Milestone for South Flank

The $4.88 billion South Flank project has reached the halfway point of its construction.

Expanding on BHP’s Mining Area C operation, near Newman, the project is on track to begin production in 2021 and will produce 80 million tonnes of iron ore a year.

It would create about 2500 construction jobs and more than 600 operational jobs over the expected 25-year life.

Production of the South Flank infrastructure has been taking place remotely, with the components then transported to the Pilbara mine.

South Flank project director Simon Thomas said transport of 1500 South Flank mega modules had begun in the Pilbara.

“At 35,000 tonnes we’re dealing with the biggest and heaviest haul ever along the Great Northern Highway,” he said.

“The modules will be installed as part of the project’s process infrastructure — forming the ore handling plant and 23km conveyor system for our massive new South Flank iron ore hub.”

Premier Mark McGowan said the Government was working with the iron ore industry and its supply chain to identify business development trends.