BHP forced to derail loaded runaway iron ore train in Western Australia

BHP has suspended all WA iron ore rail operations after a runaway 268-wagon train travelled 92km without a driver.

A BHP train carrying iron ore to Port Hedland.

BHP has suspended all Western Australian iron ore rail operations after it was forced to deliberately derail a loaded runaway iron ore train early Monday morning.

Last night, the big miner was unable to say how long it would take to clear the tracks and resume rail operations at its most profitable business, where 2km-long trains haul ore to port on a private railway.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, a driver stopped a 268-wagon train on the Newman to Port Hedland rail to check an issue with a wagon at 4.40am.

“While the driver was outside of the locomotive, the train commenced to run away,” the ATSB said.

“With no one on board, the train travelled for 92km until about 5.05am, when the train was deliberately derailed at a set of points operated by the control centre.

The derailment happened about 119km from Port Hedland.

The ATSB said it was investigating the incident.

The derailment comes as BHP’s main Pilbara region rival, Rio Tinto, puts the finishing touches on its long-pursued plans to have all of its trains running autonomously, or without drivers. It hopes to have the plan in operation by the end of the year.

BHP confirmed the incident but would give no indication of how long rail shipments would be suspended.

“No one has been injured,” a BHP spokeswoman said.

“We are working with the appropriate authorities to investigate the situation.”

It is understood BHP has suspended all train operations while the investigation is under way.