RNS Number : 5104I
BHP Group Limited
17 October 2024
 


17 October 2024

Operational review for the quarter ended 30 September 2024

Strong operational performance with increased copper, iron ore and coal production.

"BHP had a strong start to the 2025 financial year, with production up across all major commodities for the quarter. Copper production was up 4% due to higher grade and recoveries at Escondida, and WAIO production was up 3% as we unlocked capacity by completing the debottlenecking work at the port.

We are also seeing signs of stabilisation in our steelmaking coal business with production up 20% in the quarter, excluding the recently divested Blackwater and Daunia mines.

We added to our copper growth prospects in the quarter, announcing a proposed 50/50 joint venture in Argentina with Lundin Mining to advance what we consider to be one of the most significant global copper discoveries in decades.

In Canada, our Jansen Stage 1 potash project is 58% complete after a productive summer period with first production scheduled in around two years.

China has announced a series of monetary easing policies in an effort to support economic growth, and has indicated more significant fiscal stimulus is on the horizon. Upcoming stimulus is likely to focus on relieving local debt, stabilising the property market and bolstering business confidence."

Mike Henry

BHP Chief Executive Officer

Summary

Operational excellence

Social value

On track to meet FY25 production guidance

Climate Transition Action Plan

Strong operational performance with copper production increasing 4% driven by higher concentrator feed grades and recoveries at Escondida. Production at WAIO increased 2% following commissioning of the Port Debottlenecking Project (PDP1) and completion of the South Flank ramp up.

We released our second Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) which lays out our climate strategy and GHG emissions goals and targets, and provides an in depth view of our plans and how we're progressing against them. The CTAP will be put to a shareholder advisory vote at our upcoming AGM on 30 October 2024. We also announced collaborations with India's JSW Steel and Carbon Clean and Steel Authority of India to support decarbonisation technology in steelmaking.

Portfolio

Outlook

Increased exposure to copper

Copper outlook supports growth pipeline

In July, we agreed to jointly acquire Filo Corp. with Lundin Mining through a Canadian plan of arrangement. In September, the Filo Corp shareholders approved the plan of arrangement. We also agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture with Lundin Mining to consolidate and advance the Filo del Sol and Josemaria copper projects. We expect the transaction to complete in Q3 FY25, subject to regulatory approvals.

We published our outlook for the copper market, including copper demand, copper supply and long-term copper pricing. We expect copper demand to grow by 70% by 2050, as a result of traditional economic growth, electrification and the energy transition, and digital infrastructure (including data centres). We will be hosting an investor site visit to our Chilean copper assets in November 2024 to outline our attractive organic copper growth pipeline in the region.

Production

Quarter performance

Production guidance


Q1 FY25

v Q4 FY24

v Q1 FY24

Current FY25
guidance


Copper (kt)

 476.3

(6%)

4%

1,845 - 2,045


  Escondida (kt)

304.2

(2%)

11%

1,180 - 1,300

Unchanged

  Pampa Norte (kt)i

60.1

(9%)

(23%)i

240 - 270i

Unchanged

  Copper South Australia (kt)

73.4

(18%)

2%

310 - 340

Unchanged

  Antamina (kt)

36.3

(5%)

12%

115 - 135

Unchanged

  Carajás (kt)

2.3

10%  

10%

-

-

Iron ore (Mt)

 64.6

(7%)

2%

255 - 265.5


  WAIO (Mt)

 63.4

(7%)

2%

250 - 260

Unchanged

  WAIO (100% basis) (Mt)

 71.6

(7%)

3%

282 - 294

Unchanged

  Samarco (Mt)

1.3

23%

4%

5 - 5.5

Unchanged

Steelmaking coal - BMA (Mt)

4.5

(8%)

(19%)ii

16.5 - 19


  BMA (100% basis) (Mt)

9.0

(8%)

(19%)ii

33 - 38

Unchanged

Energy coal - NSWEC (Mt)

3.7

(2%)

2%

13 - 15

Unchanged

Nickel - Western Australia Nickel (kt)

19.6

(15%)

(3%)

-

-

i         Q1 FY24 includes 9.5 kt from Cerro Colorado which entered care and maintenance in December 2023. Excluding these volumes, Q1 FY25 production decreased 13%. Production guidance for FY25 is for Spence only. Refer to production and sales report and copper for further information.

ii        Q1 FY24 production includes 1.8 Mt (3.7 Mt on a 100% basis) from Blackwater and Daunia mines which were divested on 2 April 2024. Excluding these volumes, Q1 FY25 production increased 20%. Refer to production and sales report and steelmaking coal for further information.

 


Further information in Appendix 1

Detailed production and sales information for all operations in Appendix 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

Segment and asset performance | FY25 YTD v FY24 YTD

Copper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

Iron ore

Production

65 Mt Up 2%

Q1 FY24 63 Mt

FY25e 255 - 265.5 Mt

 

Average realised price

US$80.10/wmt Down 18%

Q1 FY24 US$98.04/wmt

 

 

 

Iron ore production increased 2% to 65 Mt. Production guidance for FY25 remains unchanged at between 255 and 265.5 Mt.

