Our Story
Founded in 1885 in the rugged mining town of Broken Hill, New South Wales, BHP began as a single silver, lead, and zinc mine in the Australian outback. What started as a pioneering venture in one of the harshest landscapes on Earth has grown into the world's largest diversified resources company, operating across four continents and employing more than 80,000 people worldwide. Our journey spans nearly a century and a half of continuous evolution — adapting to shifting global demands while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, and innovation.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP today is a global leader in the production of copper, iron ore, metallurgical coal, and potash. We operate some of the world's most significant mining assets, including the Escondida copper mine in Chile — the largest copper mine on the planet — and our extensive iron ore operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region, which together supply the raw materials that underpin modern infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Throughout our history, we have consistently demonstrated a willingness to transform. In the early 2000s, we merged with Billiton plc — a storied mining house with roots stretching back to 1860s Indonesia — creating BHP Billiton, one of the most powerful dual-listed companies in global markets. This merger was not merely a corporate transaction; it was a strategic decision to build a portfolio resilient enough to weather commodity cycles and positioned to capitalise on the long-term trends reshaping the global economy.
Today, our strategic focus is sharply aligned with the mega-trends that will define the next century: the global energy transition, population growth, and urbanisation. We are actively reshaping our portfolio to concentrate on "future-facing" commodities — resources that are essential for decarbonisation and electrification, including copper for electric vehicles and wind turbines, nickel for battery technology, and potash for sustainable food production. These minerals will be in growing demand as the world moves toward a lower-carbon future, and BHP is uniquely positioned to supply them at scale.
Our approach to sustainability extends beyond environmental stewardship. We invest heavily in the social and economic development of host communities, partnering with Indigenous groups, local governments, and non-profit organisations to create shared value. Our Social Investment program has delivered billions of dollars in community support over the past two decades, funding healthcare, education, infrastructure, and enterprise development in regions where we operate. We recognise that our social licence to operate is earned daily through transparency, respect, and genuine partnership — not merely through compliance.
