BHP profits jump as copper becomes main driver for first time
By Frank Prenesti
Date: Tuesday 18 Aug 2026
(Sharecast News) - Australian mining giant BHP posted a sharp jump in annual earnings with copper became its main profit earner, overtaking iron ore for the first time.
Copper operating earnings rose 48% to $18.19bn compared with iron ore's $14.5bn. Group core earnings rose 37% to $33bn.
A final dividend of 99 cents per share was declared, bringing the full-year payout to $1.72 each - a four year high.
Copper prices have hit record highs above $14,000 per metric tonne this year on the back of demand from energy-burning artificial intelligence data centres and the push towards greener power sources.
Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
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