As 2017 comes to a close, we’ve looked back at everything we’ve achieved this past year, and have included a few highlights below.

50 Years at Mount Whaleback

This year we celebrated 50 years since the commenement of construction at Mount Whaleback, the world’s largest open cut iron ore mine. With a continued focus on safety before productivity the mine has gone from strength to strength; from setting a monthly railing record of 3,625,500 tonnes hauled by 279 trains in 1977, to producing 43.1 million tonnes in 2016 alone.

Parnawarri Retail Centre Opening

In November, Edgar Basto, Asset President BHP Western Australia Iron Ore, officially opened the Parnawarri Retail Centre in Newman. Parnawarri, means ‘altogether’ and ‘united’ in the traditional Nyiyaparli language. The Retail Centre is the single largest social investment that BHP Iron Ore has made to support a community project, and is a welcome addition to the town’s existing commercial infrastructure, bringing new business and employment opportunities to the town.

Apprentice and Trainees announcement

This year, we announced that BHP will more than double the combined intake of apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia Iron Ore to 200 positions for 2018. The positions are across a range of disciplines and sites, from mechanical fitters to boilermakers and automotive electricians, across port, rail and mines.

$280,000 rail donation

Students at Hedland Senior High School, in Western Australia, are set to receive real life skills and training in rail installation, thanks to the donation of 53 metres of rail track by BHP Western Australia Iron Ore. The donation, valued at $280,000, means Hedland Senior High School is the only school in the country to have a rail installation of this size.