mining hubs
Company knowledge base · BHP
BHP Western Australia Iron Ore
Five mining hubs. Four processing hubs. More than 1,000 kilometres of rail. One integrated system feeding Port Hedland.
BHP at a glance
From Broken Hill to a global resources group.
BHP was incorporated as the Broken Hill Proprietary Company in 1885, built around the silver, lead and zinc deposit at Broken Hill. It merged with Billiton in 2001 and now operates a diversified global portfolio.
In the Pilbara, Western Australia Iron Ore — WAIO — is a connected network of mines, processing hubs, rail and Port Hedland infrastructure. BHP describes it as the world's lowest-cost major iron ore producer based on published FY2026 unit costs.
processing hubs
kilometres
WAIO production reported
Broken Hill Proprietary incorporated
Mount Whaleback operations begin
Yandi opens
BHP and Billiton merge
Mining Area C opens
First ore at South Flank
Ministers North approved
Operating system
Explore the mine and logistics profiles.
Search the structured database or select a marker. Coordinates show approximate regional locations and are not intended for navigation.
REGIONAL SYSTEM MAPPilbara, Western Australia
Approximate locations — not for navigationMine hub
Newman Operations
The historic centre of BHP's Pilbara iron ore system, comprising Newman East and Newman West, formerly known as Mount Whaleback.
Open site profile →7 PROFILES
Newman Operations
Newman, Pilbara — approximately 6 km west of town
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- 1968
Jimblebar
Approximately 40 km east of Newman
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- Operating hub
Yandi
Approximately 178 km north-west of Newman
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- 1991
Mining Area C
Approximately 120 km north-west of Newman
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- 2003
South Flank
Approximately 156 km north-west of Newman; 9 km south of Mining Area C
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- First ore May 2021
Port Hedland Ports
Port Hedland, north-west Western Australia
- Commodity
- Iron ore logistics
- Opened
- Developed from the 1960s
Ministers North
South-east of Yandi, Pilbara
- Commodity
- Iron ore
- Opened
- First ore expected FY2029
Financial & market snapshot
Strong group cash flow. Iron ore remains a core engine.
Latest audited full-year figures shown are for the BHP Group, year ended 30 June 2026, in US dollars.
Important:
BHP reports WAIO and group performance, but does not publish a complete standalone profit-and-loss statement for every individual mine. Site pages therefore separate disclosed facts from system-level financial context. This is general information, not financial advice.
Original editorial illustration · The FIFO Hub · AI-assistedAutomation & technology
The transition is operational, not theoretical.
WAIO combines established autonomous haulage with emerging electrification, AI-assisted decision support and incremental engineering improvements.
- Autonomous haulageJimblebar pioneered BHP's fully autonomous truck operation; Newman East now has 22 autonomous Cat 793 trucks.
- Battery-electric haul trucksTwo Cat 793 XE Early Learner trucks are generating real-world range, charging, reliability and productivity data at Jimblebar.
- Battery-electric locomotivesPurpose-built heavy-haul units are entering commissioning for trials on Pilbara rail routes.
- AI and dataBHP says governed AI is moving into day-to-day work across processing, maintenance, exploration and transport networks.
Workforce and technology watch
Latest BHP WAIO workforce and technology stories.
Selected for workforce, automation, technology, people and project relevance. Source-checked 30 August 2026.
JIMBLEBAR: MINING THE PAST AND TESTING THE FUTURE
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS · MINE SITES ·JIMBLEBAR MINE
Workforce read
Jimblebar’s expansion could support decades of work for operators, contractors and job seekers, while shifting demand toward automation, electrical, maintenance and technology-based skills. Newman and surrounding communities may benefit from sustained employment, training and local business opportunities, provided growth is balanced with Traditional Owner engagement and strong environmental protections.
ElectriciansMechanical FittersEngineersSubcontractorsOperatorsSupervisorsFixed PlantHVInstrumentation
Battery-electric truck and locomotive trials move into operational learning
BHP has commenced proof-of-concept trials of two battery-electric haul trucks at Jimblebar and commissioning of two purpose-built battery-electric heavy-haul locomotives in Port Hedland.
Workforce read
The test program is examining safety, range, charging, reliability and productivity with feedback from operators, maintainers and project teams. Electrification changes the supporting power, maintenance and work-control system—not only the prime mover.
Mobile maintenanceRail maintenanceElectricalOperations
Ministers North approval extends the Yandi operating horizon
BHP approved the Ministers North satellite project, designed to deliver 20 Mtpa once ramped up with first ore expected in FY2029.
Workforce read
A satellite development can create staged demand across earthworks, construction, electrical, mechanical, commissioning and operations. The timing and employer mix depend on package awards, mobilisation plans and the project schedule.
ProjectsSMPCommissioningOperations
BHP commits $160 million to Port Hedland community infrastructure
BHP announced a $160 million Port Hedland community investment, including $80 million for Hedland Senior High School, $20 million for an aquatic centre and $10 million for service-worker accommodation.
Workforce read
Regional workforce retention depends on schools, housing, recreation and services as well as jobs. The commitment is an operator announcement; delivery timing and outcomes will depend on the projects and partners involved.
Regional workforceTeachersService workersCommunity infrastructure
Sources & image register
Traceable by design.
Operational facts are linked to BHP's official pages and reports. Map positions are approximate and cross-checked against regional references.
Featured imagery in this module is original AI-assisted editorial artwork created for The FIFO Hub; it is illustrative, not documentary photography. Third-party operational photography is not republished without permission.
- 01BHP — Western Australia Iron Ore overview ↗
- 02BHP — FY2026 Annual Report ↗
- 03BHP — FY2026 full-year results, 18 August 2026 ↗
- 04BHP — Our history ↗
- 05ASX — BHP Group market page ↗
- 06BHP — Ministers North approval, 16 July 2026 ↗
- 07BHP — Battery-electric haulage trials, 18 August 2026 ↗
- 08BHP — AI in mining operations, 30 January 2026 ↗
- 09OpenStreetMap contributors — regional map reference ↗