BHP poised to strike mega water deal, turbocharging copper mining

Peter Ker and Simon Evans

Feb 20, 2024 – 4.54pm

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BHP and the South Australian government are close to finalising talks over a multibillion-dollar desalination plant for the Upper Spencer Gulf as the miner grows more confident in its ability to deliver a 55 per cent production boost at its nearby copper mines.

Reporting a $US6.6 billion ($10.1 billion) underlying profit for the six months to December 31 on Tuesday, BHP outlined a clearer pathway to grow its SA copper division to produce more than 500,000 tonnes of the metal each year.

Peter Ker covers resource companies for The Australian Financial Review, based in Melbourne.

Simon Evans writes on business specialising in retail, manufacturing, beverages, mining and M&A. He is based in Adelaide.