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BHP Group

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FY2019 Annual Report · BHP Group
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Annual
Report
2019

Our Charter

We are BHP,  
a leading global resources company.

Our Purpose

Our Values

To bring people and resources 
together to build a better world.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to have the best 
capabilities, best commodities  
and best assets, to create  
long-term value and high returns.

Sustainability  
Putting health and safety first, being environmentally responsible  
and supporting our communities.

Integrity 
Doing what is right and doing what we say we will do.

Respect 
Embracing openness, trust, teamwork, diversity and relationships  
that are mutually beneficial.

Performance  
Achieving superior business results by stretching our capabilities.

Simplicity  
Focusing our efforts on the things that matter most.

Accountability  
Defining and accepting responsibility and delivering on our commitments.

We are successful when:

Our people start each day with a sense of purpose and end the day with  
a sense of accomplishment.

Our teams are inclusive and diverse.

Our communities, customers and suppliers value their relationships with us.

Our asset portfolio is world-class and sustainably developed.

Our operational discipline and financial strength enables our future growth.

Our shareholders receive a superior return on their investment.

Andrew Mackenzie 
Chief Executive Officer 

May 2019

The Annual Report 2019 is  
available online at bhp.com.

BHP Group Limited. ABN 49 004 028 077. Registered in Australia. 
Registered office: 171 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. 
BHP Group Plc. Registration number 3196209. Registered in England and 
Wales. Registered office: Nova South, 160 Victoria Street London SW1E 5LB 
United Kingdom. Each of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc is a 
member of the Group, which has its headquarters in Australia. BHP is  
a Dual Listed Company structure comprising BHP Group Limited and  
BHP Group Plc. The two entities continue to exist as separate companies 
but operate as a combined group known as BHP.

The headquarters of BHP Group Limited and the global headquarters of  
the combined Group are located in Melbourne, Australia. The headquarters 
of BHP Group Plc are located in London, United Kingdom. Both companies 
have identical Boards of Directors and are run by a unified management 
team. Throughout this publication, the Boards are referred to collectively  
as the Board. Shareholders in each company have equivalent economic 
and voting rights in the Group as a whole.

In this Annual Report, the terms ‘BHP’, the ‘Company’, the ‘Group’, ‘our 
business’, ‘organisation’, ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’ and ‘ourselves’ refer to BHP Group 
Limited, BHP Group Plc and, except where the context otherwise requires, 
their respective subsidiaries as defined in note 13 ‘Related undertaking  
of the Group’ in section 5.2 of this Report. Those terms do not include 
non-operated assets.

This Annual Report covers BHP’s assets (including those under exploration, 
projects in development or execution phases, sites and closed operations) 
that have been wholly owned and/or operated by BHP and that have been 
owned as a joint venture(1) operated by BHP (referred to in this Report as 
‘assets’, ‘operated assets’ or ‘operations’) during the period from 1 July 2018 
to 30 June 2019. Our functions are also included.

BHP also holds interests in assets that are owned as a joint venture but  
not operated by BHP (referred to in this Annual Report as ‘non-operated 
joint ventures’ or ‘non-operated assets’). Notwithstanding that that this 
Annual Report may include production, financial and other information 
from non-operated assets, non-operated assets are not included in the  
BHP Group and, as a result, statements regarding our operations, assets 
and values apply only to our operated assets unless stated otherwise.

(1)  References in this Annual Report to a ‘joint venture’ are used for convenience 

to collectively describe assets that are not wholly owned by BHP. Such 
references are not intended to characterise the legal relationship between 
the owners of the asset. 

Contents
1  Strategic Report
1.1   Chairman’s Review 
1.2   Chief Executive Off icer’s Report 
1.3   BHP at a glance: FY2019 performance summary 

BHP at a glance: What we do 

Tailings dams  

1.4   About BHP 
1.5   Our performance 
1.6   Our operating environment 
1.7   Samarco 
1.8 
1.9   People 
1.10   Sustainability 
1.11   Our businesses 
1.12   Summary of financial performance 
1.13   Performance by commodity 
1.14   Other information 
2  Governance at BHP 
2.1   Governance at BHP 
2.2   Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team  
2.3   Shareholder engagement 
2.4   Role and responsibilities of the Board 
2.5   Board membership 
2.6   Chairman 
2.7   Renewal and re-election 
2.8   Director skills, experience and attributes 
2.9   Director induction, training and development 
2.10   Independence 
2.11   Board evaluation 
2.12   Board meetings and attendance 
2.13   Board committees 
2.14   Risk management governance structure 
2.15   Management 
2.16   Our conduct 
2.17   Market disclosure 
2.18   Remuneration 
2.19   Directors’ share ownership 
2.20   Conformance with corporate governance standards 
2.21   Additional UK disclosure 
 Remuneration Report
3  
3.1   Annual statement by the Remuneration 

Committee Chairman 
3.2   Remuneration policy report 
3.3   Annual report on remuneration 

4
5
6
8
9
18
23
44
47
50
55
66
81
95
103

106
109
115
116
118
118
118
119
121
121
122
123
124
132
133
134
134
134
134
135
135

138
144
150

Indemnities and insurance 

4   Directors’ Report
4.1   Review of operations, principal activities and state of aff airs  164
165
4.2   Share capital and buy-back programs  
165
4.3   Results, financial instruments and going concern  
165
4.4   Directors  
166
4.5   Remuneration and share interests 
166
4.6   Secretaries  
166
4.7  
167
4.8   Employee policies 
167
4.9   Corporate governance  
167
4.10   Dividends  
167
4.11   Auditors  
167
4.12   Non-audit services  
168
4.13   Political donations  
168
4.14   Exploration, research and development  
168
4.15   ASIC Instrument 2016/191 
168
4.16   Proceedings on behalf of BHP Group Limited  
4.17   Performance in relation to environmental regulation  
168
4.18   Share capital, restrictions on transfer of shares and other 

additional information  

5   Financial Statements
5.1   Consolidated Financial Statements 
5.2   BHP Group Plc 
5.3   Directors’ declaration 
5.4   Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect 
of the Annual Report and the Financial Statements 

5.5   Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 

Section 307C of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 
Independent Auditors’ reports 

5.6  
5.7   Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited 
6   Additional information
6.1  
Information on mining operations 
6.2   Production 
6.3   Resources and Reserves 
6.4   Major projects 
6.5   Climate change data 
6.6  Legal proceedings 
6.7   Glossary 
7   Shareholder information
7.1   History and development 
7.2   Markets 
7.3   Organisational structure 
7.4   Material contracts 
7.5   Constitution 
7.6   Share ownership 
7.7   Dividends 
7.8   American Depositary Receipts fees and charges 
7.9   Government regulations 
7.10   Ancillary information for our shareholders 

