• BHP and its joint venture partners approve the development of the South Flank mine
• The project will create about 2,500 jobs during peak construction and more than 600 operational roles
• Estimated capital investment of about $4.7 billion (US$3.6 billion) 

Premier Mark McGowan today welcomed the announcement by BHP and its joint venture partners to develop the South Flank mine in the Pilbara, a project that will create more than 3,000 Western Australian jobs.

The company will invest $4.7 billion (US$3.6 billion) in Western Australia to develop an 80 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) mine at South Flank to replace production from the Yandi mine.

It will be the single largest annual production iron ore mine that BHP has ever developed.

The project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Western Australians, with about 2,500 jobs during peak construction as well as more than 600 new operational roles.