Mount Whaleback is one of the largest open-cut iron ore mines in the world, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia near Newman.
Commodity
Iron ore
Owner
BHP
Operator
BHP
Operating Status
operating
Mining Method
Open pit
History
The Mount Whaleback deposit was discovered in 1957 by Stan Hilditch but was not publicised until 1960 when the Australian Government lifted its embargo on iron ore exports. The mine opened in 1968, developed by Bechtel Pacific, making it one of the first major iron ore operations in the Pilbara. The first train left Newman on 1 January 1969 and the first shipment departed Port Hedland on 1 April 1969. Newman remained a closed company town until 1981.
Why It's Iconic
Mount Whaleback is one of the largest single open-cut iron ore mines globally and a landmark operation in Australia's iron ore industry.
Scale and Production
Mount Whaleback is one of the largest single open-pit iron ore mines in the world. The pit is 1.5 kilometres wide, over 5 kilometres long and scheduled to reach 0.5 kilometres in depth. Combined Newman Hub production is approximately 63 million tonnes per annum.
Equipment
Technology and Autonomous Systems
Processing Infrastructure
Ore is crushed, screened and transported by rail to Port Hedland for shipping. The Mount Whaleback mine is part of BHP's Newman Hub, which includes several orebodies with a combined production capacity of approximately 75 million tonnes per annum.
Workforce
BHP employs thousands of people across its Pilbara operations, with a mix of FIFO from Perth and residential workers in Newman. The mine can be visited on a 1.5-hour public tour.
Common Roles
Common Rosters
Major Milestones
- 1957: Deposit discovered by Stan Hilditch
- 1968: Mine officially opened
- 1969: First ore shipment from Port Hedland
- 2010s: Autonomous haulage introduced
- Ongoing: One of BHP's flagship Pilbara operations
Interesting Facts
- Mount Whaleback was originally a mountain — it has been mined away into a massive open pit
- The mine is 1.5km wide and over 5km long
- Ore is transported by rail over 400km to Port Hedland
- Newman was a closed company town until 1981
- BHP operates autonomous haul trucks at this site
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