BUZZ-Australia's BHP Group rises on Q2 production surge

BHP Group BHP.AX rises 0.3% to A$40.35

Stock climbed much as 1.8% to its highest since Dec. 13, 2024, earlier in the day

World's largest listed miner's iron ore and copper production surges on mine improvements in the second quarter

Jefferies says BHP had good operational quarter in iron ore output despite wet weather last month, in Chilean copper and met coal (BMA) outputs

But co's avg realized iron ore price fell to $81.11/wmt in H1 FY25 from $103.70/wmt in H1 FY24, above Jefferies' estimates

Stock up 2.3% YTD

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com;))