Hear CEO Mike Henry share BHP's growth plans, and discover how AI will drive copper demand
Welcome to the first edition of ‘BHP Insights’, BHP's LinkedIn newsletter. This monthly newsletter will offer insights into the innovations and strategies shaping our resources sector.
In this edition, CEO Mike Henry and CFO Vandita Pant respond to questions from shareholders. Additionally, learn about the rapid growth of data centres worldwide and its implications for copper demand.
BHP's Shareholder Q&A session with Mike Henry, CEO, and Vandita Pant, CFO
Mike Henry and Vandita Pant address shareholders' questions on the growth potential of BHP's existing assets, the supply and demand dynamics for iron ore, and why we are investing in potash - one of three primary fertilisers.
"If you think about the dynamic at play here, the world's population is growing from circa 8 billion today to 10 billion by 2050... In addition, we're seeing standards of living rise around the world. That combination of more mouths to feed, and richer diets means that there's going to be a lot more agricultural production needed over the coming decades. So, we have to get more yield off the farming land that's out there....” – Mike Henry, CEO.
Watch here: Shareholder Q&A
Why AI tools and data centres are driving copper demand
Copper is vital for the data centres which are enabling the world to embrace new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This article explores the reasons behind this emerging copper demand driver and the impact we expect it will have on global copper consumption.
The role of AI in modern technology
AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google 's Gemini, and DALL-E, are transforming the way we work, create, and interact. These technologies offer potential efficiency gains in our lives, from managing daily tasks to developing new concepts and ideas. But the effectiveness of AI tools depends heavily on the processing power behind them. This is where data centres come into play, providing the necessary computational muscle to support AI-powered applications.
Data Centres: the backbone of AI
Data centres deliver the rapid data processing, storage, and retrieval capabilities required by AI tools. In the past two years, data centre construction has doubled in the United States, driven by major players such as Amazon , Alphabet Inc. , and Microsoft investing heavily to stay ahead of AI-driven demand. Other regions, including China, Japan, and the European Union, have also seen significant increases in data centre construction.
Copper's critical role in data centres
Copper is a crucial component in the construction of data centres, particularly for power networks, circuit boards, and cooling systems. A study of Microsoft’s $500 million data centre facility in Chicago found it used 2,177 tonnes of copper, equivalent to 27 tonnes of copper for every megawatt (MW) of applied power. Data centres are also power hungry, and both the generation and delivery of this power rely heavily on copper.
Impact on global copper demand
The growing demand for AI tools and the expansion of data centres are expected to have a significant impact on global copper consumption. As more companies invest in AI and data centre infrastructure, the need for copper will continue to rise. This trend underscores the importance of copper in supporting the technological advancements shaping our future.
The integration of AI tools and the expansion of data centres are driving substantial demand for copper. Understanding this dynamic is essential for stakeholders in the copper industry and those involved in technological innovation.
Read the full article: BHP Insights Blog
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Welding Co2 and Arc at Krill mining
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From Innovation to Implementation: Advanced Mining Solutions
5moWhile considering new technology such as high voltage pulse (HVP) for copper ore fragmentation we need to consider where such relatively expensive process should fit and how sensor based sorting (SBS) can affect overall efficiency of copper minerals recovery. In the case of copper ores (porphyry, skarn, and IOCG ores): *Start with SBS, then HVP: This sequence delivers the lowest unit energy and CAPEX in most cases. *Use pre-weakening pulse sparingly: Apply a low-energy pulse before SBS only when coarse, deeply buried sulphide clusters consistently evade detection. *Pilot-test both flowsheet orders: Mineral TEXTURE, not head grade, drives performance—always validate through testing. Regularly validate, and adjust HVP parameters, if required. This strategy minimizes energy per tone of payable copper while keeping capital flexible. In essence HVP is viable option to consider but always in synergy with SBS, while SBS can be worth while addition on standalone basis. #Mining #Copper #OreSorting #Innovation #Sustainability #randaustraliaptyltd