BHP lifted copper production 11 per cent in the September quarter, compared to a year ago, and says it remains on track to meet full-year production and unit cost guidance across all assets.
Chief executive Mike Henry said it was a busy quarter of planned maintenance, particularly at the miner's Australian assets, especially the seven central Queensland coalmines it co-owns with Mitsubishi.
BHP's Spence copper mine in Chile increased production by 19 per cent to a record 69,000 tonnes, largely as a result of improved performance at its $US2.5 billion concentrator plant completed last year.