168

170
226
238

239

240
241
248

254
263
266
290
291
294
297

304
304
304
306
306
310
312
313
313
316

Forward looking statements
This Annual Report contains forward looking statements, including 
statements regarding trends in commodity prices and currency exchange 
rates; demand for commodities; production forecasts; plans, strategies and 
objectives of management; closure or divestment of certain assets, 
operations or facilities (including associated costs); anticipated production 
or construction commencement dates; capital costs and scheduling; 
operating costs; anticipated productive lives of projects, mines and facilities; 
provisions and contingent liabilities; and tax and regulatory developments.
Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology 
including, but not limited to, ‘intend’, ‘aim’, ‘project’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, 
‘plan’, ‘believe’, ‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘continue’ or similar words. 
These statements discuss future expectations concerning the results of 
assets or financial conditions, or provide other forward looking information.
These forward looking statements are not guarantees or predictions of future 
performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other 
factors, many of which are beyond our control and which may cause actual 
results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained 
in this Annual Report. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on 
forward looking statements.
For example, our future revenues from our assets, projects or mines described 
in this Annual Report will be based, in part, on the market price of the minerals, 
metals or petroleum products produced, which may vary significantly from 
current levels. These variations, if materially adverse, may affect the timing 
or the feasibility of the development of a particular project, the expansion of 
certain facilities or mines, or the continuation of existing assets.
Other factors that may affect the actual construction or production 
commencement dates, costs or production output and anticipated lives 
of assets, mines or facilities include: our ability to profitably produce and 
transport the minerals, petroleum and/or metals extracted to applicable 
markets; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the market prices 
of the minerals, petroleum or metals we produce; activities of government 
authorities in the countries where we are exploring or developing projects, 
facilities or mines, including increases in taxes, changes in environmental 
and other regulations and political uncertainty; labour unrest; and other 
factors identified in the risk factors set out in section 1.6.4.

Except as required by applicable regulations or by law, BHP does not 
undertake to publicly update or review any forward looking statements, 
whether as a result of new information or future events.
Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.
Agreements for sale of Onshore US
On 28 September 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued 
share capital of BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. and 100 per cent of the 
membership interests in BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville) LLC, which held 
the Fayetteville assets, for a gross cash consideration of US$0.3 billion.
On 31 October 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued 
share capital of Petrohawk Energy Corporation, the BHP subsidiary which held 
the Eagle Ford (being Black Hawk and Hawkville), Haynesville and Permian 
assets, for a gross cash consideration of US$10.3 billion (net of preliminary 
customary completion adjustments of US$0.2 billion). 
While the effective date at which the right to economic profits transferred to 
the purchasers was 1 July 2018, the Group continued to control the Onshore 
US assets until the completion dates of their respective transactions. In addition, 
the Group provided transitional services to the buyer, which ceased in July 2019.
For IFRS accounting purposes, Onshore US is treated as Discontinued 
operations in BHP’s Financial Statements. Unless otherwise stated, information 
in section 5 has been presented on a Continuing operations basis to 
exclude the contribution from Onshore US assets. Details of the contribution 
of Onshore US assets to the Group’s results are disclosed in note 27 
‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5. All other information in this Annual 
Report (other than FY2019 safety performance data) relating to the Group 
has been presented on a Continuing and Discontinued operations basis to 
include the contribution from Onshore US assets prior to completion of 
their sale, unless otherwise stated. FY2019 safety performance data in this 
Annual Report has been presented on a Continuing and Discontinued basis 
to include the contribution from Onshore US assets to 28 February 2019.
Unless otherwise stated, comparative financial information for FY2017, FY2016 
and FY2015 has been restated to reflect the sale of the Onshore US assets, as 
required by IFRS 5/AASB 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued 
Operations’. Consolidated Balance Sheet information for these periods has not 
been restated as accounting standards do not require it.

BHP Annual Report 2019  1

2  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 1

Strategic Report

About this Strategic Report
This Strategic Report in section 1 provides insight into BHP’s 
strategy, operating and business model, and objectives. It 
describes the principal risks BHP faces and how these risks 
might affect our future prospects. It also gives our perspective 
on our recent operational and financial performance. 

This disclosure is also intended to assist shareholders and other 
stakeholders to understand and interpret the Consolidated 
Financial Statements prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) included in this Annual 
Report. The basis of preparation of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements is set out in section 5.1. We also use alternative 
performance measures to explain our underlying performance; 
however, these measures should not be considered as an 
indication of, or as a substitute for, statutory measures as an 
indicator of actual operating performance, position or as a 
substitute for cash flow as a measure of liquidity. To obtain 
full details of the financial and operational performance of BHP, 
this Strategic Report should be read in conjunction with the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. 
Underlying EBITDA is the key measure that management uses 
internally to assess the performance of the Group’s segments 
and make decisions on the allocation of resources. Unless 
otherwise stated, data in section 1 is presented on a Continuing 
operations and Discontinued operations basis.

This Strategic Report in section 1 meets the requirements of 
the UK Companies Act 2006 and the Operating and Financial 
Review required by the Australian Corporations Act 2001.

We have excluded certain information from this Strategic 
Report, to the extent permitted by UK and Australian law, on 
the basis that it relates to impending developments or matters 
in the course of negotiation, and disclosure would be seriously 
prejudicial to the interests of BHP. This is because such 
disclosure could be misleading due to the fact it is premature 
or preliminary in nature, relates to commercially sensitive 
contracts, would undermine confidentiality between BHP 
and its suppliers and clients, or would otherwise unreasonably 
damage the business. The categories of information omitted 
include forward looking estimates and projections prepared 
for internal management purposes, information regarding 
BHP’s assets and projects that is developing and susceptible 
to change, and information relating to commercial contracts 
and pricing modules.

References to sections beyond section 1 are references to other 
sections in this Annual Report 2019. Shareholders may obtain 
a hard copy of the Annual Report free of charge by contacting 
our Share Registrars, whose details are set out in our Corporate 
directory on the inside back cover of this Annual Report.

