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{{Short description|Australian multinational mining and metals company}}
{{About|the company|the unit of measurement|Horsepower#Brake horsepower|other uses|BHP (disambiguation){{!}}BHP (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Billiton|the Indonesian island formerly known as Billiton|Belitung}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = BHP Group Limited
| logo = BHP 2017 logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| image = BHP Tower Perth WA.jpg
| image_caption = BHP Office Tower in [[Perth]], [[Western Australia]]
| type = [[Public limited company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{plainlist|
* {{ASX|BHP}} 
* [[S&P/ASX 50]] component
}}
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|AU000000BHP4}}
| area_served = Global
| key_people = {{ubl|[[Ross McEwan]] (chair)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ker |first=Peter |date=2025-03-30 |title=BHP's new chairman Ross McEwan meets investors, reads up on history |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/bhp-s-new-chairman-ross-mcewan-meets-investors-reads-up-on-history-20250328-p5lnec |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=Australian Financial Review}}</ref>}} [[Mike Henry (businessman)|Mike Henry]] (CEO)<ref>{{cite web|publisher=BHP |title=Mike Henry|url= https://www.bhp.com/about/board-and-management/mike-henry|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
| industry = [[Metals]] and [[mining]]
| products = [[Iron ore]], coal, copper, gold, nickel, [[uranium]]
| revenue = {{decrease}} {{USD|51.26&nbsp;billion|link=yes}} (2025)<ref name="ar">{{cite web |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2025/250819_bhpannualreport2025.pdf |title=Annual Report 2025 |publisher=BHP |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{USD|19.46&nbsp;billion}} (2025)<ref name="ar"/>
| net_income = {{increase}} {{USD|11.14&nbsp;billion}} (2025)<ref name="ar"/>
| assets = {{increase}} {{USD|108.8&nbsp;billion}} (2025)<ref name="ar"/>
| equity = {{increase}} {{USD|52.22&nbsp;billion}} (2025)<ref name="ar"/>
| num_employees = 91,304 (2025)<ref name="ar"/>
| foundation = {{Start date and age|13 August 1885}} (as the Broken Hill Proprietary Company)<br/>29 June 2001 (as BHP Billiton)
| location = [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.bhp.com}}
}}
[[File:BHP Billiton.png|thumb|The former BHP Billiton logo]]

'''BHP Group Limited''', founded as the '''Broken Hill Proprietary Company''', is an Australian [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] mining and metals [[public company|corporation]]. BHP was established in August 1885 and is headquartered in [[Melbourne]], Victoria.<ref>{{cite news |title=Silverton |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6088837 |access-date=21 August 2020 |work=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |date=30 July 1885 |location=Melbourne, Vic. |page=10}}</ref>

As of 2024, BHP was the world's largest mining company by market capitalisation<ref>{{cite web |title=Leading mining companies worldwide based on market capitalization in May 2024|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/272706/top-10-mining-companies-worldwide-based-on-market-value/ |website=[[Statista]] |access-date=29 October 2024 |date=2024 }}</ref> and the world's third-largest by [[revenue]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biggest Mining Companies |url=https://www.investopedia.com/biggest-mining-companies-5077594 |last=Johnston |first=Matthew |date=September 24, 2024 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Investopedia}}</ref> The company specialises in mining and selling [[iron ore]], [[copper]] and [[coal]].<ref name="ar"/>

'''BHP Billiton''' was formed in June 2001 through the merger of the Australian '''Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited''' (BHP) and the Anglo–Dutch '''Billiton plc''', trading on both the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] and [[London Stock Exchange]] as a [[dual-listed company]].

In 2015, some BHP Billiton assets were demerged and rebranded as [[South32]], while a scaled-down BHP Billiton became BHP. In 2018, BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton plc became BHP Group Limited and BHP Group plc, respectively. In January 2022, BHP relinquished its London Stock Exchange listing, becoming a solely Australian Securities Exchange-listed company. As of 2022, BHP is the largest company in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest Australia companies by market capitalization |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/australia/largest-companies-in-australia-by-market-cap |website=CompaniesMarketCap.com |access-date=22 July 2022 }}</ref> and the largest mining company in the world, both as measured by market capitalisation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Largest mining companies by market cap 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/272706/top-10-mining-companies-worldwide-based-on-market-value/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Statista }}</ref> In 2023, the company's position in the [[Forbes Global 2000|''Forbes'' Global 2000]] was 90th.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=51d599675ac0|title=The Global 2000 2023|website=Forbes|access-date=2024-02-07|archive-date=2024-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129031905/https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=4f5ab07e5ac0}}</ref>

==History==
===Billiton===
[[File:Billiton logo.png|right|thumb|The former Billiton logo]]
[[:nl:Billiton Maatschappij|Billiton Maatschappij]] was founded 29 September 1860, when its articles of association were approved by a meeting of [[shareholder]]s in the ''Groot Keizershof'' hotel in [[The Hague]], Netherlands.<ref>{{cite book |last=van den Berg |first=Jurrien |editor1-last=Houben |editor1-first=V. J. H. |editor2-last=Lindblad |editor2-first=J. Thomas |title=Coolie Labour in Colonial Indonesia: A Study of Labour Relations in the Outer Islands, C. 1900-1940 |date=1999 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |location=Wiesbaden |isbn=9783447041355 |page=212 |chapter=Tin island: labour conditions of coolies in the Billiton mines in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries}}</ref><ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/aboutUs/companyOverview/ourHistory/billitonHistory.jsp |title=Billiton History |website=BHPBilliton.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218154613/http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/aboutUs/companyOverview/ourHistory/billitonHistory.jsp| archive-date=18 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Womack|first=Tom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2J4hCwAAQBAJ&q=Billiton+was+founded+29+September+1860&pg=PA314|title=The Allied Defense of the Malay Barrier, 1941-1942|date=2015-12-01|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-2267-5|language=en}}</ref> Two months later, the company acquired [[mineral rights]] to the Billiton (''[[Belitung]]'') and [[Bangka Island]]s in the [[Netherlands Indies]] [[archipelago]] off the eastern coast of [[Sumatra]].<ref name="history"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Somers Heidhues|first=Mary F.|title=Company Island: A Note on the History of Belitung|url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/53949/INDO_51_0_1106965317_1_20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|access-date=29 June 2020|website=Cornell}}</ref>

Billiton's initial ventures included tin and lead [[smelting]] in the Netherlands, followed in the 1940s by [[bauxite]] mining in [[Indonesia]] and [[Suriname]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsFFWlQ8RwEC&pg=PA887|title=Four Centuries of Dutch-American Relations: 1609-2009|first1=Hans |last1=Krabbendam|first2=Cornelis A. |last2=van Minnen|first3=Giles |last3=Scott-Smith|publisher=Suny Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1438430133|page=887}}</ref> In 1970, [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] acquired Billiton.<ref name="history"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Cebon|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sRmHhCgNPXAC&q=In+1970,+Shell+acquired+Billiton&pg=PT107|title=Measured Success: Innovation Management in Australia|date=2008-07-15|publisher=Melbourne Univ. Publishing|isbn=978-0-522-85988-1|language=en}}</ref> Billiton opened a tin smelting and refining plant in [[Phuket]], Thailand, named Thaisarco (for Thailand Smelting And Refining Company, Limited).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaisarco.com/overview.html|title=Overview|publisher=Thaisarco|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313235000/http://www.thaisarco.com/overview.html|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1994, South Africa's [[Gencor]] acquired the mining division of Billiton excluding the downstream metal division.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DF1E3EF934A15754C0A962958260 |title=Shell Unit Sells Assets To Gencor |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=27 July 1994 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref> Billiton was divested from Gencor in 1997,<ref>{{cite news |first=Julie |last=Walker |url=http://www.btimes.co.za/97/0622/comp/comp.htm |title=Gencor pops champagne on achieving its ambitious global dream|work= Business Times |date=22 June 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927150152/http://www.btimes.co.za/97/0622/comp/comp.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> and was amalgamated with [[Gold Fields]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/11/business/south-african-gold-giants-to-combine.html|title=South African Gold Giants to Combine|date=11 October 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In 1997, Billiton plc became a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Coulson|first=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jyraAgAAQBAJ&q=bhp+billiton+ftse+100+1997&pg=PA162|title=An Insider's Guide to the Mining Sector: An In-Depth Study of Gold and Mining Shares|date=2008|publisher=Harriman House Limited|isbn=978-1-905641-55-0|language=en}}</ref> and in 2001 Billiton plc [[Mergers and acquisitions|merged]] with the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) to form BHP Billiton.<ref name="merger">{{cite news |title=BHP-Billiton merger confirmed |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC]] |date=19 March 2001 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s262552.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041124205710/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s262552.htm |archive-date=24 November 2004}}</ref>

