BHP warned of stern action as accidents in Australia soar

02 April 2009

The West Australian government has made an extraordinary announcement threatening to issue prohibitory orders against the world's largest miner's, BHP Billiton, mines where safety practices are violated till such time the potential hazards are fixed.

The decision came after a series of fatal accidents which took place in BHP's Pilbara iron ore mines since last July. The latest of the five fatalities occurred on 19 March this year involving a contract worker at its Newman mining operation.

BHP Billiton with its headquarters in Melbourne is the world's largest natural resources company with about 100 operations spanning 25 countries producing a variety of mineral products from aluminium, iron ore, base metals, manganese, and coal to oil and natural gas for the global market. Its iron ore operations are primarily concentrated in Pilbara in West Australia and consist of a complex of seven mines, 1,000-km rail network and two ports with a production capacity of around 155 million tonnes per annum.

West Australian mines and petroleum minister Norman Moore announced the stringent prohibitory measure on Wednesday following discussions with senior executives of BHP Billiton last week on the rising fatalities in Pilbara.

The minister said, ''There have been five fatalities this financial year at sites operated by BHP Billiton, and the state government will not stand by and let this state of affairs continue.''

''Mines inspectors will now issue prohibition notices to BHP under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - basically a stop work notice - for any breach of work practices or work place conditions that may constitute a hazard to workers,'' Moore said, adding that "if there is any breach, an immediate prohibition notice will prevent work from continuing at that particular worksite until the problem is resolved."