SURFACE

BHP IROC turns 10

The IROC controls machinery, trains, trucks and drill rigs across the Pilbara

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The integrated remote operations centre is the heartbeat of BHP's WA iron ore logistics and processes that connect its four processing and five mining hubs with more than 1000km of rail lines.

The IROC controls machinery, trains, trucks and drill rigs across the Pilbara, with plans afoot to automate shiploaders in Port Hedland.

WAIO asset president Brandon Craig said the centre operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and played a vital role in ensuring iron ore went from pit to port in the safest, quickest and most efficient way possible.

"Our iron ore operations are safer, more sustainable and more cost efficient now than they were 10 years ago, and the remote operations centre has been critical to achieving that," he said.

"The growth in the centre has supported technological advances, career opportunities and with that has come diversification of the team - nearly half of the workforce is female and 12% identify as Indigenous."

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