The company said Orebody 24 is a sustaining mine to maintain iron ore production output from the Newman joint venture operations.
The new Orebody 24 mine will have a capacity of 17 million tonnes per annum (100% basis) and will include the construction of an ore crushing facility, train loadout facility, rail spur and other associated support facilities.
According to the company, initial mining from Orebody 24 will commence in the second half of next year.
BHP Billiton iron ore president Ian Ashby said the Orebody 24 development is consistent with the company’s strategy to invest in high quality, expandable resource basins.
