(Reuters) -BHP Group’s first-quarter iron ore output came in a little lower than estimates on Tuesday, as planned maintenance, including rebuilding of a piece of equipment at Port Hedland, weighed on production at its Western Australian operations.

The world’s largest listed miner said iron ore production from its Western Australia mine operations on a 100% basis was 70.2 million metric tonnes (Mt) in the three months ended September 30, compared with a Visible Alpha consensus estimate of 71.55 Mt.

BHP had recorded iron ore output from its Western Australian operations of 71.6 Mt a year earlier.

Sales from the operations were broadly in line with the prior year, with BHP reporting a 5% sales rise of higher-value lump.

The major rebuild of Car Dumper 3 at Port Hedland, which reduced vol

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