It is reported that iron ore miners are still counting the cost of port closures in the Pilbara after the passing of Cyclone Heidi early this morning.

No damage to infrastructure was reported at Port Hedland, although the port was not expected to return to normal operations until tomorrow after being closed recently.

The ports of Dampier and Cape Lambert are expected to fully reopen this afternoon.

Mining firms including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group halted exports yesterday and stopped loading ships, sending home all non-essential workers while families battened down the hatches.

It is unclear what sort of financial impact the port closures will have on the miners. The cyclone made landfall to the east of Port Hedland early this morning and moved south taking 120kmh winds and heavy rainfall with it.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the system is weakening as it moves further south and inland and may be downgraded to a rain bearing depression.

(Sourced from thewest.com.au)