Day 61 & 62 - Mt Whaleback mine, Newman

We have arrived at Newman and started out the day by going on a tour of Mt Whaleback the largest open-cut iron ore mine in the world! Believe me it certainly is impressive with up to 29 layers to the bottom and an expansion to eventually 40. Where once there was a mountain, there will be (eventually) a lake with mega millions of tonnes of iron ore being sent out of here, via Port Hedland to Korea, Japan, China etc. Don't be disheartened though as our
guide said this morning "we'll get them back as Toyotas!"

Paul, being Paul, wanted to know what engine was in the big Wabco truck outside the Information Centre. After asking the lady at the inf desk, she said she didn't know. Paul said as an information person she should know these details and as such had till the morning to find out these details otherwise we get 50 % discount off our trip. She was up to the challenge and true to her word, she found out all the information that was required and even more. Now that's helpful!
The township of Newman is typical of any iron ore town - red dirt everywhere and in everything. No such thing as a clean car or washing here for very long. It is supposed to be 33C here today but the wind is quite strong and i think it is blowing the sun-rays away, plus the dust in.
BHP Billiton pretty much runs the town and the caravan park we are in and has accommodation for many, many workers. One fellow i was talking to this morning, as he was doing his laundry, said he had one more shift before he was flying home. (10 on: 7 off). most of the resident workers have 4 days on: 4 days off. The township has a population of about 8,000 with some indigenous, but it seems to me the rest are employed by the mine. Walking down the street if you don't have an orange shirt on you are the odd person out.
Tomorrow we will head out to the Opthalmia Dam, which apparently is quite unique and is based on the system they use in Israel: taking water from the water basin below, without allowing too much water to evaporate on top. (Not sure I know how it works, but maybe I'll learn more about it tomorrow).
I am about to upload some more photos, so hopefully you can enjoy our trip along with us.
P.S. Bec & Denis have been in contact with us and are having a nice time at Pardoo Station, so hopefully they will have some more stories when we next catch up as well.