In this section

1.1  Chairman’s Review 
1.2  Chief Executive Off icer’s Report
1.3  BHP at a glance: FY2019 performance summary
1.4  About BHP

1.4.1  Our strategy 
1.4.2  Our Operating Model
1.4.3   Managing performance
1.4.4  Transformation overview
1.4.5  Operations Services
1.4.6   Locations
1.5   Our performance

1.5.1   Financial KPIs
1.5.2   Non-financial KPIs
1.5.3   Our contribution in FY2019

1.6  Our operating environment

1.6.1   Market factors and trends
1.6.2   Commodity performance overview
1.6.3   Exploration
1.6.4   Risk management
1.7 
Samarco
1.8  Tailings dams
1.9  People

1.9.1   Our people
1.9.2   Employees and contractors

1.10  Sustainability

1.10.1  Our approach to sustainability
1.10.2  Safety
1.10.3  Health
1.10.4   Protecting the environment
1.10.5  Engaging with communities
1.10.6  Respecting human rights
1.10.7   Indigenous peoples
1.10.8  Climate change

1.11  Our businesses

1.11.1  Minerals Australia
1.11.2  Minerals Americas
1.11.3  Petroleum
1.11.4  Commercial

1.12  Summary of financial performance

1.12.1  Group overview
1.12.2  Financial results
1.12.3  Debt and sources of liquidity
1.12.4  Alternative performance measures
1.12.5 

 Definition and calculation of alternative 
performance measures

1.12.6  Definition and calculation of principal factors 

1.13  Performance by commodity

1.13.1  Petroleum
1.13.2  Copper
1.13.3  Iron Ore
1.13.4  Coal
1.13.5  Other assets

1.14  Other information

BHP Annual Report 2019  3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Chairman’s Review

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to provide our Annual Report for FY2019.

During the year, our relentless focus on strengthening our portfolio, 
capital discipline, culture and productivity delivered a solid set 
of financial results. Higher prices and record production from 
a number of operations contributed to strong operating cash 
flows and enabled BHP to announce a record final dividend of 
78 US cents per share.

We completed the sale of our Onshore US oil and gas business 
in October 2018. Net proceeds of US$10.4 billion were returned 
to shareholders through a combination of an off-market buy-back 
in December 2018, and a special dividend in January 2019. 
These returns, when added to dividends announced in respect 
of FY2019, delivered record annual cash returns to shareholders.

We continued to invest in our future through the disciplined 
and transparent application of our Capital Allocation Framework. 
BHP currently has six major projects under development in 
petroleum, copper, iron ore and potash. All of them are on 
schedule and budget. 

While we made strong progress in FY2019, we achieve nothing 
if it is not done safely. Tragically, in December last year, our 
colleague Allan Houston died at BMA’s Saraji Mine in Queensland. 
I offer my condolences to Allan’s family, friends and colleagues. 
We have shared the findings of the fatality investigation across 
the organisation and we will continue our work to improve safety 
tools and behaviours. 

The collapse earlier this year of the Brumadinho tailings dam, 
owned by Brazilian company Vale, was a tragic event for the 
industry. Unfortunately, we know too well the toll these events 
take on communities. We have responded to a Church of England 
Pensions Board request for information on our own tailings facilities 
– a request sent to around 700 mining companies. We held investor 
briefings in Sydney and London to talk openly about how we 
manage our tailings storage facilities. We are working closely 
with industry and other stakeholders to achieve more consistent 
disclosure. We will also participate in setting new international 
and independent tailings management standards to improve 
transparency and accountability across the industry. 

Throughout FY2019, I met with many of our shareholders and 
stakeholders. These discussions have renewed our commitment to 
deliver on the five key priorities for BHP – safety, portfolio, capital 
discipline, culture and capability, and social value. I strongly believe 
our focus on these key areas will create value for shareholders and 
make a positive contribution to society.

To strengthen our operating performance, this year we established 
a dedicated Transformation Office to focus on workforce capability 
and technology deployment. Our transformation efforts will make 
BHP safer and our operations more efficient and reliable. These 
efforts will develop workforce capability so that our people are 
equipped for the rapid pace of change that lies ahead. Coupled 
with a lean and agile management culture, transformation has the 
potential to unlock significant value in the short and medium term.

We also take a structured and rigorous approach to Board 
succession. In FY2019, we welcomed two new Board members, 
Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby, who joined us in April 2019. Ian 
and Susan are both excellent additions to the Board and will help 
ensure we have the right balance of attributes, skills, experience 
and diversity necessary for the Board to govern BHP effectively. 

Carolyn Hewson, a Board member for over nine years, will be 
retiring from the Board, as planned, at this year’s Annual General 
Meeting. On behalf of her colleagues on the Board, and the many 
employees she has closely interacted with over this term, I thank 
Carolyn for her counsel on the Board and as Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee. Carolyn has made an outstanding 
contribution to BHP and we wish her the very best for the future.

The progress our people have made to our five focus areas has 
positioned us well for the future. I am confident that BHP, led by 
Andrew Mackenzie and the leadership team, has the right assets 
and capability to deliver strong shareholder value and returns.

Thank you for your continued support of BHP.

Ken MacKenzie
Chairman 

4  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.2 Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Dear Shareholder,

BHP’s commitment to simplification, capital discipline and culture 
laid the groundwork for a solid performance in FY2019. From these 
strong foundations, we are confident in the long-term outlook, 
with significant opportunities ahead to further transform our 
business and deliver value and returns for our shareholders.

While our performance is a key indicator of success, how we operate 
is equally critical. 

This year, we changed Our Charter to revise our company purpose. 
Our purpose is: to bring people and resources together to build 
a better world. We also added social value as one of our five 
company priorities. These changes recognise that we work with 
a range of stakeholders to make a positive contribution to the 
world. We know we must build trust and forge mutually beneficial 
partnerships for the long term, because the value we create 
together is central to shareholder value.

As always at BHP, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people 
remains our highest priority.

In December 2018, our colleague Allan Houston died at BMA’s 
Saraji Mine in Queensland. He remains in our thoughts as do 
his colleagues, family and friends. After a lengthy and thorough 
investigation, we could not determine the direct cause of the 
incident but the investigation identified several areas for 
improvement, which we shared across the organisation.

There was a slight rise in total recordable injury frequency to 
4.7 per million hours worked. However, we reduced the number 
of events with the potential to cause a fatality by 7 per cent, 
which is a critical indicator of our future safety performance 
across our business. This result is positive, but there is more 
we can and will do. 

We have generated consistently strong operating cash flows over 
the past few years and delivered a further US$17 billion in FY2019. 
We used this cash to progress attractive growth projects, pay 
down debt and deliver record cash returns to shareholders. 

The final dividend declared for FY2019 was a record 78 US cents 
per share – or US$3.9 billion in total. This is in addition to the 
$US17 billion we already returned to shareholders during the year.

With the approval of the Ruby oil and gas development in August 
2019, we now have six major projects under development. All of 
these are on schedule and budget. We also had further exploration 
success in copper and oil and are confident we have a rich set of 
options to grow value in the future. 

In July 2019, we announced a five-year US$400 million Climate 
Investment Program to find the best technologies, investments 
and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our 
value chain. 

We are well positioned for future success. We have plans to 
maximise the value of our assets through our transformation 
programs and disciplined investment. We will invest in our culture 
and capabilities so our workforce is more inclusive and diverse 
and ready for the challenges of tomorrow. Their hard work has 
secured a strong outcome for BHP this year and I thank them 
for their energy and commitment. 

