Speaking to a packed audience, Henry outlined a vision where global demand for minerals will surge dramatically by 2050.
With nearly 10 billion people expected worldwide, the need for metals like copper is projected to grow by 70%, representing a potential $250 billion investment opportunity in upstream mining alone.
“We’re not just talking about rocks anymore,” Henry said, his voice cutting through the usual industry jargon. “We’re talking about the materials that will literally build the world of 2050.”
Population Growth and Mineral Demand
Population growth isn’t just a statistic, it’s a massive economic opportunity. Cities will expand. Technologies we can’t even imagine will emerge. And every single one of them will need minerals.
Massive urban centers will be needed to house 10 billion people. Electrification happening at a fast pace as each smartphone, electric vehicle, and solar panel is mineral hungry.
Geology Work Needs Innovation to Meet the Exploration Challenge
He is not naïve and knows finding these resources won’t be easy. The big deposits? They’re getting harder to find. Deeper. More remote. More technically complex or at the ocean’s depths.
BHP’s response? Double down on innovation. They’re throwing serious money at exploration technologies that sound like they’re straight out of a sci-fi novel – 3D seismic mapping. Muon tomography. AI-driven geological analysis.
Exploration isn’t just about luck anymore. It’s about data. About understanding geological patterns in ways we never could before. Machine learning is turning geological prospecting into a precision science.
Policy and Competitiveness Dictating the Global Investment Race
But government policy remains a real challenge. Countries such as Canada and Australia can’t rest on their mining laurels. They need to move fast, streamline regulations, and make themselves attractive to global investment.
Canada’s competitiveness ranking has dropped from eighth to 19th in just four years. That’s not just a number, it is a warning signal for an entire industry.
Argentina’s already making moves. The U.S. is pushing hard on critical mineral supply chains. Meanwhile, some traditional mining powerhouses are at risk of getting left behind.
Copper is the Green Economy Powerhouse
Copper is BHP’s big bet. He sees it as the next iron ore, a commodity that will define economic landscapes for decades. BHP is investing heavily, exploring partnerships in places like Argentina and Canada.
The company just invested $2 billion in a joint venture in Argentina with Lundin Mining. That’s not a small bet, it is a statement of confidence in the region’s potential.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for BHP. It’s a core strategy. Reducing emissions. Creating local economic opportunities. Working closely with Indigenous communities.
BHP isn’t just talking about environmental responsibility, it is building it into its operational DNA. Twenty percent Indigenous workforce participation. Partnership agreements. Real, tangible commitments.
A Strategic Vision
“The next five years,” he told the crowd, “will shape the next five decades.”
The technologies are changing. The geopolitical landscape is shifting. Critical minerals are becoming the new oil, strategic resources that define national economic potential.
BHP wants to be at the forefront of that transformation. Not just as a mining company, but as a strategic partner in global development.
“We’re not just extracting minerals,” Henry said. “We’re building the infrastructure of the future.”
The mining industry is changing. And BHP wants to lead that change.
One deposit at a time.
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