All aboard battery-electric locomotives, copper growth in Chile, and 140 years of partnering with communities

In this edition, we look at electrifying trains, Chile's key role in meeting global copper demand, and BHP’s evolving relationship with communities over 140 years.

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BHP welcomes Australia’s first purpose-built, heavy-haul, battery-electric locomotives to the Pilbara

The first brand-new, purpose-built battery-electric locomotives (BELs) in Australia have arrived in Port Hedland.

The two BELs, delivered in partnership with Wabtec, are fully battery-powered heavy-haul units that will be trialled on BHP’s iron ore rail routes between its Pilbara mines and Port of Port Hedland operations.

Purpose-built to withstand the region’s extreme heat and demanding conditions, the locomotives have been designed to deliver high performance while aiming to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2).

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Chile: global copper powerhouse and BHP growth engine

To mark BHP’s 140-year milestone, President Americas, Brandon Craig recently celebrated Chile's contribution to our global story at an event with local partners and policymakers. Brandon remarked on the growing global demand for copper - forecast to increase by 70% between 2021 and 2050 - and emphasised both the opportunities and challenges this presents for Chile, a country that already produces a quarter of the world’s copper.

Brandon underscored BHP’s journey in Chile as a strong reflection of our pioneering spirit and enduring commitment to operational excellence and creating social value. Since the 1980s, when construction began at Escondida, BHP has grown to become a cornerstone of Chile’s copper industry - now producing 25% of the country’s copper and contributing nearly 3% of its GDP. From Escondida to Spence and Cerro Colorado, BHP has consistently prioritised safety, innovation, and inclusion. In 2023, we achieved gender balance in our Chilean workforce, with 48% female representation in leadership roles, and in 2024, Indigenous Peoples made up over 10% of our workforce.

Reflecting on our journey, Brandon noted,

"The Americas and Chile, in particular, are at the heart of our growth plans. We aim to be BHP’s growth engine, continuously transforming the mining industry through innovation and operational excellence."

With ambitious investment plans and a focus on sustainable growth, BHP continues to shape the future of mining in Latin America.

Showing up and working together with communities

BHP's 140-year milestone has invited not just celebration, but reflection on the lessons, achievements, and challenges that have shaped our history, evolving relationship with communities and the journey still ahead. The 21st century has been shaped by defining moments for BHP, moments that reflect a company committed to doing better, being better, and supporting the communities in which we operate.

That commitment is embedded in our approach to social value, which guides everything we do: from decarbonisation and healthy environments, to empowering Indigenous partnerships, creating a safe, inclusive and future-ready workforce and helping to build thriving, empowered communities and responsible supply chains. Our social value framework is about co-creating solutions, measuring what matters and delivering tangible impact.

From remote mining towns to vibrant regional centres, host communities have rich histories and deep connections to BHP. These are places built on resilience, shaped by generations of families who’ve worked with us, lived near us, and grown alongside us and we are deeply grateful for those partnerships as we look ahead to building a stronger future together.

In our latest video, team members reflect on what it means to be part of these communities – from the pride of supporting local initiatives, to memorable moments of connection. We also hear from one of our valued community partners, AFLW, about how BHP is helping shape the future of coaching for women in the AFL industry.

Read more in our publication titled: ‘Building What’s Next: BHP in the 21st century’.

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