BHP Billiton, the world’s largest resources group, on Wednesday said it was “disappointed” with the High Court of Australia’s decision to dismiss its appeal against a National Competition Council (NCC) ruling relating to third-party access to the railways at its iron-ore operations in Western Australia.
The NCC ruling found that granting Fortescue Metals Group access to the rail lines wouldn’t affect BHP Billiton’s production process.
Fortescue Metals Group is seeking to transport its iron ore to the coast by gaining access to its larger rivals, BHP Billiton’s and Rio Tinto’s, rail system.
BHP Billiton’s integrated mine, rail and port operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia are among the most efficient in the world.
BHP Billiton president of iron ore Ian Ashby said that in the current fiscal year it was expected to deliver 137-million metric tons of iron ore to customers.
Ashby said the group did not believe granting third-party access to its rail lines was the best solution.
“We continue to believe there are better, more efficient solutions available, including rail haulage and other commercial arrangements, such as mine gate sales,” he said in a statement. — I-Net Bridge