Yandi mine
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Pilbara , Australia |
Area served | Iron ore market, Asia |
| Products | Iron ore |
| Owner | BHP (85%), Itochu (8%), Mitsui Iron (7%) |
The Yandi mine is an iron ore extraction site situated in the Pilbara area of Western Australia, approximately 90 kilometres northwest of Newman. It should not be confused with Rio Tinto's nearby Yandicoogina mine, which is occasionally also referred to as Yandi.
The mine's ownership is divided among BHP holding 85%, Itochu owning 8%, and Mitsui Iron possessing 7%. In 2021, operations at Yandi commenced a gradual shutdown, with the South Flank mine designated to take over its output. Nevertheless, due to robust demand from Asian steel manufacturers for its low-impurity iron ore, the mine's lifespan was extended, albeit with decreased production levels.
Overview
Mining activities began in 1991, and the first batch of ore was dispatched in 1992. Between 1994 and 2003, the facility underwent enhancements, increasing its annual capacity to 41 million tonnes. The site comprises three processing plants alongside two facilities for loading trains.
In September 2008, mining operations across BHP’s Pilbara locations were temporarily halted following two fatalities at Yandi within a ten-day span, underscoring the company’s commitment to workplace safety.
Initially managed by HWE Mining, the operational contract at Yandi was renewed several times before BHP Billiton assumed direct control in September 2011.