Iron Ore
Production
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| | Mar YTD22 | | | Mar Q22 | | | Mar YTD22 vs Mar YTD21 | | | Mar Q22 vs Mar Q21 | | | Mar Q22 vs Dec Q21 | |
Iron ore production (kt) | | | 189,101 | | | | 59,700 | | | | 0 | % | | | 1 | % | | | (10 | %) |
Iron ore – Total iron ore production in line with the prior period at 189 Mt. Production guidance for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 249 and 259 Mt.
WAIO production of 186 Mt (211 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) was in line with the prior period. The impacts of temporary labour constraints relating to COVID-19, train driver shortages, planned track renewal works in the March 2022 quarter, and the planned major maintenance on car dumper one and the Jimblebar train load out in the first half were offset by continued strong supply chain performance, including higher car dumper performance, and favourable weather compared to the prior period. South Flank ramp up to full production capacity of 80 Mtpa (100 per cent basis) over three years remains on track with an average rate of 58 Mtpa achieved in the March 2022 quarter contributing to record production from the MAC hub and record lump sales.
Production guidance for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 246 and 255 Mt (278 and 288 Mt on a 100 per cent basis). Production in the June 2022 quarter is expected to be impacted by continued COVID-19 related absenteeism as Western Australia approaches anticipated peak case numbers, and planned car dumper maintenance.
Samarco production was 3.1 Mt (BHP share), following the recommencement of iron ore pellet production at one concentrator in December 2020. Production guidance for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 3 and 4 Mt (BHP share), with production expected to be at the upper end of the guidance range.
Coal
Production
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| | Mar YTD22 | | | Mar Q22 | | | Mar YTD22 vs Mar YTD21 | | | Mar Q22 vs Mar Q21 | | | Mar Q22 vs Dec Q21 | |
Metallurgical coal (kt)(2) | | | 28,230 | | | | 10,562 | | | | (2 | %) | | | 10 | % | | | 20 | % |
Energy coal (kt)(3) | | | 9,782 | | | | 2,577 | | | | (1 | %) | | | (14 | %) | | | (13 | %) |
Metallurgical coal – Metallurgical coal production decreased by two per cent to 28 Mt (49 Mt on a 100 per cent basis). Queensland Coal production guidance for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 38 and 41 Mt (68 and 72 Mt on a 100 per cent basis), of which BMA is expected to contribute between 29 and 31 Mt, and BMC is expected to contribute between 9 and 10 Mt. The divestment of BHP’s 80 per cent interest in BMC to Stanmore Resources Limited is expected to complete on 3 May 2022 upon which date the economic interest in and operating control of BMC transfers to Stanmore Resources Limited.
At Queensland Coal, strong underlying operational performance, including improvements in underlying truck productivity, have been offset by significant wet weather impacts across most operations in the first half of the year and labour constraints, including COVID-19 related absenteeism, impacting stripping and mine productivity. Labour shortages and COVID-19 related absenteeism remain a risk for the remainder of the year.
Energy coal – Energy coal production is broadly in line with the prior period at 10 Mt. Production guidance for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 13 and 15 Mt.
At NSWEC, continued wet weather and COVID-19 related labour constraints impacted stripping performance and mine productivity in the March 2022 quarter, offsetting the strong first half operational performance. Higher quality products now make up almost 90 per cent of sales compared to approximately 65 per cent of sales in the prior period, maximising the benefit from the widening price spread.
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BHP Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2022 | | 5 |