BHP launched construction of South Flank, expected to be the largest iron ore processing facility in Western Australia, last month.

Fluor will provide construction and project management services, including an 80Mt/y crushing and screening plant, an overland conveyor system and rail-loading facilities.The mining services company has already worked with BHP on the initial stages of the development.

With more than 50 years of iron ore experience, Fluor has worked extensively with BHP on numerous successful iron ore projects in the Pilbara region,” Fluor Mining & Metals president Tony

Morgan said.We worked closely with BHP to optimise the South Flank project feasibility study and improve the project’s capital efficiency. As part of an integrated project team with BHP, we have developed an approach that optimises the cost and schedule for the project.

The value of the contract has not been revealed.

South Flank is being developed to replace production from BHP’s Yandi operation in the Pilbara, which will reach the end of its mine life in the coming years.

BHP is expects to start production at Yandi in 2021.