BHP’s first-quarter copper output falls 19% as iron ore production rises
BHP said copper production fell 19% year on year to 400,700 tonnes in July–September, while iron ore rose 4% to 66.5 million tonnes. The miner left its FY2027 production guidance unchanged.
In its 20 October operational review for the quarter ended 30 September, BHP reported first-quarter FY2027 copper production of 400,700 tonnes, down 19% from a year earlier. The company attributed the decline to planned lower feed grades, maintenance, severe weather in Chile, safety stoppages and a conveyor failure at Carrapateena. Iron ore output rose 4% to 66.5 million tonnes, steelmaking coal increased 1% to 4.9 million tonnes and energy coal rose 26% to 4.4 million tonnes.
BHP left production guidance unchanged across its main commodities. WAIO reported records at both its mine and port, while Stage 1 of the Jansen potash project was 87% complete and remained on track for first production in mid-2027. The company also reported the deaths of two colleagues at Escondida and Peak Downs, with investigations underway. The figures are BHP’s own operational reporting; one quarter’s volumes alone do not establish a future production or price trend.
HABER PAPER / DATA
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Data table
BHP production, Q1 FY27
BHP-reported production and year-on-year changes for the quarter ended 30 September 2026.
BHP production, Q1 FY27
Indicator
Value
Unit
Period start
Period end
Comparison basis
Copper production — Q1 FY27 production
400.7
kt
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Copper production — year-on-year change
-19
% year over year
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Iron ore production — Q1 FY27 production
66.5
million tonnes
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Iron ore production — year-on-year change
4
% year over year
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Steelmaking coal — Q1 FY27 production
4.9
million tonnes
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Steelmaking coal — year-on-year change
1
% year over year
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Energy coal — Q1 FY27 production
4.4
million tonnes
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Energy coal — year-on-year change
26
% year over year
2026-07
2026-09
observed
Source and methodology
Haber Paper source-linked editorial data compilation; underlying sources retain their separate reuse terms.
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