BHP has begun testing two new automated ship loaders at its Port Hedland export facility in Western Australia’s Pilbara, in a move it hopes will provide significant production and cost benefits.
The eight ship loaders at BHP’s Nelson Point and Finucane Island operations load around 1,500 bulkers each year, exporting around 280m tonnes of iron ore.
Ultimately, BHP said it aims to fully automate eight ship loaders by 2023 under an AUD 50m ($34.2m)
