BHP to sack workers at massive Mining Area C mine after more driverless dump trucks are brought in

BHP is swinging the axe on a chunk of its 1600-strong workforce at a massive Pilbara iron ore mine.

The Big Australian will soon start cutting jobs at its Mining Area C operation as part of a previously flagged plan to roll out self-driving mining dump trucks.

Staff were informed earlier this week that some roles would be made redundant. The exact number of job losses is unclear, but industry sources estimate it could be up to about 10 per cent of the mine’s most recent headcount of 1596.

This estimate would not include the potential for workers to be redeployed into other roles within BHP.

A BHP spokesman on Thursday said the company would prioritise finding new roles for impacted employees.

“The deployment of autonomous haulage at Mining Area C is being implemented through a phased approach — and the expansion into MAC East represents the next and final stage of that plan,” the spokesman said.

“As the roll-out continues, new roles and opportunities will be created, and we’re supporting our people through the transition, including by identifying other opportunities throughout the business.

“Keeping our employees informed allows time for teams to make a decision about their careers and begin training.”

BHP has gradually brought in autonomous trucks across its Pilbara iron ore mines over the past decade. The Jimblebar site in 2017 became the first BHP mine to have a fully autonomous haulage fleet.

BHP’s huge South Flank mine, which is adjacent to Mining Area C, completely transitioned to the self-driving trucks in June 2023.

The West Australian earlier this month revealed that BHP had slashed jobs at its diversity-focused academy in Perth.

Up to two dozen local trainers, supervisors and office staff at BHP’s FutureFit Academy in the south-east Perth suburb of Forrestfield were made redundant in a restructure that started in April and wrapped up last month.

FutureFit offers a range of trade apprenticeships, including in heavy diesel mechanics, mechanical fitting and boilermaking, with a strong emphasis on bringing women and minorities through the training centre.

BHP last week revealed its iron ore earnings for 2026 financial year reached $US14.5b, up one per cent year-on-year, as production hit a record 265 million tonnes.