The project is part of the company's Pilbara Air Quality Program. BHP claims the fence woud be the first of its kind in Australia and is designed for the Pilbara's unique weather conditions.

BHP Port general manager Nilson Davila said in a statement: "We recognise we have a shared responsibility to address dust issues at Port Hedland. The wind fence will be constructed using global best practice dust management and air quality control technology."

"Subject to government approvals, the 30 metre high fence supports our intention to improve and build on our existing dust control measures as we continue to increase production towards 290 Mtpa in the medium term."

The fence will be placed on the western side of BHP's Finucane Island port operations, and will include mesh panels designed to reduce wind speeds, shielding the stockyard and reducing the potential for dust lift-off.

The system has been designed to deal with the extreme wind conditions often experienced in Port Hedland. As the wind speed reaches a certain limit, the mesh curtain opens, to let the air flow through the fence.