Are you invested in the two biggest ASX 200 mining shares, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)?
The former is a diversified mining giant with significant operations in iron ore and copper, along with met coal.
It also has a nickel mining operation in care and maintenance, and is building a potash project in Canada.
The latter is an iron ore pure-play with a green energy business in its formative years, focused on hydrogen and ammonia.
As always, the iron ore price heavily influenced both BHP and Fortescue share prices and dividends in 2025.
The iron ore price finished the year at US$107.13 per tonne, up 6.5%.
The copper price was also relevant to BHP, which is now the world's largest producer of the red metal.
The copper price ripped 42% in 2025 due to growing demand for electrification, and hit a record above US$6 per pound just last week.
Image source: Getty Images
Which ASX 200 miner provided the best returns in 2025?
In terms of capital growth, Fortescue shares win
It was a terrific year for ASX 200 mining shares, with the materials sector the best performer of the 11 market sectors by a country mile.
The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rose by 31.71% and produced total returns, including dividends, of 36.21%.
The sector outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by more than 4:1.
The ASX 200 rose 6.8% and gave a total return of 10.32%.
As the chart below shows, Fortescue shares had superior capital growth to BHP stock last year.
The Fortescue share price rose 20.6% from $18.25 per share on 31 December 2024 to $22.01 per share on 31 December 2025.
The BHP share price lifted 15% from $39.55 per share on 31 December 2024 to $45.49 per share on 31 December 2025.
On dividends, Fortescue shares win, too
In dollar terms, BHP actually paid more at $1.71 per share compared to Fortescue's $1.10 in 2025, both with full franking credits.
But dollar terms is pretty meaningless.
The comparative dividend yield is much more relevant to investors.
Using the closing share prices on 31 December as our guide, we can assess which ASX 200 mining share delivered the best dividend.
On this basis, Fortescue shares delivered a trailing dividend yield of 5%.
BHP shares provided a trailing dividend yield of 3.8%.
