Total iron ore production
increased by four per cent to a record 248 Mt (281 Mt on a 100 per cent
basis). Production of between 244 and 253 Mt (276 and 286 Mt on a 100
per cent basis) is expected in the 2021 financial year. We continue with
our program to improve productivity and provide a stable base for our
tightly coupled supply chain and this includes a major maintenance
campaign on car dumper three planned for the September 2020 quarter,
with a corresponding impact expected on production.
WAIO achieved record production,
with higher volumes reflecting record production at Jimblebar and Yandi.
Weather impacts from Tropical Cyclone Blake and Tropical Cyclone Damien,
were offset by strong performance across the supply chain, with
significant improvements in productivity and reliability following a
series of targeted maintenance programs over the past four years. This
enabled WAIO to produce at a record annualised run rate above 300 Mt
(100 per cent basis) during the June 2020 quarter.
Consistent with our revised mine
plan, the typical specification of Jimblebar fines improved to above 60
per cent Fe grade in the June 2020 quarter.
WAIO continues to focus on
operating safely and despite the de-escalation of COVID-19 restrictions
in Western Australia, a series of preventative measures remain in place
to minimise the spread of COVID-19. WAIO has returned to normal shift
rosters and has reopened the Perth office. To meet border controls
introduced by the Western Australian Government, over 900 employees and
contractors in business critical roles temporarily relocated to Western
Australia, including the majority of specialist roles who are based
interstate, such as train drivers and train load out operators. These
employees remain in Western Australia.
Mining and processing operations
at Samarco remain suspended following the failure of the Fundão tailings
dam and Santarém water dam on 5 November 2015. Operation readiness
activities for Samarco’s restart have been slowed as a result of a
reduced workforce, as part of the COVID-19 response. Restart can occur
when the filtration system is complete and Samarco has met all necessary
safety requirements, and will be subject to final approval by Samarco’s
shareholders.
The South Flank project is
tracking well and remains on schedule for first production in the middle
of the 2021 calendar year. Consistent with our other assets, measures
designed to conduct safe operations in compliance with strict health and
travel guidelines remain in place at South Flank to help reduce the
spread of COVID-19.
T1: Operational Performance
|
FY20 |
Jun
Q20 |
FY20 vs FY19 |
Jun
Q20 vs Jun Q19 |
Jun
Q20 vs Mar Q20 |
FY21 guidance |
Iron
ore (Mt) |
248 |
67 |
4% |
7% |
11% |
244 –
253 |
WAIO
(100% basis) (Mt) |
281 |
76 |
4% |
6% |
11% |
276 –
286 |
T2: Iron Ore Production Summary
in BHP Interest
|
|
Quarter ended |
FY
to date |
Production (kt) (1) |
BHP
interest |
Jun-19 |
Sep-19 |
Dec-19 |
Mar-20 |
Jun-20 |
Jun-20 |
Jun-19 |
Newman |
85% |
17,058 |
16,316 |
15,766 |
16,449 |
17,110 |
65,641 |
66,622 |
Area C
Joint Venture |
85% |
13,837 |
12,620 |
12,727 |
12,179 |
13,973 |
51,499 |
47,440 |
Yandi
Joint Venture |
85% |
17,486 |
17,827 |
14,857 |
17,491 |
19,087 |
69,262 |
65,197 |
Jimblebar (2) |
85% |
14,209 |
14,239 |
17,045 |
13,911 |
16,559 |
61,754 |
58,546 |
Wheelarra |
85% |
5 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
159 |
Samarco |
50% |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
|
62,595 |
61,005 |
60,395 |
60,030 |
66,729 |
248,159 |
237,964 |
Note: (1) Iron ore production is
reported on a wet tonnes basis. (2) Shown on a 100% basis. BHP interest
in saleable production is 85%.
T3: Production and Sales
in
kt |
|
2019 Q2 |
2019 Q3 |
2019 Q4 |
2020 Q1 |
2020 Q2 |
FY2020 |
FY2019 |
Pilbara, Australia |
Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newman |
17,058 |
16,316 |
15,766 |
16,449 |
17,110 |
65,641 |
66,622 |
Area C
Joint Venture |
13,837 |
12,620 |
12,727 |
12,179 |
13,973 |
51,499 |
47,440 |
Yandi
Joint Venture |
17,486 |
17,827 |
14,857 |
17,491 |
19,087 |
69,262 |
65,197 |
Jimblebar (1) |
14,209 |
14,239 |
17,045 |
13,911 |
16,559 |
61,754 |
58,546 |
Wheelarra |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
159 |
Total
production |
62,595 |
61,005 |
60,395 |
60,030 |
66,729 |
248,159 |
237,964 |
Total
production (100%) |
71,133 |
69,257 |
68,044 |
68,168 |
75,589 |
281,058 |
269,599 |
Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lump |
15,568 |
14,785 |
15,982 |
15,617 |
17,252 |
63,636 |
58,205 |
Fines |
48,064 |
45,509 |
45,785 |
44,764 |
50,904 |
186,962 |
180,631 |
Total |
63,632 |
60,294 |
61,767 |
60,381 |
68,156 |
250,598 |
238,836 |
Total
sales (100%) |
72,173 |
68,291 |
69,481 |
68,439 |
77,048 |
283,259 |
270,205 |
Samarco, Brazil |
Production |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sales |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
10 |
Official Document |
(To contact the reporter on this story: cody.wang@steelhome.cn or 86-555-2238837 18725550282) |