# BHP and Cerrado Gold mining production reports

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bhp-and-cerrado-gold-mining-production-reports
> Updated: 2026-10-19T22:37:45.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

BHP Group reported divergent production results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. Copper production saw a 19% year-on-year decline to 400,700 tonnes, a decrease attributed to lower planned ore grades at the Escondida and Spence mines in Chile, scheduled maintenance, and operational disruptions such as severe weather and equipment failure at Carrapateena. The company also noted fatalities at its Escondida and Peak Downs sites.

Despite the decline in volume, BHP maintained its full-year copper production guidance of 1.65 to 1.8 million metric tons, aided by copper prices that rose approximately 50% year-on-year. Conversely, iron ore production in Western Australia increased to 66.5 million tonnes, marking quarterly records for both mines and ports. Steelmaking coal and energy coal production also saw growth.

To support future capacity, BHP is planning an underground expansion at its Olympic Dam operation in South Australia. The company is exploring a large-scale underground block-cave mining option, aiming to increase copper production to 500,000 tonnes per annum by 2035 and potentially reaching 650,000 tonnes by 2040.

In related mining news, Cerrado Gold reported a 21% increase in gold equivalent production at its Don Nicolás mine in Argentina during the third quarter of 2026, driven by operational improvements.

## Claims

- BHP copper production for the quarter ending September was 400,700 tonnes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Iron ore production reached 66.5 million tonnes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Copper production decreased by 19% compared to the previous year. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The realized iron ore price was US$76.27 per tonne. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- BHP aims to increase South Australian copper production to 500,000 tonnes annually by 2035. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Two fatalities occurred at the Escondida and Peak Downs mines. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- BHP's full-year copper production guidance is between 1.65 and 1.8 million tonnes. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Oak Dam exploration project has been renamed to Ankata. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Cerrado Gold and BHP report divergent mining production results

Cerrado Gold saw a 21% rise in gold production at its Argentine mine, while BHP reported a 19% drop in copper output due to maintenance and weather at Chile's Escondida mine.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cerrado-gold-and-bhp-report-divergent-mining-production-results

### 2026-10-19: BHP Group reports 19% drop in copper production amid operational disruptions

BHP Group's Q1 FY27 copper production fell 19% due to maintenance and weather disruptions, though it maintained annual guidance. Iron ore production rose, and the company announced expansion plans for Olympic_s

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhp-reports-mixed-production-with-copper-decline-and-iron-ore-growth

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Cite as: BHP and Cerrado Gold mining production reports. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bhp-and-cerrado-gold-mining-production-reports