BHP Operational Review for the half year ended 31 December 2025
BHP Operational Review for the half year ended 31 December 2025 - Excel
BHP Chief Executive Officer, Mike Henry:
"BHP delivered another half of very strong performance with operational records at our copper and iron ore assets. This was achieved safely and in a positive commodity price environment, with copper prices up 32% and iron ore prices 4% higher year on year.
We have increased FY26 group copper production guidance off the back of stronger delivery across our assets. Our flagship copper operation, Escondida, achieved record concentrator throughput and we have increased the FY26 production guidance range. Antamina has also lifted its production guidance, and Spence and Copper SA are tracking to plan, with Copper SA achieving record refined gold output.
In iron ore, WAIO achieved record first half production and shipments, positioning us well ahead of the typically wet third quarter. Volumes from Samarco rose as a result of strong operational performance at the second concentrator following its restart at the end of H1 FY25. We also announced a transaction with Global Infrastructure Partners involving WAIO's inland power network which, once completed, will see us realise proceeds of ~US$2 bn while retaining ownership and operational control in an innovative and value accretive transaction.
Steelmaking coal production increased, supported by a five-year high stripping performance at BMA, and energy coal was up 10%.
The Jansen potash project in Canada is on track to begin production in mid-2027. Jansen will be a long life, low cost and scalable asset that will add a new, future facing commodity to BHP's portfolio, which we expect will generate value for shareholders over many decades. We have separately provided an updated cost estimate for Jansen Stage 1 today.
China's commodity demand remains resilient, supported by targeted policy measures and solid exports. Momentum moderated in H2 CY25, notably in construction, manufacturing and infrastructure investments. India is emerging as a key engine of demand, with strong domestic activity sustaining steel and rising copper needs. Forecast global growth in 2026 is around 3%, creating a positive backdrop for commodity demand.
BHP enters the second half of FY26 with strong operating momentum. We're investing for the decade ahead, with a significant copper growth pipeline and a pathway to ~2 Mt of attributable copper production in the 2030s."
