|
|
18 January 2024 |
Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Strong H1 in copper, iron ore and energy coal. Challenging half in metallurgical coal.
Tragically, a team member from BEP Engineering & Maintenance, a contracting partner to BMA, was fatally injured in an incident at BMA's Saraji mine earlier this week. Our deepest sympathies are with their family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. We are committed to learning from this tragedy and investigations into the incident are underway.
Operationally, BHP has had a solid first half. WA Iron Ore production was up 5% quarter-on-quarter, while first half copper production rose 7% reflecting a record half at Spence and ongoing strong performance and additional tonnes at Copper South Australia. NSW Energy Coal had its best first half in five years, while BMA had a tough six months following significant planned maintenance and low starting inventories. At Nickel West, we are evaluating options to mitigate the impacts of the sharp fall in nickel prices.
We progressed our growth agenda during the quarter with ongoing construction of the Jansen mine in Canada and the sanction of Jansen Stage 2, which doubles our planned potash production capacity. In South Australia, we successfully integrated our Copper SA business and significant exploration drilling beneath Olympic Dam has identified attractive copper mineralisation above 1% grade along a 2 km strike, with areas above 2%.
Mike Henry
BHP Chief Executive Officer
Summary
|
Operational performance |
Portfolio |
||||||||
|
Production guidance unchanged, except at BMA |
Enhancing the quality of our portfolio |
||||||||
|
FY24 production guidance ranges remain unchanged for all assets, with the exception of BMA which has been lowered to between 23 and 25 Mt (46 - 50 Mt at 100%) excl. Blackwater and Daunia from the expected sale completion date of 2 April 2024. Copper production increased1 7%, including a record quarter at Carrapateena, and energy coal production increased 36%, with its FY24 production now expected to be in the upper end of the guidance range. |
We are investing in growth with the approval of US$4.9 bn in Jansen Stage 2. We continued our strategic focus on higher quality metallurgical coal with the planned divestment of BMA's Blackwater and Daunia mines for cash consideration of up to US$4.1 bn (100% basis). We have undertaken ~62 km of exploratory drilling beneath Olympic Dam (OD Deeps), which has shown extensive mineralisation continuity, with attractive copper grades of above 1% along more than 2 km in strike and more than 1 km in depth. Results are included in Appendix 3. |
||||||||
|
Financial performance |
Leadership |
||||||||
|
Unit cost guidance |
Executive Leadership Team update |
||||||||
|
WAIO, Escondida and Spence are expected to be within their respective unit cost guidance ranges at FY24, with BMA unit cost guidance for FY24 increasing to between US$110/t and US$116/t as a result of the lowered production guidance. |
In December, we announced a number of changes to our Executive Leadership Team, effective 1 March 2024, including that Catherine Raw will join BHP from SSE plc as Chief Development Officer effective 29 April 2024. |
||||||||
|
Production |
Quarter performance |
YTD performance |
FY24 production guidance |
||||||
|
|
Q2 FY24 |
v Q1 FY24 |
v Q2 FY23 |
HY24 |
v HY23 |
Previous |
Current |
|
|
|
Copper (kt) |
437.4 |
(4%) |
3% |
894.4 |
7% |
1,720 - 1,910 |
1,720 - 1,910 |
|
|
|
Escondida (kt) |
254.6 |
(7%) |
(1%) |
527.9 |
3% |
1,080 - 1,180 |
1,080 - 1,180 |
Unchanged |
|
|
Pampa Norte (kt) |
59.8 |
(24%) |
(22%) |
138.1 |
(6%) |
210 - 250i |
210 - 250i |
Unchanged |
|
|
Copper South Australia (kt) |
82.0 |
14% |
51% |
153.7 |
48% |
310 - 340 |
310 - 340 |
Unchanged |
|
|
Antamina (kt) |
39.2 |
21% |
11% |
71.7 |
(1%) |
120 - 140 |
120 - 140 |
Unchanged |
|
|
Carajás (kt) |
1.8 |
50% |
|
3.0 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Iron ore (Mt) |
65.8 |
4% |
(2%) |
129.0 |
(2%) |
254 - 264.5 |
254 - 264.5 |
|
|
|
WAIO (Mt) |
64.5 |
4% |
(2%) |
126.5 |
(3%) |
250 - 260 |
250 - 260 |
Unchanged |
|
|
WAIO (100% basis) (Mt) |
72.7 |
5% |
(2%) |
142.1 |
(3%) |
282 - 294 |
282 - 294 |
Unchanged |
|
|
Samarco (Mt) |
1.3 |
6% |
19% |
2.5 |
13% |
4 - 4.5 |
4 - 4.5 |
Unchanged |
|
|
Metallurgical coal - BMA (Mt) |
5.7 |
2% |
(18%) |
11.3 |
(17%) |
28 - 31 |
23 - 25 |
Lowered |
|
|
BMA (100% basis) (Mt) |
11.4 |
2% |
(18%) |
22.6 |
(17%) |
56 - 62 |
46 - 50 |
Lowered |
|
|
Energy coal - NSWEC (Mt) |
3.9 |
7% |
35% |
7.5 |
36% |
13 - 15 |
13 - 15 |
Upper end |
|
|
Nickel - Nickel West (kt) |
19.6 |
(3%) |
11% |
39.8 |
4% |
77 - 87 |
77 - 87 |
Unchanged |
|
i Production guidance for FY24 is for Spence only and excludes Cerro Colorado which produced 11 kt before ceasing production on 9 November 2023.
1
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Summary of disclosures
BHP expects its financial results for the half year ended 31 December 2023 (HY24) to reflect certain items summarised in the table below. The table does not provide a comprehensive list of all items impacting the period. The financial statements are the subject of ongoing work that will not be finalised until the release of the financial results on 20 February 2024. Accordingly, the information in the table below contains preliminary information that is subject to update and finalisation.
|
Description |
H1 impacti (US$M) |
Classificationii |
|
Unit costs (at guidance FX)iii |
|
|
|
At HY24, unit costs at WAIO and Escondida are expected to be within their respective guidance ranges, while Spence is expected to be in the lower half of its guidance range. Unit costs at BMA are expected to be substantially higher than the revised guidance range due to the lower volumes |
- |
Operating costs |
|
For FY24, unit cost guidance for WAIO, Escondida and Spence remains unchanged. Unit cost guidance for BMA has been increased to between US$110/t and US$116/t as a result of the decrease in expected production, and excludes Blackwater and Daunia from the expected date of completion of the divestment |
- |
Operating costs |
|
Note: weaker Australian dollar and Chilean peso than guidance rates were realised in the period |
Refer footnoteiii |
|
|
Income statement |
|
|
|
The Group's adjusted effective tax rate for HY24 is expected to be in the lower half of the guidance range of 30 - 35% |
- |
Taxation expense |
|
Cash flow statement |
|
|
|
Working capital movements including net price impacts, closure and rehabilitation payments and other movements |
~1,500 - 1,700 |
Up Operating cash flow |
|
Cash tax paid |
~3,500 - 3,600 |
Down Operating cash flow |
|
Dividends received from equity-accounted investments |
~200 |
Up Operating cash flow |
|
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests |
~600 |
Down Financing cash flow |
|
Payment of the H2 FY23 dividend |
~4,000 |
Down Financing cash flow |
|
Balance sheet |
|
|
|
The Group's net debt balance at 31 December 2023 is expected to be between $12.5 and $13.0 bn |
- |
Net debt |
|
Exceptional items |
|
|
|
Financial impact on BHP Brasil of the Samarco dam failure The financial impact is expected to primarily relate to amortisation of discounting on the provision and the impact of foreign exchange |
Refer footnoteiv |
Exceptional item |
i Numbers are not tax effected, unless otherwise noted.
ii There will be a corresponding balance sheet, cash flow and/or income statement impact as relevant, unless otherwise noted.
iii Average exchange rates for HY24 of AUD/USD 0.65 (guidance rate AUD/USD 0.67) and USD/CLP 874 (guidance rate USD/CLP 810).
iv Financial impact is the subject of ongoing work and is not yet finalised. See Iron ore section for further information on Samarco operations.
