At the recent industry conference in London, BHP’s chief executive Mike Henry characterized copper demand as “ubiquitous,” pointing to its critical role in electrification, renewable energy and electric vehicles. Henry noted that global copper use is projected to grow by more than 30% over the next decade as grid upgrades in North America and Asia accelerate and automakers ramp up battery-electric production. He emphasized that copper’s conductive properties make it indispensable for power transmission lines, electric motors and charging infrastructure, creating sustained demand irrespective of cyclical metal price swings.

BHP’s asset portfolio is heavily weighted toward copper, with flagship operations at Escondida in Chile and the Spence mine in northern Chile accounting for roughly 40% of the company’s total copper output. The company has committed over three billion dollars in brownfield expansions at both sites, targeting a combined annual production increase of 250,000 tonnes by 2028. In addition, BHP is advancing its South32 joint venture exploration program in Australia, where early drilling results suggest high-grade copper intersections that could support a new concentrator by the end of the next decade.

Responding to U.S. infrastructure initiatives, BHP is partnering with a consortium of energy and recycling firms to develop an integrated copper supply chain in the American Southwest. The plan calls for transporting concentrates from BHP’s Chilean operations through West Coast terminals and smelters, then refining domestically to meet growing demand from grid operators and vehicle manufacturers. This strategy not only shortens delivery times but also enhances security of supply for critical industries, positioning BHP as a leading foreign supplier to a market seeking to reduce dependence on non-allied sources.