BHP has officially celebrated the shipment of three billion tonnes of high-quality iron ore to China, hosting key customer representatives on a tour of BHP's Pilbara and Port Hedland operations in Western Australia, and at a gala event in Perth.
BHP Chief Commercial Officer Vandita Pant and Asset President WA Iron Ore Brandon Craig were joined by China Iron and Steel Association Vice Chairman Luo Tiejun and key customer representatives at the Mining Area C and South Flank mine sites in the Pilbara, and at the Port Hedland export facility to view the loading of a 210,000 metric tonne Capesize bulk carrier.
The group also joined West Australian Premier Roger Cook, Australia's Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King and representatives of the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in WA, at a gala dinner in Perth to celebrate the milestone.
Ms Pant said: "BHP's relationships with our customers in China have been fundamentally important to our company over the past 50 years."
"Through the reliable delivery of our high-quality iron ore resources and significant investment in steelmaking capability, together we have grown trade and provided the materials necessary for economic development globally.
"We look forward to building on our strong partnerships through collaboration to innovate and advance technologies with the potential to help decarbonise the steelmaking industry."
Mr Craig said: "This is a significant milestone for BHP's iron ore business and for Western Australia, and we are delighted to commemorate the achievement, celebrate our partnerships and showcase our world-class WA operations.
"We are fully focused on continuing to produce and deliver our high-quality iron ore resources safely, reliably and sustainably."
It took nearly 30 years for BHP to deliver its first 100 million tonnes of iron ore to China following the first shipment in 1973. By 2014, BHP had shipped one billion tonnes and, following significant investment and growth in BHP's WA Iron Ore business, has now delivered three billion tonnes just nine years later.