WAIO 63.4 Mt Up 2% | 71.6 Mt (100% basis)

Production increased as a result of strong supply chain performance with increased capacity unlocked by PDP1. Higher volumes were delivered from the Central Pilbara hub (South Flank and Mining Area C) following the completion of South Flank ramp up in FY24. We continue to progress the multi-year Rail Technology Program (RTP1), with tie-in activity increasing in FY25.

Production guidance for FY25 remains unchanged at between 250 and 260 Mt (282 and 294 Mt on a 100% basis).

Samarco 1.3 Mt Up 4% | 2.6 Mt (100% basis)]

Production increased due to early resumption of Pelletizing Plant No. 4 enabling improved performance. Production guidance for FY25 remains unchanged at between 5 and 5.5 Mt. The second concentrator at Samarco is expected to come online during Q3 FY25, which will increase production capacity to ~16 Mtpa of pellets (100% basis) once fully ramped up, which is expected to be by the end of FY26.

BHP Brasil, Samarco and Vale have been engaging in negotiations with the Brazilian State and Federal Governments and other public entities to seek a settlement of obligations under the Framework Agreement, the Federal Public Prosecution Office Claim, and other claims by government entities relating to the Samarco dam failure. Those negotiations are ongoing.

BHP Group Limited and BHP Group (UK) Limited are defendants to a group action claim in the English High Court, brought by over 600,000 claimants seeking damages in relation to the Fundão Dam failure in 2015. The liability hearing for the group action will begin on 21 October 2024.

Coal

Steelmaking coal

Production

4.5 Mt Down 19%

Q1 FY24 5.6 Mt

FY25e 16.5 - 19 Mt

 

Average realised price

US$214.86/t Down 9%

Q1 FY24 US$237.07/t  

BMA 4.5 Mt Down 19% | 9 Mt (100% basis)

Production increased 20% (excluding 1.8 Mt from Blackwater and Daunia in Q1 FY24), due to increased stripping enabled by improved truck productivity as well as Q1 FY24 being impacted by the extended longwall move at Broadmeadow. We maintain our focus on restoring value chain stability, with an increase in raw coal inventory, which will continue into CY26.

During the quarter we completed planned maintenance at Goonyella Riverside and Hay Point Coal Terminal, and commenced a longwall move at Broadmeadow.

Production guidance for FY25 remains unchanged at between 16.5 and 19 Mt (33 and 38 Mt on a 100% basis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

Energy coal

Production

3.7 Mt Up 2%

Q1 FY24 3.6 Mt

FY25e 13 - 15 Mt

 

Average realised price

US$124.32/t Down 1%

Q1 FY24 US$125.66/t

NSWEC 3.7 Mt Up 2%

Production increased 2%, including a higher proportion of washed coal in line with our strategy of prioritising higher quality coals. This was enabled by a drawdown of inventory to offset the impacts of reduced truck availability and unfavourable weather conditions.

Production guidance for FY25 remains unchanged at between 13 and 15 Mt. 

The modification to extend mining consent to 30 June 2030 is currently being assessed by the NSW Government with an outcome anticipated in Q3 FY25.

Group & Unallocated

Nickel

Production

19.6 kt Down 3%

Q1 FY24 20.2 kt

 

Average realised price

US$16,359/t Down 20%

Q1 FY24 US$20,354/t

Western Australia Nickel 19.6 kt Down 3%

Production decreased as we commenced the temporary suspension of operations at Nickel West. Operations will be suspended from October 2024 and handover activities will be completed by December 2024.  We continue to support the workforce through this transition period and have made redeployment offers to a large portion of our frontline employees.

We expect costs to remain elevated during the transition to suspension in the first half and we plan to invest ~US$300 m per annum beginning in January 2025 to preserve optionality for a potential restart.

No production guidance has been provided for FY25.

Quarterly performance | Q1 FY25 v Q4 FY24

4.5 Mt Down 8%

Q4 FY24 4.9 Mt

 

Lower production as a result of the ramp down and commencement of the longwall move at Broadmeadow in Q1 FY25, and higher yield and lower strip ratio in the prior quarter as a result of mine sequencing.

3.7 Mt Down 2%

Q4 FY24 3.8 Mt

Slightly lower production due to operational challenges from truck availability and wet weather, partially offset by a drawdown of inventory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

Appendix 1

Average realised pricesi


Quarter


Q1 FY25

v Q4 FY24

v Q1 FY24

Copper (US$/lb)ii

4.24

(7%)

17%

Iron ore (US$/wmt, FOB)

80.10

(12%)

(18%)

Steelmaking coal (US$/t)iii

214.86

(12%)

(9%)

Thermal coal (US$/t)iv

124.32

1%

(1%)

Nickel metal (US$/t)v

16,359

(11%)

(20%)

i         Based on provisional, unaudited estimates. Prices exclude sales from equity accounted investments, third party product and internal sales, and represent the weighted average of various sales terms (for example: FOB, CIF and CFR), unless otherwise noted. Includes the impact of provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments.

ii        Sales from Carrapateena and Prominent Hill acquired through the purchase of OZL are included from Q4 FY24.

iii       From FY25, steelmaking coal refers to hard coking coal which is generally those steelmaking coals with a Coke Strength after Reaction (CSR) of 35 and above, and includes coals across the spectrum from Premium Coking to Semi Hard Coking coals. Comparative periods include impacts from weak coking coal, which refers generally to those steelmaking coals with a CSR below 35, which were sold by Blackwater and Daunia mines, divested on 2 April 2024.

iv       Export sales only. Includes thermal coal sales from steelmaking coal mines.

v        Relates to refined nickel metal only, excludes intermediate products and nickel sulphate.

