Total iron ore production increased by one per cent to 129 Mt in
FY1H2022. Guidance
for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged at between 249 and 259 Mt.
WAIO finished the half year at near record production levels at 127 Mt
(144 Mt on a 100 per cent basis), despite impacts of temporary labour
constraints relating to COVID-19 border restrictions and the planned
major maintenance on car dumper one and the Jimblebar train load out.
This reflects continued strong supply chain performance including higher
car dumper performance and improved rail cycle times. South Flank ramp
up to full production capacity of 80 Mtpa (100 per cent basis) over
three years remains on track with a peak rate of 45 Mtpa achieved in the
half year contributing to record lump sales. In December 2021, we
approved the South Flank Autonomous Haulage Project to automate the
current fleet of Komatsu haul trucks. The project is scheduled to
commence in the June 2022 quarter and is expected to be completed within
18 months. The proposed easing of Western Australia’s border
restrictions on 5 February 2022 may introduce some short-term disruption
to the operating environment as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves in the
state.
Samarco production was 2.1 Mt (BHP share), following the recommencement
of iron ore pellet production at one concentrator in December 2020.
Guidance of between 3 and 4 Mt (BHP share) remains unchanged for the
2022 financial year.
Iron Ore Production and Guidance
Production |
Dec Q21 |
Dec Q21 vs Dec Q20 |
Dec Q21 vs Sep Q21 |
FY22 guidance |
Iron ore (Mt) |
66.1 |
6% |
4% |
249 – 259 |
WAIO (Mt) |
65.1 |
4% |
5% |
246 – 255 |
WAIO (100% basis) (Mt) |
73.9 |
5% |
5% |
278 – 288 |
Samarco (Mt) |
1 |
>100% |
-2% |
3 – 4 |
|
(To contact the reporter on this story: cody.wang@steelhome.cn or 86-555-2238837 18725550282) |