Thank you also to our shareholders, suppliers, customers and 
the communities in which we operate. We are a better company 
because of your trust and support.

Our FY2019 financial performance from continuing operations 
was strong. Higher prices and solid underlying performance 
contributed to EBITDA of US$23 billion at a margin of 53 per cent. 
Underlying attributable profit was US$9.5 billion.

Andrew Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer

BHP Annual Report 2019  5

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1.3 BHP at a glance: FY2019 performance summary

Safety is our top priority

We created value for the community

Disappointingly, our total recordable 
injury frequency (TRIF) increased by 
7% 
from last year (1) (2)

We made a social investment of
US$93.5 million 
to communities around the world (3)

4.4

in FY2018

4.7

in FY2019

Strong financial performance was achieved this year

Attributable profit (4) of
US$8.3 billion

Underlying EBITDA (5) (6) of
US$23.2 billion

US$10.0 billion
free cash flow (4) (6) in FY2019 

US$ billion

US$ billion

US$ billion

10

7.5

5

2.5

0

-2.5

-5

-7.5

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

For more information on alternative 
performance measures, refer to section 1.12.4.

25

20

15

10

5

0

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

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1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

We created value for our shareholders We strengthened our balance sheet

Total dividends (7) of
235 US cents

And basic earnings per 
ordinary share (4) of
160.3 US cents

We reduced our net debt (6) to

US$9.2 billion 

in FY2019, a reduction of
US$16.9 billion in three years

(1)   TRIF is calculated based on the number of recordable injuries per million hours worked. 

Refer to section 1.5.2.

(2)   FY2018 TRIF data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets). 

FY2019 TRIF data includes Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) to 28 February 2019 
and Continuing operations.

(3)  FY2019 social investment figure includes Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) 

to 31 October 2018 and Continuing operations.

(4)  Includes data for Continuing operations and Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported.
(5)  Includes data for Continuing operations for the financial years being reported.
(6)  For more information on alternative performance measures, refer to section 1.12.4
(7)  Includes a special dividend of 102 US cents which was paid from the proceeds from the disposal of Onshore US.

6  BHP Annual Report 2019

For more information about our financial 
performance in FY2019, see section 5.

 
 
 
 
We continued to focus on productivity

Strong cost discipline over the past five years 
has seen continued reduction in unit costs (1)

Western Australia 
Iron Ore 
unit costs (2) 

Queensland 
Coal 
unit costs (2) 

Conventional 
petroleum  
unit costs (2) (3)

Escondida 
copper 
unit costs (2) (4)

Since FY2014, we’ve reduced 
unit costs by over

20%
across our major assets 

In FY2019, we produced

FY2014
US$26.96

FY2014
US$84.06

FY2014
US$14.07

FY2014
US$1.16

FY2019
US$14.16

FY2019
US$69.44

FY2019
US$10.54

FY2019
US$1.14

Iron ore

238
million tonnes

Copper

1,689
kilotonnes

Petroleum 

(3)

Coal

121
MMboe

70
million tonnes  

0% year-on-year. 
We produced 
238 Mt in FY2018

4% year-on-year. 
We produced 
1,753 kt in FY2018

1% year-on-year. 
We produced 
120 MMboe in FY2018

3% year-on-year. 
We produced 
72 Mt in FY2018

Underlying EBITDA (5) 
US$11.1 billion 

Underlying EBITDA (5) 
US$4.6 billion 

Underlying EBITDA (5) 
US$3.8 billion 

Underlying EBITDA (5) 
US$4.1 billion

Underlying 
EBITDA (5) margin 
65%

Underlying 
EBITDA (5) margin 
46%

Underlying 
EBITDA (5) margin 
64%

Underlying 
EBITDA (5) margin 
45%

Contribution to Group 
Underlying EBITDA (5) (6) 
48%

Contribution to Group 
Underlying EBITDA (5) (6)  
19% 

Contribution to Group 
Underlying EBITDA (5) (6)  
16%

Contribution to Group 
Underlying EBITDA (5) (6)  
17%

(1)  Based on average exchange rates for FY2019 of AUD/USD 0.72 and USD/CLP 673.
(2)  Cash cost per pound, per tonne or per barrel (US$).
(3)  Excludes data from Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets).
(4)  Escondida copper unit costs have reduced from US$1.16/lb to US$1.14/lb despite a 32% copper concentrate grade decline since FY2014.
(5)  For more information on alternative performance measures refer to section 1.12.4. For more details on commodity performance, refer to section 1.13.
(6)  Percentage contribution to Group Underlying EBITDA, excluding Group and unallocated items.

BHP Annual Report 2019  7

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1.3 BHP at a glance: What we do

BHP has been around for 
134 years 

We employ over 
72,000 
employees and contractors (1) 

Who work in over 
90 
locations worldwide

In FY2019

We paid 
US$9.1 billion
globally in taxes, royalties 
and other payments
to governments (1)

BHP operations

Evaluation 
1
and exploration

We invest in discovering 
new resources, to meet 
the needs of future 
generations.

With a total economic 
contribution of (1)
US$46.2 billion

We are investing
US$400 million 
into a Climate Investment Program 
to accelerate our efforts 
to address climate change.

2

Development

We invest in studies, trials 
and infrastructure with the 
goal of creating the maximum 
value from resources.

Extraction 
3
and processing

We extract and process 
commodities, safely 
and sustainably.

Rehabilitation 

4
and closure

We close our operations 
through one or a combination 
of rehabilitation, ongoing 
management or – in 
consultation with the 
community – a transition 
to an alternative use.

1

3

2

4

5

Commercial

We sell our products, procure suppliers, 
organise freight and manage market 
risks to maximise value.

5

(1)  All figures include data for Continuing and Discontinued operations.

8  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.4 About BHP

1.4.1 Our strategy 

At BHP, our strategy is to have the best capabilities, best commodities and best assets to create long-term 
value and high returns.

Culture and capabilities 
that enable the execution
of our business strategy

Best
culture and
capabilities

Best 
commodities

Commodities 
with high economic rent potential 
that match our capabilities

Value and returns

Best assets

Assets 
that are resilient through the cycle, 
have embedded growth options 
and match our capabilities

Driven by a commitment to transformation, capital discipline and social value

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Our strategy maximises value and returns
We have a simple and diverse portfolio of tier one assets. They are 
long life, low cost and expandable. To extract the most value and 
the highest returns from our assets we apply our values and culture, 
operate them safely and productively, and deploy technology.

This has worked for shareholders. Since 2016 we have: 
•  strengthened our balance sheet through a US$17 billion 

reduction in net debt; 

•  reinvested US$27 billion in development options; 
•  importantly, returned more than US$29 billion to shareholders.

