BHP is looking to increase its Western Australian iron ore export capacity from Port Hedland by an extra 40 million tonnes a year producing an extra $5 billion a year in iron ore revenue which will in turn boost royalties to the West Australian government.
The lifting of export tonnage limitations and the increase in production would bring BHP closer to Rio Tinto production and revenue levels. BHP’s acting asset president for Western Australia iron ore, Tim Day commented that any capacity expansion would only happen if the market conditions allowed it.
As part of the first stage of the plans BHP has committed $400 million to reduce dust emissions in Port Hedland which is a community sore point.
This is a brief summary of the article ‘BHP seeks to lift iron ore export capacity’ by Nick Evans | The Australian | Tuesday 28th April 2020.
