** Shares in global miner BHP Group BHP.AX down 0.3% to A$36.385, in line with a 0.2% drop in the broader mining sub-index .AXMM
** Analysts at Macquarie, however, upbeat on BHP's copper growth after solid performance at Escondida mine in Chile
** Brokerage increases BHP's copper production forecasts by 3%, 11%, and 5% for FY29-FY31, respectively
** Brokerage says BHP weathered the wet season (Tropical Cyclones Zelia and Sean) better than competitors in the first quarter
** BHP says copper production rose 10% to 513,200 metric tons in the first quarter
** Stock down 8.1% this year, including the day's move
(Reporting by Roushni Nair in Bengaluru)
((Roushni.Nair@thomsonreuters.com))