Rio, BHP prepare to restart W Australian operations after cyclone downgrades

Iron ore mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP are preparing to restart export operations in Western Australia after a cyclone forced their closures in recent days, the companies have said in separate statements.

“With weather clearing, staff will gradually start returning to affected port and rail sites today with normal operations to resume once it is safe to do so,” a spokesman for Rio said. “Mining at the Robe Valley Operations is also resuming.”
A spokesman for BHP said that following the all-clear from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Monday, the company has been able to conduct initial assessments at its port operations.

“We have found no major damage to our operations and overall site clean-up work, systems and equipment safety checks are in progress,” the BHP spokesman said.

He said contractors have commenced returning to work in preparation for production to recommence. “We expect to restart loading ships today with production ramping up over the next few days,” he said.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica has now downgraded below tropical cyclone intensity but there remains significant rainfall in the Hedland area which could hamper the export chain further over the coming days.

Australia was hit by dual cyclones in the last couple of weeks with Veronica harassing the west coast, where the iron ore operations are concentrated, while Cyclone Trevor moved over Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The Rio Tinto spokesman said its Weipa operations in Queensland have returned to normal activities, with both ports fully operational by Sunday afternoon. Rio produces bauxite from the Weipa operations, which is shipped to international customers, but the majority is supplied to local refineries.
Source: Platts