Iron ore is the foundational raw material for steel, which in turn is the backbone of modern infrastructure, manufacturing, and global industry. Its widespread use in everything from skyscrapers and bridges to cars, appliances, and renewable energy infrastructure makes it one of the most crucial commodities in the world(Iron Ore | BHP, n.d.).
Let’s explore some of the planet’s largest and most famous iron ore mines, monumental operations that literally shape our modern world.
- Serra Norte Mining Complex (Brazil) – 102,800,000 tonnes (226 billion pounds)
The Serra Norte Mining Complex in Para, Brazil, began operation in 1984. It was developed by Vale S.A., one of the largest mining companies in Brazil. Since then, the complex has expanded to include N3, N4W, N4E, N5 mines, N1 and N2 projects, and three beneficiation plants. It is currently the largest iron ore mine in the world, with a whopping production of 102,800,000 tonnes (226 billion pounds). According to current reserves and these plans, the mining complex should continue production until 2038.
- Carajas Serra Sul S11D Project (Brazil) – 76,670,000 tonnes (153 billion pounds)
Carajas Serra Sul S11D Project is another iron ore mine in the Para region of Brazil operated by Vale S.A. However, this mine is much newer and began production in 2016 with a whopping investment of $19.5 billion. As of today, it is the second-largest mine in both Brazil and the world, with a production of 76,670,000 tonnes (153 billion pounds).
The large-scale production is thanks to various factors, such as their truckless mining technique, streamlined logistics systems, and rich ore reserves. However, the main benefit that boosts production and growth is the location of this mine. It lies in the mining concession area of the Carajas National Forest, which features over 18 billion tonnes of iron ore reserves. To this end, mining can continue for many decades without any depletion issue.
- Mt Newman Joint Venture (Australia) – 66,990,000 tonnes (134 billion pounds)
It is part of Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), which consists of four processing hubs and five mining hubs. This mine itself is owned by multiple companies, with the largest shareholders being BHP Group Ltd and Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd. According to recent figures, the Mt. Newman Joint Venture has a production of 66,990,000 tonnes (134 billion pounds) per year. Moreover, as it is in the iron-rich region of Pilbara in Western Australia, the mine is set to continue production at this pace for at least 25 more years.
- Jimblebar Hub (Australia) – 66,800,000 tonnes (133 billion pounds)
It was opened in 1989 and has since grown immensely due to expansion projects. Since its inception, the mine has been wholly owned by BHP Group Ltd and is now one of their seven mines in the iron-rich Pilbara region. In terms of production, the mine uses a two-stage crushing circuit to produce a whopping 66,800,000 tonnes (133 billion pounds) of iron ore annually, making it the world’s fourth-largest iron ore mine.
- Area C Mine (Australia) – 58,470,000 tonnes (117 billion pounds)
Area C Mine is another massive iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and part of Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO). This mine was opened in 2003 by BHP in partnership with the South Korean steel maker POSCO and is majority-owned by BHP Group Ltd. Today, the mining facility features eight open-cut mines, three ore handling plants, and one train load-out facility. The complex is also connected to the mines at Newman and Yandi via a 39 km (24 mi) spur line that leads straight to Port Headland for export. Thanks to this robust infrastructure, the Area C Mine produces 58,470,000 tonnes (117 billion pounds) of iron ore per year, making it the fifth largest globally.
- South Flank Project (Australia) – 56,000,000 tonnes (112 billion pounds)
The mine first mined iron ore in 2021 and has since been growing rapidly. According to recent estimates, it currently has an annual production of 56,000,000 tonnes (112 billion pounds), which puts it at sixth in the world. However, unlike other facilities on this list, this mine is only partially complete. Construction is in full swing, and with an investment of US $3.6 billion, it is expected to be the largest iron ore mine in Western Australia once complete.
- Greater Tom Price Mine (Australia) – 51,620,000 tonnes (103 billion pounds)
The Greater Tom Price Mine is also located in Pilbara, Western Australia. This project is solely owned by Rio Tinto and has a surface mine layout. Thanks to the abundance of resources in Pilbara and the large-scale facility, the Greater Tom Price Mine has an iron ore production of 51,620,000 tonnes (103 billion pounds).
- Kings Valley Mine (Australia) – 51,290,000 tonnes (103 billion pounds)
Also in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, the Kings Valley Mine is an iron ore mine owned and operated by Fortescue Metals Group. It is part of the company’s Solomon Hub mining area and was opened in 2014. That said, opening the mine was quite troublesome as it lies on traditional Yindjibarndi people’s land, which led to many disputes. However, once the company received approval, it was quickly built and connected to the existing Fortescue railway via a new 127 km (79 mi) line. Based on figures from 2024, the mine produces 51,290,000 tonnes (103 billion pounds) of iron ore annually and is the eighth-largest iron ore mine in the world.
- Yandicoogina Mine (Australia) – 51,100,000 tonnes (102 billion pounds)
The Yandicoogina Mine is another one of Rio Tinto’s iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It was opened in 1998 as an open-pit mine and has since been functioning continuously. All iron ore mined by the Yandicoogina Mine is processed on-site and then loaded onto the Hamersley & Robe River railway, which takes it to the coast for shipping. Thanks to this efficient process, this mine is the ninth-largest iron ore mine in the world, with an annual production of 51,100,000 tonnes (102 billion pounds).
- Christmas Creek Mine (Australia) – 47,010,000 tonnes (94 billion pounds)
A Fortescue Metals Group endeavor, the Christmas Creek Mine is part of the company’s Solomon Hub mining area in Pilbara, Western Australia. It is one of the newer mines on this list, opened in 2009 with a capital exceeding US $300 million. However, construction was not easy as the mine lies on an Australian Aboriginal sacred site, leading to plenty of land rights disputes over the years. Today, it is the tenth-largest iron ore mine in the world, producing 47,010,000 tonnes (94 billion pounds) of ore per year. The mine itself has an open-pit design and lies on a proven reserve of 315,000,000 tonnes. Adding on 500,000,000 tonnes of estimated reserves, the Christmas Creek Mine should be mining for at least another decade.
What engineering or logistical challenge do you think is most paramount when operating at such an immense scale? Let’s discuss!
Text rights:(Economics, 2024)
Text source: Economics, A. S. J. 25 2024 in. (2024, July 25). The 10 Largest Iron Ore Mines in the World. WorldAtlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/industries/the-10-largest-iron-ore-mines-in-the-world.html
Iron ore | BHP. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2025, from https://www.bhp.com/what-we-do/products/iron-ore