Current year unit cost guidance


Current


Unit cost

FY25 guidancei


Escondida (US$/lb)

1.30 - 1.60

Unchanged

Spence (US$/lb)

2.00 - 2.30

Unchanged

Copper South Australia (US$/lb)

1.30 - 1.80ii

Unchanged

WAIO (US$/t)

18.00 - 19.50

Unchanged

BMA (US$/t)

112 - 124

Unchanged

i         FY25 unit cost guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.66 and USD/CLP 842.

Ii        Calculated using the following assumptions for by-products: gold US$2,000/oz, and uranium US$80/lb

Medium term guidancei


Production

Unit cost


guidance

guidanceii

Escondidaiii

900 - 1,000 ktpa

US$1.50 - 1.80/lb

Spence

~250 ktpa

US$2.05 - 2.35/lb

WAIO (100% basis)

>305 Mtpa

BMA (100% basis)

43 - 45 Mtpa

i         Medium term refers to a five year time horizon unless otherwise noted.                      

ii        Unit cost guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.66 and USD/CLP 842.

iii       Medium term refers to FY27 onwards. Production for FY25 and FY26 are expected to average between 1,200 and 1,300 kt.

Major projects

Commodity

Project and ownership

Project scope / capacity

Capital
expenditure
US$M

First
production
target date

Progress

Potash

Jansen Stage 1
(Canada)
100%

Design, engineering and construction of an underground potash mine and surface infrastructure, with capacity to produce 4.15 Mtpa.

5,723

End-CY26

Project is 58% complete

Potash

Jansen Stage 2
(Canada)
100%

Development of additional mining districts, completion of the second shaft hoist infrastructure, expansion of processing facilities and addition of rail cars to facilitate production of an incremental 4.36 Mtpa.

4,859

FY29

Project is 4% complete

The operating expenditure related to Potash for FY25 is expected to be ~US$300 m.

Exploration

Minerals exploration and evaluation expenditure was US$104 m for Q1 FY25 (Q1 FY24: US$105 m) of which US$91 m was expensed (Q1 FY24: US$93 m).

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

Appendix 2

NEWS RELEASE




 



 










 










 

17 October 2024







 










 










 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










 

BHP OPERATIONAL REVIEW
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and sales summary (Excel version)

 

 

 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 










 









www.bhp.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024





Production


 

Sales





Quarter ended


Year to date


 

Quarter ended


Year to date





Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var


 

Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var





2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%


 

2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%

Group production and sales summary



















 

 



By commodity



 

















 

 



Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise noted.























Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.




















