BHP iron ore production increases by two per cent to 132 Mt
BHP has reported that total iron ore production increased by two per cent to 132 Mt. Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 249 and 260 Mt.
WAIO achieved record production of 130 Mt (146 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) in the December 2022 half year. This reflects continued strong supply chain performance, including improved car dumper utilisation, and lower COVID-19 related impacts than the prior period.
This was partially offset by wet weather impacts in the September 2022 quarter. South Flank ramp up to full production capacity of 80 Mtpa (100 per cent basis) by the end of the 2024 financial year remains on track.
Natural variability in the ore grade is expected as the mine progresses through the close to surface material, however this is expected to stabilise as we move deeper into the ore body and achieve full ramp up.
WAIO production guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at
between 246 and 256 Mt (278 and 290 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) and reflects the tie-in of the port debottlenecking project (PDP1) as well as the continued ramp up of South Flank in the second half of the year.
Samarco production increased by eight per cent to 2.2 Mt (BHP share), reflecting the successful ramp up of one concentrator, following the recommencement of iron ore pellet production in December 2020.
Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 3 and 4 Mt (BHP share).
BMA Metallurgical coal production increased by five per cent to 14 Mt (27 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) driven by an improvement in underlying truck productivity, in particular for the autonomous fleets following completion of the transitions at Goonyella and Daunia, higher yields as a result of mine sequencing, as well as the reduced impact of labour constraints relative to the prior period.
NICKEL PRODUCTION
Nickel – Nickel West production decreased by two per cent to 38 kt, reflecting the slower than expected ramp up of the refinery following planned smelter and refinery maintenance during the December 2022 quarter.
Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 80 and 90 kt, with volumes weighted to the second half of the financial year.
