The police drug squad has raided an iron ore mine site in Western Australia's Pilbara region, with the full support of mine management.

The Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek mine was the focus of a police operation that was the first to be conducted on the company's various mining operations.

FMG management arranged for police sniffer dogs and officers to search employees, contractors and their luggage shortly after they were flown to Christmas Creek this morning.

The Christmas Creek mine is operated on a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) basis and FMG recently went public with concerns about the use of drugs by its workforce.

CEO Nev Power says FMG is leading an industry wide anti-drug operation in conjunction with the WA police.

"We're continually getting intelligence from a variety of sources about attempts to infiltrate drugs onto our mine sites, we want to step up and take an industry lead on this.

"I think for too long we have, as an industry, hidden in the shadows and turned a blind eye to it. Listen Duration: 6 minutes 37 seconds 6 m Listen Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Nev Power, FMG CEO, on the raid by WA Police drug squad on Pilbara mine site ( Geoff Hutchison ) Download 3 MB

"Illegal drugs do not belong in the mining industry, just as they do not belong in the community, and anyone who uses illegal drugs on a Fortescue site is putting the safety of themselves and their mates at risk, which is unacceptable.

"Fortescue is taking the lead in the fight against drugs because we care about the safety of our people and because drugs are hurting the communities in which we all live."

The raid and the direct role the company played in it have been welcomed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA.

CEO Reg Howard-Smith says the nature of resource sector operations, with complex equipment and remote locations, means a zero-tolerance policy to drugs is needed.

Mr Howard-Smith also said the misuse of alcohol in a mine operation context is also a danger.

"There is no greater priority for the resources sector than the health and safety of employees.

"Everyone has a right to go home safely at the end of the day," said Mr Howard-Smith.

"If you are impaired by one of these substances while at work you could be putting yourself and your colleagues at serious risk of injury or death.

"No one wants to work next to someone who is impaired by illicit substances."

The WA Police released a statement in which Regional WA Commander Murray Smalpage stated: "This is a community issue and the community can expect to see more of these police actions in the near future."