Approaching cyclone Peta forces iron ore and energy firms to shutdown in Australia

Sydney, Australia (4E) – A tropical cyclone that is forecast to bring heavy rains and gale winds of up to 100 kilometers an hour has forced mining and energy companies operating in northwestern Australia to shut down operations Wednesday.

Harbor masters have closedthe ports at Cape Lambert and Dampier , where iron oreis loaded for export to markets in Asia.

U.S. energy group Apache Corp. (APA) said it has stopped offshore operations at the Stag and Van Gogh oil fields.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood warning for Pilbara, but said the storm system is expected to weaken overnight as it cross the coast.

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