To maintain this track record, we must make the most of our portfolio 
and develop options that secure success. Future success depends 
not only on our commitment to capital discipline but also social 
value, which is our contribution to our people, the environment 
and communities. It informs the way in which we provide resources, 
achieve commercial success and make our workplace safe. We have 
a responsibility to produce strong commercial, sustainable and 
social outcomes for our shareholders, communities and society. 
This inspired us to refresh our purpose to acknowledge people as 
the driving force behind our achievements and reflect our broader 
contribution. For more detail on BHP’s purpose, refer to section 1.10.1. 

Transformation
Our Transformation program will continue to simplify the way 
we work, increase our workforce capability, establish innovative 
partnerships and create more stable and predictable operations, 
with the aim of unlocking more value. The Transformation 
program includes:
•  the BHP Operating System, which will change the way we work;
•  World Class Functions, designed to simplify 

and remove bureaucracy;

•  Centres of Excellence that help us be at the forefront of change;
•  Value Chain Automation, which will change the way we operate.

These will:
•  improve operational stability; 
•  make a quantum shift in safety, performance and value;
•  continue to increase productivity;
•  establish flexibility to rapidly capture opportunities.

For more information on these 
programs, see section 1.4.4.

Future options
We also have broad development options and exploration 
licences in many of the world’s premier basins, which could 
create significant shareholder value over the long term. These 
options cover a range of risk, return and optionality metrics 
and are diversified by commodity and geography.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.4.2 Our Operating Model

We have a simple and diverse portfolio of tier one assets around the world, with low-cost options for future 
growth and value creation. 

Our assets are high quality and largely located in low-risk locations, with strong development potential.

Our Operating Model

Assets

Minerals Australia
Coal, copper, iron ore, nickel

Operated assets
Western Australia Iron Ore
Queensland Coal (BMA and BMC)
New South Wales Energy Coal 
Olympic Dam
Nickel West

Minerals Americas
Coal, copper, iron ore, potash

Operated assets
Escondida
Pampa Norte
Jansen

Non-operated assets
Antamina
Cerrejón
Samarco

Petroleum
Petroleum

Operated assets
Shenzi
Angostura
Pyrenees
Macedon 

Non-operated assets
Atlantis
Mad Dog
Bass Strait
North West Shelf 

Commercial
Functions
Centres of Excellence
Leadership

In addition to having the right assets in the right commodities, we also create value in the way we operate our assets.

Our Operating Model allows us to leverage integrated systems and technology, replicate expertise and apply high standards 
of governance and transparency. 

Our Operating Model includes: 

Assets:  

 Assets are a set of one or more geographically proximate operations (including open-cut mines, underground 
mines and onshore and offshore oil and gas production and processing facilities). We produce a broad range 
of commodities through these assets. Our operated assets include assets that are wholly owned and operated 
by BHP and assets that are owned as a joint venture and operated by BHP. We also hold interests in assets that 
are owned as a joint venture but are not operated by BHP.

Asset groups:  

 We group our assets into geographic regions to provide effective governance and replicate best practice, 
technology and improvement initiatives in other parts of the business. Our oil and gas assets are grouped 
together as one global Petroleum asset group, which allows us to share best practice and promote new 
technologies across our portfolio. 

Commercial:  

 Our Commercial function optimises value creation and minimises costs across our end-to-end supply chain. 
It is organised around our core value chain activities – Sales and Marketing; Maritime and Supply Chain 
Excellence; Procurement; and Warehousing Inventory and Logistics and Property – supported by short- 
and long-term market insights, strategy and planning activities, and close partnership with our assets.

Centres of  
Excellence:  

We have established Centres of Excellence in the disciplines of maintenance and engineering, resource 
engineering, projects  and geoscience to develop organisational capability and best practice.

Functions:  

 Functions operate along global reporting lines to support all areas of the organisation. Functions have specific 
accountabilities and expertise in areas such as finance, legal, governance, technology, human resources, 
corporate affairs, health, safety and community. 

Leadership:  

 Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Group and leading 
the delivery of our strategic objectives. 

We disclose financial and other performance primarily by commodity. This gives an insight into the nature and financial outcomes 
of our business activities and allows us to compare our performance against industry peers.

BHP Annual Report 2019  11

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1.4.3 Managing performance

Corporate planning
Our corporate planning process is designed to deliver on our 
strategy, which is to have the best capabilities applied to a 
portfolio of the best assets, in the best commodities, to create 
long-term value and high returns.

Informed by our strategy, our annual corporate planning process 
is critical to creating alignment across BHP. It guides the 
development of plans, targets and budgets to help us decide 
where to deploy our capital and resources. 

Plans are assessed at the Group level to balance the goal of 
maximising the value of our individual assets with the goal of 
creating value and mitigating investment risks at the portfolio 
level. We evaluate the range of investment opportunities and 
aim to optimise the portfolio based on our assessment of risk, 
returns and future optionality. We then develop a long-term 
capital plan and guidance for the Group. 

Assessment and monitoring
We review our portfolio against a constantly changing external 
environment, to capture and manage emerging opportunities and 
risks. Our strategy is cascaded through our planning processes. 
Long-term scenario planning is used to identify the strategic 
capabilities we need to be successful in our industry and to evaluate 
the selection of our preferred commodities and portfolio of assets. 
We seek to identify potential new business opportunities and to test 
the robustness of our portfolio over a range of possible outcomes. We 
use signals tracking to monitor key trends and events that inform our 
strategic choices and to identify actions to manage emerging risks. 

Capital discipline
We use our Capital Allocation Framework to assess the most 
effective and efficient way to deploy capital. This helps us:
•  maintain our plant and equipment to support safe and efficient 

operations over the long term;

•  keep our balance sheet strong to give us stability and flexibility 

through the business cycle;

•  reward our shareholders by paying out at least 50 per cent 

of our Underlying attributable profit in dividends.

We then look at what would be the most valuable risk-adjusted use 
for any excess capital that remains after these three priorities are 
met and decide whether to:
•  further reduce our debt;
•  return more cash to shareholders through additional dividends 

or share buy-backs;

•  invest in growth, either through projects within our asset portfolio 
or through exploration or acquisitions, provided the investment 
will create more value, based on our assessment of 
its return, risk and optionality, than a share buy-back.

Our Capital Allocation Framework

Case study:
Sale of Onshore US assets 
and shareholder return program

In November 2018, we committed to return the 
US$10.4 billion net proceeds from the sale of our Onshore 
US assets to our shareholders. This included the A$7.3 billion 
(US$5.2 billion) off-market buy-back of BHP Group Limited 
shares that was completed in December 2018 (Off-Market 
Buy-Back) and the payment of the US$5.2 billion special 
dividend in January 2019 (Special Dividend). 

