The South Flank mine is an

iron ore Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, or deep purple to rusty red. The iron is usually found in the fo ...

mine located in the

Pilbara The Pilbara () is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples; its ancient landscapes; the red earth; and its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore. It is also a glo ...

region of

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

, 156 kilometres northwest of Newman. and approximately 9 km to the south of BHPs Mining Area C operation. Construction at South Flank began in July 2018, the Mine is already producing ore and is partially complete, once opened it will become the largest processing facility in Western Australia.

BHP BHP Group Limited (formerly known as BHP Billiton) is an Australian multinational mining, metals, natural gas petroleum public company that is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company was founded ...

is the second-largest iron ore mining company in the Pilbara, behind

Rio Tinto Rio Tinto, meaning "red river", may refer to: Businesses * Rio Tinto (corporation), an Anglo-Australian multinational mining and resources corporation ** Rio Tinto Alcan, based in Canada ** Rio Tinto Borax in America *** Rio Tinto Borax Mine, a ...

and ahead of the

Fortescue Metals Group Fortescue Metals Group Limited (often referred to as Fortescue Metals Group, FMG, or simply Fortescue) is an Australian iron ore company. As of 2017, Fortescue is the fourth-largest iron ore producer in the world. The company has holdings of ...

.Western Australian Mineral and Petroleum Statistic Digest 2009

Department of Mines and Petroleum The Department of Mines and Petroleum was a department of the Government of Western Australia until it was superseded by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety on 1 July 2017.

website, accessed: 8 November 2010 As of 2010,

employs 8,000 people in its Pilbara operations.About BHP Iron Ore
BHP website, accessed: 10 November 2010 The mine is expected to operate for a minimum of 25 years and produce in excess of 70 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, at a construction cost in excess of US$3.6 billion. Construction of the mine employed around 2,500 people at its peak, with a staff of 600 permanent employees during operation.

References

Iron ore mines in Western Australia Surface mines in Australia Shire of East Pilbara BHP 2021 establishments in Australia {{WesternAustralia-geo-stub