BHP faces looming strike at Hedland, world's top iron ore export port

Workers at Australian miner BHP's Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia are planning an eight-hour work stoppage on July 16, raising the prospect of disruption at the nation's largest bulk export gateway.

The industrial action, planned to run from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time, follows six months of negotiations between unions and BHP management over a new four-year labour agreement, according to local media. The stoppage is expected to involve personnel across port operations and maintenance functions. The strike threat