Copper

Payable metal in concentrate

kt


317.3

308.7

339.1

370.5

361.0


361.0

317.3

14%



298.0

316.5

281.6

378.8

429.3


429.3

298.0

44%


Escondida

kt


221.3

207.7

239.2

258.5

264.8


264.8

221.3

20%



209.5

211.7

204.0

261.3

310.8


310.8

209.5

48%


Pampa Norte

kt


38.8

32.6

39.5

39.4

35.7


35.7

38.8

(8)%



31.3

34.9

26.9

49.3

44.0


44.0

31.3

41%


Copper South Australia

kt


23.5

27.4

23.3

32.1

21.8


21.8

23.5

(7)%



22.2

31.6

17.1

28.0

30.4


30.4

22.2

37%


Antamina

kt


32.5

39.2

33.9

38.3

36.3


36.3

32.5

12%



32.8

38.3

31.3

37.4

39.6


39.6

32.8

21%


Carajás

kt


1.2

1.8

3.2

2.2

2.4


2.4

1.2

100%



2.2

-

2.3

2.8

4.5


4.5

2.2

105%


Cathode

kt


139.7

128.7

126.8

134.4

115.4


115.4

139.7

(17)%



131.9

137.6

120.1

142.3

110.7


110.7

131.9

(16)%


Escondida

kt


52.0

46.9

49.0

50.7

39.4


39.4

52.0

(24)%



49.2

52.2

44.3

54.6

37.6


37.6

49.2

(24)%


Pampa Norte

kt


39.5

27.2

22.1

26.5

24.4


24.4

39.5

(38)%



36.6

31.1

22.1

26.5

24.1


24.1

36.6

(34)%


Copper South Australia

kt


48.2

54.6

55.7

57.2

51.6


51.6

48.2

7%



46.1

54.3

53.7

61.2

49.0


49.0

46.1

6%


Total

kt


457.0

437.4

465.9

504.9

476.4


476.4

457.0

4%



429.9

454.1

401.7

521.1

540.0


540.0

429.9

26%

Lead

Payable metal in concentrate

t


96

105

-

131

21


21

96

(78)%



154

91

108

9

125


125

154

(19)%


Antamina

t


96

105

-

131

21


21

96

(78)%



154

91

108

9

125


125

154

(19)%

Zinc

Payable metal in concentrate

t


35,669

33,475

18,409

15,839

19,374


19,374

35,669

(46)%



33,912

37,092

17,559

14,118

19,609


19,609

33,912

(42)%


Antamina

t


35,669

33,475

18,409

15,839

19,374


19,374

35,669

(46)%



33,912

37,092

17,559

14,118

19,609


19,609

33,912

(42)%

Gold

Payable metal in concentrate

troy oz


89,024

94,794

79,284

100,113

85,779


85,779

89,024

(4)%



87,703

98,969

70,493

92,433

99,138


99,138

87,703

13%


Escondida

troy oz


48,063

48,633

38,955

45,410

46,963


46,963

48,063

(2)%



48,063

48,633

38,955

45,410

46,963


46,963

48,063

(2)%


Pampa Norte

troy oz


3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%



3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%


Copper South Australia

troy oz


36,228

42,051

36,427

48,355

32,928


32,928

36,228

(9)%



34,176

47,482

28,136

40,507

44,761


44,761

34,176

31%


Carajás

troy oz


802

1,256

2,083

1,672

1,845


1,845

802

130%



1,533

-

1,583

1,840

3,371


3,371

1,533

120%


Refined gold

troy oz


53,028

55,828

49,128

49,139

37,385


37,385

53,028

(29)%



54,036

55,349

41,710

52,687

40,326


40,326

54,036

(25)%


Copper South Australia

troy oz


53,028

55,828

49,128

49,139

37,385


37,385

53,028

(29)%



54,036

55,349

41,710

52,687

40,326


40,326

54,036

(25)%


Total

troy oz


142,052

150,622

128,412

149,252

123,164


123,164

142,052

(13)%



141,739

154,318

112,203

145,120

139,464


139,464

141,739

(2)%

Silver

Payable metal in concentrate

troy koz


2,582

3,074

2,620

3,317

3,150


3,150

2,582

22%



2,527

2,938

2,431

3,137

3,126


3,126

2,527

24%


Escondida

troy koz


1,168

1,401

1,328

1,549

1,546


1,546

1,168

32%



1,168

1,401

1,328

1,549

1,546


1,546

1,168

32%


Pampa Norte

troy koz


356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%



356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%


Copper South Australia

troy koz


260

310

252

312

223


223

260

(14)%



258

364

189

311

295


295

258

14%


Antamina

troy koz


798

975

713

873

878


878

798

10%



745

785

587

694

782


782

745

5%


Refined silver

troy koz


261

221

248

265

206


206

261

(21)%



219

222

188

329

202


202

219

(8)%


Copper South Australia

troy koz


261

221

248

265

206


206

261

(21)%



219

222

188

329

202


202

219

(8)%


Total

troy koz


2,843

3,295

2,868

3,582

3,356


3,356

2,843

18%



2,746

3,160

2,619

3,466

3,328


6,454

5,273

22%

Uranium

Payable metal in concentrate

t


825

986

863

929

672


672

825

(19)%



481

895

394

1,554

677


677

481

41%


Copper South Australia

t


825

986

863

929

672


672

825

(19)%



481

895

394

1,554

677


677

481

41%

Molybdenum

Payable metal in concentrate

t


612

481

824

699

1,084


1,084

612

77%



564

468

677

678

862


862

564

53%


Pampa Norte

t


329

145

203

117

182


182

329

(45)%



303

162

219

134

181


181

303

(40)%


Antamina

t


283

336

621

582

902


902

283

219%



261

306

458

544

681


681

261

161%

Iron ore

Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO)

kt


62,004

64,460

60,299

68,173

63,363


63,363

62,004

2%



64,180

62,606

61,868

67,323

63,408


63,408

64,180

(1)%


Samarco

kt


1,231

1,302

1,174

1,041

1,285


1,285

1,231

4%



1,136

1,329

1,258

1,043

1,002


1,002

1,136

(12)%


Total

kt


63,235

65,762

61,473

69,214

64,648


64,648

63,235

2%



65,316

63,935

63,126

68,366

64,410


64,410

65,316

(1)%

Steelmaking coal¹

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)

kt


5,601

5,717

6,035

4,922

4,515


4,515

5,601

(19)%



5,325

5,706

6,359

4,904

4,273


4,273

5,325

(20)%

Energy coal

NSW Energy Coal (NSWEC)

kt


3,613

3,855

4,149

3,751

3,675


3,675

3,613

2%



3,307

4,250

3,932

3,678

3,951


3,951

3,307

19%

Nickel

Western Australia Nickel

kt


20.2

19.6

18.8

23.0

19.6


19.6

20.2

(3)%



18.9

20.0

18.8

23.2

19.9


19.9

18.9

5%

Cobalt

Western Australia Nickel

t


192

182

179

181

294


294

192

53%



192

110

179

181

294


294

192

53%

1 Includes BMA thermal coal sales.

6

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024





Production



Sales





Quarter ended


Year to date



Quarter ended


Year to date





Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var



Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var





2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%



2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%

Production and sales























By asset
























Copper
























Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise noted.