|
|
Further information in Appendix 1 Detailed production and sales information for all operations in Appendix 2 Detailed drilling results for Olympic Dam Deeps Appendix 3 |
2
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Segment and asset performance | FY24 YTD v FY23 YTD
Copper
|
Production 894 kt Up 7% HY23 834 kt FY24e 1,720 - 1,910 kt
Average realised price US$3.66/lb Down 5% HY23 US$3.49/lb
|
Total copper production increased by 7% to 894 kt. Copper guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 1,720 and 1,910 kt. Escondida 528 kt Up 3% (100% basis)Increased production was primarily due to higher concentrator feed grade of 0.81%, compared to 0.79% in HY23 and higher concentrator throughput. Concentrator feed grade is expected to be between 0.85% and 0.90% for FY24. Production guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 1,080 and 1,180 kt. Pampa Norte 138 kt Down 6% Production at Spence increased 4% to a half year record of 127 kt, driven by improved concentrator throughput. Record concentrate production was partially offset by lower cathode production, in line with an expected decline in stacked feed grade. The concentrator plant modifications which commenced in August 2022 are expected to be completed in FY24. We approved an incremental US$570 m in sustaining capital to progress remediation of previously identified anomalies in the Spence Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). These plans have been developed with the Engineer of Record, Independent Tailings Review Board and expert consultants. This is the first stage to remediate the TSF. Production guidance for Spence for FY24 remains unchanged at between 210 and 250 kt and remains subject to successful remediation of the TSF anomalies. Cerro Colorado entered temporary care and maintenance in December 2023, after producing 11 kt for the period. Copper South Australia 154 kt Up 48%Production increased by 51 kt due to the additional volumes from Prominent Hill and Carrapateena. Successful integration of the Copper South Australia asset has resulted in strong underlying operational performance, including record quarterly copper production at Carrapateena in Q2. Strong smelter performance at Olympic Dam was supported by increased transfers of concentrate from Prominent Hill for processing to higher margin cathode. Olympic Dam also delivered record half year gold production and sales. Production guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 310 and 340 kt. Crusher 2 at Carrapateena remains on track to come online in Q3 FY24 and to ramp up in Q4 FY24. We have also had continued success with exploration drilling across the asset. Drilling to date beneath the known Olympic Dam ore body (OD Deeps) confirms attractive mineralisation continuity at above 1% copper grade (refer to Appendix 3). At Oak Dam, there are 12 active drill rigs (up from 10) and the accommodation camp is nearing completion. Other copperAt Antamina, copper production decreased by 1% to 72 kt, while zinc production was 10% higher at 69 kt, both in line with planned concentrator feed grades. Production guidance at Antamina remains unchanged for FY24 with expected copper production of between 120 to 140 kt and zinc production of between 85 and 105 kt. Carajás produced 3.0 kt of copper and 2.1 troy koz of gold. Operations were stopped in August due to a geotechnical event, and gradually restarted in October. In Q3 FY24 operations will continue to ramp back up with shipments also expected to resume. |
3
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Iron ore
|
Production 129 Mt Down 2% HY23 132 Mt FY24e 254 - 264.5 Mt
Average realised price US$103.70/wmt Up 21% HY23 US$85.46/wmt
|
Total iron ore production decreased by 2% to 129 Mt. Guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 254 and 264.5 Mt. WAIO 126 Mt Down 3% | 142 Mt (100% basis)Lower production due to the continued tie-in activity for the Rail Technology Programme (RTP1), and the impacts of the ongoing ramp up of the Central Pilbara hub (South Flank and Mining Area C). South Flank is on track to ramp up to full production capacity of 80 Mtpa (100% basis) by the end of FY24. The planned tie-in of the Port Debottlenecking Project (PDP1) is on track to be completed in CY24, following commissioning on 7 December 2023. Production guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 250 and 260 Mt (282 and 294 Mt on a 100% basis). Samarco 2.5 Mt Up 13% | 5.1 Mt (100% basis)Production increased as a result of higher concentrator throughput. Production guidance for FY24 remains unchanged at between 4 and 4.5 Mt. In December 2023, BHP Brasil approved up to US$925 m in further financial support for the Renova Foundation. The funding is for CY24 and will be deducted from the Group's provision for the Samarco dam failure. |
Coal
Metallurgical coal
|
Production 11.3 Mt Down 17% HY23 13.6 Mt FY24e 23 - 25 Mt
Average realised price US$266.43/t Down 1% HY23 US$268.73/t |
BMA 11.3 Mt Down 17% | 22.6 Mt (100% basis)On 15 January, a team member from BEP Engineering & Maintenance, a contracting partner to BMA, was fatally injured in a vehicle incident at Saraji mine. Investigations are underway and we are working closely with the relevant authorities. Operations at Saraji were suspended and are expected to progressively restart over the coming days. In the period, lower production was a result of a significant increase in planned maintenance across the asset, the extended longwall move, and geotechnical faulting which impacted underground operations at Broadmeadow until early November. Production was also impacted by an increase in prime stripping to improve value chain stability following depleted inventory positions arising from extended weather impacts and labour constraints over recent years. Full year production guidance is now expected to be between 23 and 25 Mt (46 and 50 Mt on a 100% basis). This guidance excludes Blackwater and Daunia from the date of completion of the divestment which is expected to occur on 2 April 2024. This has been lowered from 28 - 31 Mt (56 and 62 Mt on a 100% basis), inclusive of Blackwater and Daunia. |
Energy coal
|
Production 7.5 Mt Up 36% HY23 5.5 Mt FY24e 13 - 15 Mt
Average realised price US$123.29/t Up 65% HY23 US$354.30/t |
NSWEC 7.5 Mt Up 36%Increased production as a result of strong operating performance as eased labour constraints and improved weather conditions enabled an uplift in truck productivity, with record annualised truck hours for the half. Domestic sales under the NSW Government Coal Market Price Emergency (Directions for Coal Mines) Notice commenced in Q4 FY23, which resulted in a lower proportion of washed coal and contributed to the higher volumes. Production guidance for FY24 is expected to be at the upper end of the range of between 13 and 15 Mt. We submitted a modification request to the NSW Government to extend mining approval to 30 June 2030 in support of the 2030 closure plan. The modification submission went on public exhibition for four weeks in November 2023. The approval process will continue through FY24. |
4
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Group & Unallocated
Nickel
|
Production 40 kt Up 4% HY23 38 kt FY24e 77 - 87 kt
Average realised price US$18,602/t Down 24% HY23 US$24,362/t |
Nickel West 40 kt Up 4%Production increased due to improved performance, and a shorter shutdown period at the Kalgoorlie Smelter offsetting downtime at the Kwinana Refinery. Production guidance remains unchanged at between 77 and 87 kt for FY24. The nickel industry is undergoing a number of structural changes and is at a cyclical low in realised pricing. Nickel West is not immune to these challenges. Operations are being actively optimised, and options are being evaluated to mitigate the impacts of the sharp fall in nickel prices. Given the market conditions, a carrying value assessment of the Group's nickel assets is ongoing, and a further update will be provided with the release of the financial results on 20 February 2024.
|
Quarterly performance | Q2 FY24 v Q1 FY24
|
Copper |
Iron ore |
||
|
437 kt Down 4% Q1 FY24 457 kt |
Lower concentrator grade at Escondida and concentrator throughput at Spence, partially offset by higher volumes at Copper South Australia following planned maintenance in Q1. |
66 Mt Up 4% Q1 FY24 63 Mt |
Increased production at WAIO as a result of the Q1 impacts of the RTP1 integration, planned equipment maintenance and Central Pilbara hub ramp up. |
|
Metallurgical coal |
Energy coal |
||
|
5.7 Mt Up 2% Q1 FY24 5.6 Mt |
Production increased due to the lower planned wash plant maintenance, the ramp up of the longwall at Broadmeadow, and improved strip ratio. This was partially offset by significantly increased rainfall. |
3.9 Mt Up 7% Q1 FY24 3.6 Mt |
Higher production as a result of strong performance across the value chain, largely driven by strong Q1 stripping performance, and the opportune draw down of raw coal. |
|
Nickel |
|
||
|
20 kt Down 3% Q1 FY24 20 kt |
Lower volumes due to downtime at the Kwinana Refinery. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following footnotes apply to this Operational Review:
1 Prior year comparatives do not include production volumes for the operations acquired from OZL on 2 May 2023.
5
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Appendix 1
Average realised prices1
|
|
Q2 FY24 |
HY24 |
Q2 FY24 v |
HY24 v H2 FY23 |
HY24 v HY23 |
|
Copper (US$/lb)2,3,4 |
3.68 |
3.66 |
1% |
(4%) |
5% |
|
Iron ore (US$/wmt, FOB)5 |
109.47 |
103.70 |
12% |
4% |
21% |
|
Metallurgical coal (US$/t)6 |
293.21 |
266.43 |
24% |
(2%) |
(1%) |
|
Hard coking coal (US$/t)7 |
305.69 |
274.99 |
26% |
0% |
2% |
|
Weak coking coal (US$/t)7 |
214.26 |
204.55 |
12% |
(18%) |
(19%) |
|
Thermal coal (US$/t)6,8 |
121.35 |
123.29 |
(3%) |
(22%) |
(65%) |
|
Nickel metal (US$/t) |
16,812 |
18,602 |
(17%) |
(21%) |
(24%) |
1 Based on provisional, unaudited estimates. Prices exclude sales from equity accounted investments, third party product and internal sales, and represent the weighted average of various sales terms (for example: FOB, CIF and CFR), unless otherwise noted. Includes the impact of provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments.
2 At 31 December 2023, the Group had 356 kt of outstanding copper sales that were revalued at a weighted average price of US$3.87/lb. The final price of these sales will be determined over the remainder of FY24. In addition, 342 kt of copper sales from FY23 were subject to a finalisation adjustment in the current period. The displayed prices include the impact of these provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments.
3 The large majority of copper cathodes sales were linked to index price for quotation periods one month after month of shipment, and three to four months after month of shipment for copper concentrates sales with price differentials applied for location and treatment costs.
4 Does not include sales from assets acquired through the purchase of OZL.
5 The large majority of iron ore shipments were linked to index pricing for the month of shipment, with price differentials predominantly a reflection of market fundamentals and product quality. Iron ore sales for HY24 and Q2 FY24 were based on an average moisture rate of 6.7% (HY23: 6.8%).
6 The large majority of metallurgical coal and energy coal exports were linked to index pricing for the month of scheduled shipment or priced on the spot market at fixed or index-linked prices, with price differentials reflecting product quality.
7 Hard coking coal (HCC) refers generally to those metallurgical coals with a Coke Strength after Reaction (CSR) of 35 and above, which includes coals across the spectrum from Premium Coking to Semi Hard Coking coals, while weak coking coal (WCC) refers generally to those metallurgical coals with a CSR below 35.
8 Export sales only. Includes thermal coal sales from metallurgical coal mines.
Current year unit cost guidance
|
|
Previous |
Current |
|
|
|
FY24 guidance1 |
FY24 guidance1 |
|
|
Escondida unit cost (US$/lb)2 |
1.40 - 1.70 |
1.40 - 1.70 |
Unchanged |
|
Spence unit cost (US$/lb) |
2.00 - 2.30 |
2.00 - 2.30 |
Unchanged |
|
WAIO unit cost (US$/t) |
17.40 - 18.90 |
17.40 - 18.90 |
Unchanged |
|
BMA unit cost (US$/t) |
95 - 105 |
110 - 116 |
Increased |
1 FY24 unit cost guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.67 and USD/CLP 810.
2 Escondida unit costs for FY24 onwards exclude revenue-based government royalties.
Medium term guidance
|
|
Production |
Unit cost |
|
|
guidance |
guidance1 |
|
Escondida2 |
1,200 - 1,300 kt |
US$1.30 - $1.60/lb3 |
|
Spence4 |
~250 kt |
|
|
WAIO (100% basis) |
>305 Mt |
<US$17/t |
1 Medium term unit cost guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.67 and USD/CLP 810.
2 Medium term refers to FY25 and FY26.
3 Escondida unit costs for FY24 onwards exclude revenue-based government royalties.
4 Average of 250 ktpa over five years on the basis that remediation of the previously identified TSF anomalies does not impact operations.
