Achieving global gender balance and investing in the future of copper mining

Welcome to the second edition of ‘BHP Insights’.

In this edition, we delve into the future of copper mining and why we think a $250 billion investment is needed to find copper resources that are deeper and technically harder to bring to the surface. We also shine a spotlight on what achieving a gender balanced workforce means for BHP and celebrate a 45-year anniversary in Western Australia.

Global gender balance – after nine years BHP is safer, more productive and a better place to work – worth the effort!

"In 2016, we set an aspirational goal to achieve a gender balanced workforce by the end of CY2025. Today, I’m pleased to share that we have achieved this aim, with women now comprising 40 per cent of our global employees.

Our efforts to build a better BHP, with a more inclusive, collaborative and respectful workplace culture, have underpinned this achievement. Importantly, they have also driven underlying business performance – contributing to a BHP that is safer, more productive and more reliable than in 2016.

These improvements have helped make BHP a more attractive place to work for many more people – and this will become increasingly important in a sector facing labour and skills shortages in the years to come.

Gender balance is a distinct source of competitive advantage and one we can build on in the years ahead.

To everyone at BHP, thank you for making this goal a reality and playing your part in building a better BHP." - Mike Henry, CEO, BHP

Read more here.

The future of copper mining: we estimate USD $250 billion investment is needed

In the evolving landscape of copper mining, deposits are increasingly challenging to locate and extract.

The mighty Escondida deposit, the largest producing mine in the world more than 40 years after it was first discovered, was found at a relatively shallow depth of only 40 meters in 1981. It contrasts sharply with newer, deeper finds like the Resolution deposit, discovered in 2002 at a depth of 1,280 meters.

As deposits are increasingly found deeper underground, accessing these resources becomes more costly and technically complex, ultimately impacting copper prices. This means investment is crucial to not only accessing the deposits, but incorporating the advanced technologies needed to enhance productivity and sustainability in operations.

Visual Capitalist and BHP put together some interesting facts to show the depths and sizes of major copper discoveries found since 1900.

Read the full article here: Major Copper Discoveries Since 1900

After 45 years, Terry has street cred in Port Hedland

For over four decades, Terry Burnham has been a cornerstone of Finucane Island, one of the most important hubs in global iron ore trade enabling the export of around 500 million tons of iron ore annually, and an estimated $50 billion annually to the prosperity of Australia. It's also famous amongst the Port Hedland community for its fishing, bird life and indigenous culture.

Terry’s contribution to Finucane Island has been acknowledged – with a street named after him!

Terry is a Production Technician at Finucane Island and has dedicated 45 years to operating fixed plant machinery, ensuring quality control, and maintaining seamless operations. He is not merely a part of the company’s history; he has witnessed and contributed to some of its most significant milestones including the construction of the 702 Tunnel, an infrastructure project at Finucane Island that revolutionised iron ore transportation. He was also the first operator to drive BHP’s automated yard machine (BWR6) and was part of the commissioning team that transitioned reclaimers to automation, marking a significant technological advancement.

Congratulations, Terry!