Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, exported 7.6 percent less iron ore from Western Australia in October amid a slowdown in demand from China.

BHP, the world's third-largest exporter of the steelmaking raw material, exported 10.24 million metric tons from Port Hedland, Australia's biggest iron ore export harbor, according to the port's Web-site. That's down from 11.08 million tons in September. BHP spokesman Peter Ogden wasn't immediately available to comment.

A car dumper, one of four at the port used to help unload ore trains from the mines, was out of operation for at least eight days during October. It has since been repaired and BHP said it had ``minimal impact'' on shipments.

BHP plans to ship 137 million tons of iron ore this year. Rio Tinto Group, fighting a $74 billion takeover offer from BHP, this week said it will cut output by 10 percent as demand from China slowed because of the global economic crisis. BHP won't moderate production, it said this week.

BHP's Port Hedland operation can load four ships at a time, each capable of carrying as much as 300,000 metric tons of ore, according to BHP's Web-site. BHP ore exports were up 6 percent compared with October a year ago.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rebecca Keenan in Melbourne at rkeenan5@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 11, 2008 17:35 EST