6
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Major projects
|
Commodity |
Project and ownership |
Project scope / capacity |
Capital |
First |
Progress |
|
Potash |
Jansen Stage 1 |
Design, engineering and construction of an underground potash mine and surface infrastructure, with capacity to produce 4.15 Mtpa. |
5,723 |
End-CY26 |
Project is 38% complete |
|
Potash |
Jansen Stage 2 |
Development of additional mining districts, completion of the second shaft hoist infrastructure, expansion of processing facilities and addition of rail cars to facilitate production of an incremental 4.36 Mtpa. |
4,859 |
FY29 |
Approval announced October 2023 |
The operating expenditure related to Potash for HY24 is expected to be ~US$130 m.
Exploration
Minerals exploration and evaluation expenditure was US$199 m for HY24 (HY23: US$156 m) of which US$170 m was expensed (HY23: US$127 m).
7
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Appendix 2
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
Group production and sales summary |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
By commodity |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise noted. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copper |
Payable metal in concentrate |
kt |
|
276.0 |
262.4 |
310.7 |
317.3 |
308.7 |
|
626.0 |
544.8 |
15% |
|
|
272.7 |
268.4 |
323.1 |
298.0 |
316.5 |
|
614.5 |
533.0 |
15% |
|
|
Escondida |
kt |
|
208.3 |
200.8 |
220.5 |
221.3 |
207.7 |
|
429.0 |
411.4 |
4% |
|
|
216.0 |
197.3 |
220.3 |
209.5 |
211.7 |
|
421.2 |
412.7 |
2% |
|
|
Pampa Norte |
kt |
|
32.5 |
32.0 |
32.2 |
38.8 |
32.6 |
|
71.4 |
61.1 |
17% |
|
|
22.0 |
38.7 |
38.6 |
31.3 |
34.9 |
|
66.2 |
48.0 |
38% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
kt |
|
|
|
19.9 |
23.5 |
27.4 |
|
50.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.6 |
22.2 |
31.6 |
|
53.8 |
|
|
|
|
Antamina |
kt |
|
35.2 |
29.6 |
36.5 |
32.5 |
39.2 |
|
71.7 |
72.3 |
(1)% |
|
|
34.7 |
32.4 |
34.5 |
32.8 |
38.3 |
|
71.1 |
72.3 |
(2)% |
|
|
Carajás |
kt |
|
|
|
1.6 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 |
2.2 |
- |
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
|
Cathode |
kt |
|
148.3 |
143.5 |
165.5 |
139.7 |
128.7 |
|
268.4 |
289.6 |
(7)% |
|
|
155.9 |
130.3 |
179.9 |
131.9 |
137.6 |
|
269.5 |
290.1 |
(7)% |
|
|
Escondida |
kt |
|
49.7 |
50.8 |
72.5 |
52.0 |
46.9 |
|
98.9 |
99.3 |
0% |
|
|
53.5 |
43.8 |
78.0 |
49.2 |
52.2 |
|
101.4 |
99.4 |
2% |
|
|
Pampa Norte |
kt |
|
44.2 |
41.0 |
36.3 |
39.5 |
27.2 |
|
66.7 |
86.2 |
(23)% |
|
|
45.6 |
36.0 |
42.4 |
36.6 |
31.1 |
|
67.7 |
88.0 |
(23)% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
kt |
|
54.4 |
51.7 |
56.7 |
48.2 |
54.6 |
|
102.8 |
104.1 |
(1)% |
|
|
56.8 |
50.5 |
59.5 |
46.1 |
54.3 |
|
100.4 |
102.7 |
(2)% |
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
424.3 |
405.9 |
476.2 |
457.0 |
437.4 |
|
894.4 |
834.4 |
7% |
|
|
428.6 |
398.7 |
503.0 |
429.9 |
454.1 |
|
884.0 |
823.1 |
7% |
|
Lead |
Payable metal in concentrate |
t |
|
114 |
169 |
146 |
96 |
105 |
|
201 |
342 |
(41)% |
|
|
91 |
181 |
143 |
154 |
91 |
|
245 |
221 |
11% |
|
|
Antamina |
t |
|
114 |
169 |
146 |
96 |
105 |
|
201 |
342 |
(41)% |
|
|
91 |
181 |
143 |
154 |
91 |
|
245 |
221 |
11% |
|
Zinc |
Payable metal in concentrate |
t |
|
29,929 |
23,612 |
38,822 |
35,669 |
33,475 |
|
69,144 |
62,614 |
10% |
|
|
29,127 |
25,851 |
37,629 |
33,912 |
37,092 |
|
71,004 |
62,947 |
13% |
|
|
Antamina |
t |
|
29,929 |
23,612 |
38,822 |
35,669 |
33,475 |
|
69,144 |
62,614 |
10% |
|
|
29,127 |
25,851 |
37,629 |
33,912 |
37,092 |
|
71,004 |
62,947 |
13% |
|
Gold |
Payable metal in concentrate |
troy oz |
|
52,277 |
57,106 |
96,655 |
89,024 |
94,794 |
|
183,818 |
96,034 |
91% |
|
|
52,277 |
57,106 |
108,552 |
87,703 |
98,969 |
|
186,672 |
96,034 |
94% |
|
|
Escondida |
troy oz |
|
48,402 |
48,954 |
53,503 |
48,063 |
48,633 |
|
96,696 |
86,638 |
12% |
|
|
48,402 |
48,954 |
53,503 |
48,063 |
48,633 |
|
96,696 |
86,638 |
12% |
|
|
Pampa Norte |
troy oz |
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
|
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
troy oz |
|
|
|
32,736 |
36,228 |
42,051 |
|
78,279 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,098 |
34,176 |
47,482 |
|
81,658 |
|
|
|
|
Carajás |
troy oz |
|
|
|
1,153 |
802 |
1,256 |
|
2,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,688 |
1,533 |
- |
|
1,533 |
|
|
|
|
Refined gold |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
46,479 |
53,028 |
55,828 |
|
108,856 |
90,464 |
20% |
|
|
41,900 |
47,300 |
49,182 |
54,036 |
55,349 |
|
109,385 |
91,442 |
20% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
46,479 |
53,028 |
55,828 |
|
108,856 |
90,464 |
20% |
|
|
41,900 |
47,300 |
49,182 |
54,036 |
55,349 |
|
109,385 |
91,442 |
20% |
|
|
Total |
troy oz |
|
95,557 |
106,192 |
143,134 |
142,052 |
150,622 |
|
292,674 |
186,498 |
57% |
|
|
94,177 |
104,406 |
157,734 |
141,739 |
154,318 |
|
296,057 |
187,476 |
58% |
|
Silver |
Payable metal in concentrate |
troy koz |
|
2,678 |
2,556 |
2,592 |
2,582 |
3,074 |
|
5,656 |
5,330 |
6% |
|
|
2,605 |
2,523 |
2,409 |
2,527 |
2,938 |
|
5,465 |
5,082 |
8% |
|
|
Escondida |
troy koz |
|
1,510 |
1,346 |
1,008 |
1,168 |
1,401 |
|
2,569 |
2,720 |
(6)% |
|
|
1,510 |
1,346 |
1,008 |
1,168 |
1,401 |
|
2,569 |
2,720 |
(6)% |
|
|
Pampa Norte |
troy koz |
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
|
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
troy koz |
|
|
|
201 |
260 |
310 |
|
570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
242 |
258 |
364 |
|
622 |
|
|
|
|
Antamina |
troy koz |
|
923 |
801 |
971 |
798 |
975 |
|
1,773 |
2,113 |
(16)% |
|
|
850 |
768 |
747 |
745 |
785 |
|
1,530 |
1,865 |
(18)% |
|
|
Refined silver |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
256 |
261 |
221 |
|
482 |
556 |
(13)% |
|
|
233 |
307 |
270 |
219 |
222 |
|
441 |
553 |
(20)% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
256 |
261 |
221 |
|
482 |
556 |
(13)% |
|
|
233 |
307 |
270 |
219 |
222 |
|
441 |
553 |
(20)% |
|
|
Total |
troy koz |
|
2,939 |
2,833 |
2,848 |
2,843 |
3,295 |
|
6,138 |
5,886 |
4% |
|
|
2,838 |
2,830 |
2,679 |
2,746 |
3,160 |
|
11,371 |
10,717 |
6% |
|
Uranium |
Payable metal in concentrate |
t |
|
943 |
833 |
813 |
825 |
986 |
|
1,811 |
1,760 |
3% |
|
|
1,127 |
683 |
1,275 |
481 |
895 |
|
1,376 |
1,399 |
(2)% |
|
|
Copper South Australia |
t |
|
943 |
833 |
813 |
825 |
986 |
|
1,811 |
1,760 |
3% |
|
|
1,127 |
683 |
1,275 |
481 |
895 |
|
1,376 |
1,399 |
(2)% |
|
Molybdenum |
Payable metal in concentrate |
t |
|
564 |
636 |
666 |
612 |
481 |
|
1,093 |
860 |
27% |
|
|
514 |
789 |
594 |
564 |
468 |
|
1,032 |
789 |
31% |
|
|
Pampa Norte |
t |
|
216 |
407 |
333 |
329 |
145 |
|
474 |
250 |
90% |
|
|
216 |
492 |
367 |
303 |
162 |
|
465 |
241 |
93% |
|
|
Antamina |
t |
|
348 |
229 |
333 |
283 |
336 |
|
619 |
610 |
1% |
|
|
298 |
297 |
227 |
261 |
306 |
|
567 |
548 |
3% |
|
Iron ore |
Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) |
kt |
|
65,807 |
58,725 |
64,074 |
62,004 |
64,460 |
|
126,464 |
129,732 |
(3)% |
|
|
64,496 |
59,204 |
62,926 |
64,180 |
62,606 |
|
126,786 |
126,753 |
0% |
|
|
Samarco |
kt |
|
1,095 |
1,048 |
1,221 |
1,231 |
1,302 |
|
2,533 |
2,243 |
13% |
|
|
1,097 |
1,111 |
1,160 |
1,136 |
1,329 |
|
2,465 |
2,243 |
10% |
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
66,902 |
59,773 |
65,295 |
63,235 |
65,762 |
|
128,997 |
131,975 |
(2)% |
|
|
65,593 |
60,315 |
64,086 |
65,316 |
63,935 |
|
129,251 |
128,996 |
0% |
|
Metallurgical coal¹ |
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) |
kt |
|
6,952 |
6,929 |
8,477 |
5,601 |
5,717 |
|
11,318 |
13,614 |
(17)% |
|
|
7,027 |
6,186 |
8,876 |
5,325 |
5,706 |
|
11,031 |
13,509 |
(18)% |
|
Energy coal |
NSW Energy Coal (NSWEC) |
kt |
|
2,851 |
3,934 |
4,765 |
3,613 |
3,855 |
|
7,468 |
5,473 |
36% |
|
|
2,862 |
3,667 |
4,894 |
3,307 |
4,250 |
|
7,557 |
5,303 |
43% |
|
Nickel |
Nickel West |
kt |
|
17.7 |
19.6 |
22.0 |
20.2 |
19.6 |
|
39.8 |
38.4 |
4% |
|
|
18.4 |
19.6 |
23.4 |
18.9 |
20.0 |
|
38.9 |
39.1 |
(1)% |
|
Cobalt |
Nickel West |
t |
|
93 |
175 |
246 |
192 |
182 |
|
374 |
331 |
13% |
|
|
93 |
175 |
246 |
192 |
110 |
|
302 |
331 |
(9)% |
|
1 Includes BMA thermal coal sales. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
||||||
|
Production and sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
By asset |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Copper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise noted. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Escondida, Chile¹ |
|
BHP interest 57.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
101,987 |
106,170 |
95,451 |
87,462 |
95,168 |
|
182,630 |
212,235 |
(14)% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Concentrator throughput |
kt |
|
33,911 |
33,309 |
30,750 |
33,332 |
34,752 |
|
