BHP Billiton has claimed a West Australian record for the biggest open cut mine blast after detonating 11 million-tonnes of iron ore at its Jimblebar mine.
More than 50 hectares of ground at the Pilbara mine was set off with more than 6,400 detonators.
A video of the explosion shows the enormity of the blast.
"Drilling and blasting is a normal part of Jimblebar's operations," the miner said.
"The successful and safe completion of a blast of this size and scale, allows for a reduction in blast day delays with the associated pit shuts, and increases the available time to access the mine, for load and haul operations."
The mining company opened the iron ore mine, 40 kilometres east of Newman, in 2014.
