Main

Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd.

Group Companies

Mitsui Iron Ore (BHP Operations)

Mitsui Iron Ore (BHP Operations)

Mitsui has been involved in Australia's iron ore industry since the 1960s. We were among the first Japanese companies to establish operations in the Pilbara region in Western Australia and we have a long standing relationship with BHP that spans over 50 years.

Today Mitsui has investments in four iron ore projects operated by BHP in the Pilbara; the interests are held by Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation, Mitsui-Itochu Iron and Mitsui & Co. Iron Ore Exploration & Mining Pty Ltd.

Iron ore from the mines is transported to the port of Port Hedland where it is exported as both lump and fines products to steel producers primarily in Asia.

Our joint ventures with BHP are managed locally by a team of 11 employees based in Mitsui's Perth office.

Projects

Projects
Projects
Projects
Mitsui Iron Ore (BHP Operations)

Mount Newman Joint Venture

The Mount Newman project is a joint venture between Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd (10 per cent), BHP Billiton (85 per cent owner and operator) and Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (5 per cent). The project began operations in 1967 and sources iron ore primarily from the Mount Whaleback mine, located 6 kilometres west of the town of Newman. Today it is one of the biggest single-pit mines in the world with a pit measuring over 5 kilometres in length and an annual capacity of 85 million tonnes (BHP 2017 Annual Report).

Mount Goldsworthy Joint Venture

The Mount Goldsworthy project is a joint venture between Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd (7 per cent), BHP (85 per cent owner and operator) and Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (8 per cent). Operations started at Mining Area C in 2003, which is located approximately 90 kilometres north-west of the town of Newman. The project has an annual capacity of 60 million tonnes (BHP 2017 Annual Report).

Yandi Joint Venture

The Yandi project is a joint venture between Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd (7 per cent), BHP (85 per cent owner and operator) and Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (8 per cent). The project commenced operations in 1991. Iron ore is sourced from the Yandi mine, consisting of five open-cut pits which are located close to Mining Area C. The project produces fines product only and has an annual capacity of 80 million tonnes (BHP 2017 Annual Report).

Jimblebar Operations

The Jimblebar project is a joint venture between Mitsui & Co. Iron Ore Exploration and Mining Pty Ltd (7 per cent), BHP (85 per cent owner and operator) and Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (8 per cent). The project began operations in 2013 and sources iron ore from the Jimblebar mine, which is located approximately 40 kilometres east of Newman. The project has an annual capacity of 58 million tonnes (BHP 2017 Annual Report).

All photos courtesy of BHP.

Annual Reports

Information

For inquiries on this matter, please contact

Location: Level 25, Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000
Postal address: PO Box 5229, St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6831
Tel: (08) 9476 2300
Fax: (08) 9476 2352