68,084 |
66,805 |
2% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade - concentrator |
% |
|
0.76% |
0.78% |
0.93% |
0.85% |
0.78% |
|
0.81% |
0.79% |
2% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Production ex mill |
kt |
|
212.8 |
210.0 |
228.9 |
225.7 |
217.6 |
|
443.3 |
427.4 |
4% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
208.3 |
200.8 |
220.5 |
221.3 |
207.7 |
|
429.0 |
411.4 |
4% |
|
|
216.0 |
197.3 |
220.3 |
209.5 |
211.7 |
|
421.2 |
412.7 |
2% |
||||||
|
|
Copper cathode (EW) |
kt |
|
49.7 |
50.8 |
72.5 |
52.0 |
46.9 |
|
98.9 |
99.3 |
0% |
|
|
53.5 |
43.8 |
78.0 |
49.2 |
52.2 |
|
101.4 |
99.4 |
2% |
||||||
|
|
Oxide leach |
kt |
|
17.6 |
14.7 |
29.3 |
17.5 |
17.0 |
|
34.5 |
32.8 |
5% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Sulphide leach |
kt |
|
32.1 |
36.1 |
43.2 |
34.5 |
29.9 |
|
64.4 |
66.5 |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Total copper |
kt |
|
258.0 |
251.6 |
293.0 |
273.3 |
254.6 |
|
527.9 |
510.7 |
3% |
|
|
269.5 |
241.1 |
298.3 |
258.7 |
263.9 |
|
522.6 |
512.1 |
2% |
||||||
|
|
Payable gold concentrate |
troy oz |
|
48,402 |
48,954 |
53,503 |
48,063 |
48,633 |
|
96,696 |
86,638 |
12% |
|
|
48,402 |
48,954 |
53,503 |
48,063 |
48,633 |
|
96,696 |
86,638 |
12% |
||||||
|
|
Payable silver concentrate |
troy koz |
|
1,510 |
1,346 |
1,008 |
1,168 |
1,401 |
|
2,569 |
2,720 |
(6)% |
|
|
1,510 |
1,346 |
1,008 |
1,168 |
1,401 |
|
2,569 |
2,720 |
(6)% |
||||||
|
1 Shown on a 100% basis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Pampa Norte, Chile |
|
BHP interest 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Copper |
Payable metal in concentrate |
kt |
|
32.5 |
32.0 |
32.2 |
38.8 |
32.6 |
|
71.4 |
61.1 |
17% |
|
|
22.0 |
38.7 |
38.6 |
31.3 |
34.9 |
|
66.2 |
48.0 |
38% |
||||||
|
|
Cathode |
kt |
|
44.2 |
41.0 |
36.3 |
39.5 |
27.2 |
|
66.7 |
86.2 |
(23)% |
|
|
45.6 |
36.0 |
42.4 |
36.6 |
31.1 |
|
67.7 |
88.0 |
(23)% |
||||||
|
|
Total copper |
kt |
|
76.7 |
73.0 |
68.5 |
78.3 |
59.8 |
|
138.1 |
147.3 |
(6)% |
|
|
67.6 |
74.7 |
81.0 |
67.9 |
66.0 |
|
133.9 |
136.0 |
(2)% |
||||||
|
Gold |
|
troy oz |
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
|
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
||||||
|
Silver |
|
troy koz |
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
|
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
||||||
|
Molybdenum |
|
t |
|
216 |
407 |
333 |
329 |
145 |
|
474 |
250 |
90% |
|
|
216 |
492 |
367 |
303 |
162 |
|
465 |
241 |
93% |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Cerro Colorado¹ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
583 |
172 |
145 |
- |
- |
|
- |
3,762 |
(100)% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Ore stacked |
kt |
|
4,119 |
3,567 |
3,928 |
154 |
- |
|
154 |
8,492 |
(98)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade - stacked |
% |
|
0.56% |
0.57% |
0.53% |
0.58% |
- |
|
0.58% |
0.55% |
6% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Copper cathode (EW) |
kt |
|
12.2 |
12.0 |
12.2 |
9.5 |
1.6 |
|
11.1 |
25.0 |
(56)% |
|
|
12.2 |
10.9 |
14.1 |
8.8 |
3.7 |
|
12.5 |
25.5 |
(51)% |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Spence |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
26,980 |
24,858 |
25,622 |
27,654 |
25,973 |
|
53,627 |
53,936 |
(1)% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Ore stacked |
kt |
|
5,155 |
4,947 |
5,625 |
5,113 |
4,744 |
|
9,857 |
10,732 |
(8)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade - stacked |
% |
|
0.66% |
0.60% |
0.58% |
0.60% |
0.59% |
|
0.60% |
0.68% |
(13)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Concentrator throughput |
kt |
|
7,602 |
7,290 |
6,927 |
8,473 |
7,151 |
|
15,624 |
14,035 |
11% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade - concentrator |
% |
|
0.60% |
0.61% |
0.61% |
0.64% |
0.65% |
|
0.64% |
0.61% |
5% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
32.5 |
32.0 |
32.2 |
38.8 |
32.6 |
|
71.4 |
61.1 |
17% |
|
|
22.0 |
38.7 |
38.6 |
31.3 |
34.9 |
|
66.2 |
48.0 |
38% |
||||||
|
|
Copper cathode (EW) |
kt |
|
32.0 |
29.0 |
24.1 |
30.0 |
25.6 |
|
55.6 |
61.2 |
(9)% |
|
|
33.4 |
25.1 |
28.3 |
27.8 |
27.4 |
|
55.2 |
62.5 |
(12)% |
||||||
|
|
Total copper |
kt |
|
64.5 |
61.0 |
56.3 |
68.8 |
58.2 |
|
127.0 |
122.3 |
4% |
|
|
55.4 |
63.8 |
66.9 |
59.1 |
62.3 |
|
121.4 |
110.5 |
10% |
||||||
|
|
Payable gold concentrate |
troy oz |
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
|
|
3,875 |
8,152 |
9,263 |
3,931 |
2,854 |
|
6,785 |
9,396 |
(28)% |
||||||
|
|
Payable silver concentrate |
troy koz |
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
|
|
245 |
409 |
412 |
356 |
388 |
|
744 |
497 |
50% |
||||||
|
|
Payable molybdenum |
t |
|
216 |
407 |
333 |
329 |
145 |
|
474 |
250 |
90% |
|
|
216 |
492 |
367 |
303 |
162 |
|
465 |
241 |
93% |
||||||
|
1 Cerro Colorado entered temporary care and maintenance in December 2023. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
Copper (continued) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copper South Australia, Australia |
BHP interest 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Copper |
Payable metal in concentrate |
kt |
|
|
|
19.9 |
26.2 |
30.6 |
|
56.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.6 |
22.2 |
31.6 |
|
53.8 |
|
|
|
|
Cathode |
kt |
|
54.4 |
51.7 |
56.7 |
48.2 |
54.6 |
|
102.8 |
104.1 |
(1)% |
|
|
56.8 |
50.5 |
59.5 |
46.1 |
54.3 |
|
100.4 |
102.7 |
(2)% |
|
|
Total copper |
kt |
|
54.4 |
51.7 |
76.6 |
74.4 |
85.2 |
|
159.6 |
104.1 |
53% |
|
|
56.8 |
50.5 |
87.1 |
68.3 |
85.9 |
|
154.2 |
102.7 |
50% |
|
|
Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹ |
kt |
|
|
|
- |
(2.7) |
(3.2) |
|
(5.9) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Net copper |
kt |
|
54.4 |
51.7 |
76.6 |
71.7 |
82.0 |
|
153.7 |
104.1 |
48% |
|
|
|||||||||
|
Gold |
Payable metal in concentrate |
troy oz |
|
|
|
32,736 |
41,424 |
48,051 |
|
89,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,098 |
34,176 |
47,482 |
|
81,658 |
|
|
|
|
Refined gold |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
46,479 |
53,028 |
55,828 |
|
108,856 |
90,464 |
20% |
|
|
41,900 |
47,300 |
49,182 |
54,036 |
55,349 |
|
109,385 |
91,442 |
20% |
|
|
Total gold |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
79,215 |
94,452 |
103,879 |
|
198,331 |
90,464 |
119% |
|
|
41,900 |
47,300 |
93,280 |
88,212 |
102,831 |
|
191,043 |
91,442 |
109% |
|
|
Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹ |
troy oz |
|
|
|
- |
(5,196) |
(6,000) |
|
(11,196) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Net gold |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
79,215 |
89,256 |
97,879 |
|
187,135 |
90,464 |
107% |
|
|
|||||||||
|
Silver |
Payable metal in concentrate |
troy koz |
|
|
|
201 |
271 |
323 |
|
594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
242 |
258 |
364 |
|
622 |
|
|
|
|
Refined silver |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
256 |
261 |
221 |
|
482 |
556 |
(13)% |
|
|
233 |
307 |
270 |
219 |
222 |
|
441 |
553 |
(20)% |
|
|
Total silver |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
457 |
532 |
544 |
|
1,076 |
556 |
94% |
|
|
233 |
307 |
512 |
477 |
586 |
|
1,063 |
553 |
92% |
|
|
Payable metal in concentrate transfer to Olympic Dam¹ |
troy koz |
|
|
|
- |
(11) |
(13) |
|
(24) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Net silver |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
457 |
521 |
531 |
|
1,052 |
556 |
89% |
|
|
|||||||||
|
Uranium |
|
t |
|
943 |
833 |
813 |
825 |
986 |
|
1,811 |
1,760 |
3% |
|
|
1,127 |
683 |
1,275 |
481 |
895 |
|
1,376 |
1,399 |
(2)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Olympic Dam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
2,264 |
2,317 |
2,356 |
2,655 |
2,537 |
|
5,192 |
4,676 |
11% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Ore milled |
kt |
|
2,687 |
2,433 |
2,755 |
2,596 |
2,634 |
|
5,230 |
5,257 |
(1)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade |
% |
|
2.08% |
1.95% |
2.00% |
1.96% |
2.12% |
|
2.04% |
2.10% |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Average uranium grade |
kg/t |
|
0.58 |
0.59 |
0.55 |
0.56 |
0.62 |
|
0.59 |
0.58 |
2% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Copper cathode (ER and EW) |
kt |
|
54.4 |
51.7 |
56.7 |
48.2 |
54.6 |
|
102.8 |
104.1 |
(1)% |
|
|
56.8 |
50.5 |
59.5 |
46.1 |
54.3 |
|
100.4 |
102.7 |
(2)% |
|
|
Refined gold |
troy oz |
|
43,280 |
49,086 |
46,479 |
53,028 |
55,828 |
|
108,856 |
90,464 |
20% |
|
|
41,900 |
47,300 |
49,182 |
54,036 |
55,349 |
|
109,385 |
91,442 |
20% |
|
|
Refined silver |
troy koz |
|
261 |
277 |
256 |
261 |
221 |
|
482 |
556 |
(13)% |
|
|
233 |
307 |
270 |
219 |
222 |
|
441 |
553 |
(20)% |
|
|
Payable uranium |
t |
|
943 |
833 |
813 |
825 |
986 |
|
1,811 |
1,760 |
3% |
|
|
1,127 |
683 |
1,275 |
481 |
895 |
|
