---
title: "Weekly Recap: Pilbara industrial action and BHP copper output decline"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293256168.md"
description: "BHP faces Pilbara industrial action and reduced copper output, cutting guidance. The company recorded a $2.3B Jansen impairment and approved a $900M Ministers North iron ore project. Additionally, NSW unveiled a rezoning plan for BHP's Mt Arthur coal mine land."
datetime: "2026-07-20T21:14:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293256168.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293256168.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293256168.md)
---

# Weekly Recap: Pilbara industrial action and BHP copper output decline

ASX:BHP faces industrial action at Pilbara and output pressures—FY23–26 copper production fell and Q4 dropped—while booking a ~$2.3B Jansen impairment and higher D&A; unit costs vary by asset even as BHP greenlights ~$900M Ministers North iron ore project and NSW plans post‑mine rezoning.

**Previous Week Recap**

-   **Pilbara Action Hits BHP**: BHP (BHP) hit by sustained Pilbara industrial action: electrical trades staged stoppages and an eight-hour Port Hedland strike; unions announced protected action and negotiations scheduled to resume. 1 2
-   **Copper Output Dips, Guidance Cuts**: BHP Group (BHP) produced 1.95M t copper year to June 30, down 3%; Q4 output 491.9k t, down 5%. Lower output at Escondida, Pampa Norte and a SA mechanical fault cut next-year guidance up to 15.5%. 3 4 5
-   **BHP Impairment For Jansen**: BHP (BHP) will record a ~ $2.3B impairment in H2 FY2026 tied to the Jansen project; Jansen to show ~-$150M EBITDA and ~ $450M extra D&A from capitalized projects. 6
-   **FY26 Unit Costs Outlook**: BHP says FY26 unit costs: bottom end of guidance for copper assets, within WAIO range, and near top end for BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance). 7
-   **Ministers North Iron Ore Approved**: BHP approved ~$900M to develop Ministers North iron ore in Western Australia with partners. Construction starts this month; production targeted H2 2028, first ore in FY2029, ~20Mtpa output. 8
-   **Mt Arthur Land-Use Master Plan**: NSW unveiled a Master Plan to rezone BHP’s Mt Arthur coal mine land for post‑mining uses; studies estimate the precinct could support up to 4,890 jobs, affecting BHP asset land use. 9

**Disclaimer**

  

This is an AI-generated summary and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify any important information with the original sources.

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