=== Broken Hill Proprietary Company ===
[[File:BHP Logo (vector).svg|thumb|The former Broken Hill Proprietary Company logo]]
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP), also known by the [[nickname]] "the Big Australian",<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrinking 'The Big Australian': BHP write-downs top $A3B |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Shrinking+%27The+Big+Australian%27%3A+BHP+write-downs+top+%24A3B.-a021092804 |access-date=26 July 2018 |work=Engineering & Mining Journal |date=1 August 1998 |location=[[TheFreeLibrary.com]] |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726104102/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Shrinking+%27The+Big+Australian%27%3A+BHP+write-downs+top+%24A3B.-a021092804 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was incorporated on 13 August 1885, operating the silver and lead mine at [[Broken Hill]], in western [[New South Wales]], Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gabr.net.au/biogs/ABE0041b.htm |title=The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd (1885 – 2000) |website=Guide to Australian Business Records |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | author=[[Wendy Lewis]], Simon Balderstone and John Bowan | title=Events That Shaped Australia | page=79 | publisher=New Holland | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-74110-492-9 }}</ref> The Broken Hill group floated on 10 August 1885.<ref name="jay">Jay, Christopher. (1999) ''A Future More Prosperous: The History of Newcastle Steelworks 1912–1999'', The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, Newcastle. p. 30.</ref> The first consignment of Broken Hill ore (48 tons, 5 cwt, 3grs) was smelted at the Intercolonial Smelting and Refining Company's works at [[Spotswood, Victoria]], a suburb of Melbourne.<ref name="jay"/> Historian Christopher Jay notes:

<blockquote>The resulting 35,605 ounces of silver raised a lot of interest when exhibited at the City of Melbourne Bank in [[Collins Street, Melbourne|Collins Street]]. Some sceptics asserted the promoters were merely using silver from somewhere else, to ramp up the shares.... Another shareholder, the dominating [[W. R. Wilson]] had had to lend [[William Jamieson (mining)|William Jamieson]], General Manager, a new suit so he could take the first prospectus, printed at Silverton near Broken Hill on 20 June 1885, to Adelaide to start the float process.<ref name="jay"/></blockquote>

The geographic Broken Hill, for which the town was named, was discovered and named by Captain [[Charles Sturt]], stirring great interest among prospectors. Nothing of note was discovered until 5 November 1883, when [[Charles Rasp]], [[boundary rider]] for the surrounding [[Mount Gipps Station]], pegged out a 40-acre claim with contractors David James and James Poole.<ref>Coulls, A. [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rasp-charles-4452 "Rasp, Charles (1846 - 1907)"], ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Volume 6. Melbourne University Press, 1976. p. 9.</ref>

Together with a [[Syndicate of Seven|half-dozen backers]], including station manager [[George McCulloch (mine owner)|George McCulloch]] (a young cousin of Victorian Premier [[James McCulloch|Sir James McCulloch]]),<ref>Oxford Dictionary of National Biography</ref> Rasp formed the '''Broken Hill Company''' staking out the entire Hill. As costs mounted during the ensuing months of fruitless search, three of the original seven (now remembered as the [[Syndicate of Seven]]) sold their shares, so that, on the eve of the company's great success, there were nine shareholders, including Rasp, McCulloch, Philip Charly (aka Charley), David James, James Poole (five of the original syndicate of seven, which had previously included George Urquhart and G.A.M. Lind), Bowes Kelly, W. R. Wilson, and William Jamieson (who had bought shares from several of the founders).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11102036 |title=Treasure Hill on Sheep Station |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=2 September 1937 |access-date=20 July 2013 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=United States Congressional Serial Set, Volume 2591 |date=1889 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=344 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VkZHAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>

[[John Darling, Jr.]] became a director of the company in 1892 and was chairman of directors from 1907 to 1914.<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |first=H. S. K. |last=Kent |title=Darling, John (1852–1914) |id2=darling-john-3876 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>

Strongly encouraged by the [[New South Wales]] Minister for Public Works, [[Arthur Hill Griffith]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Arthur Hill Griffith (1861–1946) |encyclopedia=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]] |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/griffith-arthur-hill-6486 |access-date=26 July 2018 |last=Nairn |first=Bede |chapter= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=David |title=On an island in the River: The establishment of the Walsh Island Dockyard & Engineering Works, Newcastle, 1910–1919 |url=http://www.reocities.com/Athens/acropolis/9968/aha97b.html |website=[[Reocities]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123073533/http://www.reocities.com/Athens/acropolis/9968/aha97b.html |archive-date=23 November 2013 |date=1997}}</ref> in 1915, the company ventured into steel manufacturing, with its operations based primarily at the [[Newcastle Steelworks]]. The decision to move from mining ore at Broken Hill to opening a steelworks at Newcastle was due to the technical limitations in recovering value from mining the lower-lying sulphide ores.<ref>Jay, Christopher. (1999) ''A Future More Prosperous: The History of Newcastle Steelworks 1912–1999'', The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, Newcastle. p. 34.</ref> The discovery of [[Iron Knob]] and Iron Monarch near the western shore of the [[Spencer Gulf]] in [[South Australia]], combined with the refinement, by BHP metallurgists [[A. D. Carmichael]] and [[Leslie Bradford]], of the [[froth flotation]] technique for separating zinc sulphides from the accompanying [[gangue]] and subsequent conversion (Carmichael–Bradford process) to oxides of the metal, allowed BHP to economically extract valuable metals from the heaps of [[tailings]] up to {{convert|40|ft}} high at the mine site.<ref>Jay, Christopher. (1999) ''A Future More Prosperous: The History of Newcastle Steelworks 1912–1999'', The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, Newcastle. pp. 42–43.</ref> In 1942, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] targeted the BHP steelworks<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newcastlemirage.com/stories/throwback-thursday-the-shelling-of-newcastle-by-amy-theodore|title=Throwback Thursday; The Shelling of Newcastle|first=Amy |last=Theodore|work=Newcastle Mirage|date=1 February 2018 |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref> during the largely unsuccessful [[shelling of Newcastle]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Carruthers|first=Steven L.|title=Japanese Submarine Raiders, 1942 : A Maritime Mystery|year=2006|publisher=Casper Publications|location=Narrabeen, NSW|isbn=978-0-9775063-0-9|edition=Revised}}</ref>

Newcastle operations were closed in 1999,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s55787.htm |title=Steel City without the Big Australian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000308060425/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s55787.htm |work= [[7.30]]|date=29 September 1999 |archive-date=8 March 2000}}</ref> and a 70-ton commemorative sculpture, ''[[The Muster Point]]'', was installed on Industrial Drive, in the suburb of [[Mayfield, New South Wales]]. The long products side of the steel business was spun off to form [[Arrium|OneSteel]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=OneSteel Limited |url=http://www.delisted.com.au/CompanyDisplay.aspx?id=6175 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706103400/http://www.delisted.com.au/CompanyDisplay.aspx?id=6175|archive-date=6 July 2011|website=Delisted.com.au }}</ref>

In the 1950s, BHP began [[petroleum]] exploration, which became an increasing focus following oil and [[natural gas]] discoveries in [[Bass Strait]] in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Petroleum Exploration in Victoria |url=http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenmp.nsf/linkview/e1969d9710f16de2ca256ec8000b159884b1bca6986b5725ca256f56001a2d7f |website=DPI.Vic.gov.au |publisher=Department of Primary Industries – Victoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071004201204/http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenmp.nsf/linkview/e1969d9710f16de2ca256ec8000b159884b1bca6986b5725ca256f56001a2d7f |archive-date=4 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.bhp.com/our-approach/our-history |website=BHP.com |access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>

BHP began to diversify into a variety of mining projects overseas. Those included the [[Ok Tedi Mine|Ok Tedi copper mine]] in Papua New Guinea, where the company was successfully sued by the indigenous inhabitants because of the [[environmental degradation]] caused by mining operations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Imhof |first=Aviva |title=The Big, Ugly Australian Goes to Ok Tedi |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18322244.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727145729/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18322244.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 July 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018 |work=[[Multinational Monitor]] |date=1 March 1996}}</ref> BHP had better success with the giant [[Escondida]] copper mine in Chile, of which it owns 57.5%, and at the [[Ekati Diamond Mine]] in northern Canada, which BHP contracted for in 1996,<ref name="Natural Resources Canada">{{cite web |title=Ekati Diamond Mine – Northwest Territories |url=http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mining-materials/publications/aboriginal/bulletin/8822 |website=Natural Resources of Canada |access-date=28 July 2018 |date=2008}}</ref> began mining in 1998,<ref name="Natural Resources Canada"/> and sold its 80% stake in to [[Dominion Diamond Mines|Dominion Diamond Corporation]] in 2013 as production declined.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeMarco |first=Anthony |title=Dominion Diamond Completes $553 Million Acquisition of Canadian Diamond Mine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2013/04/10/dominion-diamond-completes-553-million-acquisition-of-canadian-diamond-mine/ |access-date=27 July 2018 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=10 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=MacNamara |first=William |title=BHP puts diamonds division up for sale |url=https://www.ft.com/content/71e75b82-1a99-11e1-ae14-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/71e75b82-1a99-11e1-ae14-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=30 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ebner |first=David |title=BHP to mine Ekati diamonds a year longer |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bhp-to-mine-ekati-diamonds-a-year-longer/article582659/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[Globe & Mail]] |date=9 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BHP Billiton Records 26% Drop in Output From Ekati in Fiscal Q3 in Final Report |url=http://www.diamondintelligence.com/magazine/magazine.aspx?id=11601 |website=DiamondIntelligence.com |access-date=28 July 2018 |date=17 April 2013 |archive-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728131223/http://www.diamondintelligence.com/magazine/magazine.aspx?id=11601 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== BHP Billiton ===
[[File:BHPB Iron Ore 4303 + 4346 (2).JPG|thumb|Diesel locomotives in BHP Billiton Iron Ore "bubble" livery, at the company's Nelson Point Yard, [[Port Hedland]], Western Australia]]

