State agreement signed for A$5.6bn Pilbara iron-ore export facility

The Western Australian government has committed to a state agreement with the Balla Balla Infrastructure Group (BBIG), which is planning a A$5.6-billion integrated iron-ore project in the Pilbara. The BBIG, which is 90% held by Todd Corporation, is planning to construct an export facility between Karratha and Port Hedland capable of handling between six-million and ten-million tonnes of iron-ore a year. The project will consist of a port facility at Balla Balla and the development of a 162 km railway line to the central Pilbara.