuring the state continues to be a secure and attractive destination for investment. I look forward to seeing iron-ore from South Flank exported around the world for decades to come.”