In 2001, BHP [[Mergers and acquisitions|merged]] with the Billiton mining company to form BHP Billiton.<ref name=":0"/> In 2002, flat steel products were demerged to form the publicly traded company BHP Steel which, in 2003, became [[BlueScope]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-11-09|title=AGL demerger to give shares a head of steam|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/agl-demerger-to-give-shares-a-head-of-steam-20051109-jkl6s|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Australian Financial Review }}</ref>

In March 2005, BHP Billiton announced a US$7.3&nbsp;[[1,000,000,000 (number)|billion]] agreed bid for [[WMC Resources]], owners of the [[Olympic Dam, South Australia|Olympic Dam]] copper, gold and uranium mine in South Australia, nickel operations in Western Australia and Queensland, and a Queensland fertiliser plant.<ref name=":1"/> The takeover achieved 90 per cent acceptance on 17 June 2005, and 100 per cent ownership was announced on 2 August 2005, achieved through compulsory acquisition of the remaining 10 per cent of the shares.<ref>{{cite news |title=BHP Billiton to mop up minority in WMC after taking over 90 pct |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/06/17/afx2098254.html |date=17 June 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102211651/http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/06/17/afx2098254.html |archive-date=2 November 2007 }}</ref>

On 8 November 2007, BHP Billiton announced it was seeking to purchase rival mining group [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto]] in an all-share deal.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2007-11-08|title=Rio Tinto Rejects Takeover Bid from BHP Billiton to Create Mining Giant |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/business/worldbusiness/08iht-mine.8247508.html|access-date=2020-06-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The initial offer of 3.4 shares of BHP Billiton stock for each share of Rio Tinto was rejected by the board of Rio Tinto for "significantly undervaluing" the company.<ref name=":1"/> It was unknown at the time whether BHP Billiton would attempt to purchase Rio Tinto through some form of [[hostile takeover]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=BHP makes bid move for Rio Tinto |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7084946.stm |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=8 November 2007}}</ref> A formal hostile bid of 3.4 BHP Billiton shares for each Rio Tinto share was announced on 6 February 2008;<ref name="FTBHPBRiotakeover2">{{Cite news |title=BHP makes bid for Rio |date=6 February 2008 |work=[[The Age]] |url=http://business.theage.com.au/bhp-makes-bid-for-rio/20080206-1qgf.html |first=Jamie |last=Freed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207013119/http://business.theage.com.au/bhp-makes-bid-for-rio/20080206-1qgf.html| archive-date= 7 February 2008}}</ref> The bid was withdrawn 25 November 2008 due to the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Macalister |first=Terry |title=BHP walks away from mining mega-merger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/nov/26/bhp-rio-tinto-deal-collapse |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=England |first=Cameron |title=BHP withdraws Rio offer |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/bhp-withdraws-rio-offer/news-story/2333451faff3eeafedc8370e34765f34 |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |date=26 November 2008}}</ref>

On 14 May 2008, BHP Billiton shares rose to a record high of [[A$]]48.90 following speculation that Chinese mining firm [[Chinalco]] was considering purchasing a large stake.<ref>{{cite news |title=BHP shares surge on talk of China move |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-bhpbilliton/bhp-shares-surge-on-talk-of-china-move-idUKSYD5330620080514 |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[Reuters]]|date=14 May 2008}}</ref>

As global nickel prices fell, on 25 November 2008, Billiton announced that it would drop its A$66&nbsp;billion takeover of rival Rio Tinto Group, stating that the "risks to shareholder value" would "increase" to "an unacceptable level" due to the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BHP Billiton withdraws $66bn bid for rival miner Rio Tinto |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/3517199/BHP-Billiton-withdraws-66bn-bid-for-rival-miner-Rio-Tinto.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/3517199/BHP-Billiton-withdraws-66bn-bid-for-rival-miner-Rio-Tinto.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=25 November 2008 |access-date=18 April 2011 |first=Amy |last=Wilson}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 21 January 2009, BHP Billiton then announced that [[Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine]] in Western Australia would cease operations, ending shipments of ore from Ravensthorpe to the Yabulu nickel plant in Queensland Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/investorsMedia/news/2009/changesToBhpBillitonsNickelBusiness.jsp| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131011918/http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/investorsMedia/news/2009/changesToBhpBillitonsNickelBusiness.jsp |archive-date=31 January 2009 |title=Changes to BHP Billiton's Nickel Business |website=BHP Billiton |date=21 January 2009 }}</ref> Yabulu refinery was subsequently sold to Queensland billionaire [[Clive Palmer]], becoming the [[Yabulu#Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery|Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery]]. [[Copper mining in Arizona|Pinto Valley mine]] in the United States was also closed. Mine closures and general scaling back during the [[2008 financial crisis]] accounted for 6,000 employee lay offs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chambers |first=Matt |title=BHP axes 6000 jobs and cuts projects |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24945105-643,00.html |work=[[The Australian]] |date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124113313/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24945105-643,00.html |archive-date=24 January 2009}}</ref>

As the nickel market became saturated by both spiraling economics and cheaper extraction methods; on 9 December 2009, BHP Billiton sold its [[Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine]], which had cost A$2.4&nbsp;billion to build, to [[Vancouver]]-based [[First Quantum Minerals]] for US$340&nbsp;million. First Quantum, a Canadian company, was one of three bidders for the mine, tendering the lowest offer, and returned the mine to production in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.first-quantum.com/Our-Business/operating-mines/Ravensthorpe/default.aspx |title=Ravensthorpe |website=First-Quantum.com |access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> Ravensthorpe cost BHP US$3.6&nbsp;billion in write-downs when it was shut in January 2009 after less than a year of production.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chambers |first=Matt |title=Canada's First Quantum wins bid to revive Ravensthorpe nickel mine |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/canadas-first-quantum-wins-bid-to-revive-ravensthorpe-nickel-mine/news-story/b75247d092f1a2a6e7973cc64c26c803 |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=[[The Australian]] |date=10 December 2009}}</ref>

In January 2010, following the BHP Billiton purchase of [[Athabasca Potash]] for US$320m, ''[[The Economist]]'' reported that, by 2020, BHP Billiton could produce approximately 15 per cent of the world demand for [[potash]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2010/02/18/a-growth-business |title=Mergers in the fertiliser industry: A growth business |date=18 February 2010 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>

In August 2010, BHP Billiton made a hostile takeover bid worth US$40&nbsp;billion for [[PotashCorp]]. The bid came after BHP's first bid, made on 17 August, was rejected as being undervalued.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BHP Billiton launches hostile bid for Potash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11009145 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> This acquisition marked a major strategic move by BHP outside hard commodities and commenced the diversification of its business away from resources with high exposure to carbon price risk, like coal, petroleum and iron ore. The takeover bid was opposed by the Government of [[Saskatchewan]] under Premier [[Brad Wall]]. On 3 November, [[Minister of Industry (Canada)|Canadian Industry Minister]] [[Tony Clement]] announced the preliminary rejection of the deal under the ''[[Investment Canada|Investment Canada Act]]'', giving BHP Billiton 30 days to refine their deal before a final decision was made;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bhp-s-potashcorp-bid-rejected-for-now-1.868381 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106010315/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/11/03/potash-ottawa-review.html |archive-date=6 November 2010 |title=BHP's PotashCorp bid rejected for now|work=[[CBC News]] |url-status=live |date=3 November 2010}}</ref> BHP withdrew its offer on 14 November 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bouw |first1=Brenda |last2=Kiladze |first2=Tim |last3=Chase |first3=Steven |title=BHP withdraws Potash bid |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bhp-withdraws-potash-bid/article565929/Stobbe,/ |access-date=26 July 2018 |work=[[Globe & Mail]] |date=14 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dvorak |first1=Phred| last2=Chon |first2=Gina |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704393604575614983569847368 |title=BHP Abandons Pursuit of Potash Corp. |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=15 November 2010 |access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref> Canada's decision to block the deal was generally viewed as surprising by the global investment community.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Massot |first=Pascale |title=China's Vulnerability Paradox: How the World's Largest Consumer Transformed Global Commodity Markets |date=2024 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-777140-2 |location=New York, NY, United States of America |pages=11}}</ref>

