BHP and Rio rise above China-Australia tensions

Iron ore and copper prices hit 8-year highs amid Beijing's infrastructure spree

20210120 BHP Billiton's open cut iron ore mine

A BHP Billiton iron ore mine site at Newman, Western Australia. While other industries were hammered by COVID, Australia's mining companies enjoyed brisk demand from China in 2020. © Getty Images

RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Australian resource giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have increased iron ore production thanks to an infrastructure binge in China, a country that has otherwise been intent on slapping Australia with economic penalties.

"BHP delivered strong safety and operational performance in the first half of the 2021 financial year, including record production at Western Australia Iron Ore," BHP Billiton CEO Mike Henry said.

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