8 of Top 10 Iron Mines Are in Australia

Iron from Iron Mines has been one of the most vital and versatile metals throughout human history. From advanced construction materials like carbon steel to everyday items such as bicycle chains and home plumbing, the utility of iron is widespread.

Its applications span industries like healthcare, construction, and automotive manufacturing, fueling a growing global demand for iron. Consequently, iron ore mining has ramped up considerably.

In 2023, over 2,500 million tons of usable iron ore were extracted worldwide. Iron ore is typically found in mines in its raw, rock-like state and is then processed to produce metallic iron.

In 2024, World Atlas released a report listing the ten largest iron ore mines on the planet. Remarkably, eight of these ten are located in Australia. Based on that report, here’s a closer look at the world’s ten biggest iron mines.

Sera Norte Mining Complex

The largest iron mine in the world is the Sera Norte Mining Complex, situated in Brazil’s Pará province. Operational since 1984, this iron mine was developed by Vale S.A., one of Brazil’s largest mining corporations.

Although it began on a smaller scale, the iron mine has expanded significantly over the years. In 2023, approximately 102.8 million tons (226 billion pounds) of iron ore were extracted from Sera Norte. Compared to other entries on this list, Sera Norte is among the oldest operating large-scale iron mines.

Carajás S11D Eliezer Batista Complex

Another colossal iron mine is the Carajás S11D Eliezer Batista Complex, also located in Brazil’s Pará region and operated by Vale S.A. Unlike Sera Norte, this mine is relatively new—its mining operations began in 2016.

With a massive investment of $19.5 billion, it is now the second-largest iron ore mine in the world. In 2023, it produced about 76.67 million tons (153 billion pounds) of iron ore.

Mount Newman Joint Venture

Ranked third globally, the Mount Newman Joint Venture is located in Western Australia. It consists of four processing hubs and five mining centers. This mine is jointly owned by multiple companies, with BHP Group Limited and Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd holding the majority stakes.

Each year, it produces approximately 66.99 million tons (134 billion pounds) of iron ore. Positioned in the mineral-rich Pilbara region, mining at Mount Newman is expected to continue for another 25 years.

Jimblebar Hub

Roughly 40 miles from the town of Newman in Western Australia lies the Jimblebar Hub, another major iron ore mine. Launched in 1989, the site has undergone major expansions and has grown considerably in scale. It is fully owned and operated by BHP Group Limited.

The Jimblebar Hub ranks as the fourth-largest iron ore mine globally, yielding about 66.8 million tons (133 billion pounds) of iron ore annually. In addition to processing its own ore, the hub also handles material brought in from other locations—most notably, ore from the Wheelara deposit is processed here.

Area C Mine

Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the Area C Mine is the world’s fifth-largest iron ore mine. It began operations in 2003 as a joint project between BHP and South Korean steel company POSCO.

Today, BHP Group Limited holds the controlling interest. Area C produces around 58.47 million tons (117 billion pounds) of iron ore each year.

Project South Flank

Owned by BHP as well, the South Flank Project lies only 9 kilometers south of the Area C Mine in the Pilbara region. Output has been consistently rising since mining started there in 2021. Currently, the mine generates about 56 million tons (112 billion pounds) of iron ore each year, ranking it sixth largest globally.

Greater Tom Price Mine

Also located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the Greater Tom Price Mine is owned entirely by Rio Tinto. It is an open-pit mining project that extracts about 51.62 million tons (103 billion pounds) of iron ore every year.

This makes it the world’s seventh-largest iron mine. The nearby town of Tom Price, home to around 3,000 residents, is heavily reliant on the mine for employment and economic activity.

Kings Valley Mine

Situated in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, Kings Valley ranks as the eighth-largest iron mine in the world. It is owned by Fortescue Metals Group and commenced operations in 2014.

However, establishing this mine was not without challenges. The site lies on traditional lands of the Indigenous Yindjibarndi people, leading to significant resistance from local communities. After securing approval, construction progressed rapidly.

A 127-kilometer (79-mile) railway line was built to connect the site with Fortescue’s main railway network. As of 2024, the mine produces around 51.29 million tons (103 billion pounds) of iron ore annually.

Yandicoogina Mine

Another major iron mine owned by Rio Tinto, the Yandicoogina Mine is also situated in the Pilbara region. Operations began in 1998 as an open-pit mining site, and it has remained active ever since.

All the iron ore extracted here is processed at the mining site itself, then transported via the Hamersley & Robe River railway to the coast, from where it is shipped globally.

Yandicoogina is recognized as the world’s ninth-largest iron ore mine. It yields about 51.1 million tons (102 billion pounds) annually. In addition to being a high-output facility, it is known as one of Rio Tinto’s most cost-effective operations. The company plans to keep mining at this site until at least 2039.

Christmas Creek Mine

Operated by Fortescue Metals Group, the Christmas Creek Mine is another massive site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is one of the newer mines on this list, having started operations in 2009. At launch, over $300 million was invested in the project.

However, the mine has been mired in controversy. Built on land sacred to Indigenous Australian communities, it sparked long-standing legal and social disputes over land rights.

Despite this, Christmas Creek is now the tenth-largest iron ore mine globally, producing approximately 47.01 million tons (94 billion pounds) annually. It is an open-pit mining operation.