The Board carefully considered how best to return the net 
proceeds to our shareholders. In making this decision, we 
applied our Capital Allocation Framework. With net debt 
toward the lower end of our target range, we treated the net 
proceeds as excess capital to be returned to shareholders. 
The combination of the Off-Market Buy-Back and Special 
Dividend took into account the large range of views 
expressed by our shareholders, returned significant value 
to all our shareholders and enabled the net proceeds to 
be returned in a timely manner.

The Off-Market Buy-Back enabled the Group to repurchase 
approximately 265.8 million BHP Group Limited shares at 
a 14 per cent discount to the Market Price.(1) We believe 
all shareholders benefited from the positive impact on 
BHP’s return on equity, cash flow per share and earnings 
per share from the reduced number of shares on issue. 
The Special Dividend provided a significant cash distribution 
to all shareholders, irrespective of whether they participated 
in the Off-Market Buy-Back. In addition, the Off-Market 
Buy-Back and the Special Dividend efficiently released 
a significant amount of franking credits to BHP Group 
Limited’s shareholders.

The successful completion of the shareholder return 
program demonstrates our commitment to capital discipline 
and to transparently apply our Capital Allocation Framework 
for the benefit of all shareholders.

(1)   Volume weighted average price of BHP Group Limited ordinary shares 
on the Australian Securities Exchange over the five trading days up to 
and including Friday 14 December 2018. 

Operating productivity

Capital productivity

Net operating cash flow

Maintenance capital

Strong balance sheet

Minimum 50% payout ratio dividend

Excess cash

50

Balance sheet

Additional dividend amounts

Share buy-backs

Organic development

Acquisitions/(Divestments)

Maximise returns and value

12  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.4.4 Transformation overview

In FY2019, we progressed our transformation agenda to build our 
culture, capability and technology. The program focuses on safety 
improvement, simplification and value creation and comprises four 
key components:
•  The BHP Operating System is a new framework that guides 
behaviour and practices, builds capability and promotes 
continuous improvement; 

•  World Class Functions aims to make our functions more effective 
and efficient, through a comprehensive approach to business 
process reengineering; 

•  Centres of Excellence for maintenance and engineering, projects 
and geoscience aim to develop organisational capability and best 
practice in these disciplines; 

•  Value Chain Automation uses technology to automate 

equipment, processes and decision-making and includes our 
work relating to innovation at our first Innovation Centre in 
Newman, Western Australia, where we plan to trial new ideas 
to change how we operate. 

Through these activities, we aim to build capability and a culture 
that empowers our frontline to act on their ideas and harness 
their ingenuity. Following are some highlights from FY2019. 

BHP Operating System: Western Australia Iron Ore 
Port operations
The BHP Operating System is a new way of working that will align 
our teams to produce better safety and business performance. 
It is a company philosophy that guides leadership behaviours 
and practices to empower our teams, build capability and make 
problem solving and improvement part of what we do every 
day. Western Australia Iron Ore’s (WAIO) Port operations was 
the first BHP Operating System pilot site to go live in July 2018. 

The deployment of the BHP Operating System program has 
focused on car dumper activities within production and 
maintenance and shutdown teams at the Nelson Point port 
operations, with an aim of promoting stable operations.

Throughout FY2019, the team at Nelson Point strengthened 
frontline safety, improved performance and introduced cultural 
improvements. Key achievements include: 
•  improving the car dumper ramp-down process 15.75 hours on 
average ahead of schedule (compared to previously executed 
ramp-down activity), through engaging the frontline and 
introducing coordination measures to optimise activity time and 
improve predictability;

•  using standardised work principles for a car dumper’s ring rail 

replacement to safely complete the task in a record of 174 hours 
versus the previous execution of 225 hours. Key lessons will now 
be applied to future ring rail replacements that are scheduled at 
Nelson Point port;

•  implementing a workplace organisation method known as ‘5S’ 

across the Port’s key areas that encourages teams to take 
responsibility for workplace cleanliness, organisation and 
arrangement, and improve standards on safety, productivity 
and culture;

•  introducing a system in which problems are easily identified 

and people are given leadership support when required to solve 
the issue.

The BHP Operating System was also deployed at WAIO’s Perth repair 
centre, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Caval Ridge and Peak Downs, 
Olympic Dam, Escondida and by our Petroleum asset group.

BHP Annual Report 2019  13

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In FY2019, BHP’s Innovation Centre implemented several 
technology-based solutions, including:
•  Live mine scheduling – a new capability that enables mine 

schedulers to deliver faster and higher-quality schedules and 
decisions for mine load and haul operations by analysing 
disparate data sets consisting of real-time and contextualised 
information. The successful application of live mine scheduling 
at Eastern Ridge has led to scaling and deployment at Whaleback. 
In FY2020, live mine scheduling will be scaled across all iron ore 
operations, which is expected to result in better mining fleet 
utilisation and visibility throughout the BHP iron ore supply chain. 
•  Real-time payload distribution display – a visual tool enabling our 
digger operators to precisely and efficiently distribute and deposit 
payload onto trucks. This technology is expected to improve 
operators’ ability to accurately deposit the target payload onto 
trucks, enabling lower equipment maintenance costs. 

•  Pedestrian avoidance technology – a video and audio detection 

and alert system that provides forklift operators with 360-degree 
detection of personnel near forklift machinery. This technology 
is expected to reduce safety incidents that have previously 
occurred due to poor visibility. Developed and tested at BHP 
Innovation Centre’s Welshpool facility, pedestrian avoidance 
technology was piloted at Eastern Ridge, Port and Nickel West 
in July 2019. 

1.4.5 Operations Services

Operations Services is an industry first and has been established 
to create a stronger foundation from which to achieve high 
performance. It has rapidly unlocked improvements in safety, 
production and cost outcomes for Minerals Australia, while 
simultaneously providing stability for Operations Services 
employees and contributing to social value in the communities 
where we operate. Operations Services is an important element 
in transforming organisational capability and the way we work, 
along with the BHP Operating System, the Maintenance and 
Engineering Centre of Excellence, field leadership and technology. 

The Australia-wide Operations Services workforce comprises 
permanent employees in production, maintenance, shut downs 
and some operational functions, with specific scopes of work 
and accountabilities. Sites request Operations Services to deploy 
teams to specific Operations Services for fixed terms to provide 
production or maintenance services. 

Operations Services is recruiting and training employees from a 
range of backgrounds, including those who are new to the industry. 
Through its innovative approach to recruitment and onboarding, 
Operations Services has the highest proportion of female and 
Indigenous employees of any BHP production asset. This has 
contributed to the enhancement of organisational capability, with 
consequent improvements in safety and productivity. Operations 
Services offers job security, considerable skills training, flexible 
work options and wide-ranging career prospects, ultimately 
delivering more stability and higher performance than the 
contractors they displace. Over 50 per cent of Operations Services 
employees are from regional communities and the income 
security that Operations Services provides is helping to support 
greater local economic activity. 

