JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Global markets remain volatile, with geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and elevated energy and freight costs continuing to create headwinds across the mining industry, BHP CEO Brandon Craig stated on Tuesday, October 20, when the company published its operational review for the quarter ended September 30.

“At the same time, demand for commodities remains resilient, supported by continued industrialisation and urbanisation in China and India, alongside unprecedented investment in data centres and enabling infrastructure globally, which is reinforcing the long-term outlook for copper,” Craig added in BHP’s operational review for the quarter ended September 30.

The copper production of BHP in the quarter was lower, reflecting planned grade declines and scheduled maintenance, alongside temporary disruptions from severe weather, safety stops and a conveyor failure.

Craig lamented the deaths of “two colleagues at Escondida and Peak Downs” as “a profound loss”.

The latest work fatality took place while maintenance was being undertaken on the Line 2 SAG Mill in the Laguna Seca concentrator at Escondida in Chile, and an earlier fatality took place at BMA Peak Downs coal mine in Queensland, Australia.

“Investigations are underway and we will keep strengthening the controls that keep people safe in our pursuit of being a fatality-free business,” Craig added.

BHP’s financial year 2027 (FY27) has begun with BHP’s bulk commodities operation Western Australia Iron Ore setting records at both mine and port, while BHP Mitsubishi Alliance and New South Wales Energy Coal delivering higher production than they did in the same period last year.

“We’re building the next phase of growth in copper and potash. We continued to strengthen one of the world's largest copper portfolios, from funding the Escondida New Concentrator in Chile to growing our resource base and long-term production potential at Copper South Australia, while also expanding our copper growth pipeline across the Americas. Jansen is rapidly taking shape, with Stage 1 now 87% complete and on track for first production in mid-2027, adding a new and important commodity to our portfolio,” said Craig. BHP is advancing the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Total copper production decreased 19% to 401 000 t, with FY27 copper production guidance remaining unchanged at between 1 650 000 t and 1 800 000 t.