BHP has reported a “safe, reliable” first half of financial year 2026 (FY26), with improved injury metrics underpinning stronger operational and financial results across its portfolio.
At a group level, High Potential Injury Frequency (HPIF) declined 20 per cent relative to H2 FY25 and is now 67 per cent lower than HY20, demonstrating sustained long-term improvement. BHP said continued investment in engineering controls, automation and hazard-identification technology – embedded through the BHP Operating System – is helping reduce exposure to high-risk tasks while maintaining productivity.
Further underscoring its focus on safety, the company has in recent months rolled out several safety-led initiatives across its operations. At the Escondida operation in Chile, autonomous haulage and drilling systems are now operating at scale, removing workers from high-risk mining fronts and shifting roles toward remote and technology-enabled environments. In Australia, BHP’s maintenance redesign program has introduced more than 400 initiatives aimed at reducing musculoskeletal strain, including a modified sling-and-shackle set that reduces a routine lifting task from 30kg to 3kg.
The stronger safety performance also coincided with solid operating results. Copper contributed 51 per cent of underlying EBITDA for the half, with production growth of around 30 per cent over four years. Group copper guidance for FY26 has been lifted to 1.9–2.0 million tonnes following strong performance in Chile and South Australia.
The Western Australia Iron Ore business also achieved record first-half production and shipments, reinforcing its position as the lowest cost major producer globally.
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