BHP Fiscal Profit $8.13 Billion

As previously reported, BHPB's 80 percent share of the EKATI diamond mine in Canada yielded 3.221 million carats in the fiscal year ended June 30, a year-over-year decrease of 3.8 percent.

Revenue by the Diamonds and Specialty Products group – consisting of diamonds, titanium minerals and potash – was $896 million, a decrease of $73 million, or 7.5 percent, predominantly due to lower diamond prices.

Underlying EBIT at EKATI was impacted by lower diamonds sales volumes and a reduction in average realized prices. This was partially offset by a stronger U.S. dollar, higher value per carat of production and improved plant recoveries, the company reported.

BHPB is seeking to extend EKATI's life from the current nine years by developing future open-cut and underground mines.

Open pit measured resource currently has an average Carats per Ton (CPT) of 0.5 a carat while the underground deposits are estimated at 2.2 carats.

Proved ore reserve at EKATI's open is 4.8 million carats and 2.56 million carats underground.