[BENGALURU] BHP Group flagged delays and cost overruns of about 30 per cent for its key Jansen Stage 1 potash project on Friday (Jul 18), even as the miner reported record annual copper production above two million metric tonnes (Mt) and warned of a decline next year.
The cost blowouts that could be up to US$1.7 billion represents a significant setback for BHP, which had accelerated potash production following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, anticipating higher fertiliser prices due to supply disruptions from sanctioned Russian and Belarusian producers.
The world’s largest listed miner has spent more than a decade trying to break into the potash market as part of its diversification strategy.
BHP attributed the cost blowouts to design and scope changes, inflationary pressures, and lower-than-expected productivity during construction.
BHP said first production from its Jansen Stage 1 potash project in Canada has been pushed back to mid-2027 from the previously targeted end-2026, while capital expenditure estimates have surged to US$7.0 billion to US$7.4 billion from US$5.7 billion.
Adding to the project’s challenges, BHP is considering delaying the second stage of Jansen by two years due to concerns about potential oversupply in the global potash market.
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“Given potential for additional potash supply coming to the market in the medium term, and as part of our regular review of the sequencing of capital projects under the capital allocation framework, we are considering a two-year extension for the execution of Jansen Stage 2,” the company said.
BHP committed US$4.9 billion towards Jansen’s second stage development in October 2023, with first production scheduled before June 2029. The company said it had spent only US$400 million of the committed funds for the second phase.
The miner reported copper production of 2.02 Mt for fiscal 2025, at the upper end of its forecast range. However, it said it expects output to drop to between 1.8 Mt and 2.0 Mt in fiscal 2026, reflecting planned lower grades at its flagship Escondida mine in Chile.
Shares of the company rose 2.9 per cent to A$40.26 by 0144 GMT, outperforming a 1.6 per cent jump in the mining sub-index.
BHP logged record annual iron ore production of 290 Mt, at the upper end of its guidance, while its fourth-quarter output of 77.5 Mt beat consensus estimates.
BHP is also assessing a potential divestment of its Western Australia Nickel assets as part of a review, citing balance sheet impacts from the nickel business. REUTERS
