The BHP Board recently announced approval for the Western Ridge Crusher Project (WRC), located on Nyiyaparli Country, approximately 21 kilometres southwest of Newman.

The Western Ridge Crusher is a sustaining tonnes proposal for Newman Operations.

BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said this was a significant milestone and project, with an expected total investment of US$943 million (100% basis).

“We expect to award more than US$45 million (100% basis) in contracts to local and Indigenous businesses – both via BHP direct and indirect engagements. This will achieve significant social value for the communities in which we operate,” Tim said.

First production is expected in in Q1 FY2027, and the project is expected to deliver an average of 25 Mtpa providing around 12 years of products for WAIO to replace production from depleting orebodies around Newman.

The project scope includes new ore processing and transportation infrastructure, including construction of a new 30 Mtpa primary crusher and a 12-kilometre overland conveyor to transport the ore from the Mount Helen and Silver Knight iron ore deposits to the Newman West ore processing hub.