Escondida, Chile¹


BHP interest 57.5%





















Material mined

kt


87,462

95,168

103,872

102,752

100,416


100,416

87,462

15%







Concentrator throughput

kt


33,332

34,752

31,653

34,377

32,488


32,488

33,332

(3)%





Average copper grade - concentrator

%


0.85%

0.78%

0.92%

0.99%

1.00%


1.00%

0.85%

18%





Production ex mill

kt


225.7

217.6

238.6

279.5

269.9


269.9

225.7

20%





Payable copper

kt


221.3

207.7

239.2

258.5

264.8


264.8

221.3

20%



209.5

211.7

204.0

261.3

310.8


310.8

209.5

48%


Copper cathode (EW)

kt


52.0

46.9

49.0

50.7

39.4


39.4

52.0

(24)%



49.2

52.2

44.3

54.6

37.6


37.6

49.2

(24)%


 Oxide leach

kt


17.5

17.0

14.4

13.8

7.8


7.8

17.5

(55)%







 Sulphide leach

kt


34.5

29.9

34.6

36.9

31.6


31.6

34.5

(8)%





Total copper

kt


273.3

254.6

288.2

309.2

304.2


304.2

273.3

11%



258.7

263.9

248.3

315.9

348.4


348.4

258.7

35%


Payable gold concentrate

troy oz


48,063

48,633

38,955

45,410

46,963


46,963

48,063

(2)%



48,063

48,633

38,955

45,410

46,963


46,963

48,063

(2)%


Payable silver concentrate

troy koz


1,168

1,401

1,328

1,549

1,546


1,546

1,168

32%



1,168

1,401

1,328

1,549

1,546


1,546

1,168

32%

1 Shown on a 100% basis.























 

Pampa Norte, Chile


BHP interest 100%




















Copper

Payable metal in concentrate

kt


38.8

32.6

39.5

39.4

35.7


35.7

38.8

(8)%



31.3

34.9

26.9

49.3

44.0


44.0

31.3

41%


Cathode

kt


39.5

27.2

22.1

26.5

24.4


24.4

39.5

(38)%



36.6

31.1

22.1

26.5

24.1


24.1

36.6

(34)%


Total copper

kt


78.3

59.8

61.6

65.9

60.1


60.1

78.3

(23)%



67.9

66.0

49.0

75.8

68.1


68.1

67.9

0%

Gold


troy oz


3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%



3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%

Silver


troy koz


356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%



356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%

Molybdenum


t


329

145

203

117

182


182

329

(45)%



303

162

219

134

181


181

303

(40)%

























Cerro Colorado¹

























Material mined

kt


-

-

-

-

-


-

-

           -  







Ore stacked

kt


154

-

-

-

-


-

154

(100)%





Average copper grade - stacked

%


0.58%

-

-

-

-


-

0.58%

(100)%





Copper cathode (EW)

kt


9.5

1.6

-

-

-


-

9.5

(100)%



8.8

3.7

-

-

-


-

8.8

(100)%

























Spence

























Material mined

kt


27,654

25,973

15,968

19,951

23,260


23,260

27,654

(16)%







Ore stacked

kt


5,113

4,744

6,008

5,926

4,928


4,928

5,113

(4)%





Average copper grade - stacked

%


0.60%

0.59%

0.56%

0.54%

0.73%


0.73%

0.60%

22%





Concentrator throughput

kt


8,473

7,151

8,055

7,766

7,547


7,547

8,473

(11)%





Average copper grade - concentrator

%


0.64%

0.65%

0.64%

0.70%

0.64%


0.64%

0.64%

0%





Payable copper

kt


38.8

32.6

39.5

39.4

35.7


35.7

38.8

(8)%



31.3

34.9

26.9

49.3

44.0


44.0

31.3

41%


Copper cathode (EW)

kt


30.0

25.6

22.1

26.5

24.4


24.4

30.0

(19)%



27.8

27.4

22.1

26.5

24.1


24.1

27.8

(13)%


Total copper

kt


68.8

58.2

61.6

65.9

60.1


60.1

68.8

(13)%



59.1

62.3

49.0

75.8

68.1


68.1

59.1

15%


Payable gold concentrate

troy oz


3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%



3,931

2,854

1,819

4,676

4,043


4,043

3,931

3%


Payable silver concentrate

troy koz


356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%



356

388

327

583

503


503

356

41%


Payable molybdenum

t


329

145

203

117

182


182

329

(45)%



303

162

219

134

181


181

303

(40)%

1 Cerro Colorado entered temporary care and maintenance in December 2023.

7

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024





Production



Sales





Quarter ended


Year to date



Quarter ended


Year to date





Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var



Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var





2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%



2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%

Copper (continued)
























Copper South Australia, Australia

BHP interest 100%




















Copper

Payable metal in concentrate

kt


26.2

30.6

27.4

34.7

27.9


27.9

26.2

6%



22.2

31.6

17.1

28.0

30.4


30.4

22.2

37%


Cathode

kt


48.2

54.6

55.7

57.2

51.6


51.6

48.2

7%



46.1

54.3

53.7

61.2

49.0


49.0

46.1

6%


Total copper

kt


74.4

85.2

83.1

91.9

79.5


79.5

74.4

7%



68.3

85.9

70.8

89.2

79.4


79.4

68.3

16%


Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹

kt


          (2.7)

