Australia's iron ore capacity may up 56 percent

BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto Group and other iron ore miners in Western Australia could increase the iron ore output 56 percent by 2010 as they expand capacity and build new mines. Australia's Industry and Resources Department Deputy Director Gary Stokes said “Mines in Western Australia could produce more than 400 million tons of iron ore by 2010, up from 256 million tons in 2005.” Rio and BHP, the world's second and third largest iron ore exporters are investing around $2.7 billion to expand the capacity of Western Australian mines in an effort to meet increasing demand of China.