BHP and ABB Extend Partnership to Accelerate Decarbonisation and Sustainable Growth

BHP has expanded its strategic alliance with global technology leader ABB, signing a multi-year Global Framework Agreement. This move will significantly enhance the companies’ collaboration across several critical areas, including industrial automation, electrification, digitalisation, and decarbonisation. This partnership aims to support BHP’s global operations, focusing on key projects in Chile, Canada, and Australia, while advancing the company’s sustainability goals.

The new agreement underscores the long-standing relationship between BHP, one of the world’s largest mining companies, and ABB, a global pioneer in industrial automation and digital technologies. The partnership is designed to leverage ABB’s expertise in cutting-edge technologies, which are critical to driving operational efficiency, enhancing safety, and most importantly, accelerating BHP’s decarbonisation efforts across its vast portfolio of assets.

ABB will continue to supply BHP with advanced automation systems, electrification solutions, and digital services across major mining projects. These include the Escondida mine in Chile—the world’s largest copper mine—BHP’s Jansen potash project in Canada, and several operations across BHP’s Australian mining assets, such as those in South Australia, home to one of the world’s most significant copper basins.

BHP’s decision to highlight South Australia in the announcement is not just symbolic but strategic. The state is home to the Olympic Dam mine, which holds one of the world’s largest copper deposits.

The agreement is particularly significant as it aligns with BHP’s ambitious goal to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. With a focus on Scopes 1 and 2 emissions (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and indirect emissions from purchased electricity), BHP has recognised that rapid deployment of enabling technologies is crucial to reaching this target.

The collaboration with ABB is expected to play a pivotal role in this journey, as both companies work to deploy technologies that reduce carbon footprints while optimizing productivity.

Rag Udd, Chief Commercial Officer, BHP said, "Celebrating this partnership in South Australia is no coincidence. South Australia is home to one of the world’s most globally significant copper basins, and the world’s demand for quality copper is only growing. Copper is essential to the energy transition already underway, and partnerships like the one we have with ABB will be integral in driving BHP’s growth ambitions, not only in South Australia but globally, while also advancing our operational decarbonisation efforts."

Joachim Braun, President of ABB Process Industries echoed the same sentiments and said, "This Global Framework Agreement further reinforces our long-standing partnership with BHP, enabling us to accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies that will not only drive productivity but also contribute to BHP’s decarbonisation and sustainability goals. Our partnership is more than just about technology; it’s about building a resilient and sustainable future together."