          (3.2)

(4.1)

(2.6)

(6.1)


(6.1)

(2.7)

126%





Net copper

kt


71.7

82

79

89.3

73.4


73.4

71.7

2%



Gold

Payable metal in concentrate

troy oz


41,424

48,051

43,209

52,045

46,452


46,452

41,424

12%



34,176

47,482

28,136

40,507

44,761


44,761

34,176

31%


Refined gold

troy oz


53,028

55,828

49,128

49,139

37,385


37,385

53,028

(29)%



54,036

55,349

41,710

52,687

40,326


40,326

54,036

(25)%


Total gold

troy oz


94,452

103,879

92,337

101,184

83,837


83,837

94,452

(11)%



88,212

102,831

69,846

93,194

85,087


85,087

88,212

(4)%


Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹

troy oz


(5,196)

(6,000)

(6,782)

(3,690)

(13,524)


(13,524)

(5,196)

160%





Net gold

troy oz


89,256

97,879

85,555

97,494

70,313


70,313

89,256

(21)%



Silver

Payable metal in concentrate

troy koz


271

323

282

333

254


254

271

(6)%



258

364

189

311

295


295

258

14%


Refined silver

troy koz


261

221

248

265

206


206

261

(21)%



219

222

188

329

202


202

219

(8)%


Total silver

troy koz


532

544

530

598

460


460

532

(14)%



477

586

377

640

497


497

477

4%


Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹

troy koz


(11)

(13)

(30)

(21)

(31)


(31)

(11)

182%





Net silver

troy koz


521

531

500

577

429


429

521

(18)%



Uranium


t


825

986

863

929

672


672

825

(19)%



481

895

394

1,554

677


677

481

41%

























Olympic Dam

























Material mined

kt


2,655

2,537

2,747

2,815

2,734


2,734

2,655

3%







Ore milled

kt


2,596

2,634

2,511

2,912

2,617


2,617

2,596

1%





Average copper grade

%


1.96%

2.12%

1.96%

2.00%

1.99%


1.99%

1.96%

2%





Average uranium grade

kg/t


0.56

0.62

0.57

0.58

0.60


0.60

0.56

7%





Copper cathode (ER and EW)

kt


48.2

54.6

55.7

57.2

51.6


51.6

48.2

7%



46.1

54.3

53.7

61.2

49.0


49.0

46.1

6%


Refined gold

troy oz


53,028

55,828

49,128

49,139

37,385


37,385

53,028

(29)%



54,036

55,349

41,710

52,687

40,326


40,326

54,036

(25)%


Refined silver

troy koz


261

221

248

265

206


206

261

(21)%



219

222

188

329

202


202

219

(8)%


Payable uranium

t


825

986

863

929

672


672

825

(19)%



481

895

394

1,554

677


677

481

41%

























Prominent Hill²

























Material mined

kt


1,110

1,125

1,094

1,175

927


927

1,110

(16)%







Ore milled

kt


1,652

1,800

1,473

1,815

1,559


1,559

1,652

(6)%





Average copper grade

%


0.85%

0.83%

0.86%

0.94%

0.73%


0.73%

0.85%

(14)%





Concentrate produced

kt


23.8

23.6

22.3

28.4

19.6


19.6

23.8

(18)%





Payable copper

kt


12.1

12.9

10.9

14.6

9.5


9.5

12.1

(21)%



8.4

10.6

6.5

7.3

10.9


10.9

8.4

30%


Payable gold concentrate

troy oz


22,031

25,779

21,019

25,357

20,976


20,976

22,031

(5)%



15,524

20,045

14,644

12,955

18,719


18,719

15,524

21%


Payable silver concentrate

troy koz


63

65

62

90

63


63

63

0%



53

59

38

48

73


73

53

38%

























Carrapateena²

























Material mined

kt


1,201

1,310

1,232

1,486

1,470


1,470

1,201

22%







Ore milled

kt


1,230

1,307

1,226

1,450

1,446


1,446

1,230

18%





Average copper grade

%


1.29%

1.52%

1.52%

1.57%

1.45%


1.45%

1.29%

12%





Concentrate produced

kt


37.6

49.2

45.9

62.0

59.2


59.2

37.6

57%





Payable copper

kt


14.1

17.7

16.5

20.1

18.4


18.4

14.1

30%



13.8

21.0

10.6

20.7

19.5


19.5

13.8

41%


Payable gold concentrate

troy oz


19,393

22,272

22,190

26,688

25,476


25,476

19,393

31%



18,652

27,437

13,492

27,552

26,042


26,042

18,652

40%


Payable silver concentrate

troy koz


208

258

220

243

191


191

208

(8)%



205

305

151

263

222


222

205

8%

1 Excludes prior year production previously reported and transferred during the period.

8

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024





Production



Sales





Quarter ended


Year to date



Quarter ended


Year to date





Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var



Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var





2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%



2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%

Copper (continued)
























