By Rhiannon Hoyle 
 

SYDNEY--BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP.AU) said plans to develop its South Flank iron-ore deposit in remote northwest Australia are the most likely way it will replace production from its aging Yandi operation.

BHP has been mulling new investments in its iron-ore business given its Yandi mine, which currently produces about 80 million tons a year, or roughly one-third of BHP's iron ore, is expected to run out of resources in the coming five-to-10 years.

"We are looking at options to replace this production" and "South Flank is the preferred long-term solution, subject to board approval being obtained," Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President Edgar Basto said on Wednesday.

He said BHP is confident in the outlook for its iron-ore business, which the world's No. 1 miner by market value relies on for a large portion of its profits, despite projecting that rising global supplies will outpace demand in the years ahead.

 

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 28, 2017 23:11 ET (03:11 GMT)

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