1,376 |
1,399 |
(2)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prominent Hill² |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
|
|
661 |
1,110 |
1,125 |
|
2,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Ore milled |
kt |
|
|
|
1,228 |
1,652 |
1,800 |
|
3,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade |
% |
|
|
|
0.77% |
0.85% |
0.83% |
|
0.84% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Production ex mill |
kt |
|
|
|
16.3 |
23.8 |
23.6 |
|
47.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
|
|
8.2 |
12.1 |
12.9 |
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.7 |
8.4 |
10.6 |
|
19.0 |
|
|
|
|
Payable gold concentrate |
troy oz |
|
|
|
17,432 |
22,031 |
25,779 |
|
47,810 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,856 |
15,524 |
20,045 |
|
35,569 |
|
|
|
|
Payable silver concentrate |
troy koz |
|
|
|
44 |
63 |
65 |
|
128 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
87 |
53 |
59 |
|
112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrapateena² |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
|
|
880 |
1,201 |
1,310 |
|
2,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Ore milled |
kt |
|
|
|
856 |
1,230 |
1,307 |
|
2,537 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade |
% |
|
|
|
1.52% |
1.29% |
1.52% |
|
1.41% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Production ex mill |
kt |
|
|
|
30.1 |
37.6 |
49.2 |
|
86.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
|
|
11.7 |
14.1 |
17.7 |
|
31.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.9 |
13.8 |
21.0 |
|
34.8 |
|
|
|
|
Payable gold concentrate |
troy oz |
|
|
|
15,304 |
19,393 |
22,272 |
|
41,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,242 |
18,652 |
27,437 |
|
46,089 |
|
|
|
|
Payable silver concentrate |
troy koz |
|
|
|
157 |
208 |
258 |
|
466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
155 |
205 |
305 |
|
510 |
|
|
|
1 Excludes prior year production previously reported and transferred during the period. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2 Production and sales included from 1 May 2023, following the acquisition of OZL on 2 May 2023. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
10
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Copper (continued) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Antamina, Peru |
|
BHP interest 33.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
68,750 |
57,939 |
62,894 |
63,310 |
61,539 |
|
124,849 |
132,615 |
(6)% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Concentrator throughput |
kt |
|
14,272 |
12,349 |
13,897 |
14,246 |
14,824 |
|
29,070 |
28,130 |
3% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Average head grade - copper |
% |
|
0.86% |
0.88% |
0.88% |
0.83% |
0.90% |
|
0.87% |
0.89% |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Average head grade - zinc |
% |
|
0.99% |
1.06% |
1.25% |
1.17% |
1.03% |
|
1.10% |
1.04% |
6% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
35.2 |
29.6 |
36.5 |
32.5 |
39.2 |
|
71.7 |
72.3 |
(1)% |
|
|
34.7 |
32.4 |
34.5 |
32.8 |
38.3 |
|
71.1 |
72.3 |
(2)% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable zinc |
t |
|
29,929 |
23,612 |
38,822 |
35,669 |
33,475 |
|
69,144 |
62,614 |
10% |
|
|
29,127 |
25,851 |
37,629 |
33,912 |
37,092 |
|
71,004 |
62,947 |
13% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable silver |
troy koz |
|
923 |
801 |
971 |
798 |
975 |
|
1,773 |
2,113 |
(16)% |
|
|
850 |
768 |
747 |
745 |
785 |
|
1,530 |
1,865 |
(18)% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable lead |
t |
|
114 |
169 |
146 |
96 |
105 |
|
201 |
342 |
(41)% |
|
|
91 |
181 |
143 |
154 |
91 |
|
245 |
221 |
11% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable molybdenum |
t |
|
348 |
229 |
333 |
283 |
336 |
|
619 |
610 |
1% |
|
|
298 |
297 |
227 |
261 |
306 |
|
567 |
548 |
3% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Carajás, Brazil¹ |
|
BHP interest 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Material mined |
kt |
|
|
|
103 |
74 |
115 |
|
189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Ore milled |
kt |
|
|
|
100 |
70 |
119 |
|
189 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Average copper grade |
% |
|
|
|
1.71% |
1.91% |
1.69% |
|
1.77% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Production ex mill |
kt |
|
|
|
6.6 |
5.2 |
7.6 |
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable copper |
kt |
|
|
|
1.6 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 |
2.2 |
- |
|
2.2 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Payable gold concentrate |
troy oz |
|
|
|
1,153 |
802 |
1,256 |
|
2,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,688 |
1,533 |
- |
|
1,533 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
1 Production and sales included from 1 May 2023, following the acquisition of OZL on 2 May 2023. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Iron ore |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WAIO, Australia |
|
BHP interest 85% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Newman |
kt |
|
16,172 |
11,925 |
14,795 |
13,234 |
15,468 |
|
28,702 |
30,225 |
(5)% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Area C Joint Venture |
kt |
|
26,302 |
25,284 |
28,818 |
25,804 |
26,074 |
|
51,878 |
53,273 |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Yandi Joint Venture |
kt |
|
5,613 |
4,941 |
5,359 |
3,150 |
4,978 |
|
8,128 |
11,110 |
(27)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Jimblebar¹ |
kt |
|
17,720 |
16,575 |
15,102 |
19,816 |
17,940 |
|
37,756 |
35,124 |
7% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
65,807 |
58,725 |
64,074 |
62,004 |
64,460 |
|
126,464 |
129,732 |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Total (100%) |
kt |
|
74,292 |
66,163 |
72,717 |
69,448 |
72,670 |
|
142,118 |
146,427 |
(3)% |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Lump |
kt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,375 |
18,021 |
20,022 |
20,969 |
19,176 |
|
40,145 |
39,936 |
1% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Fines |
kt |
|
|
|
|
44,121 |
41,183 |
42,904 |
43,211 |
43,430 |
|
86,641 |
86,817 |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
|
|
|
64,496 |
59,204 |
62,926 |
64,180 |
62,606 |
|
126,786 |
126,753 |
0% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Total (100%) |
kt |
|
|
|
|
72,688 |
66,580 |
71,172 |
71,748 |
70,340 |
|
142,088 |
142,964 |
(1)% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
1 Shown on a 100% basis. BHP interest in saleable production is 85%. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
Samarco, Brazil |
|
BHP interest 50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
1,095 |
1,048 |
1,221 |
1,231 |
1,302 |
|
2,533 |
2,243 |
13% |
|
|
1,097 |
1,111 |
1,160 |
1,136 |
1,329 |
|
2,465 |
2,243 |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BMA, Australia |
|
BHP interest 50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Blackwater |
kt |
|
1,160 |
1,107 |
1,505 |
1,295 |
1,182 |
|
2,477 |
2,443 |
1% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Goonyella |
kt |
|
1,997 |
2,185 |
2,348 |
827 |
1,736 |
|
2,563 |
3,777 |
(32)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Peak Downs |
kt |
|
1,480 |
1,251 |
1,424 |
1,121 |
846 |
|
1,967 |
2,805 |
(30)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Saraji |
kt |
|
1,243 |
1,007 |
1,326 |
1,010 |
701 |
|
1,711 |
2,263 |
(24)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Daunia |
kt |
|
441 |
607 |
617 |
545 |
431 |
|
976 |
765 |
28% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Caval Ridge |
kt |
|
631 |
772 |
1,257 |
803 |
821 |
|
1,624 |
1,561 |
4% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Total¹ |
kt |
|
6,952 |
6,929 |
8,477 |
5,601 |
5,717 |
|
11,318 |
13,614 |
(17)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Total (100%) |
kt |
|
13,904 |
13,858 |
16,954 |
11,202 |
11,434 |
|
22,636 |
27,228 |
(17)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Coking coal |
kt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,872 |
5,372 |
7,448 |
4,497 |
4,756 |
|
9,253 |
11,487 |
(19)% |
||||||
|
|
Weak coking coal |
kt |
|
|
|
|
727 |
710 |
1,064 |
529 |
752 |
|
1,281 |
1,327 |
(3)% |
||||||||
|
|
Thermal coal |
kt |
|
|
|
|
428 |
104 |
364 |
299 |
198 |
|
497 |
695 |
(28)% |
||||||||
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
|
|
|
7,027 |
6,186 |
8,876 |
5,325 |
5,706 |
|
11,031 |
13,509 |
(18)% |
||||||||
|
|
Total (100%) |
kt |
|
|
|
|
14,054 |
12,372 |
17,752 |
10,650 |
11,412 |
|
22,062 |
27,018 |
(18)% |
||||||||
|
1 Production figures include some thermal coal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
NSWEC, Australia |
|
BHP interest 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Export |
