Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has today opened the Newman mining hub, a key component of BHP Billiton Iron Ore's $US1.85 billion Rapid Growth Project Four.
The hub is the latest in a long line of achievements for BHP Billiton's Western Australian iron ore operations.
"Starting with its operations at Yampi sound in 1951, BHP Billiton has played a key role in developing iron ore mining in WA," Mr Moore said.
"Last financial year, the company exported 126 million tonnes of iron ore from WA, and it is no surprise that its contribution to this resource sector has been instrumental in elevating Australia to its status as the world's largest iron ore supplier."
The Minister said that in 2008-09, WA produced a record output of 316 million tonnes of iron ore valued at $33billion - making iron ore the State's most valuable resource.
He also said BHP Billiton was leading the charge of significant iron ore expansions planned in WA over the next few years.
"Rapid Growth Project Four will lift the company's WA capacity to 155 million tonnes of iron ore per annum from the first half of calendar 2010 and represents an investment of US$1.85billion," Mr Moore said.
He also noted that BHP Billiton already had its $4.8billion Rapid Growth Project Five in the pipeline - a development expected to lift the company's iron ore capacity by another 50 million tonnes in the second half of the 2011 calendar year.
"The Pilbara will experience considerable growth as a result of these expansions," the Minister said.
"The State Government is modernising and transforming communities in the region through the $300million Pilbara revitalisation plan in order to meet this challenge.
"A four-year Royalties for Regions allocation will focus on town centre redevelopment and improving council amenities and will also support improved electricity infrastructure, housing, indigenous community programs and water utilisation."
