The dragline has an approximate working weight of 3138 tonnes, width of 28m and boom length of 99m.

The shutdown started on August 4 and the machine was handed back to operations on August 23.

A BHP spokesman told Australia's Mining Monthly that there were several advantages with the major shutdown and training teams working together.

"Onboarding personnel for a shutdown is a considerable task," he said.

"Training was able to provide Major Shutdowns with some much-needed support to ensure personnel were competent and authorised to work at South Walker Creek."

The spokesman said the shutdown followed the relevant BHP COVID-19 controls already implemented at South Walker Creek. 

"This included, but wasn't limited to, temperature screening, reduced capacity in crib rooms, additional cleaning of crib rooms," he said.

The dragline is operating in I South, which is located at one of the mine's northern pits.

Month-to-date it is performing 10% above target for bulk cubic metres moved and has an availability of 92.5%.