On 22 February 2011, BHP Billiton announced that it had paid $4.75&nbsp;billion in cash to [[Chesapeake Energy]] for its [[Fayetteville, Arkansas|Fayetteville]] shale assets, which include {{cvt|487000|acre|km2}} of mineral rights leases and {{convert|420|mi}} of pipeline located in north central [[Arkansas]]. The wells on the mineral leases are currently producing about 415&nbsp;million cubic feet of natural gas per day. BHP Billiton planned to spend $800&nbsp;million to $1&nbsp;billion a year over 10 years to develop the field and triple production.<ref>{{cite web |title=BHP Billiton Announces Acquisition of Chesapeake Energy Corporation's Fayetteville USA, Shale Assets |url=https://www.bhp.com/media-and-insights/news-releases/2011/02/bhp-billiton-announces-acquisition-of-chesapeake-energy-corporations-fayetteville-usa-shale-assets |website=BHP.com |access-date=26 July 2018 |format=press release |date=22 February 2011}}</ref>

On 14 July 2011, BHP Billiton announced that it would acquire [[Petrohawk|Petrohawk Energy]] of the United States for approximately $12.1 billion in cash, considerably expanding its shale natural gas resources<ref>{{Cite news | title=BHP Billiton to Buy Petrohawk for $12.1 Billion |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Michael J. |last=De La Merced |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/bhp-billiton-to-buy-petrohawk-for-12-1-billion/ |date=14 July 2011 | access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> in an offer of $US38.75 per share.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petrohawk.com/docs/PressRelease71411.pdf |title=BHP Billiton and Petrohawk Corporation announce merger agreement |website=[[Petrohawk]] |date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327162008/http://www.petrohawk.com/docs/PressRelease71411.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2012}}</ref>

[[File:BHP office in Adelaide.jpg|thumb|left|BHP office tower in [[Adelaide]]]]

On 22 August 2012, BHP Billiton announced that it was delaying its US$20 billion (£12 billion) Olympic Dam copper mine expansion project in South Australia to study less capital intensive options, deferring its dual harbour strategy at West Australian Iron Ore and slowing down its Potash growth option in Canada.<ref name="guard22812">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/aug/22/bhp-billiton-olympic-dam-china|first=Rupert |last=Neate |title=BHP Billiton scraps $20bn Olympic Dam project as China slowdown bites|access-date=26 August 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 August 2012}}</ref> The company simultaneously announced a freeze on approving any major new expansion projects.<ref name="guard22812"/>

Days after announcing the Olympic Dam pull-out, BHP Billiton announced that it was selling its Yeelirrie Uranium Project to Canadian [[Cameco]] for a fee of around $430 million. The sale was part of a broader move to step away from resource expansion in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Cecilia |last=Jamasmie |url=http://www.mining.com/bhp-sells-australias-mammoth-uranium-deposit-to-cameco-40119/|title=BHP sells Australia's mammoth uranium deposit|date=27 August 2012|website=[[Mining.com]]|access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref>

On 19 August 2014, BHP Billiton announced it would create an independent global metals and mining company based on a selection of its aluminium, coal, manganese, nickel, and silver assets.<ref name="bhpbilliton.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.bhp.com/media-and-insights/news-releases/2014/08/creation-of-new-global-metals-and-mining-company|date=19 August 2014 |title=Creation of New Global Metals and Mining Company to Accelerate Portfolio Simplification|website=BHP.com|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> The newly formed entity, named [[South32]], was subsequently demerged with listings on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] the [[JSE Limited|JSE]] and the [[London Stock Exchange]].<ref name="bhpbilliton.com"/>

In 2015, BHP Billiton spun off a number of its subsidiaries<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=20460148 |title=Company Overview of BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Proprietary Limited|website=[[Bloomberg.com]]|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> in South Africa and Southern Africa to form a new company known as South32.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=James |last2=Smyth |first2=Jamie |title=BHP unwinds Billiton merger with South32 spin-off plan |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7083dd54-ccbd-11e4-b5a5-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/7083dd54-ccbd-11e4-b5a5-00144feab7de |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 July 2018 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=James |last2=Smyth |first2=Jamie |title=Shareholders approve BHP Billiton spin-off of South32 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1124afe6-f3cd-11e4-99de-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/1124afe6-f3cd-11e4-99de-00144feab7de |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 July 2018 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=7 May 2015}}</ref>

BHP Billiton agreed to pay a fine of $25 million to the [[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] in 2015 in connection with violations of the [[Foreign Corrupt Practices Act]] related to its "hospitality program" at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in [[Beijing]]. BHP Billiton invited 176 government and state-owned-enterprise officials to attend the Games on an all-expenses-paid package. While BHP Billiton claimed to have compliance processes in place to avoid conflicts of interest, the SEC found that BHP Billiton had invited officials from at least four countries where BHP Billiton had interests in influencing the officials' decisions ([[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]], [[Guinea]], [[Philippines]] and [[Burundi]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Bartlett |first=Audine |title=Foreign bribery update: A harsh lesson for a global miner |url=https://www.carternewell.com/icms_docs/218542_Foreign_bribery_update_A_harsh_lesson_for_a_global_miner.pdf |website=Resources Newsletter |publisher=Carter Newell Lawyers |access-date=29 July 2018 |date=June 2015}}</ref>

In August 2016, BHP Billiton recorded its worst annual loss in history, $6.4 billion.<ref>{{cite news|first=Katy |last=Barnato |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/16/bhp-billiton-reports-annual-loss-of-6385-billion-versus-profit-of-191-billion-a-year-ago.html |title=World's largest mining firm records worst loss in its history |work=[[CNBC]] |date=16 August 2016 |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref>

Towards the end of 2016 BHP Billiton indicated it would expand its petroleum business and make new investments in the sector.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bhp-billiton-lays-out-petroleum-expansion-plans-2016-10-05 |title=BHP Billiton lays out petroleum expansion plans |last=Hoyle|first=Rhiannon|date=5 October 2016 |work=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref>

In February 2017, BHP Billiton announced a $2.2 billion investment in the new [[BP]] platform in the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/09/bhp-billiton-backs-bps-return-gulf-mexico-175bn-investment/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/09/bhp-billiton-backs-bps-return-gulf-mexico-175bn-investment/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|first=Jillian |last=Ambrose |title=BHP Billiton backs BP's return to Gulf of Mexico with £1.75bn investment|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=9 February 2017|access-date=28 July 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During the same year, as part of their plan to increase productivity at the Escondida mine in Chile,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.afr.com/business/mining/the-chilean-strike-bhp-billiton-just-has-to-have-20170202-gu45ou |first=Matthew |last=Stephens |title=Having spent $US7 billion on Escondida's new start BHP has to secure world-class productivity |date=2 February 2017 |work=[[Australian Financial Review]] |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> which is the world's biggest copper mine, BHP Billiton attempted to get workers to accept a 4-year pay freeze, a 66% reduction in the end-of-conflict bonus offering, and increased shift flexibility. This resulted in a major workers' strike and forced the company to declare ''[[force majeure]]'' on two shipments, which drove copper prices up by 4%.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Mark |last1=Burton |first2=David |last2=Stringer |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-10/bhp-said-to-declare-force-majeure-on-shipments-from-escondida-iyzv4mui |title=BHP Said to Declare Force Majeure on Copper from Escondida |date=11 February 2017 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=28 July 2018 }}</ref>

In April 2017 activist hedge fund manager [[Elliott Management Corporation|Elliott Advisors]] proposed a plan for BHP Billiton to spin off its American petroleum assets and significantly restructure the business, including the scrapping of its dual Sydney-London listing, suggesting shares be offered only in the United Kingdom, while leaving its headquarters and tax residences in Australia where shares would trade as depository instruments. At the time of the correspondence Elliott held about 4.1 per cent of the issued shares in London-listed BHP Billiton plc, worth $3.81 billion. Australia's government warned it would block moves to shift BHP Billiton's stock listing from Australia to the United Kingdom. [[Treasurer of Australia|Australian Treasurer]] [[Scott Morrison]] said the move would be contrary to the country's national interest and would breach government orders mandating a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. BHP Billiton dismissed the plan saying the costs and risks of Elliott's proposal outweighed any potential benefits.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://secure.marketwatch.com/story/australia-to-block-elliotts-bhp-listing-plan-2017-05-04 |first=Rob |last=Taylor |title=Australia to block Elliott's BHP listing plan |work=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234308/https://secure.marketwatch.com/story/australia-to-block-elliotts-bhp-listing-plan-2017-05-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== BHP ===
In May 2017, with much of the former Billiton assets having been disposed of, BHP Billiton began to rebrand itself as BHP, at first in Australia and then globally. It replaced the slogan "The Big Australian" with "Think Big", with an advertising campaign rolling out in mid May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/bhp-to-drop-billiton-in-rebranding-move-20170514-gw4dfz.html|title=BHP to drop 'Billiton' in rebranding move |last=Robins |first=Brian |date=15 May 2017 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> Work on the change began in late 2015 according to BHP's chief external affairs officer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/big-australian-just-bhp-again-no-billiton-20170515-4tyy0.html |first=Prashant |last=Mehra |title=Big Australian just BHP again, no Billiton |date=15 May 2017 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|agency=[[Australian Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040722/http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-business/big-australian-just-bhp-again-no-billiton-20170515-4tyy0.html |archive-date=25 September 2017 }}</ref>

