Big miners batten down for Pilbara cyclone December 30, 2013 - 5:03PM Late on Monday the category three system was 135km north of Port Hedland and 250km northeast of Karratha, and moving southwest at 12km/h towards the Pilbara coast. BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group have suspended their port operations in the region. BHP said "tie-down" activities at Port Hedland, Australia's largest iron ore export port, have been completed. "Extreme weather preparations continue across our mining operations in line with alerts issued by Department of Fire and Emergency Services," BHP said in a statement. Any production impacts will be in our next operational report. The highest priority is to ensure the safety of employees, BHP said. Rio Tinto said ship loading and rail operations have been suspended, with all staff at the port sent off site for their safety. The company's inland mine operations continue as normal. Fortescue Metals Group said its Port Hedland operations and rail operations had been secured, in line with the company's cyclone readiness procedures. "Conditions are being closely monitored and plans will be updated accordingly," the company said. Cyclone Christine is expected to cross the coast between Port Hedland and Karratha on Monday night or early Tuesday morning, with gusts of more than 200kmh expected near the centre of the storm.