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Pilbara

The Pilbara is a large, sparsely populated region in the north of Western Australia, known primarily for its vast mineral resources and mining operations. The region covers an area of approximately 507 000 km² and is one of the world's most significant iron-ore producing areas. It is home to some of the largest iron-ore deposits on Earth, with major mining operations concentrated around towns such as Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Newman and Port Hedland. The region's economy is dominated by the resources sector, particularly iron-ore extraction, but also includes significant deposits of natural gas, gold, manganese and other minerals. Major mining companies operating in the Pilbara include Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue Metals Group, which together account for a substantial portion of global seaborne iron-ore supply. Port Hedland serves as the primary export hub, handling hundreds of millions of tonnes of iron-ore annually destined mainly for Asian markets, particularly China. The region's harsh climate, characterised by extreme heat and cyclones during the wet season, presents operational challenges but has not impeded large-scale resource development. Beyond mining, the Pilbara supports cattle stations and has significant Indigenous heritage, with Aboriginal communities maintaining cultural connections to the land. The region's strategic importance to the Australian economy and global steel production has driven substantial infrastructure investment, including rail networks, ports and processing facilities. Mining activity in the Pilbara expanded significantly from the 1960s onwards, transforming it into one of the world's foremost mining regions and a cornerstone of Australia's export economy.

Pilbara News


Iron-ore mineralisation
Arrow Minerals targets 400% landholding expansion in iron-ore-rich Pilbara
Updated 2 hours 56 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Arrow Minerals' Pilbara iron-ore landholding is poised to grow by more than 400% to 1 600 km2. The company's latest target comprises the Turee Creek iron-ore project, with 12 new... 


BHP's South Flank mine
BHP cuts 300 workers at Australian iron-ore mines as costs rise
14th October 2026 By: Bloomberg

Diversified miner BHP Group will make 300 workers redundant at its iron-ore operations in Western Australia as it grapples with a fall in prices of the steelmaking ingredient and higher shipping... 


Rio Tinto's Lac Tio ilmenite mine
Rio Tinto on track to release $5bn in capital after stronger Q3 iron-ore sales
14th October 2026 By: Reuters

Diversified miner Rio Tinto said on Wednesday it was on track to release about $5-billion in capital by the end of 2026, after strong mine performance helped lift third-quarter iron-ore sales from... 


Christmas Creek mine, in Western Australia
Fortescue, Metso reach green ironmaking milestone
28th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Iron-ore major Fortescue’s Christmas Creek Green Metal Project, which features mining technology specialist Metso’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Smelting Furnace technology, has produced its first hot... 


Port Hedland
Combined BHP Ports Unions to seek arbitration over wage deal dispute
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

Combined BHP Ports Unions will take top global miner BHP to arbitration after the two parties failed to agree on terms for a new wage deal for its Port Hedland iron-ore operations in Western... 


Jimblebar iron-ore mining operation
Top China steelmaker Baowu eyes stake in BHP iron-ore mine, sources say
4th September 2026 By: Reuters

China Baowu Steel Group, the world's largest steelmaker, is eyeing a minority stake in BHP's Jimblebar iron-ore mine in Western Australia, according to two people briefed on the matter. Baowu is... 


First hot metal at Fortescue's Green Metal project
Fortescue progresses towards green iron
4th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Iron-ore major Fortescue has produced first hot metal at its Green Metal project at Christmas Creek, marking the first successful operation of its electric smelting process and a major step towards... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine
Australian Indigenous group appeals Fortescue mining compensation ruling, seeks $1.3bn
26th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's Yindjibarndi Indigenous group said on Wednesday it had lodged an appeal with the federal court over the amount of compensation awarded against Fortescue for mining on their lands... 


KCGM mine
Northern Star shines with new record net profit after tax of A$1.7bn
20th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Australia's largest gold miner Northern Star has posted a record net profit after tax of A$1.7-billion, or A$1.17 apiece, in the year ended June 30, marking a 24% year-on-year increase from the... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine site and truck
Fortescue sees power sales from Pilbara green grid when demand emerges, declares lower dividend
20th August 2026 By: Reuters

Fortescue's green grid investment in Australia's northwest is set to provide surplus energy that it can sell to data centres as commercial demand develops, although it has yet to ink any supply... 


Escondida copper mine
BMI notes encouraging copper outlook for BHP amid diversification, tech push
19th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Australian multinational mining and metals company BHP’s growing exposure to copper is expected to provide an increasingly important source of growth as long-term iron-ore prices come under... 


First hot metal at Fortescue's Green Metal project
Fortescue produces first hot metal towards green iron production in Australia
19th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Iron-ore major Fortescue has produced first hot metal at its Green Metal project at Christmas Creek, marking the first successful operation of its electric smelting process and a major step towards... 


Port Hedland
BHP, Port Hedland unions fail to reach wage deal; talks to resume on August 25
18th August 2026 By: Reuters

The Combined BHP Ports Unions said on Tuesday that it had failed to reach an agreement with BHP on a wage deal for workers at its Port Hedland operations in Western Australia, with the two sides... 


MinRes Iron Valley operation
Depletion of iron-ore mines to underpin next decade's prices, Rio Tinto executive says
5th August 2026 By: Reuters

Supply pressure stemming from the depletion of iron-ore mines built earlier this century, such as those in Australia, is set to underpin the iron-ore market and prices over the coming decade, a Rio... 


A BHP freight train at Port Headland
BHP faces weekend strike at Port Hedland iron-ore hub as wage talks drag
4th August 2026 By: Reuters

A two-day strike will go ahead at BHP's Port Hedland operations in Western Australia this weekend despite progress in talks on Tuesday between unions and the global miner, a union spokesperson... 


Fortescue's Eliwana iron-ore operation
Fortescue says China's CMRG actions disrupting supply stability
31st July 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore major Fortescue said on Friday the actions of China's State iron-ore buyer were undermining the stable supply of iron-ore to the country and it hoped for a swift return to normal market... 


Port Hedland
BHP Port Hedland iron-ore workers to strike August 8 and 9, if no pay deal reached
31st July 2026 By: Reuters

Workers at BHP Group's Port Hedland iron-ore operations in Western Australia plan to go on strike next week, unions said on Friday, threatening to disrupt the miner's $80-million of daily exports... 


Location map of the Whim Creek
Whim Creek copper/lead project, Australia – update
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Anax Metals has started front-end engineering design to support a final investment decision in the fourth quarter of 2026. 


Ampol refinery in Australia
Australia plans first domestic oil refinery in 60 years to boost fuel security
28th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australia will consider building its first new oil refinery in more than 60 years, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, as war in the Middle East squeezes supplies from overseas and... 


BHP offices, in Perth
BHP resumes negotiations with Port Hedland iron-ore unions
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

BHP and unions representing workers at Western Australia's Port Hedland, the world's largest iron-ore export hub, edged closer to a deal on Tuesday, though talks ended without an agreement and will... 


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pqt: 0.081s - ct: 0.129s - 275pq - 2rq
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