BHP has reported an 11 per cent increase in copper production in the third quarter of 2023.
The major miner also remains on track to deliver full year production and unit cost guidance at all assets.
“After completing a typically busy quarter of planned maintenance particularly at our Australian assets, we are on track to achieve full year production and unit cost guidance,” BHP chief executive officer Mike Henry said.
“BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) in particular was impacted by planned maintenance, an extended longwall move and low opening inventory following drawdowns in the prior year.”
In Canada, at its potash project, BHP has completed one-third of Jansen stage one and in South Australia, strong operational performance was seen in the first full quarter of production.
When it comes to sustainability, BHP has been making moves here too, with BMA entering into a renewable power purchase agreement expected to provide half the forecasted electricity demand of BMA’s operations over five years from January 2026.
BHP also signed a memorandum of understanding with Toyota to reduce GHG emissions from light vehicles in Australia.
After acquiring OZ Minerals in April of this year, BHP has seen strong results from its Prominent Hill and Carrapateena mines in South Australia, with production up 44 per cent.
“Pleasingly, integration of the Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena assets has gone well, with strong operational performance and continued focus on safe and reliable production, in particular at Olympic Dam and Carrapateena,” BHP said.