Antamina, Peru


BHP interest 33.75%





















Material mined

kt


63,310

61,539

56,233

62,481

64,094


64,094

63,310

1%







Concentrator throughput

kt


14,246

14,824

14,312

14,534

13,096


13,096

14,246

(8)%





Average head grade - copper

%


0.83%

0.90%

0.83%

0.91%

0.91%


0.91%

0.83%

10%





Average head grade - zinc

%


1.17%

1.03%

0.68%

0.68%

0.67%


0.67%

1.17%

(43)%





Payable copper

kt


32.5

39.2

33.9

38.3

36.3


36.3

32.5

12%



32.8

38.3

31.3

37.4

39.6


39.6

32.8

21%


Payable zinc

t


35,669

33,475

18,409

15,839

19,374


19,374

35,669

(46)%



33,912

37,092

17,559

14,118

19,609


19,609

33,912

(42)%


Payable silver

troy koz


798

975

713

873

878


878

798

10%



745

785

587

694

782


782

745

5%


Payable lead

t


96

105

-

131

21


21

96

(78)%



154

91

108

9

125


125

154

(19)%


Payable molybdenum

t


283

336

621

582

902


902

283

219%



261

306

458

544

681


681

261

161%

























Carajás, Brazil¹


BHP interest 100%





















Material mined

kt


74

115

163

134

180


180

74

143%







Ore milled

kt


70

119

163

135

161


161

70

130%





Average copper grade

%


1.91%

1.69%

2.07%

1.68%

1.61%


1.61%

1.91%

(16)%





Production ex mill

kt


5.2

7.6

12.9

8.8

9.9


9.9

5.2

90%





Payable copper

kt


1.2

1.8

3.2

2.2

2.4


2.4

1.2

100%



2.2

-

2.3

2.8

4.5


4.5

2.2

105%


Payable gold concentrate

troy oz


802

1,256

2,083

1,672

1,845


1,845

802

130%



1,533

-

1,583

1,840

3,371


3,371

1,533

120%

 

Iron ore
























Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis.























WAIO, Australia


BHP interest 85%





















Newman Joint Venture

kt


13,234

15,468

15,032

14,368

13,358


13,358

13,234

1%







Area C Joint Venture

kt


25,804

26,074

24,920

29,070

28,839


28,839

25,804

12%





Yandi Joint Venture

kt


3,150

4,978

4,434

5,293

4,440


4,440

3,150

41%





Jimblebar¹

kt


19,816

17,940

15,913

19,442

16,726


16,726

19,816

(16)%





Total

kt


62,004

64,460

60,299

68,173

63,363


63,363

62,004

2%





Total (100%)

kt


69,448

72,670

68,131

76,773

71,593


71,593

69,448

3%





Lump

kt







20,969

19,176

19,175

20,260

19,377


19,377

20,969

(8)%


Fines

kt





43,211

43,430

42,693

47,063

44,031


44,031

43,211

2%


Total

kt





64,180

62,606

61,868

67,323

63,408


63,408

64,180

(1)%


Total (100%)

kt





71,748

70,340

69,775

75,898

71,543


71,543

71,748

0%

 

1 Shown on a 100% basis. BHP interest in saleable production is 85%.

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024





Production



Sales





Quarter ended


Year to date



Quarter ended


Year to date





Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var



Sep

Dec

Mar

Jun

Sep


Sep

Sep

Var





2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%



2023

2023

2024

2024

2024


2024

2023

%

Samarco, Brazil


BHP interest 50%





















Total

kt


1,231

1,302

1,174

1,041

1,285


1,285

1,231

4%



1,136

1,329

1,258

1,043

1,002


1,002

1,136

(12)%

















































Coal
























Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product.






















BMA, Australia


BHP interest 50%





















Blackwater¹

kt


1,295

1,182

1,070

25

-


-

1,295

(100)%







Goonyella

kt


827

1,736

1,824

2,047

1,359


1,359

827

64%





Peak Downs

kt


1,121

846

1,012

1,238

1,249


1,249

1,121

11%





Saraji

kt


1,010

701

759

817

940


940

1,010

(7)%





Daunia¹

kt


545

431

524

13

-


-

545

(100)%





Caval Ridge

kt


803

821

846

782

967


967

803

20%





Total2

kt


5,601

5,717

6,035

4,922

4,515


4,515

5,601

(19)%





Total  (100%)

kt


11,202

11,434

12,070

9,844

9,030


9,030

11,202

(19)%





Coking coal

kt







4,497

4,756

5,410

4,862

4,273


4,273

4,497

(5)%


Weak coking coal

kt





529

752

927

42

-


-

529

(100)%


Thermal coal

kt





299

198

22

-

-


-

299

(100)%


Total

kt





5,325

5,706

6,359

4,904

4,273


4,273

5,325

(20)%


Total (100%)

kt





10,650

11,412

12,718

9,808

8,546


8,546

10,650

(20)%

1 Production and sales included contribution from Blackwater and Daunia mines until their divestment on 2 April 2024.

2 Production figures include some thermal coal.

 

NSWEC, Australia


BHP interest 100%





















Export

kt







3,087

3,942

3,558

3,254

3,416


3,416

3,087

11%


Domestic¹

kt





220

308

374

424

535


535

220

143%


Total

kt


3,613

3,855

4,149

3,751

3,675


3,675

3,613

2%



3,307

4,250

3,932

3,678

3,951


3,951

3,307

19%

1 Domestic sales in FY24 were made under the NSW Government Coal Market Price Emergency (Directions for Coal Mines) Notice 2023.

