BHP splashes out $1bn on Pilbara rail duplication

<p>BHP Billiton has confirmed it will pour more than $1bn into a fifth stage expansion of its Pilbara infrastructure ahead of the completion of stage four.</p> <p>The $1.2bn commitment, of which BHP will contribute 85%, signals the mining giant’s commitment to Rapid Growth Project Five, which will take its export capacity past the 200m-tonne mark.</p> <p>BHP said the pre-approval funding would be used to duplicate rail between Port Hedland and its Yandi mine, part of a 426km line between Newman and the port. </p> <p>Construction of the duplicated track is expected to begin in May.</p> <p>BHP Iron Ore president Ian Ashby said the duplicated track would be used to support plans to boost its Pilbara capacity to more than 300m tonnes.</p> <p>Work on the outer harbour at Port Hedland could see capacity reach 350m tonnes a year, Mr Ashby said.</p> <p>Stage four work is due to be completed in 2010, boosting capacity by 26m tonnes to 155m tonnes, with the fifth stage following in 2011. </p> <br />