kt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,862 |
3,667 |
4,693 |
3,087 |
3,942 |
|
7,029 |
5,303 |
33% |
||||||
|
|
Domestic¹ |
kt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
201 |
220 |
308 |
|
528 |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Total |
kt |
|
2,851 |
3,934 |
4,765 |
3,613 |
3,855 |
|
7,468 |
5,473 |
36% |
|
|
2,862 |
3,667 |
4,894 |
3,307 |
4,250 |
|
7,557 |
5,303 |
43% |
|
1 Domestic sales are made under the NSW Government Coal Market Price Emergency (Directions for Coal Mines) Notice 2023. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production |
|
|
Sales |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
Dec |
Mar |
Jun |
Sep |
Dec |
|
Dec |
Dec |
Var |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
2023 |
2022 |
% |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel production is reported on the basis of saleable product. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel West, Australia |
BHP interest 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Mt Keith |
Nickel concentrate |
kt |
|
39.6 |
38.8 |
44.5 |
42.7 |
43.8 |
|
86.5 |
82.2 |
5% |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Average nickel grade |
% |
|
15.5 |
16.5 |
16.2 |
16.7 |
16.8 |
|
16.8 |
16.3 |
3% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Leinster |
Nickel concentrate |
kt |
|
47.9 |
68.4 |
71.1 |
66.0 |
63.4 |
|
129.4 |
114.7 |
13% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Average nickel grade |
% |
|
9.4 |
8.6 |
8.5 |
8.1 |
8.0 |
|
8.1 |
9.7 |
(17)% |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Refined nickel¹ |
kt |
|
10.8 |
13.2 |
13.1 |
13.8 |
12.6 |
|
26.4 |
28.3 |
(7)% |
|
|
10.2 |
13.0 |
13.1 |
13.2 |
13.0 |
|
26.2 |
28.3 |
(7)% |
|
|
Nickel sulphate² |
kt |
|
0.4 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
|
1.6 |
1.6 |
0% |
|
|
0.5 |
0.9 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
|
1.5 |
1.3 |
15% |
|
|
Intermediates and nickel by-products³ |
kt |
|
6.5 |
5.5 |
8.2 |
5.5 |
6.3 |
|
11.8 |
8.5 |
39% |
|
|
7.7 |
5.7 |
9.5 |
4.9 |
6.3 |
|
11.2 |
9.5 |
18% |
|
|
Total nickel |
kt |
|
17.7 |
19.6 |
22.0 |
20.2 |
19.6 |
|
39.8 |
38.4 |
4% |
|
|
18.4 |
19.6 |
23.4 |
18.9 |
20.0 |
|
38.9 |
39.1 |
(1)% |
|
|
Cobalt by-products |
t |
|
93 |
175 |
246 |
192 |
182 |
|
374 |
331 |
13% |
|
|
93 |
175 |
246 |
192 |
110 |
|
302 |
331 |
(9)% |
|
1 High quality refined nickel metal, including briquettes and powder. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 Nickel sulphate crystals produced from nickel powder. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 Nickel contained in matte and by-product streams. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Appendix 3
Explanatory Notes and JORC Table 1
Project status update - Olympic Dam "Deeps" (OD Deeps)
In 2006-07, three deep holes were drilled below known Olympic Dam mineralisation, testing a modelled density anomaly, and subsequently intersected mineralisation. These holes, RD1988, RD2786A and RD2785 returned mineralised intercepts.
Table 1. Historic deep drilling below Olympic Dam from 2006-07.
|
Hole ID |
Depth from |
Depth to |
Interval |
Cu |
U3O8 |
Au |
Ag |
Density |
|
RD1988 |
922 |
1897.9 |
975.9 |
1.53 |
266 |
0.98 |
4.24 |
3.73 |
|
RD2786A |
1771 |
1847 |
76 |
1.36 |
279 |
0.92 |
4.67 |
3.82 |
|
and |
1925 |
2027 |
102 |
1.52 |
288 |
0.74 |
5.92 |
3.57 |
|
RD2785 |
2058 |
2184 |
126 |
0.86 |
228 |
0.49 |
2.61 |
3.05 |
In 2020-21 BHP Olympic Dam geologists reviewed mineralisation potential at depth and commenced exploration drilling in 2022. As of 9th September 2023, total drilling of the OD Deeps mineralisation, including historic drilling, was approximately 62 km, with nominal drill space ranging from 160 m to 320 m. All holes completed to target depth intersected mineralisation and have outlined a mineralisation extending more than 2 km along strike, and more than 1 km in depth. Mineralisation continues to be open along strike and at depth.
The iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) mineralisation style of the OD Deeps appears similar to the main body of Olympic Dam (refer to Section 2-Reporting of Exploration Results). Mineralisation is dominantly chalcopyrite with some areas of bornite. To date, and noting wide spaced drilling, continuity continues to appear favourable above 1% copper grade. The absolute extent of mineralisation has not been discovered. However, along strike there are geological indications of decreasing brecciation as well as decreasing iron content. These suggest a diminishing system along strike.
Figure 1 describes the location of the new drilling and Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 show the new drilling on cross section(s), long section, and level plan. Mineralised intercepts provided in Table 2 and drilling collar location is provided in Table 3.
This release reflects progress in our exploration activities at Olympic Dam. Further work will be required to enable an estimate of Mineral Resources.
13
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Table 2. Length and density-weighted mineralised intercepts reported as down hole lengths.
|
Hole ID |
Depth from |
Depth to |
Interval |
Cu |
U3O8 |
Au |
Ag |
Density |
|
RU50-12091 |
516 |
1096 (EOH) |
580 |
2.22 |
473 |
0.93 |
4.87 |
3.77 |
|
including |
522 |
648 |
126 |
4.41 |
945 |
0.99 |
7.13 |
3.90 |
|
RD4552A |
1608 |
2050 |
442 |
1.38 |
350 |
0.65 |
2.98 |
3.49 |
|
including |
1790 |
1912 |
122 |
2.15 |
506 |
0.89 |
4.20 |
3.88 |
|
RD4552AW2 |
1862 |
2252 |
390 |
1.38 |
396 |
0.65 |
2.43 |
3.35 |
|
including |
2124 |
2176 |
52 |
1.72 |
483 |
0.63 |
1.33 |
3.55 |
|
RD4577W1 |
2022 |
2322 |
300 |
1.53 |
426 |
0.72 |
4.16 |
3.52 |
|
RU50-17932 |
718 |
1000 (EOH) |
282 |
1.46 |
340 |
0.88 |
3.66 |
3.70 |
|
including |
718 |
744 |
26 |
3.34 |
876 |
0.93 |
2.04 |
3.98 |
|
RD4552AW3 |
2101 |
2401 |
300 |
1.50 |
330 |
1.04 |
5.81 |
3.60 |
|
including |
2101 |
2143 |
42 |
2.09 |
327 |
1.39 |
12.52 |
3.71 |
|
RU48-14098W1 |
1807.5 |
1985 |
177.5 |
1.54 |
402 |
0.87 |
11.22 |
3.54 |
|
including |
1912.5 |
1985 |
72.5 |
2.29 |
422 |
1.31 |
21.60 |
3.86 |
|
RU48-14099 |
1388 |
1587.5 |
199.5 |
1.68 |
357 |
0.80 |
6.37 |
3.63 |
|
including |
1388 |
1462 |
74 |
2.35 |
534 |
0.73 |
6.42 |
3.69 |
|
RD4551 |
1298 |
1486 |
188 |
1.17 |
325 |
0.52 |
5.57 |
3.38 |
|
RD4551W1 |
1474 |
1646 |
172 |
1.52 |
348 |
0.65 |
7.91 |
3.61 |
|
including |
1596 |
1646 |
50 |
2.03 |
355 |
0.83 |
9.11 |
3.82 |
|
RD4551W2A |
1320 |
1390 |
70 |
1.33 |
327 |
0.73 |
5.09 |
3.76 |
|
RD4554W2 |
1917 |
1971 |
54 |
1.99 |
386 |
1.32 |
13.37 |
3.89 |
|
and |
2123 |
2307 |
184 |
1.38 |
340 |
0.76 |
5.63 |
3.53 |
|
RD4554W3 |
1560 |
1662 |
102 |
1.74 |
468 |
0.95 |
2.62 |
3.85 |
|
and |
1698 |
1734 |
36 |
1.67 |
415 |
0.66 |
1.30 |
3.87 |
|
RD4568W1 |
1384 |
1580 |
196 |
1.12 |
292 |
0.76 |
5.08 |
3.67 |
|
and |
1626 |
1696 |
70 |
1.62 |
290 |
0.88 |
7.87 |
3.74 |
|
and |
1816 |
1836 |
20 |
2.04 |
244 |
0.22 |
3.52 |
3.19 |
|
RD4554W1 |
1691 |
1911 |
220 |
1.09 |
293 |
0.77 |
5.69 |
3.50 |
|
including |
1691 |
1713 |
22 |
1.68 |
456 |
0.91 |
12.02 |
3.50 |
|
and |
2001 |
2041 |
40 |
2.32 |
439 |
0.57 |
9.20 |
3.36 |
|
and |
2187 |
2211 |
24 |
1.18 |
464 |
0.24 |
1.50 |
3.06 |
|
RD4561W4 |
1772 |
1810 |
38 |
2.42 |
799 |
0.16 |
0.91 |
3.50 |
|
RU48-14097 |
1148 |
1198 |
50 |
1.25 |
328 |
0.27 |
0.59 |
3.26 |
|
and |
1392 |
1426 |
34 |
2.37 |
224 |
0.73 |
8.97 |
3.76 |
|
and |
1516 |
1580 |
64 |
1.38 |
254 |
0.93 |
5.46 |
3.80 |
|
RU50-12093W1 |
539.2 |
644 |
104.8 |
1.23 |
409 |
0.92 |
4.24 |
3.42 |
|
and |
770 |
834 |
64 |
1.29 |
335 |
0.62 |
3.33 |
3.28 |
|
RU50-17930 |
618 |
782 |
164 |
1.02 |
306 |
0.61 |
3.93 |
3.41 |
|
RU48-14098 |
1604 |
1632 |
28 |
1.09 |
309 |
0.45 |
1.17 |
3.16 |
|
and |
1690 |
1737.5 |
47.5 |
1.41 |
433 |
0.70 |
1.90 |
3.45 |
|
and |
1760 |
1812.5 |
52.5 |
2.08 |
335 |
1.03 |
8.53 |
3.52 |
|
RU48-17326 |
1126 |
1192 |
66 |
1.36 |
264 |
0.25 |
<1.0 |
3.08 |
|
and |
1332 |
1378 |
46 |
1.38 |
438 |
0.67 |
2.45 |
3.62 |
|
and |
1524 |
1574 |
50 |
1.41 |
378 |
0.64 |
7.04 |
3.38 |
|
RD4573W1 |
1348 |
1380 |
32 |
1.47 |
340 |
0.20 |
1.07 |
3.00 |
|
and |
1574 |
1680 |
106 |
1.32 |
331 |
0.75 |
5.71 |
3.94 |
|
RD4574W1 |
1459 |
1523 |
64 |
1.14 |
619 |
0.50 |
0.42 |
3.34 |
|
RD4575 |
1380 |
1390 |
10 |
1.39 |
349 |
0.31 |
1.15 |
3.04 |
|
and |
1434 |
1494 |
60 |
1.07 |
511 |
0.38 |
0.75 |
3.29 |
|
RU50-17931 |
424 |
448 |
24 |
1.62 |
482 |
0.98 |
7.81 |
3.67 |
|
RD4561 |
1294 |
1334 |
40 |
1.31 |
348 |
0.73 |
5.39 |
3.87 |
|
RD4578A |
1872 |
1886 |
14 |
1.03 |
1797 |
0.15 |
0.58 |
4.04 |
|
RD4571 |
1610 |
1628 |
18 |
1.08 |
989 |
0.26 |
4.20 |
3.63 |
14
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Figure 1. New drill hole traces shown against all Olympic Dam drilling. Reference sections provides for cross sections and long section.
