Australia's three major iron ore ports were shut down on Monday, February 25, as the tropical cyclone Rusty was closing in on the coast of Western Australia, according to media reports.
With rough sea conditions forcing suspension of ship loading operations, Port Hedland, used by BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group to export iron ore from their Pilbara operations, and Cape Lambert were shut down, while Dampier was also due to close on Monday.
The heavy rainfall expected as a result of the cyclone is likely to cause flooding of mines in the region.