BHP posts 7.0pc rise in iron ore output

MELBOURNE, Oct 20 (Reuters): BHP Group Ltd posted on Tuesday a 7.2 per cent rise in first-quarter iron ore production, slightly above expectations, supported by stable demand from China, the world's top consumer of the steelmaking ingredient.

As the world grapples with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, major miners are hoping Beijing's commodity-intensive stimulus measures will deliver an economic rebound for China.

The world's largest listed miner produced 74 million tonnes (Mt) of Western Australia Iron Ore in the three months ended Sept. 30, up from 69 Mt a year earlier and slightly above a UBS estimate of 73.5 Mt.

BHP said, however, that December quarter iron ore production will be affected by work linking its Mining Area C and South Flank projects in Western Australia. Its full-year forecast of 276 milllion - 286 million tonnes was kept unchanged.