What were BHP's iron ore and copper production figures for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June, and how did they compare year-on-year?

BHP mined 68.1 million tons of iron ore in the fiscal fourth quarter ended June, down 3% year-on-year; copper production was 491,900 tons, a 5% decrease from the same period last year.

Why is copper production declining despite its growing strategic importance to BHP, and what is the company doing to address it?

Copper production is declining due to lower-grade ores at BHP’s South American operations, including the Escondida mine in Chile; to offset this, the company is investing in the Vicuna copper district on the Chile-Argentina border and expanding production at its Chilean operations.

BHP Iron Ore, Copper Output Slips as Miner Plans Growth

Jul 15, 2026

BHP Group reported a 3% drop in iron ore and 5% decline in copper production for the fourth quarter, despite record full-year iron ore output. The miner plans expansions in potash and copper assets under new CEO Brandon Craig.

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