BHP announced that total iron ore production increased by eight per cent to 66 million tonne (74 million tonne on a 100 per cent basis). Guidance for the 2021 financial year remains unchanged at between 244 and 253 million tonne (276 and 286 million tonne on a 100 per cent basis).

WAIO achieved higher volumes reflecting record production at Jimblebar and strong performance across the supply chain. An uplift in car dumper reliability and performance has been enabled by the BHP Operating System and improved maintenance strategies. The ongoing program to improve productivity and provide a stable base for our tightly coupled supply chain has progressed well with the completion of a planned major maintenance campaign on car dumper three during the September 2020 quarter. Production in the December 2020 quarter is expected to be impacted by Mining Area C and South Flank major tie-in activity, and maintenance on car dumper four, scheduled to align with the tie-in activity.

Mining and processing operations at Samarco remain suspended following the failure of the Fund§o tailings dam and Santar6m water dam on 5 November 2015. Restart can occur when the filtration system is complete and Samarco has met all necessary safety requirements, and will be subject to final approval by Samarcos shareholders.

BHP and the Banjima people have established a Heritage Advisory Council to provide input into mine planning at South Flank. The consultation process continues in parallel with our construction program at South Flank, which remains on schedule.

Heading	BHP	SepQ'19	DecQ'19	MarQ'20	JunQ'20	SepQ'20	YTD'20	YTD'19
Newman	85%	16,316	15,766	16,449	17,110	16,410	16,410	16,316
Area C Joint Venture	85%	12,620	12,727	12,179	13,973	11,889	11,889	12,620
Yandi Joint Venture	85%	17,827	14,857	17,491	19,087	17,666	17,666	17,827
Jimblebar (6)	85%	14,239	17,045	13,911	16,559	20,075	20,075	14,239
Wheelarra	85%	3	-	-	-	-	-	3
Samarco	50%	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total		61,005	60,395	60,030	66,729	66,040	66,040	61,005

In ‘000 tonnes