BHP has celebrated the shipment of 3 billion tonnes of iron ore to China.
BHP chief commercial officer Vandita Pant and asset president WA iron ore Brandon Craig were joined by China Iron and Steel Association vice-chairman Luo Tiejun and key customer representatives at the Mining Area C and South Flank mine sites in the Pilbara, and at the Port Hedland export facility to view the loading of a Capesize bulk carrier.
The group also joined West Australian Premier Roger Cook, federal resources minister Madeleine King and representatives of the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in WA, at a gala dinner in Perth to celebrate the milestone.
Ms Pant said: “BHP’s relationships with our customers in China have been fundamentally important to our company over the past 50 years”.
“Through the reliable delivery of our high-quality iron ore resources and significant investment in steelmaking capability, together we have grown trade and provided the materials necessary for economic development globally.”
Mr Craig said: “This is a significant milestone for BHP’s iron ore business and for Western Australia, and we are delighted to commemorate the achievement, celebrate our partnerships and showcase our world-class WA operations”.
It took nearly 30 years for BHP to deliver its first 100 million tonnes of iron ore to China following the first shipment in 1973.
By 2014, BHP had shipped 1 billion tonnes and, following significant investment and growth in BHP’s WA iron ore business, has now delivered 3 billion tonnes nine years later.
