News: BHP UPDATE 1-BHP posts record annual iron ore production

(Adds details about results throughout)

July 17 (Reuters) -

BHP Group (BHP) on Wednesday posted another record annual iron ore production, helped by improved weather conditions and higher contribution from its South Flank operations in Western Australia.

BHP said its South Flank operations have ramped up to full operational capacity of 80 million tonnes during the quarter.

The world's largest listed miner said iron ore output from Western Australia on a 100% basis was 76.8 million tonnes (Mt) in the three months to June 30, beating a Visible Alpha consensus estimate of 75.4 Mt as compiled by Macquarie.

The global miner had recorded Western Australia iron ore output of 72.7 Mt last year.

For the full year, BHP produced 287.0 Mt. It expects to produce between 282 Mt and 294 Mt for fiscal 2025.

It also said copper production for the full year was 1,865.2 kilo tonnes (kt), 9% above the prior year, helped by higher concentrator grade and throughput at Escondida.

Last week, BHP flagged it will

suspend

its Western Australia nickel operations from October.