BHP’s copper production fell 19% in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year as planned reductions in feed grades, maintenance and operational interruptions weighed on output, Mining Technology reported. The company nevertheless maintained its full-year copper production guidance at 1.65 million to 1.8 million tonnes. Its provisional average realised copper price increased 53% year on year to $7.01/lb, compared with $4.59/lb a year earlier.
Escondida, BHP’s largest copper operation, produced 252,600 tonnes in Chile, a 23% year-on-year decline. Alongside a planned reduction in concentrator feed grade and scheduled maintenance, production was affected by a temporary mining suspension following a fatal incident in September. Severe weather during July and August also disrupted logistics and reduced truck fleet utilisation. The report separately noted a fatal incident involving a team member at Peak Downs, which also prompted a temporary suspension of mining activities.
Copper output at Pampa Norte’s Spence operation dropped 15% to 47,400 tonnes, reflecting reduced concentrate production and continuing ore variability. In South Australia, production declined 16% to 60,700 tonnes. BHP attributed that decrease principally to an underground conveyor belt failure at Carrapateena, resolved within seven weeks, and a scheduled build-up of inventory at Olympic Dam.
Other commodities recorded production gains. Western Australia Iron Ore output rose 4% to 64.3 million tonnes despite substantial planned maintenance. BMA’s steelmaking coal production increased 1% to 4.9 million tonnes, while New South Wales Energy Coal output climbed 26% to 4.4 million tonnes, according to Mining Technology.
BHP chief executive Brandon Craig described geopolitical tensions, uncertainty over trade and elevated energy and freight costs as continuing industry pressures. He also said commodity demand remained resilient, citing industrialisation and urbanisation in China and India, together with global investment in data centres and supporting infrastructure, as factors underpinning copper’s longer-term outlook.
During the quarter, BHP signed a memorandum of understanding with KGHM Polska Miedź, the majority owner of Sierra Gorda, to examine potential collaboration. It also completed a transaction that raised its stake in Faraday, an emerging US copper developer, to 32%.