DEEPFAKES WILL PUNISH WORKPLACES THAT RUN ON ASSUMPTIONS INSTEAD OF
SYSTEMS. THE LAW REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO KEEP WORKPLACES SAFE AND FAIR.
DEEPFAKES TEST WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY CAN. — HOWARD LEVITT & BEHNAM
NADIMFARD
BHP Group, the world’s largest miner, has again blown past cost estimates for its key Jansen
potash project in Leroy, Sask., raising projected investment in the first phase to US$8.4 billion —
US$1 billion above the upper range of an already revised budget announced last year.
Cost and schedule overruns on large projects are not unusual in the sector, but potash — a key
plank of BHP’S strategy as all miners scramble for growth — was approved in August 2021 at
US$5.7 billion. First production is now expected in the middle of 2027, though a second stage of
development is still under review.
Production numbers released on Tuesday for the miner’s current core mines were broadly in
line with analyst estimates, including record first-half output at its Australian iron ore operations. It produced 69.7 million tons of iron ore overall in its second quarter, up five per cent on
the same period a year ago, and reaffirmed its annual production guidance.
Realized prices for iron ore edged higher to US$84.71 per ton. BHP has been locked in a dispute
with China, the top consumer of its steelmaking ingredient, for months. State-owned trader
China Mineral Resources Group Co. has sought to curb steel mills’ purchases from BHP, as part of
a broader effort to increase the country’s negotiating clout and constrain miners’ pricing power.
The Melbourne-based miner said in its statement that it had responded by being more flexible
with shipments, but added it had “seen some impact” to its selling price for iron ore. Other
major foreign producers, including Brazil’s Vale SA, Rio Tinto Group and Fortescue Ltd., will also
need to negotiate with CMRG.
BHP has bought two undeveloped projects in partnership with Canada’s Lundin Mining Corp.
which they have dubbed Vicuña bordering Chile and Argentina. A technical report into Vicuña is
expected in the coming months.
What employers need to do when targeted by deepfakes.
LEVITT & NADIMFARD
National Post · 21 Jan 2026 · Paul-alain Hunt