CANBERRA May 31 (Reuters) – Australia’s government on
Thursday gave environmental approval to BHP Billiton’s
planned $10 billion expansion of its Port Hedland outer
harbour port in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
In a statement, Environment Minister Tony Burke said the
national environmental approval included 37 conditions,
including measures to protect dugongs and marine turtles, and to
ensure no whales are nearby during noisy work on a new jetty.
BHP, the world’s biggest miner, had been expected to make a
final investment decision on its outer harbour plan this year.
The investment is crucial if BHP is to double iron ore
production to 440 million tonnes a year, as planned.
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