BHP said in a statement that it was engaging with its customers and intends to meet its contractual commitments.

The miner said it plans to use stockpile reserves at the export hub of Port Hedland to maintain its port operations, but they are not expected to cover the entire period of disruption.

The miner suspended all of its rail operations after the incident on Monday but expects to restore partial rail operations in about one week.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; editing by Richard Pullin)