Sticky tarmac foils BHP mine opening BHP Billiton has cancelled the opening of its Jimblebar iron ore mine due to the closure of Newman airport in the north of Western Australia. BHP chief executive Andrew MacKenzie, Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett, dignitaries and media were scheduled to travel to the Pilbara mine opening today. But six Newman-bound Qantas and Virgin Australia flights were cancelled after an emulsion treatment applied to the tarmac failed to dry and became sticky in the heat. A Newman Airport spokesman said the curing process had not occurred as quickly as planned and flights were cancelled to prevent a build-up of emulsion on plane tyres and fuselages. "It's got no effect on the friction - the aircraft can brake, but it's just a messy business," the spokesman said. A BHP spokeswoman said the company had not decided if it would reschedule an official opening event. "Though regrettable, the cancellation does not detract from the significant achievement of the opening of our newest mine, particularly the delivery of first ore six months ahead of the original schedule," the spokeswoman said. She said BHP Billiton was using charter services and landing aircraft at alternative locations to accommodate mine workers who were due to travel to site. Meanwhile, BHP said it would replace two shiploaders at Port Hedland at a cost of more than $300 million. The global miner said the $US301 million ($A329.02 million) Nelson Point investment would increase the reliability of the company's inner harbour port facilities. Each shiploader has a loading capacity of 12,500 tonnes per hour compared withthe existing 40 year-old shiploaders which load iron ore at a rate of 10,000 tonnes per hour. "This investment will also create additional port capacity that can be utilised," BHP said in a statement. Commissioning of the two replacement shiploaders is scheduled for the second half of next year.