In August 2017, BHP announced that it would sell off its US shale oil and gas business.<ref>{{cite news |last=Regan |first=James |title=BHP to quit U.S. shale business as annual profit surges|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bhp-billiton-results/bhp-to-quit-u-s-shale-business-as-annual-profit-surges-idUSKCN1B12GS|access-date=24 September 2017 |work=[[Reuters]]|date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Denina|first1=Clara|last2=Afanasieva|first2=Dasha|title=BHP hires Barclays, Citi for U.S. shale gas divestment: sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bhp-billiton-divestiture-shale/bhp-hires-barclays-citi-for-u-s-shale-gas-divestment-sources-idUSKCN1BB1BG |access-date=24 September 2017|work=[[Reuters]]|date=31 August 2017}}</ref> In July 2018, the company agreed to sell its shale assets to [[BP]] for $10.5 billion.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/business/energy-environment/bp-bhp-shale-oil-gas.html Reed, Stanley] "BP Makes 10.5 Billion Shale Deal; Its Biggest Since Deepwater Horizons", ''Reuters'' via ''The New York Times'', 27 July 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.</ref> BHP indicated its intention to return funds to investors.<ref>[https://www.offshore-technology.com/news/bp-us-shale-oil-and-gas/ Husseini, Talal] "BP to spend $10.5bn in BHP US shale oil and gas assets acquisition", ''Offshore Technology'', 27 July 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.</ref> On 29 September 2018, BHP completed the sale of its Fayetteville Onshore US gas assets to a wholly owned subsidiary of Merit Energy Company.<ref>{{cite web|title=BHP completes $US300m sale of Fayetteville onshore gas asset|url=https://www.australianmining.com.au/news/bhp-completes-fayetteville-onshore-assets/|publisher=Australian Mining|date=1 October 2018|access-date=2 October 2018}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In August 2021, BHP announced plans to exit the oil and gas industry by merging its hydrocarbon business with [[Woodside Energy]], Australia's largest independent gas producer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ambrose |first=Jillian |date=16 August 2021 |title=Mining multinational BHP starts talks to exit oil and gas industry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/16/mining-multinational-bhp-starts-talks-exit-oil-gas-industry |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> It also announced its intention to delist from the London Stock Exchange and consolidate on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58241008|title=BHP: Mining giant to leave London's FTSE 100 for Sydney|date=17 August 2021|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> This occurred in January 2022.<ref>[https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/media/reports-and-presentations/2022/unification-vote-results-announcement.pdf Results of the BHP Group Shareholder Meetings in Connection with Unification] BHP 20 January 2022</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hume |first=Neil |date=20 January 2022 |title=BHP poised for FTSE 100 exit after shareholders back unification |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d75f0bec-3694-44ed-babd-3facfe420418 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d75f0bec-3694-44ed-babd-3facfe420418 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |access-date=27 January 2022 |newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref> In April 2023, BHP took over [[Oz Minerals]] in a $9.6 billion deal.<ref>Kanika Sood and Brad Thompson. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230205035330/https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/bhp-oz-minerals-agree-scheme-deed-in-9-6b-deal-20221222-p5c87r BHP, Oz Minerals agree scheme deed in #9.6b deal] ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' 21 December 2022</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230418071753/https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2023/04/court-approves-oz-minerals-scheme-of-arrangement Court approves Oz Minerals scheme of arrangement] BHP 17 April 2023</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230418071150/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20230418/pdf/45nrglyxtcz3p3.pdf Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective] [[Oz Minerals]] 18 April 2023</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230418111214/https://indaily.com.au/news/business/2023/04/18/vast-majority-of-oz-minerals-jobs-in-sa-to-stay-after-bhp-takeover/ Vast majority of Oz Minerals jobs in SA to stay after BHP takeover] ''[[InDaily]]'' 18 April 2023</ref>

In fiscal year 2021–2022, BHP's annual profit amounted to more than $34 billion (an increase of 34%) of $65 billion (an increase of 14%). The coal division's profits reached almost $9 billion (a loss of $577 million in 2022), with the BHP's iron ore division making $21.7 billion (a decrease of $4.6 billion since 2022). Profit growth allowed the company to pay a record dividend of $7.6 billion for the half-year ending December 31.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bhp-record-dividend-payment-coal-recovery-profits-russia-ukraine-b1018816.html|title=BHP to make record dividend payment after coal recovery lights up its annual earnings|website=The Standard|date=16 August 2022 |access-date=2024-02-27|archive-date=2022-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828035916/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bhp-record-dividend-payment-coal-recovery-profits-russia-ukraine-b1018816.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/glencore-bhp-coal-oil-metal-prices-dividend-buybacks-b982619.html|title=Glencore and BHP return $10 billion to investors on the back of soaring coal, oil and metal prices|website=The Standard|date=15 February 2022 |access-date=2024-02-27|archive-date=2022-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225051115/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/glencore-bhp-coal-oil-metal-prices-dividend-buybacks-b982619.html}}</ref>

BHP made an offer to acquire [[Anglo American plc|Anglo American]] for £31 billion in April 2024; however, the offer was rejected by the Anglo American as "highly unattractive".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/26/anglo-american-rejects-takeover-offer-from-mining-rival-bhp  |title=Anglo American rejects £31bn takeover offer from mining rival BHP|date=26 April 2024|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=26 April 2024}}</ref> A revised offer was also rejected in May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-13/bhp-says-anglo-american-has-rejected-revised-proposal |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/bhp-says-anglo-american-rejected-revised-proposal-2024-05-13/|title=Anglo American rejects BHP's revised $42.7 billion buyout proposal|website=Reuter|date=May 13, 2024|author=Clara Denina|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>

In July 2024, BHP and [[Lundin Mining]] agreed to jointly acquire 100% of Filo Corp. through a Canadian plan of arrangement. BHP and Lundin Mining also agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture to hold the Filo del Sol (FDS) and Josemaria projects.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BHP and Lundin Mining to acquire Filo Corp. and form a 50/50 joint venture to progress the Filo del Sol and Josemaria projects |url=https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2024/07/bhp-and-lundin-mining}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP and Lundin Mining to acquire Filo for $3.2 billion |url=https://www.kitco.com/news/article/2024-07-29/bhp-and-lundin-mining-acquire-filo-32-billion |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.kitco.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Corporation==
Until January 2022, BHP was a [[dual-listed company]]; the Australian ''BHP Billiton Limited'' and the British ''BHP Billiton plc'' were separately listed with separate shareholder bodies, while conducting business as one operation with identical boards of directors and a single management structure.<ref name="ar"/> The headquarters of BHP Billiton Limited and the global headquarters of the combined group were located in [[Melbourne]], Australia. The headquarters of BHP Billiton plc were located in London, England.<ref name="ar"/> Its main office locations were in Australia, the U.S., Canada, the UK, Chile, Malaysia, and Singapore.<ref name="ar"/>

The company's shares traded on the following exchanges:<ref>{{Cite news |publisher = BHP Billiton |date = 26 September 2007 |url = http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bbContentRepository/20fstatement2007.pdf |title = SEC Form 20-F, BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton plc, for FY 2007 |page = 274 |access-date =9 April 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080409224415/http://www.bhpbilliton.com/bbContentRepository/20fstatement2007.pdf |archive-date= 9 April 2008}}</ref>

{|
|- valign=top
|
*BHP Billiton Limited
**Australia ({{asx|BHP}})
**US ({{nyse|BHP}})
|
*BHP Billiton plc
**UK ({{lse|BHPL}})
**US ({{nyse|BBL}})
**South Africa ({{jse|BIL}})
|}

BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton plc were renamed BHP Group Limited and BHP Group plc, respectively, on 19 November 2018.<ref>[https://www.bhp.com/media-and-insights/news-releases/2018/11/change-of-name-to-bhp-group BHP] "Change of name to BHP Group", 20 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.</ref>

===Senior management===
In 1998, BHP hired American Paul Anderson to restructure the company. Anderson successfully completed the four-year project with a merger between BHP and London-based Billiton.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parkinson|first=Gary|date=2001-03-19|title=Billiton and BHP agree merger plans|work=Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4486005/Billiton-and-BHP-agree-merger-plans.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4486005/Billiton-and-BHP-agree-merger-plans.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-30|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In July 2002, Brian Gilbertson of Billiton was appointed CEO, but resigned after just six months, citing irreconcilable differences with the board.<ref name =cnn2003>{{Cite news |title=BHP chief in shock resignation |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=13 July 2007 |date=5 January 2003 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/asia/01/05/australia.BHP.biz/index.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230404210236/https://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/asia/01/05/australia.BHP.biz/index.html|archive-date =4 April 2023}}</ref>

