Australian mining giants
BHP Billiton and
Rio Tinto will not have to open up their main rail networks in Western
Australia to junior
iron ore miners, following an Australian Competition Tribunal decision.
The tribunal on June 30 backed an earlier decision by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to reject an application by Australian miner Fortescue for
BHP Billiton's Mt Newman rail line in Western
Australia's Pilbara region to be declared open to other users.
The tribunal also set aside Mr Swan's decision to let smaller miners use
Rio Tinto's Hamersley rail network.
However, Fortescue was victorious in convincing the tribunal to declare
BHP Billiton's Goldsworthy railway and
Rio Tinto's Robe River open to other users.