Figure 2. Representative cross-section (A-A' from Figure 1) showing simplified geology and down hole Cu assays.
Figure 3. Representative cross-section (B-B' from Figure 1) showing simplified geology and down hole Cu assays.
Figure 4. Representative composite long-section (C-C' and D-D' from Figure 1) showing simplified geology and significant intercepts.
Figure 5. Representative level plan at -1300mRL, with deeps drilling projects to level.
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
Sampling techniques
· Drilling included oriented diamond drilling from surface and available underground locations.
· Diamond core was sampled at either 2 m or 2.5 m intervals in mineralisation.
Drilling techniques
· Surface parent holes were collared in PQ3 diameter (83 mm) in the overburden and continued in HQ3 (61.1 mm) or HQ (63.5 mm). Wedge (child) holes were drilled in NQ2 (50.6 mm). Navigational drilling was completed on surface drilling and select underground drilling, and also used parent holes and subsequent wedges.
· Underground parent holes were collared in HQ (63.5 mm) to a depth of approximately 500 m, continued in NQ2 (50.6 mm) to a depth of approximately 1,700 m, and drilling completed in BQ (36.5 mm) when required.
· All down hole surveys used a north-seeking gyroscope to end of hole. The core was oriented using the Reflect ACT III tool. At the end of each run, the low side of the core was marked by the drillers and this was used as the reference for marking the whole drill core.
Drill sample recovery
· Sample recoveries were visually estimated to be greater than 99%.
· The style of mineralisation and drilling methods employed lead to very high sample recovery, so no further effort was considered necessary to increase core recovery. In general for drill core, there is no clear relationship between sample recovery and grade, and no significant bias is expected from preferential loss or gain of fine or coarse material.
Logging
· Drill holes were logged in qualitative detail below the post mineral cover.
· Logging included, but was not limited to, lithology composition and texture, alteration minerals, sulphide distribution and geotechnical logging for rock-mass qualification. Drill holes were logged to a level of detail that would support future studies.
· Structural measurements were recorded from oriented core.
· Core was photographed dry.
Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation
· Diamond core was split by core saw, with half core submitted for assay and the other half stored in trays at Olympic Dam. Samples are submitted as 2 m or 2.5 m intervals.
· Approximately 4-8 kg samples were submitted to an analytical laboratory for final drying, staged crushing to 2 mm, splitting to approximately 2-3 kg portion, followed by pulverisation to 90% passing 75 micron particle size pulp.
· Duplicate samples were collected at each preparation stage where a reduction in sample mass occurred.
15
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
· Bulk dry density measurements were collected on all assayed samples using water immersion method.
· Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the style of the mineralisation.
Quality of assay data and laboratory tests
· All samples were submitted to Intertek Group Plc (Intertek), Adelaide Laboratory, South Australia.
· Drill hole results reported here were analysed for either the routine Olympic Dam multi-element suite or an expanded Olympic Dam multi-element suite. The routine suite includes Cu, Ag, Co, Ni, Pb, Zn (3-acid digest, measured via IOC-OES) and Li-borate fusion measured via ICP-OES/MS (Al, As, Ba, Bi, Ca, Ce, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Sb, Sc, Si, Sr, Ti, U, V, Y, Zr). The expanded suite includes 4-acid digest measured via ICP-OES/MS (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Ge, In, Li, Re, Se, Te, Tl) and Li-borate fusion measured via ICP-OES/MS (Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Ce, Cr, Cs, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Hf, Ho, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, P, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sc, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zr) and loss-on-ignition. All samples were assayed for Au (via 25-g FA with ICP-OES finish), and C and S (via induction furnace combustion, measured by infrared analyser).
· Comparative analysis between the 4- and 3-acid digest methods demonstrates equal accuracy and precision within the Olympic Dam mineral system. The 4-acid digest is used to expand the geochemical suite of elements when initially characterising new parts of the deposit. Drill holes (Table 3) assayed via the 3-acid method were RD4552A, RD4554, RD45554W1, RD4554W2, RD4554W3, RU48-14097, RU48-14098, RU48-14098W1, RU48-14099, RU48-17326. The remainder were assayed via the 4-acid method.
· Quality control samples consisted of duplicates (1:25), analytical blanks (1:50) and certified standards (1:25).
· Quality control results were reviewed when received. All performed within acceptable accuracy and precision limits.
Verification of sampling and assaying
· BHP has robust QAQC standards and procedures relating to sampling and assay quality control.
· Significant intersections were compiled by BHP staff members, and were verified by the Competent Person.
· There were no adjustments to the assay data. Data is electronically uploaded to the database from the external laboratory.
· All drill hole data is managed internally via a SQL server hosted database with strict validation rules.
· No twinned holes have been drilled.
Location of data points
· All surface drill hole collar locations (historic and recent) have been surveyed with Leica GS16 Rover and manually entered into acQuire database. Underground drill holes collar locations have been surveyed using Leica TS16 Total Station.
· All coordinates are provided in Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94 Zone 53), and all surface collars correlate well with the Olympic Dam topographic model, and all underground drill collars correlate well with underground development.
Table 3. Collar Dip and Azimuths as presented may not reflect the variation of deep directional drilling effect at depth as per section A-A' in Figure 3.
|
Hole ID |
Type |
Collar location |
Easting |
Northing |
RL |
End of Hole |
Dip |
Azimuth |
|
RD4551 |
parent |
surface |
682,771 |
6,628,552 |
100 |
2262.8 |
-76 |
335 |
|
RD4551W1 |
wedge |
surface |
682,771 |
6,628,552 |
100 |
2260.3 |
-76 |
335 |
|
RD4551W2A |
wedge |
surface |
682,771 |
6,628,552 |
100 |
2257.5 |
-76 |
335 |
|
RD4552A |
parent |
surface |
681,234 |
6,628,589 |
99 |
2337.6 |
-75 |
337 |
|
RD4552AW2 |
wedge |
surface |
681,234 |
6,628,589 |
99 |
2445.3 |
-75 |
337 |
|
RD4552AW3 |
wedge |
surface |
681,234 |
6,628,589 |
99 |
2523.7 |
-75 |
337 |
|
RD4554 |
parent |
surface |
681,885 |
6,628,678 |
98 |
1419.3 |
-76 |
327 |
|
RD4554W1 |
wedge |
surface |
681,885 |
6,628,678 |
98 |
2346.8 |
-76 |
327 |
|
RD4554W2 |
wedge |
surface |
681,885 |
6,628,678 |
98 |
2565.8 |
-76 |
327 |
|
RD4554W3 |
wedge |
surface |
681,885 |
6,628,678 |
98 |
2231.3 |
-76 |
327 |
16
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
|
Hole ID |
Type |
Collar location |
Easting |
Northing |
RL |
End of Hole |
Dip |
Azimuth |
|
RD4561 |
parent |
surface |
682,257 |
6,628,686 |
101 |
1609.1 |
-74 |
353 |
|
RD4561W4 |
wedge |
surface |
682,257 |
6,628,686 |
101 |
1867.0 |
-74 |
353 |
|
RD4568W1 |
wedge |
surface |
682,257 |
6,628,681 |
101 |
2145.5 |
-76 |
319 |
|
RD4571 |
parent |
surface |
683,123 |
6,630,335 |
105 |
2554.9 |
-59 |
152 |
|
RD4572W1 |
wedge |
surface |
683,364 |
6,630,263 |
103 |
2661.9 |
-63 |
148 |
|
RD4573W1 |
wedge |
surface |
682,628 |
6,630,057 |
102 |
2320.0 |
-69 |
158 |
|
RD4574W1 |
wedge |
surface |
683,142 |
6,628,612 |
99 |
2667.0 |
-60 |
334 |
|
RD4575 |
parent |
surface |
683,444 |
6,628,602 |
102 |
1614.8 |
-61 |
336 |
|
RD4577 |
parent |
surface |
681,226 |
6,628,588 |
99 |
691.4 |
-77 |
326 |
|
RD4577W1 |
wedge |
surface |
681,226 |
6,628,588 |
99 |
2511.7 |
-79 |
330 |
|
RD4578A |
parent |
surface |
683,439 |
6,628,607 |
102 |
2449.1 |
-65 |
352 |
|
RU48-14097 |
parent |
underground |
681,942 |
6,630,450 |
-474 |
2254.4 |
-55 |
165 |
|
RU48-14098 |
parent |
underground |
681,942 |
6,630,451 |
-474 |
1982.5 |
-62 |
143 |
|
RU48-14098W1 |
wedge |
underground |
681,942 |
6,630,451 |
-474 |
2388.4 |
-62 |
143 |
|
RU48-14099 |
parent |
underground |
681,837 |
6,630,515 |
-472 |
2073.9 |
-52 |
174 |
|
RU48-17326 |
parent |
underground |
681,942 |
6,630,449 |
-474 |
1801.1 |
-42 |
155 |
|
RU50-12091 |
parent |
underground |
681,581 |
6,629,753 |
-462 |
1100.0 |
65 |
229 |
|
RU50-12093W1 |
wedge |
underground |
681,587 |
6,629,752 |
-461 |
900.0 |
-59 |
189 |
|
RU50-17930 |
parent |
underground |
681,587 |
6,629,751 |
-461 |
867.5 |
-54 |
154 |
|
RU50-17931 |
parent |
underground |
681,586 |
6,629,751 |
-461 |
896.4 |
-45 |
190 |
|
RU50-17932 |
parent |
underground |
681,587 |
6,629,752 |
-462 |
1000.0 |
-69 |
198 |
Data spacing and distribution
· Drilling from surface, and some underground, used parent and wedge-styled drilling.
