April 17 (Reuters) - BHP Group (BHP.AX) , opens new tab reported a slightly lower third-quarter iron ore output on Thursday due to cyclones, while a ramp-up at Escondida mine prompted it to forecast 2025 Chilean copper production in the upper half of its guidance range.

The world's largest listed miner was forced to temporarily halt operations at Port Hedland, the world's largest iron ore export hub, after Cyclone Zelia struck Western Australia's Pilbara region in February, following earlier disruptions from Cyclone Sean in January.

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Despite inclement weather, BHP hit record nine-month output from its Pilbara operations, where the South Flank and Mining Area C sites benefited from the completed ramp-up of South Flank last year and a 13% boost in mining activity.

Shares of the company rose 0.6% to A$36.2, as of 0027 GMT, largely in-line with a 1% jump in the broader mining sub-index (.AXMM) , opens new tab.

Copper production rose 10% to 513,200 metric tons in the quarter, bolstered by a 20% jump in volumes at the Escondida mine in Chile due to improved operational performance.

The company said it expects to meet its fiscal 2025 unit cost targets across all operations except at its BMA coal joint venture, where costs are projected to rise due to adverse weather and geological issues at the Broadmeadow mine.

BHP has been leveraging revenue from its iron ore business, which still generates over half its earnings, to expand copper and potash projects, as it positions for growth from the energy transition.

Iron ore production from the global miner's Western Australia operations eased to 67.8 million tons in the quarter ended March 31, from 68.1 million tons a year earlier, in line with Visible Alpha consensus view of 68.03 million tons.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/bhps-third-quarter-iron-ore-output-falls-marginally-2025-04-16/