The Area C mine is an iron ore mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 92 kilometres west-north-west of Newman. The mine is owned by BHP (85%), Itochu (8%) and Mitsui Iron (7%).Itochu and Mitsui Acquire Interests in BHP Iron Ore Jimblebar Itochu 21 June 2013
The Area C mine is part of the Mount Goldsworthy joint venture, together with the Yarrie and Nimingarra mines.
Overview
The Area C mine was officially opened on 30 October 2003 by Premier Geoff Gallop, but ore had been railed from the mine to the port since 16 August.BHP Billiton's Area C Mine Officially Opened BHP Billiton 30 October 2003BHP opens rail link for new mine Australasian Transport News 3 November 2003 However, bulk samples of the ore had been mined and sent to customers since late 2001. The mine was initially scheduled to produce 15 million tonnes of iron ore annually.
Ore from Area C is transported by rail to Port Hedland on the Mount Newman railway line.Rail BHP Billiton
The mine was operated by HWE Mining.HWE Mining awarded contract extension totalling $700 million HWE Mining 5 November 2007 In September 2011, BHP Billiton brought operations in house.Leighton flags potential sale of Pilbara iron ore business to BHP Billiton Leighton Holdings 9 August 2011Completion of the Acquisition of HWE Mining Subsidiaries BHP 30 September 2011
References
External links MINEDEX website: Mining Area C Database of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety