BHP's copper output falls 19 per cent, but iron ore hits records

Mining giant BHP blames lower-grade ore, maintenance, bad weather in Chile and a broken conveyor.

Confirmed

Mining giant BHP dug up less copper over the past three months. It produced 400,700 tonnes of copper in the quarter to 30 September, Investing.com reported. That is down 19 per cent from 493,600 tonnes a year earlier. Iron ore output was 66.5 million tonnes. BHP said its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) business set records at both the mine and the port. BHP kept its copper target for the full year at 1.65 million to 1.8 million tonnes. Chief executive Brandon Craig said output was lower partly because of "planned grade declines". That means the rock being mined holds less copper. He also pointed to scheduled maintenance, severe weather in Chile, stops for safety and a broken conveyor belt at its Carrapateena mine. BHP said its Jansen potash mine in Canada is 87 per cent complete. Potash is used to make fertiliser. Sadly, BHP said two workers died during the quarter, one at Escondida in Chile and one at Peak Downs in Queensland. BHP is Australia's biggest miner.