Newman 7-8 August

After packing up camp we headed down to the port of Port Hedland. We watched some huge ore ships being loaded before taking our leave and moving onto Newman, 400km inland. We settled in for the night for we had to be up early to pack up in order to go on a tour of the Mt Whaleback Mine. Owned by BHP, it is the largest open cut iron ore mine in Australia. We were taken into the mine and up to the lookout which is the highest point in the mine. Although this lookout was perfect for gazing into the depths of the mine, it was actually 150mt lower than when the mine was started. It boggles the mind to imagine the volumes of iron ore and other material that had already been removed. The mine is surrounded by man made mountains that are the overburden that the company have to stockpile in order to rehabilitate the area when mining ceases. We were able to see the huge haulpacks ( dump trucks ) being loaded and the delivery their load to the crushers where the ore was processed prior to being loaded onto trains for the 8hr journey to Port Hedland. We were well informed by the time we returned to the information center where we were able to get up close to some of the huge machines that had been donated to the center. Angus was not happy to see the 'DO NOT CLIMB' signs. We then said farewell to Newman before heading onto Karijini National Park.