“BHP staff confirm historic strike action at mining giant's Port Hedland operations”, 8 July 2026

Hundreds of BHP workers look set to walk off the job at Port Hedland next week in what would be the Western Australian mining industry's most significant industrial action for a quarter of a century.

It comes after talks between the mining giant and unions aimed at improving workers' pay and conditions failed to reach a result.

The unions, which represent hundreds of workers at the mining giant's Port Hedland operations, said they had given BHP the required five days' notice to strike.

Between 150 and 200 workers are expected to walk off the job at 2pm on July 16, with the stoppage lasting until 10pm.

The dispute at the port, Australia's largest export facility, stands to threaten $120 million in revenue a day for the company and $6.85 million in royalty payments to the WA government, according to the latest available data.

Negotiations between the combined ports unions — the Western Mine Workers Alliance, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, and the Electrical Trades Union — and the mining giant wrapped up on Tuesday without a definitive outcome after seven months of bargaining.

Union estimates put the potential impact of an eight-hour stoppage at between $40–50 million in lost revenue…

The miner has previously indicated it has "strong contingency plans" in place to cover any disruption, while the unions confirmed workers would return to work if there is any "imminent risk" to life or health…