· Nominal drill space ranging from 160 m to 320 m.
· Sample length was 2 m to 2.5m in length. No compositing was undertaken for reporting.
· Drilling is perpendicular to the interpreted orebody orientation. The current drilling does not provide sufficient information for estimation of a Mineral Resource.
Orientation of data in relation to geological structure
· Drilling at Olympic Dam is designed to intersect nominally perpendicular to the strike of the mineralisation.
· Drill holes were angled approximately north-south and were designed to drill from outside the hydrothermal system, inwards towards mineralisation.
Sample security
· Core trays are transported by BHP contractors from the drill rigs to the core processing facility at Olympic Dam, Roxby Downs. Samples in calico bags are transported from Olympic Dam via road on trucks to Intertek, Adelaide, South Australia.
17
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
· Calico bag numbers are automatically generated. Intertek is informed of the sample number ranges for each pending shipment and are recorded in their management system. Intertek use these to create barcode labels for Kraft geochemical bags used for storing the pulverised samples. On sample receipt, Intertek manually checks the submitted sample list against all samples in the shipment. Once the samples are pulverised, all further steps are tracked using the bar codes. BHP is informed of any discrepancies.
· BHP has internal governance and standards related to sample security and data management. BHP undertakes routine verification of these practices.
Audits or reviews
· OD Deeps exploration results have not been externally audited.
· BHP routinely reviews standards, procedures and results from external laboratories. No issues have been noted from any BHP review.
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
Mineral tenement and land tenure status
· The Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act 1982 (SA) provides statutory authority for an agreement (Indenture) between BHP and the State of South Australia. The Indenture establishes the legal framework for existing and future operations at Olympic Dam and defines the roles and responsibilities of the South Australian Government and BHP. Part of the Indenture provides for the grant of Olympic Dam's special mining lease (SML).
· The indenture confers continuous mining rights (via the SML) to BHP until the deposit is economically depleted. The lease is granted for 50 years, with extension rights for a further 50 years. Additional extensions can be requested. The current 50-year period ends in 2036. All agreements are in place as part of the normal operating practices.
Exploration done by other parties
· The project has a long exploration history, dating back to 1975 by Western Mining Corporation (prior to their acquisition by BHP in 2005) and BHP.
Geology
· The geology of the Olympic Dam iron-oxide copper uranium gold and silver (IOCG) deposit is described comprehensively in numerous publications. In summary, the deposit occurs entirely within the Olympic Dam Breccia Complex (ODBC) (see Figure 6), hosted within the 1,593.28 ± 0.26 Ma Roxby Downs Granite (RDG). The ODBC, which contains the mineralised rock volume, has an overall areal extent of around 50 km2. It is approximately 6 km long and 3 km wide, and typically extends to depths of 900 m and up to 2,300 m beneath the surface locally.
The ODBC is unconformably overlain by approximately ~350 m of unaltered, unmineralized Neoproterozoic to Cambrian flat-lying sedimentary rocks. The primary host rock within the ODBC is the RDG. Lesser, yet significant bedded clastic facies, clasts of 1594.63 ± 0.71 Ma Gawler Range Volcanic felsic feldspar-phyric lavas in hematite-rich breccias and dykes, and mafic-ultramafic lavas/dykes (MDY) which are pre-, syn- and post-mineralisation, are an integral part of the Olympic Dam ore-forming system. The ODBC and surrounding unbrecciated RDG are intruded by the regionally extensive ca 825 Ma Gairdner Dyke Swarm (dolerite). The host rocks for mineralisation consist of RDG and other lithologies (bedded clastic facies, felsic lavas, mafic-ultramafic lavas, sills and dykes, and a subvolcanic quartz-phyric rhyolite), all of which have been weakly to intensely brecciated (via tectonic, magmatic and hydrothermal processes). These are variably replaced by iron oxides forming a compositional continuum from recognisable lithologies to iron oxide breccias, where the primary lithology texture is obliterated by iron oxide alteration. Lithological contacts are typically obscured by faulting and brecciation.
There are more than 125 minerals within the deposit, 15 of which account for more than 98 per cent of the rock mass. The most common gangue minerals are hematite, quartz, muscovite, K-feldspar, chlorite, fluorite, siderite and barite. The dominant sulfide minerals within the deposit are chalcocite/digenite/djurleite (referred to here as chalcocite), bornite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, with lesser concentrations of sphalerite, galena, molybdenite, tennantite-tetrahedrite and trace amounts of native copper. The sulfides typically occur as disseminated grains in the breccia matrix and clasts. The grain size varies from <20 μm up to several millimetres, with an average size of ~100 μm. Sulfides occur rarely as veins in granite-dominated breccias.
The Cu ± Fe sulfides display a distinct upwards and inwards deposit scale zonation, from pyrite → chalcopyrite-pyrite → chalcopyrite exsolution lamellae in brown bornite → purple bornite-chalcocite symplectites → digenite lamellae in chalcocite.
Figure 6. Simplified geological plan of the Olympic Dam deposit, approximately 350 m below surface.
18
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Drill hole information
· Table 1 provides historic hole information for context. Tables 2 and 3, as well as Figures 1 and 5 provide details of new drill hole coordinates, orientations and locations, lengths and mineralised intercepts for the OD Deeps exploration drilling. Figures 2 and 3 provide representative cross sections. Figure 4 provides a representative long section.
Data aggregation methods
· All reported intersections are length and density weighted with reported intersection in Table 2.
· Intervals in Table 2 have more than 1% Cu with no more than 10 consecutive metres of less than 0.5% Cu, with an average internal waste of no more than 3 m. Two exceptions, due drilling orientation, to this are RD4552A (442 m mineralised interval reported) and RU48-14098W1 (177.5 m mineralised interval reported) which have single instances of 14m and 18m, respectively, internal waste <0.5%Cu.
Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths
· Intersections are presented as apparent (downhole) lengths. True width is unknown.
Diagrams
· Figures in the main body text provide details of drill hole location and context.
Balanced reporting
· All exploration results from the OD Deeps exploration program to 9 September 2023 have been included.
Other substantive exploration data
· Representative magnetic susceptibility measurements are recorded at 1 m intervals within mineralisation.
· 2D and pseudo 3D seismic data acquisition was undertaken in July 2022. In June-August 2023 BHP acquired 3D seismic data, with processing underway.
Further work
· BHP will consider future drilling to test lateral and depth extents, as well as grade continuity.
Competent Person statement
The information in the report to which this statement is attached that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Dr Kathy Ehrig, a Competent Person who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM(CP)). Dr Ehrig is a full-time employee of BHP. Dr Ehrig has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Dr Ehrig consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears.
19
BHP | Operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2023
Variance analysis relates to the relative performance of BHP and/or its operations during the six months ended December 2023 compared with the six months ended December 2022, unless otherwise noted. Production volumes, sales volumes and capital and exploration expenditure from subsidiaries are reported on a 100% basis; production and sales volumes from equity accounted investments and other operations are reported on a proportionate consolidation basis. Numbers presented may not add up precisely to the totals provided due to rounding.
The following abbreviations may have been used throughout this report: billion tonnes (Bt); cost and freight (CFR); cost, insurance and freight (CIF), carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), dry metric tonne unit (dmtu); free on board (FOB); giga litres (GL); greenhouse gas (GHG); grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3), grams per tonne (g/t); high-potential injury (HPI); kilograms per tonne (kg/t); kilometre (km); million ounces per annum (Mozpa); metres (m), million pounds (Mlb); million tonnes (Mt); million tonnes per annum (Mtpa); ounces (oz); OZ Minerals Limited (OZL); part per million (ppm), pounds (lb); thousand ounces (koz); thousand ounces per annum (kozpa); thousand tonnes (kt); thousand tonnes per annum (ktpa); thousand tonnes per day (ktpd); tonnes (t); total recordable injury frequency (TRIF); wet metric tonnes (wmt); and year to date (YTD).
In this release, the terms 'BHP', the 'Group', 'BHP Group', 'we', 'us', 'our' and 'ourselves' are used to refer to BHP Group Limited and, except where the context otherwise requires, our subsidiaries. Refer to note 30 'Subsidiaries' of the Financial Statements in BHP's 30 June 2023 Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries. Those terms do not include non-operated assets. Notwithstanding that this release may include production, financial and other information from non-operated assets, non-operated assets are not included in the BHP Group and, as a result, statements regarding our operations, assets and values apply only to our operated assets unless stated otherwise. Our non-operated assets include Antamina and Samarco. BHP Group cautions against undue reliance on any forward-looking statement or guidance in this release. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as at the date of this release and are not guarantees or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this release.
Further information on BHP can be found at bhp.com
Authorised for lodgement by:
Stefanie Wilkinson
Group Company Secretary
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