BHP Billiton: 'strong' operating performance in first half

(CercleFinance.com) - BHP Billiton said on Thursday that it recorded a "strong operating performance" in its first half ended 31 December, with the global miner benefiting from higher prices.


The firm posted reported a 17% rise in copper output to 833,000 tonnes from the same period a year earlier, with the ramp-up of the Los Colorados extension project in Chile.

Iron ore output was unchanged in the first half, at 117 million tonnes.

All major projects being developed are going according to plan, the miner said.

With incremental production from latent capacity projects in iron ore and copper, volume growth is expected to reach at 6% over the full year, BHP added.

The group also said that underlying EBIT in the December 2017 half year is expected to include impairment charges, predominately related to Escondida mine, ranging between 250 million dollars and 350 million dollars.

BHP shares were broadly unchanged (+0.1%) in London after these figures.

Copyright (c) 2018 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.