BHP greenlights $1.4b Port Hedland investment
BHP (ASX: BHP) is advancing its port debottlenecking project 2 (PDP2) as part of major strategic investment in Port Hedland’s infrastructure to support surrounding operations.
The investment will enhance operational resilience and efficiency with the installation of a sixth car dumper (CD6) as well as additional conveyors and supporting infrastructure to support WA Iron Ore’s (WAIO) production target of 305mtpa.
Port Hedland is one of the largest iron ore loading ports in the world and the largest in Australia, making it critical to mining operations not just in WA but globally. The ports are linked to several BHP mines in the Pilbara region, including Newman, Mining Area C, Yandi and Jimblebar.
PDP2 follows the success of BHP’s port debottlenecking project 1 (PDP1), which delivered improved car dumper and ship loader performance.
BHP currently operates five car dumpers across its Nelson Point and Finucane Island operations in the region. Car dumpers at Port Hedland tip two 135t rail cars at a time, unloading up to 16,000t of per hour, before the ore is moved down a 5km long conveyor system to the port.
BHP anticipates the operation of CD6 to increase car dumper availability, enhance operational reliability and consistency, improve ore blending and screening capabilities and create greater supply chain resilience from mine to port.
The company’s WA iron ore operations returned strong results for FY25 with record full-year production of 290mt alongside record shipments through Port Hedland facilities — highlighting the importance of BHP’s continued investment into regional infrastructure.
CD6 is expected to enable the port to run at least five of the six car dumpers more than 90% of the time, a significant increase from the current 60% availability.
Construction is targeted to commence in December with first ore through the new facilities expected Q4 FY28.