The strike is planned to begin from February 25, while a night strike is planned at BMA’s Goonyella Riverside mine on February 26.

Macquarie Group analyst Lee Bowers reportedly told Bloomberg that a stoppage of one week would cut output by roughly 1 million tonnes.

BMA has been stuck in a deadlock with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and other unions for more than 15 months.

The main sticking points for the workers are housing, safety representatives and equal pay for equal work.

The action comes as no surprise after the unions warned of a strike earlier this month.

CFMEU national president Tony Maher told the Brisbane Times BMA was not injecting enough of its profits into its workers.

“BHP, one of the richest companies in the world, wants to make Australian mining jobs less safe and less secure,” Maher reportedly said.

“These workers are taking a stand for safe, secure jobs – BHP can afford to do the right thing.”

A spokesperson for BHP last week told ILN the company was disappointed the unions had decided to start industrial action, but hoped negotiations would recommence.

“We hope to resume negations in good faith,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the company had made a compelling offer of a 5% per year increase every year for the next three years plus a guaranteed $15,000 per year bonus, which would further improve BMA's already industry-leading remuneration package.

BMA has urged the unions to return to the negotiating table however no dates have been locked-in.