 

Other
























Nickel production is reported on the basis of saleable product.





















Western Australia Nickel, Australia

BHP interest 100%




















Mt Keith

Nickel concentrate

kt


42.7

43.8

32.4

42.6

35.9


35.9

42.7

(16)%







Average nickel grade

%


16.7

16.8

15.2

17.8

17.1


17.1

16.7

2%




Leinster

Nickel concentrate

kt


66.0

63.4

60.3

76.6

72.5


72.5

66.0

10%





Average nickel grade

%


8.1

8.0

7.8

9.0

8.8


8.8

8.1

9%





Refined nickel¹

kt


13.8

12.6

8.8

14.7

12.1


12.1

13.8

(12)%



13.2

13.0

8.6

14.8

13.5


13.5

13.2

2%


Nickel sulphate²

kt


0.9

0.7

1.0

1.6

0.3


0.3

0.9

(67)%



0.8

0.7

0.8

1.5

0.6


0.6

0.8

(25)%


Intermediates and nickel by-products³

kt


5.5

6.3

9.0

6.7

7.2


7.2

5.5

31%



4.9

6.3

9.4

6.9

5.8


5.8

4.9

18%


Total nickel

kt


20.2

19.6

18.8

23.0

19.6


19.6

20.2

(3)%



18.9

20.0

18.8

23.2

19.9


19.9

18.9

5%


Cobalt by-products

t


192

182

179

181

294


294

192

53%



192

110

179

181

294


294

192

53%

1 High quality refined nickel metal, including briquettes and powder.

2 Nickel sulphate crystals produced from nickel powder.

3 Nickel contained in matte and by-product streams.

10

 


BHP | Operational review for the year ended 30 September 2024

 

 

Variance analysis relates to the relative performance of BHP and/or its operations during the three months ended September 2024 compared with the three

months ended September 2023, unless otherwise noted. Production volumes, sales volumes and capital and exploration expenditure from subsidiaries are reported on a 100% basis; production and sales volumes from equity accounted investments and other operations are reported on a proportionate consolidation basis. Numbers presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided due to rounding. Medium term refers to a five-year horizon, unless otherwise noted.

The following abbreviations may have been used throughout this report: billion tonnes (Bt); cost and freight (CFR); cost, insurance and freight (CIF), carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), dry metric tonne unit (dmtu); free on board (FOB); giga litres (GL); greenhouse gas (GHG); grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3), grams per tonne (g/t); high-potential injury (HPI); kilograms per tonne (kg/t); kilometre (km); million ounces per annum (Mozpa); metres (m), million pounds (Mlb); million tonnes (Mt); million tonnes per annum (Mtpa); ounces (oz); OZ Minerals Limited (OZL); part per million (ppm), pounds (lb); thousand ounces (koz); thousand ounces per annum (kozpa); thousand tonnes (kt); thousand tonnes per annum (ktpa); thousand tonnes per day (ktpd); tonnes (t); total recordable injury frequency (TRIF); wet metric tonnes (wmt); and year to date (YTD).

In this release, the terms 'BHP', the 'Group', 'BHP Group', 'we', 'us', 'our' and 'ourselves' are used to refer to BHP Group Limited and, except where the context otherwise requires, our subsidiaries. Refer to Note 30 - Subsidiaries of the Financial Statements in BHP's 2024 Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries. Those terms do not include non-operated assets. Notwithstanding that this release may include production, financial and other information from non-operated assets, non-operated assets are not included in the BHP Group and, as a result, statements regarding our operations, assets and values apply only to our operated assets unless stated otherwise. Our non-operated assets include Antamina and Samarco. BHP Group cautions against undue reliance on any forward-looking statement or guidance in this release. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as at the date of this release and are not guarantees or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this release.

 

 

 

Further information on BHP can be found at bhp.com

 

Authorised for lodgement by:

Stefanie Wilkinson

Group Company Secretary

Media Relations

 

Email: media.relations@bhp.com


Investor Relations

 

Email: investor.relations@bhp.com




Australia and Asia

 

Josie Brophy

Mobile: +61 417 622 839

 

Europe, Middle East and Africa

 

Gabrielle Notley

Mobile: +61 411 071 715

 

North America

 

Megan Hjulfors

Mobile: +1 403 605 2314

 

Latin America

 

Renata Fernandez

Mobile: +56 9 8229 5357


Australia and Asia

 

John-Paul Santamaria

Mobile: +61 499 006 018

 

Europe, Middle East and Africa

 

James Bell

Tel: +44 20 7802 7144  Mobile: +44 7961 636 432

 

Americas

 

Monica Nettleton

Mobile: +1 416 518 6293




Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015






BHP Group is headquartered in Australia

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11

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