BHP stumps up close to $1 billion into Queensland coffers
BHP paid almost $1 billion in taxes and royalties from its Queensland operations in the last financial year, but that was about $300 million less than the previous year.
BHP's Hay Point coal terminal
The funds were part of what the company claimed was $33 billion it contributed to Australia in the 2019-20 financial year.
The president of its BHP-Mitsubishi Alliance joint venture, which owns the Queensland coal operations, James Palmer said the $33 billion had created thousands of jobs and funded projects as well as paid small businesses and contractors in regional areas.
BHP Coal is the state’s biggest producer of coal for export in the steel industry.
“In Queensland, BHP paid about $920 million in taxes and royalties, helping fund Queensland’s hospitals, schools and services we rely on,” Palmer said.
The payments were lower than the $1.2 billion it paid the previous year. The reduction was due to the lower price for coal.
“Our priorities are to keep people safe, to support those who rely on us and keep our operations running safely.
“We will continue to invest in Queensland, employ and train Queenslanders and support our regional suppliers and communities.”
The company earlier this year reported higher volumes at Queensland Coal, including record production at Poitrel mine, following significant wet weather events impacting operations in the prior quarter.
