Andrew Mackenzie

Global miner BHP Billiton has committed to its progressive dividend as it counts the cost of the Brazilian mine disaster, which left 11 people dead.

Mining giant BHP Billiton will write down the value of its onshore US oil and gas assets by more than 30 per cent as it factors in the slump in crude oil prices.

BHP Billiton is facing another $1 billion hit to its bottom line and has cut its full-year iron ore production target.

BHP Billiton has responded to its mammoth interim loss and the prospect of a prolonged downturn by slashing its dividend and adopting a new management structure that leaves Western Australia without a representative in the company’s leadership group.

BHP Billiton says it is not keen on boosting iron ore supplies in a weak market, signalling a change in its long-held position, as it shifts focus to maintaining financial discipline.

BHP Billiton has agreed to a settlement with Brazilian authorities over the Samarco dam disaster worth at least $US2.4 billion ($A3.15 billion)

Aurizon has sealed an eight-year extension to an existing coal haulage contract with mining giant BHP Billiton, giving the troubled freight rail operator some respite.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has called for tax and workplace reforms in Australia, wading into the ongoing political debate ahead of the federal election later this year.

BHP Billiton has cut its iron ore production target for the second time this year, on account of lower expected output at its operations in the Pilbara.

BHP Billiton boss Andrew Mackenzie is confident that the resources behemoth can boost its value by more than 70 per cent, even without a significant recovery in commodity prices.

BHP Billiton will focus on copper and oil as it boosts exploration spending in the coming financial year despite cutting its total capital expenditure.

BHP Billiton has fallen slightly short of its revised iron ore production target for the 2016 financial year as it struggles to make up for the suspension of operations at its Samarco joint venture in Brazil and the impact of bad weather in Western Australia.

The fatal Samarco mine disaster in Brazil will dent BHP Billiton's bottom line by up to $US1.4 billion ($A1.9 billion) for the 2015-16 financial year.

Miner BHP Billiton has posted a loss of $US6.4 billion for the 2016 financial year following its $7.2 billion impairment of US shale assets in January, a slightly better result than had been anticipated by the market.

BHP Billiton is locked in a $1 billion dispute with the Australian Taxation Office over the amount of taxes payable on the sale of Australian commodities to its Singapore marketing business, while its chief executive has seen his annual pay slashed in half follwoing the Samarco dam disaster.

BHP Billiton has reaffirmed its full-year production guidance across all its segments, other than copper, as it sees early signs of a recovery in the commodities markets.

Global miner BHP Billiton says it has no clarity over the timing of a potential restart at its Samarco joint venture operation in Brazil, underlining the continuing uncertainty over the business that was hit by a fatal dam disaster last November.

BHP Billiton's iron ore production jumped 9 per cent during the December quarter with nickel production up by 18 per cent, helping the resources giant maintain its guidance for the full year.

BHP Billiton has posted a first-half profit of $US3.2 billion ($A4.2 billion) as a rebound in prices for iron ore and petroleum helped the resources giant swing back to profitability.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has joined larger rival BHP Billiton in forecasting a near-term moderation in iron ore prices, downplaying the rally that has helped it boost profits and lift shareholder payouts.

BHP Billiton has cut its full-year copper production guidance and outlined plans to sell some of its US shale acreage, while also announcing record iron ore production and reaffirming plans for its South Flank development in the Pilbara.

BHP Billiton has met full-year production targets in its main iron ore and petroleum businesses, with a record result achieved at its Western Australian operation, but fell just short in its troubled copper business due to an extended strike at a Chilean mine.

BHP Billiton has joined its peers in sharply lifting dividends as stronger prices for iron ore, coal and petroleum helped the global miner post a solid return to profitability.

Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder landed a $12.1 million pay packet in his final full year in charge of the Coles and Bunnings operator, while BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie also lifted his total income, but he remained a long way short of the Perth businessman.

BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has seen his annual pay more than double in FY17 after his short term incentive payments (STI) were restored during the year.

BHP Billiton has reaffirmed its full-year production guidance for all its commodities despite posting softer quarterly production for iron ore and copper.

New BHP Billiton chairman Ken MacKenzie has backed his chief executive's performance and cautioned activist shareholders that the board will ultimately determine the company's direction.