Upon Gilbertson's departure in early 2003, [[Chip Goodyear]] was appointed the new CEO.<ref name =cnn2003/> Goodyear retired on 30 September 2007<ref name=":2"/> and was succeeded by [[Marius Kloppers]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=BHP Billiton To Appoint Marius Kloppers As New CEO |url=https://www.bhp.com/media-and-insights/news-releases/2007/05/bhp-billiton-to-appoint-marius-kloppers-as-new-ceo |website=BHP.com |access-date=29 July 2018 |format=press release |date=31 May 2007}}</ref> Following Kloppers' tenure, [[Andrew Mackenzie (businessman)|Andrew Mackenzie]], chief executive of Non-Ferrous, assumed the role of CEO in 2013.<ref>{{Who's Who |title=Mackenzie, Andrew Stewart |id = U257762 | volume = 2014 |edition= online edition via [[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> Australia mining head [[Mike Henry (businessman)|Mike Henry]] succeeded Mackenzie on 1 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|first=James|last=Thompson|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/mike-henry-s-30-year-journey-to-bhp-s-top-job-20191114-p53aoz|title=Mike Henry's 30-year journey to BHP's top job|date=14 November 2019|website=Australian Financial Review}}</ref>

=== Business trends ===
The key trends for BHP are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!
!Revenue<br />(USD billion)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP Group (BHP) - Revenue |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/bhp-group/revenue/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=companiesmarketcap.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
![[Earnings before interest and taxes|EBIT]]<br />(USD billion)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP Group (BHP) - Earnings |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/bhp-group/earnings/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=companiesmarketcap.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
![[Total Assets]]<br />(USD billion)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP Group (BHP) - Total assets |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/bhp-group/total-assets/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=companiesmarketcap.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
![[Market capitalization|Market cap]]<br />(USD billion)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP Group (BHP) - Market capitalization |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/bhp-group/marketcap/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=companiesmarketcap.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2000
|8.65 
|0.32
|...
|18.81 
|-
|2005
|26.72
|9.48 
|41.84 
|101.19 
|-
|2010
|52.79 
|20.12 
|88.85 
|255.71 
|-
|2011
|71.73 
|31.91 
|102.92 
|186.61 
|-
|2012
|70.47 
|24.86 
|129.27 
|205.15 
|-
|2013
|53.86 
|21.85 
|139.17 
|180.33 
|-
|2014
|56.76 
|22.55
|151.41 
|127.84 
|-
|2015
|44.63 
|8.76 
|124.58 
|69.19 
|-
|2016
|28.56 
|2.94 
|118.95 
|96.48 
|-
|2017
|35.74 
|12.63 
|117.00 
|122.68 
|-
|2018
|43.12 
|16.25
|111.99 
|121.93 
|-
|2019
|44.28 
|16.61 
|100.86 
|137.78 
|-
|2020
|38.92 
|14.07 
|105.73 
|165.00 
|-
|2021
|56.92 
|25.15 
|108.92 
|152.29 
|-
|2022
|65.09 
|34.27 
|95.16 
|157.01 
|-
|2023
|53.81 
|23.55 
|101.29 
|172.85 
|-
|2024
|55.65 
|18.23 
|102.36 
|124.52 
|}

==Operations==
BHP has mining operations in Australia, North America, and South America.<ref name="ar"/>

The company has five primary operational units:
* [[Coal]]
* [[Copper]]
* [[Iron ore]]
* [[Potash]]
* [[Nickel]]

The company's mines are as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=BHP Billiton |url=https://mining-atlas.com/company/BHP-Billiton.php |website=Mining-Atlas.com |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926082256/https://mining-atlas.com/company/BHP-Billiton.php |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:RC drill rig.jpg|thumb|Drill rig at [[Area C mine]], near [[Newman, Western Australia|Newman]], Western Australia.]]
[[File:Mount Whaleback mine.jpg|thumb|Process facility at [[Mount Whaleback mine]], Western Australia.]]
[[File:EscondidaMine-EO.JPG|thumb|False colour satellite image of [[Escondida|Escondida mine]], Chile, courtesy of NASA]]

===Australia===
====New South Wales====
*[[Mount Arthur coal mine]]

====Queensland====
*Broadmeadow (50%) BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
*[[Goonyella Riverside Mine|Goonyella]] (50%) BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
*[[Hay Point]] coal terminal
*[[Peak Downs Mine|Peak Downs]] (50%) BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
*[[Saraji coal mine|Saraji]] (50%) BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
* Caval Ridge (50%) BHP Mitsubishi Alliance

====South Australia====
*[[Carrapateena mine|Carrapateena]]
*[[Olympic Dam mine|Olympic Dam]]
*[[Prominent Hill mine|Prominent Hill]]

====Western Australia====
*[[Area C mine]]
*[[Eastern Range mine]]
*[[Jimblebar mine]]
*[[Kalgoorlie]]
*[[Kambalda]]
*[[Kwinana Beach|Kwinana]]
*[[Leinster, Western Australia|Leinster]]
*[[Mount Keith Mine|Mount Keith]]
*[[Mount Whaleback mine|Mount Whaleback]]
*[[Nickel West]]
*Nimingarra Iron Ore Mine, Jointly owned with [[Itochu]] and [[Mitsubishi Corporation|Mitsubishi]])
*[[North West Shelf Venture]], (16.67% LNG phase, 8.33% domestic gas phase.)
*[[Orebodies 18, 23 and 25 mine]]
*[[Port Hedland]]
*[[South Flank mine]]
*[[Yandi mine]]
*[[Yarrie mine]]

===Brazil===
*[[Samarco]]: a [[Joint venture|joint-venture]] with [[Vale (company)|Vale]] (50% ownership each). The project led to the [[Bento Rodrigues dam disaster|worst environmental disaster]] in the history of [[mining in Brazil]]:<ref name=record>{{cite news |first=Felipe |last=Rezende |url=https://noticias.r7.com/minas-gerais/rompimento-de-barragens-causa-maior-dano-ambiental-da-historia-de-minas-diz-promotor-06112015 |title=Rompimento de barragens causa "maior dano ambiental da história de Minas", diz promotor| language=pt |trans-title=The collapse of the Samaco's dams has caused the "largest environmental disaster in the history of Minas Gerais", says public prosecutor |date=6 November 2015 |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=[[Grupo Record|R7]]}}</ref> the [[dam failure|collapse]] of two [[iron ore]] [[Dam#Tailings dam|tailings dams]]<ref name="Darlington">{{cite news |first=Shasta |last=Darlington |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/06/americas/brazil-dam-break-flooding/index.html |title=Dam break sweeps away homes in Brazil, killing at least 1 person |date=7 November 2015 |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> in Bento Rodrigues, a subdistrict of [[Mariana, Minas Gerais|Mariana]].

===Canada===
*Jansen [[potash]] development project, [[Saskatchewan]]

===Chile===
*Pampa Norte
**[[Cerro Colorado mine|Cerro Colorado]] ("temporary closure" since 2023)<ref name=consejocc>{{Cite web |title=Cerro Colorado |url=https://consejominero.cl/nosotros/mapa-minero/cerro-colorado/ |website=[[Consejo Minero]]|access-date=2025-05-09|language=Spanish}}</ref><ref name="reporte">{{Cite news |title=Mina Cerro Colorado de BHP cierra este 2023 mientras sigue buscando solución al problema acuífero |last=Cobo |first=Stephanie |date=2023-02-09 |url=https://www.reporteminero.cl/noticia/noticias/2023/02/cerro-colorado-bhp-cierra-2023-buscando-solucion-problema-acuifero |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=Reporte Minero & Energético |language=es}}</ref>
**[[Spence mine|Spence]]
*[[Minera Escondida]]
**[[Escondida]]
*Filo Corp 
**[[Filo del Sol]] (planned)<ref>{{Cite news |title=BHP y Lundin acuerdan desarrollar juntos proyectos Filo del Sol y Josemaría en la frontera de Chile y Argentina |last=Ibarra |first=Valeria |date=2024-07-19 |url=https://www.df.cl/empresas/mineria/bhp-y-lundin-acuerdan-desarrollar-juntos-proyectos-filo-del-sol-y |access-date=2025-07-22 |work=[[Diario Financiero]] |language=es}}</ref>

===Peru===
*[[Antamina Mine|Antamina]] (non-operated asset)

==BHP Foundation==

<!---redirects target this section--->

The BHP Foundation is a philanthropic organisation funded by BHP, which {{as of|lc=yes|October 2023}} was funding 38 projects in 65 countries.<ref>{{cite web | title=Home | website=BHP Foundation | url=https://www.bhp-foundation.org/en/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_bz-3KH6gQMVt9MWBR2MywZ-EAAYASAAEgLfHfD_BwE | access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref> Its Australian programs are focused on [[Indigenous Australian]] self-determination, and young people. One of its partner organisations is [[Reconciliation Australia]].<ref>{{cite web | title=BHP Foundation Australia program | website=BHP Foundation | date=21 August 2019 | url=https://www.bhp-foundation.org/en/programs-projects/australia-country-program/ | access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref>

