Global miner BHP beat first-quarter iron ore output estimates on Thursday, spurred by easing of bottlenecks at its Western Australia operations amid efforts by China to revive its grappling property market and faltering economic growth.

BHP Group Ltd. said iron ore output in its first quarter rose 2% from the year before, as concerns grow that moves by major miners to ramp up production of the steel-making material may lead to over-supply.

BHP Group Ltd. said iron ore output in its first quarter rose 2% from the year-before, as moves by major miners to ramp up production raise the specter of over-supply.Most Read from BloombergInside th

BHP beat first-quarter iron ore output estimates on Thursday as the mining giant benefited from efforts to ease bottlenecks at its Western Australia operations, while copper production was lifted by better grades at its Escondida mine.

BHP boss Mike Henry expects China to beef up its so far underwhelming stimulus measures aimed at reviving its ailing economy amid growing concerns about iron ore prices.

The Australian mining giant said it produced 64.6 million metric tons of iron ore in the three months through September, up 2% on a year earlier. Copper production rose by 4% to 476,300 tons, the company said.