On December 18, BHP, the Australian resources company, announced its production results for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The report highlights a 10% increase in copper production year-on-year, totaling 1.36 million tons. This rise was largely due to the recent acquisition of OZ Minerals, which contributed significantly with its two mines, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena, enhancing Australia's copper output by 49% to 233,000 tons.
In Chile, the Escondida mine's copper production saw a 7% increase to 816,000 tons, attributed to higher ore grades as operations shifted to a high-grade zone. Despite a decline in overall output at the Pampa Norte division, the Spence mine reported its highest-ever nine-month production of 189,000 tons.
Nickel production in Western Australia modestly grew by 1%, reaching 58,600 tons. The Antamina mine in Peru also reported a production increase of 4%, totaling 106,000 tons.