== Environmental issues==
=== Climate damage ===

BHP is listed as one of the 90 [[fossil fuel]] extraction and marketing companies responsible for two-thirds of global [[greenhouse gas emissions]] since the beginning of the [[industrial age]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldenberg |first=Suzanne |title=Just 90 companies caused two-thirds of man-made global warming emissions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/20/90-companies-man-made-global-warming-emissions-climate-change |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 November 2013}}</ref> Its cumulative emissions as of 2010 have been estimated at 7,606 Mt{{CO2}}e, representing 0.52% of global industrial emissions between 1751 and 2010, ranking it the 19th-largest corporate polluter.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Heede |first=Richard |title=Tracing anthropogenic carbon dioxide and methane emissions to fossil fuel and cement producers, 1854–2010 |journal=Climate Change |date=January 2014 |volume=122 |issue=1–2 |pages=229–241 |doi=10.1007/s10584-013-0986-y |bibcode=2014ClCh..122..229H |doi-access=free }}</ref> According to BHP management 10% of these emissions are from direct operations, while 90% come from products sold by the company.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hannam |first=Peter |title=BHP among world's 20 largest climate culprits |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/bhp-among-worlds-20-largest-climate-culprits-20131121-2xxtt.html |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=21 November 2013}}</ref> BHP has been voluntarily reporting its direct GHG emissions since 1996. In 2013, it was criticised for lobbying against [[carbon pricing in Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mehra |first=Malini |title=BHP Billiton: climate change leader or laggard? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/bhp-billiton-climate-change-leader-laggard |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 November 2013}}</ref> In June 2024, BHP announced that the company was on track to meet its 30% emissions reduction target by 2030 from 2020 baseline levels and did not rule out using [[Carbon offsets and credits|carbon offsets]] as part of its $4 billion plan to meet the target.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoyle|first=Rhiannon|date=June 26, 2024|title=BHP Says Carbon Offsets Remain an Option on Road to Reducing Emissions|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bhp-says-carbon-offsets-remain-an-option-on-road-to-reducing-emissions-48f508eb|access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

BHP reported total [[carbon footprint|CO2e emissions]] (Direct + Indirect) for the twelve months ending 30 June 2020 at 15,800 Kt.<ref name="BHP Total CO2e emissions for 2020Q2">{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2020Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119071558/https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en|archive-date=November 19, 2020 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2020Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ BHP's annual Total [[carbon footprint|CO2e emissions]] (Direct + Indirect) (in kilotonnes)
|-
! Jun 2015 !! Jun 2016 !! Jun 2017 !! Jun 2018 !! Jun 2019 !! Jun 2020
|-
| 38,300<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2017Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927150403/https://www.bhp.com/investor-centre/annual-report-2018/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2017/bhpannualreport2017.pdf |url=https://www.bhp.com/investor-centre/annual-report-2018/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2017/bhpannualreport2017.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2021 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2015Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref> || 18,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2018Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127203047/https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2018/bhpannualreport2018.pdf |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2018/bhpannualreport2018.pdf|archive-date=November 27, 2020 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2016Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref> || 16,300<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2020Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119071558/https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en|archive-date=November 19, 2020 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2017Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref> || 17,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2020Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119071558/https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en|archive-date=November 19, 2020 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2018Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref> || 15,800<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHP's Annual Report for 2020Q2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119071558/https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en |url=https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-reports/2020/200915_bhpannualreport2020.pdf?la=en|archive-date=November 19, 2020 }} [https://analytics.exerica.com/App/Name/BHP/Total%20CO2e%20Emissions%20-%20Market-Based%20Scope%201%20%2b%20Scope%202/2019Q2/12 Alt URL]</ref> || 15,800<ref name="BHP Total CO2e emissions for 2020Q2"/>
|}

=== Ok Tedi environmental disaster ===
{{Main|Ok Tedi environmental disaster}}

The '''Ok Tedi environmental disaster''' caused severe harm to the environment along the [[Ok Tedi River]] and the [[Fly River]] in the [[Western Province (Papua New Guinea)|Western Province]] of [[Papua New Guinea]] between around 1984 and 2013. In 1999, BHP reported that 90 million tons of mine waste was annually discharged into the river for more than ten years and destroyed downstream villages, agriculture and fisheries. Mine wastes were deposited along {{cvt|1000|km}} of the Ok Tedi and the Fly River below its confluence with the Ok Tedi, and over an area of {{cvt|100|km2}}. BHP's CEO, Paul Anderson, said that the Ok Tedi Mine was "not compatible with our environmental values and the company should never have become involved."<ref>{{cite news|last=Burton|first=Bob|date=13 August 1999|title=BHP admits Ok Tedi mine is environmental disaster|publisher=[[Asia Times|Asia Times Online]]|url=http://www.atimes.com/oceania/AH13Ah01.html|url-status=unfit|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000925131337/http://atimes.com/oceania/AH13Ah01.html|archive-date=25 September 2000}}</ref> In the 1990s the communities of the lower [[Western Province, Papua New Guinea|Fly Region]], including the [[Yonggom]] people,<ref>{{cite book|last=Kirsch|first=Stuart|url=http://www.sup.org/book.cgi?book_id=5342|title=Reverse Anthropology: Indigenous Analysis of Social and Environmental Relations in New Guinea|date=July 2006|publisher=[[Stanford University Press]]|isbn=0-8047-5342-3|pages=272|access-date=2007-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611202058/http://www.sup.org/book.cgi?book_id=5342|archive-date=2011-06-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> sued BHP and received US$28.6 million in an out-of-court settlement. Experts predict that it will take 300 years to clean up the toxic contamination.<ref name="The Age Jan 20 2007">{{cite news|date=20 January 2007|title=Villagers sue BHP Billiton for $5bn|work=[[The Age]]|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/villagers-sue-bhp-billiton-for-5bn/2007/01/19/1169095978975.html|access-date=4 February 2007}}</ref>

=== Bento Rodrigues dam collapse ===
{{Main|Mariana dam disaster}}
[[File:Bento Rodrigues, Mariana, Minas Gerais (22828956680).jpg|thumb|A village flooded in the [[Bento Rodrigues dam disaster]] (2015). The dam was a property of [[Samarco]], a [[joint venture]] between [[Vale S.A.|Vale]] and BHP Billiton.]]

In 2015, the company was involved in the [[Bento Rodrigues dam disaster|Bento Rodrigues tailings dam collapse]], the worst environmental disaster in the history of the state of [[Minas Gerais]], Brazil.<ref name="record"/><ref name="Darlington"/><ref>{{cite web|date=6 November 2015|title=Brazil dam burst: at least 15 feared dead after disaster at BHP-owned mine|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/05/brazil-iron-mine-dam-bursts-floods-nearby-homes|access-date=7 February 2019|work=The Guardian}}</ref> On 5 November 2015, an [[Mariana dam disaster|iron ore mine tailings dam near Mariana]], south-eastern Brazil, owned and operated by Samarco, a subsidiary of BHP and [[Vale S.A.|Vale]], suffered a catastrophic failure, devastating the nearby town of Bento Rodrigues with the mudflow, killing 19 people, injuring more than 50 and causing enormous ecological damage,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Timson|first1=Lia|last2=de Godo|first2=Lucas|date=3 November 2018|title=Putting Bento Rodrigues back on the map after the dam disaster|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/south-america/putting-bento-rodrigues-back-on-the-map-after-the-dam-disaster-20181102-p50dki.html|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> and threatening life along the [[Rio Doce]] and the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Rio Doce.<ref>{{cite news|last=Douglas|first=Bruce|date=22 November 2015|title=Anger rises as Brazilian mine disaster threatens river and sea with toxic mud|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/22/anger-rises-as-brazilian-mine-disaster-threatens-river-and-sea-with-toxic-mud|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> An investigation found the collapse was due to construction and design flaws.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |last2=Ong |first2=Thuy |name-list-style=and |date=2016-08-29 |title=Samarco dam disaster probe reveals construction and design flaws |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-30/bhp-samarco-dam-disaster-investigation/7797048 |access-date=2022-02-10 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> 

In June 2018, Samarco, Vale and BHP signed an agreement for the Brazilian government to drop a $7 billion civil lawsuit against the mining companies and allow two years for the companies to address the greater US$55 billion civil lawsuit brought by Brazil's federal prosecutors seeking social, environmental and economic compensation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chau |first=David |date=2018-06-25 |title=BHP signs deal to suspend $55b Samarco lawsuit for two years |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-26/bhp-vale-settles-samarco-deal-7-billion-brazilian-prosecutors/9909634 |access-date=2022-02-10 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> In August 2018, BHP settled a class action suit in the US for US$50 million, with no admission of liability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Creagh |first=Ben |date=2018-08-09 |title=BHP to settle US Samarco class action for $US50m - Australian Mining |url=https://www.australianmining.com.au/news/bhp-to-settle-us-samarco-class-action-for-us50m/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221113052140/https://www.australianmining.com.au/news/bhp-to-settle-us-samarco-class-action-for-us50m/ |archive-date=2022-11-13 |access-date=2025-11-15 |work=Australian Mining |language=en-US}}</ref> At the same time, it was facing a class action lawsuit from shareholders in Australia related to the dam failure and losses incurred by shareholders following company disclosures to the market regarding the safety of the dam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Danckert |first=Sarah |date=2018-10-29 |title=BHP class action heats up as 30,000 shareholders sign up |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/bhp-class-action-heats-up-as-30-000-shareholders-sign-up-20181029-p50cnv.html |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> 

