Iron Ore
Production
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| | Sep Q22 | | | Sep Q22 vs Sep Q21 | | | Sep Q22 vs Jun Q22 | |
Iron ore production (kt) | | | 65,073 | | | | 3 | % | | | 1 | % |
Iron ore – Total iron ore production increased by three per cent to 65 Mt. Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 249 and 260 Mt.
WAIO production increased by three per cent to 64 Mt (72 Mt on a 100 per cent basis), reflecting continued strong supply chain performance and lower COVID-19 related impacts than the prior period, partially offset by wet weather impacts. South Flank ramp up to full production capacity of 80 Mtpa (100 per cent basis) remains on track. Natural variability in the ore grade is expected as the mine progresses through the close to surface material, however this is expected to stabilise as we move deeper into the ore body and achieve full ramp up.
WAIO production guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 246 and 256 Mt (278 and 290 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) and reflects the tie-in of the port debottlenecking project (PDP1) as well as the continued ramp up of South Flank throughout the year.
Samarco production of 1.1 Mt (BHP share) reflected continued production of one concentrator, following the recommencement of iron ore pellet production in December 2020. Guidance for the 2023 financial year is unchanged at between 3 and 4 Mt (BHP share).
Coal
Production
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| | Sep Q22 | | | Sep Q22 vs Sep Q21 | | | Sep Q22 vs Jun Q22 | |
Metallurgical coal (kt) | | | 6,662 | | | | (1 | %) | | | (19 | %) |
Energy coal (kt) | | | 2,622 | | | | (38 | %) | | | (33 | %) |
Metallurgical coal – BMA production was marginally lower than the prior period at 7 Mt (13 Mt on a 100 per cent basis) despite record wet weather during the September 2022 quarter3 and ongoing labour shortages. These impacts have been largely offset by an inventory drawdown, and the continued ramp up of autonomous haul truck fleets at Goonyella. Maintenance activities completed in the quarter included a planned longwall move at Broadmeadow, planned wash plant maintenance at both Saraji and Blackwater, and the commencement of wash plant maintenance at Goonyella in September.
The near tripling of top end royalties by the Queensland Government remains a serious concern and threat to investment and jobs in that state. We see strong long-term demand from global steelmakers for Queensland’s high-quality metallurgical coal. In the absence of fiscal terms that are both competitive and predictable, we are unable to make significant new investments in Queensland.
Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 29 and 32 Mt (58 and 64 Mt on a 100 per cent basis).
Energy coal – New South Wales Energy Coal (NSWEC) production decreased by 38 per cent to 3 Mt, reflecting the ongoing impacts of significant wet weather with more than three times the amount of rainfall than the prior year,4 continued labour shortages impacting stripping performance and mine productivity, and an increased proportion of washed coal. Higher quality coals made up approximately 85 per cent of sales compared to approximately 70 per cent in the September 2021 quarter. Guidance for the 2023 financial year remains unchanged at between 13 and 15 Mt.
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BHP Operational Review for the quarter ended 30 September 2022 | | 4 |