BHP Group (BHP) workers at the company's Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia began an eight-hour strike Thursday after months of failed labor negotiations, The Financial Times reported.

About half of the site's 450 workers joined the walkout, the first mining strike in the Pilbara region in decades, the report said. The dispute centers on pay and employment conditions. Further talks, mediated by Australia's Fair Work Commission, are scheduled for July 21, it added.

BHP told the publication that it has contingency plans in place to keep operations running safely.

BHP did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.