In November 2018, UK-based legal firm SPG Law, now [[Pogust Goodhead]], filed a US$5 billion group action in the [[High Court of Justice]] at [[Liverpool]] under Brazilian law against BHP Billiton on behalf of 235,000 Brazilian individuals and organisations, including municipal governments, utility companies, indigenous tribes and the Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirstin Ridley, Barbara Lewis |title=BHP faces $5 billion claim over 2015 Brazil dam failure |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bhp-brazil-lawsuit-idUSKCN1SD1AK |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231112101611/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bhp-brazil-lawsuit-idUSKCN1SD1AK |archive-date=2023-11-12 |access-date=2025-11-15 |work=U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref> BHP continues to deny the claim in its entirety.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2023 |title=Update - United Kingdom group action |url=https://www.bhp.com/news/media-centre/releases/2023/03/update--united-kingdom-group-action |access-date=15 November 2025 |website=BHP}}</ref> In August 2025, BHP Group and Vale offered US$1.4 billion to settle the case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 August 2025 |title=BHP, Vale offer $1.4 billion settlement in UK lawsuit over Brazil dam disaster, FT reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/bhp-vale-offer-14-billion-settlement-uk-lawsuit-over-brazil-dam-disaster-ft-2025-08-07/ |access-date=15 November 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref> On 14 November 2025, [[High Court judge (England and Wales)|High Court judge]] [[Finola O'Farrell]] ruled BHP [[Strict liability|strictly liable]] for the disaster, citing negligence, technical warnings and lack of essential studies, which permitted the height of the dam to increase beyond safe levels. The group stated it intends to appeal over the decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mansur |first1=Rafaela |last2=Salgado |first2=Rodrigo |date=2025-11-14 |title=BHP é condenada na Inglaterra por rompimento em Mariana |url=https://g1.globo.com/mg/minas-gerais/noticia/2025/11/14/bhp-acionista-da-samarco-e-parcialmente-condenada-pela-justica-inglesa-em-processo-sobre-rompimento-de-barragem-em-mariana.ghtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115181041/https://g1.globo.com/mg/minas-gerais/noticia/2025/11/14/bhp-acionista-da-samarco-e-parcialmente-condenada-pela-justica-inglesa-em-processo-sobre-rompimento-de-barragem-em-mariana.ghtml |archive-date=2025-11-15 |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=[[GloboNews]] |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ambrose |first=Jillian |date=2025-11-14 |title=Mining firm BHP found liable in UK for disastrous Brazilian dam collapse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/london-judge-rules-bhp-group-liable-for-brazil-2015-samarco-dam-collapse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114114417/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/london-judge-rules-bhp-group-liable-for-brazil-2015-samarco-dam-collapse |archive-date=2025-11-14 |access-date=2025-11-15 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

=== Exploitation of aquifers in Atacama Desert ===
{{see also|Chilean water crisis|Copper mining in Chile}}
BHP has been accused of perpetrating irregularities with respect to drawing waters above the granted limit from the aquifers. Due to which the water table has dropped significantly, making land-based livelihoods less viable for people of the community, many of whom have been forced to relocate to urban areas. In January 2021, the [[Supreme Court of Chile]] validated the objections of local indigenous tribes about BHP's water usage and impacts on wetland areas. Later in July, the same court ordered BHP to begin the application process for [[Cerro Colorado mine|Cerro Colorado]] operating permits from scratch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=BHP's Cerro Colorado copper mine in Chile hit by further water measures |url=https://www.mining.com/bhps-cerro-colorado-mine-in-chile-hit-by-further-water-measures/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=mining.com |language=en-US}}</ref>  In 2023 the mine was closed as its permit expired to extract water from the [[bofedal]]-hosting [[Pampa Lagunillas Aquifer|aquifer of Lagunillas]] expired and was not renewed.<ref name="reporte"/><ref name=later/> BHP subsidiary Pampa Norte plans to start works in 2028, with the intention of reopening Cerro Colorado around 2030.<ref name=later>{{Cite news |title=BHP pone fecha a reapertura de Cerro Colorado: "usará agua de mar" y extenderá su vida por 20 años |last=Cárdenas |first=Leonardo |date=2024-08-08 |url=https://www.latercera.com/pulso-pm/noticia/bhp-pone-fecha-a-reapertura-de-cerro-colorado-usara-agua-de-mar-y-extendera-su-vida-por-20-anos/XYIYMRZQNNASRL2EUIUDFVMMT4/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=[[La Tercera]] |language=es}}</ref>

Starting in 2022 indigenous [[Atacama people|Atacameño people]] sued BHP's [[Minera Escondida]], [[Albemarle Corporation|Albemarle]] and [[Zaldívar mine|Minera Zaldívar]] over damages to the [[Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo Aquifer]]. The lawsuit was joined by the Chilean state's Consejo de Defensa del Estado. Minera Escondida argued for its part that any effects of its water extraction have not had time to manifest downstream at the observation sites, due to the slow movement of groundwater, and hence that it was the extraction of the other two companies that had impacted it.<ref name=concluyen>{{Cite news |title=CDE, comunidades y empresas mineras concluyen argumentos en demanda por daño ambiental de acuífero en el Salar de Atacama |date=2024-01-20 |url=https://www.nuevamineria.com/revista/cde-comunidades-y-empresas-mineras-concluyen-argumentos-en-demanda-por-dano-ambiental-de-acuifero-en-el-salar-de-atacama/ |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=Revista Nueva Minería y Energía |language=es}}</ref> The lawsuit ended in December 2024 in a conciliation agreement in which BHP's Minera Escondida and the other two companies were to compensate economically, socially and environmentally the indigenous Comunidad de Peine as well as paying for damages to the meadows of Tilopozo and the lakes of La Punta and La Brava.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Primer Tribunal Ambiental de Antofagasta aprueba conciliación en la demanda por daño ambiental en contra de 3 mineras por el acuífero de Monturaqui – Negrillar y Tilopozo |last=Pardo |first=Jorge |date=2024-12-18 |url=https://prodelcobre.cl/nueva/primer-tribunal-ambiental-de-antofagasta-aprueba-conciliacion-en-la-demanda-por-dano-ambiental-en-contra-de-3-mineras-por-el-acuifero-de-monturaqui-negrillar-y-tilopozo/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |work=Profesionales del Cobre |language=es}}</ref>

== Cultural issues ==
From 2019 to 2021, BHP registered six cases of sexual assault and 73 cases of sexual harassment.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sanderson|first1=Henry|last2=Langley|first2=William|date=2021-08-20|title=BHP fires 48 workers for sexual harassment at remote mining sites|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/791827b1-d7e6-48d0-bdc7-7512860d40ee |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/791827b1-d7e6-48d0-bdc7-7512860d40ee |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|access-date=2022-02-09}}</ref> A survey of 425 workers conducted by The Western Mine Workers' Alliance, showed that two-thirds of female respondents had experienced verbal sexual harassment while working in the FIFO mining industry, with 36% of women and 10% of men having experienced some form of harassment in the last 12 months.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-08-20|title=Sexual harassment rife in mine camps, Western Australian inquiry finds|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bhp-has-fired-48-workers-sexual-harassment-since-2019-2021-08-20/|access-date=2022-02-09}}</ref> In response, BHP terminated or otherwise permanently removed forty eight workers from its sites.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McNeill|first=Heather|date=2021-08-20|title=BHP sacked 48 workers over sexual harassment claims, FIFO inquiry reveals|url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/bhp-sacked-48-workers-over-sexual-harassment-claims-fifo-inquiry-reveals-20210820-p58kg8.html|access-date=2022-02-10|website=WAtoday|language=en}}</ref>

==Other significant accidents==
Bad weather caused a BHP Billiton helicopter to crash in [[Angola]] on 16 November 2007, killing the helicopter's five occupants. The deceased were: BHP Billiton Angola Chief Operating Officer David Hopgood (Australian), Angola Technical Services Operations Manager Kevin Ayre (British), Wild Dog Helicopters pilot Kottie Breedt (South African), Guy Sommerfield (British) of MMC and Louwrens Prinsloo (Namibian) of Prinsloo Drilling. The helicopter crashed approximately {{convert|80|km}} from the Alto Cuilo diamond exploration camp in Lunda Norte, northeastern Angola. BHP Billiton responded by suspending operations in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-11-18 |title=BHP executives killed in chopper crash |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-11-18/bhp-executives-killed-in-chopper-crash/729578 |access-date=2022-05-25}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Mining in Australia]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.bhp.com}}
* {{OpenSecrets}}
* {{Finance links
| name = BHP Group Ltd.
| symbol = BHP
| sec_cik = 811809
| google = BHP:ASX
| yahoo = BHP.AX
| bloomberg = BHP:AU
| reuters = BHP.AX
}}
* {{PM20|FID=co/003085|TEXT=Documents and clippings about|NAME=}}

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