1.4.4 Transformation overview continued

World Class Functions: Making our functions more 
effective and efficient
In response to BHP’s changing operating environment and drive 
to increase efficiency, in recent years our global and regional 
functions began undertaking large-scale change and 
improvement efforts. 

World Class Functions aims to simplify functional activity and 
deliver sustainable first quartile performance benchmarked 
against our peer group, by reducing functional costs and 
increasing effectiveness both in terms of what our functional 
teams do and how they do it. 

Initiatives include renewing operating models for functions, 
changing functional services, including how they are delivered, 
as well as improving processes, tools and systems.

Maintaining our focus on culture and people will ensure 
the outcomes delivered by World Class Functions are 
embedded sustainably.

Centres of Excellence: Maintenance and Engineering 
Centre of Excellence 
We are developing Centres of Excellence for areas including 
maintenance and engineering, resource engineering, projects 
and geoscience.

The Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence focuses 
on defect elimination, excellence in maintenance planning and 
scheduling, and embedding equipment strategies that improve 
the way people work. 

The Maintenance Centre of Excellence was established in FY2017 
in Minerals Australia and was expanded into Minerals Americas 
in FY2019. In August 2019, an engineering team was established 
within the Maintenance Centre of Excellence and the centre 
has since become the Maintenance and Engineering Centre 
of Excellence. 

The centre plans and schedules all maintenance work and 
shutdowns across the business in a standardised way. It works in 
partnership with our assets and Supply and Technology functions 
to establish best practice equipment and supply chain strategies 
that use advanced analytical and risk-based processes. 

Asset performance management systems have been established 
under the Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence to 
detect and predict potential failures early. Practices to eliminate 
defects underpin our continuous improvement approach. 

Maintenance costs across our fleets and fixed plant under the 
Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence are being 
reduced over their lifecycle in Minerals Australia and Minerals 
Americas, while equipment reliability and availability have improved. 

In FY2019, the Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence 
saved over AUD$144 million in maintenance costs compared to 
maintenance costs in FY2018, increased availability across critical 
fleet by up to 5 per cent in some operations since its inception 
(in FY2019 compared to FY2018), and improved our prediction 
of a range of engine and brake system failures. 

Value Chain Automation: Innovation Centre
Our first BHP Innovation Centre located at our Newman 
operations in Western Australia is an important part of 
our Value Chain Automation.

The Innovation Centre tests and de-risks new solutions and 
innovations developed in extraction and mine processes to 
allow technology to support continuous improvement across 
all aspects of the BHP value chain.

This unique testing ground allows emerging technologies to 
be proven in a controlled site-based environment, while new 
ways of working and capability are developed to allow for 
successful and rapid deployment and scaling of integrated 
automation solutions. 

14  BHP Annual Report 2019

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1.4.6 Locations

BHP locations (includes non-operated operations)

27

25

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30

13

17

2

6

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5
4

20

3

21

13

17

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19

23

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18

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16  BHP Annual Report 2019

Minerals Australia

Ref Country

Asset

Description

1

2

3

4

5

6

Australia 

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Olympic Dam

Underground copper mine, also producing uranium, gold and silver 

Western Australia Iron Ore

Integrated iron ore mines, rail and port operations in the Pilbara region 
of Western Australia

New South Wales Energy Coal

Open-cut energy coal mine and coal preparation plant in New South Wales

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance

Open-cut and underground metallurgical coal mines in the Queensland 
Bowen Basin and Hay Point Coal Terminal

BHP Mitsui Coal

Nickel West

Two open-cut metallurgical coal mines in the Bowen Basin, Central Queensland

Integrated sulphide mining, concentrating, smelting and refining operation 
in Western Australia

Ownership

100%

65 – 85%

100%

50%

80%

100%

Asset

Escondida

Pampa Norte

Antamina (1)

Samarco (1)

Cerrejón (1)

Jansen

Minerals Americas

Ref Country

7

8

9

Chile

Chile

Peru

10

Brazil

11

12

Colombia

Canada

Petroleum

Ref Country

13

Australia

Description

Ownership

Open-cut copper mine located in northern Chile

Consists of the Cerro Colorado and Spence open-cut mines, producing 
copper cathode in northern Chile

Open-cut copper and zinc mine in northern Peru

Open-cut iron ore mines, concentrators, pipelines, pelletising facilities 
and dedicated port

Open-cut energy coal mine with integrated rail and port operations

Our interest in potash is via development projects in the Canadian province 
of Saskatchewan, where the Jansen Project is our most advanced

Asset

Description

Australia Production Unit

Offshore oil fields and gas processing facilities in Western Australia 
and Victoria

14

15

16

17

18

US

Gulf of Mexico Production Unit

Offshore oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Production Unit Offshore oil and gas fields

Algeria

Australia

US

Algeria Joint Interest Unit (1)

Onshore oil and gas unit

Australia Joint Interest Unit (1)

Offshore oil and gas fields in Bass Strait and North West Shelf

Gulf of Mexico Joint Interest Unit (1)

Offshore oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico

BHP principal office locations

Ref Country

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Canada

Chile

China

India

Japan

28 Malaysia

29

Philippines

30 Singapore

31

32

33

UK

US

US

Location

Adelaide

Brisbane

Melbourne

Perth

Saskatoon

Santiago

Shanghai

New Delhi

Tokyo

Office

Minerals Australia office 

Minerals Australia office 

Global headquarters 

Minerals Australia office 

Minerals Americas office 

Minerals Americas office 

Corporate office

Corporate office

Corporate office

Kuala Lumpur

Global Asset Services Centre 

Manila

Singapore

London

Houston

Washington DC

Global Asset Services Centre

Marketing and corporate office 

Corporate office 

Petroleum office

Corporate office 

Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

Nickel

Potash

Petroleum

(1)  Non-operated joint venture.

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100%

33.75%

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33.3%

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Ownership

39.99 – 90%

35 – 44%

45%

29.3%

12.5 – 50%

23.9 – 44%

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BHP Annual Report 2019  17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5 Our performance

Key performance indicators

Our key performance indicators (KPIs) enable us to measure our 
sustainable development and financial performance. These KPIs are 
used to assess performance of our people throughout the Group. 

Following BHP’s sale of the Onshore US assets, the contribution 
of these assets to the Group’s results is presented in this Annual 
Report as Discontinued operations. 

For information on our approach to performance 
and reward, refer to section 1.9.

For information on our overall approach to executive 
remuneration, including remuneration policies and 
remuneration outcomes, refer to section 3.

To enable more meaningful comparisons with prior year disclosures, 
and in some cases to comply with applicable statutory requirements, 
the data in section 1.5 has been presented to include Onshore US, 
except for Underlying EBITDA. Footnotes to tables and infographics 
indicate whether data presented in section 1.5 is inclusive or 
exclusive of Onshore US.

