BHP BILLITON EXPECTS TO CONTINUE MINING IRON ORE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S PILBARA FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

The world's largest miner BHP Billiton  expects to continue mining iron ore in western Australia's Pilbara for more than 100 years and will release a plan for its long-term future in the region, according to a company statement.

BHP said it had lodged a strategic environmental assessment with the Australian and Western Australia state governments for long-term mining in the Pilbara region where it operates seven mines and will release the document on March 21.