BHP Group, one of the world’s leading resources companies, has announced that its Xplor accelerator programme will expand to include uranium and lithium projects from September. The Xplor programme was launched in January this year to support promising minerals explorers, with a focus on copper and nickel projects that are key to the energy transition. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at BHP’s Xplor programme and its expansion to include uranium and lithium projects.
BHP’s Xplor Programme: An Overview
The Xplor programme is part of BHP’s commitment to supporting innovative exploration practices that align with its portfolio of commodities. The programme provides financial support and technical expertise to promising minerals explorers, helping them to progress their projects more quickly and efficiently. BHP selects projects that align with its focus on copper and nickel, as these commodities are essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Xplor programme is open to explorers around the world, and BHP provides funding for up to six months of exploration activities.
Expansion to Uranium and Lithium Projects
BHP’s decision to expand the Xplor programme to include uranium and lithium projects reflects the company’s recognition of the growing importance of these commodities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Uranium is a key component in nuclear power generation, which is expected to play a significant role in meeting global energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Lithium is a critical component in the batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
According to the head of the Xplor programme, the expansion will allow BHP to support explorers who are exploring new frontiers in these critical commodities. BHP will select promising projects based on their alignment with the company’s strategy and their potential for creating value over the long term. The company will provide financial support and technical expertise to these projects, helping them to progress more quickly and efficiently.
The Importance of Innovation in Exploration
BHP’s Xplor programme reflects the company’s commitment to innovation in exploration. By supporting promising explorers with financial and technical resources, BHP is helping to drive the development of new discoveries and the advancement of new technologies. This is critical in a time of rapid change in the resources industry, as companies seek to meet the growing demand for commodities while reducing their environmental impact.