For more information on the accounting treatment, 
refer to section 5.

1.5.1 Financial KPIs

Underlying 
attributable profit (1) (3) 

US$ billion

10

9.1

8

6

4

2

0

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

Underlying 
EBITDA (2) (3) 

US$ billion

Net operating 
cash flows (1)

US$ billion

25

20

15

10

5

0

23.2

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

20

16

12

8

4

0

17.9

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

In FY2019, higher prices together with underlying improvements 
in productivity generated strong cash flow, enabling us to reduce 
net debt and increase our dividends.

Profit and earnings
Attributable profit of US$8.3 billion in FY2019 includes an exceptional 
loss of US$0.8 billion (after tax), compared to an attributable profit 
of US$3.7 billion, including an exceptional loss of US$5.2 billion (after 
tax) in the prior period. The FY2019 exceptional loss is related to the 
Samarco dam failure, partially offset by the reversal of provisions for 
global taxation matters, which were resolved during the period.

Our Underlying attributable profit was US$9.1 billion 
(FY2018: US$8.9 billion).

We reported Underlying EBITDA (continuing operations) 
of US$23.2 billion (FY2018: US$23.2 billion), with higher prices, 
favourable exchange rate movements and underlying 
improvements in productivity (in total US$3.2 billion) offset by 
the impacts of operational outages, grade and field decline, 
higher strip ratios, inflation, the impact of weather and other 
net movements (in total US$3.2 billion).

Cash flow and balance sheet
Our Net operating cash flows (continuing operations) of 
US$17.4 billion in FY2019 (FY2018: US$17.6 billion) reflects EBITDA 
results and higher Australian and Chilean income tax payments 
in FY2019.

Our balance sheet remains strong with net debt at US$9.2 billion 
at FY2019 year-end (FY2018: US$10.9 billion), a reduction of 
US$17 billion over three years. The reduction of US$1.7 billion 
in FY2019 reflects strong free cash generation, which includes 
proceeds received from the sale of Onshore US, partially offset 
by returns to shareholders of US$16.6 billion, dividends paid to 
non-controlling interests of US$1.2 billion and an unfavourable 
non-cash fair value adjustment of US$0.4 billion related to 
interest rate and exchange rate movements. 

Our gearing ratio (3) in FY2019 was 15.1 per cent 
(FY2018: 15.3 per cent).

(1)  Includes data for Continuing and Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported.
(2) Excludes data from Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported.
(3) For more information on alternative performance measures, refer to section 1.12.4.

18  BHP Annual Report 2019

Reconciling our financial results to our key performance indicators

Profit

Earnings

Cash

Measure:

Profit after taxation from 
Continuing and 
Discontinued operations

US$M
9,185

Profit after taxation from 
Continuing and 
Discontinued operations

US$M
9,185

Net operating cash flows 
from Continuing operations

US$M
17,397

Made up of:

Profit after taxation

Profit after taxation

Adjusted for:

Exceptional items 
before tax (1) 

Tax effect of 
exceptional items 

1,060

(242)

Exceptional items 
before taxation

Tax effect of 
exceptional items

Exceptional items 
attributable to 
BHP shareholders

Profit after taxation 
attributable to 
non-controlling interests

Depreciation and 
amortisation excluding 
exceptional items
818 Impairments of property, 

plant and equipment, 
financial assets and 
intangibles excluding 
exceptional items
(879) Net finance costs excluding 
exceptional items

Taxation expense excluding 
exceptional items

Loss after taxation from 
Discontinued operations

Cash generated by the Group’s 
consolidated operations, after 
dividends received, interest, 
taxation and royalty-related taxation. 
It excludes cash flows relating to 
investing and financing activities

1,060 Net operating cash flows 
from Discontinued 
operations

474

(242)

5,829

264

956

5,771

335

To reach 
our KPIs

Why do 
we use it?

Underlying 
attributable profit

9,124 Underlying 

EBITDA

23,158 Net operating 

cash flows

17,871

Underlying attributable profit allows the 
comparability of underlying financial 
performance by excluding the impacts of 
exceptional items and is a performance 
indicator against which short-term incentive 
outcomes for our senior executives are 
measured. It is also the basis on which our 
dividend payout ratio policy is applied.

Underlying EBITDA is the key alternative 
performance measure that management 
uses internally to assess the performance 
of BHP’s segments and make decisions 
on the allocation of resources and, in 
our view, is more relevant to capital 
intensive industries with long-life assets.

Net operating cash flows provide insights 
into how we are managing costs and 
increasing productivity across BHP.

Capital management
Free cash flow (continuing operations), which is net operating 
cash flows less net investing cash flows, was US$10.0 billion 
(FY2018:US$12.5 billion) reflecting a 12 per cent increase in capital 
and exploration expenditure to US$7.6 billion in FY2019 in line 
with guidance. The increase in capital and exploration expenditure 
included continued investment in high-return latent capacity 
projects, and investment in South Flank, Mad Dog Phase 2 and 
the Spence Growth Option in FY2019. Capital and exploration 
expenditure guidance is unchanged at below US$8 billion per 
annum for FY2020, subject to exchange rate movements.

Our dividend policy provides for a minimum 50 per cent payout 
of Underlying attributable profit at every reporting period. 
The minimum dividend payment for the second half of FY2019 
was 53 US cents per share. Recognising the importance of cash 
returns to shareholders, the Board determined to pay an 
additional amount of 25 US cents per share, taking the final 
dividend to a record 78 US cents per share. In total, US$17.1 billion 
of returns to shareholders have been determined for FY2019 
including dividends of US$11.9 billion (FY2019: US$2.35 per share; 
FY2018: US$1.18 per share), which includes a special dividend 
of US$5.2 billion (US$1.02 per share) and a share buy-back of 
US$5.2 billion. These returns are covered by total free cash flows 
generated of US$20.5 billion including US$10.4 billion of net 
proceeds from the sale of Onshore US.

BHP Annual Report 2019  19

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1.5.2 Non-financial KPIs

Capital management KPIs 

Sustainability KPIs

Total shareholder return   

Long-term credit rating

Total recordable injury frequency (1)  

Per million hours worked

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

4.7

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

Total recordable injury frequency (TRIF) 
performance increased by 7 per cent to 
4.7 per million hours worked, compared 
to 4.4 in FY2018. This was due to an 
increase in injuries in both Minerals 
Australia and Minerals Americas. 

There was one fatality at our operated 
assets in FY2019.

% change from previous year 
(3-month average)

2019 A, A2

2018

2017

2016

2015

A, A3

A, A3

A, A3

A+, A1

21.5

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

Total shareholder return (TSR) shows 
the total return to the shareholder during 
the financial year. It combines both 
movements in share prices and dividends 
paid (which are assumed 
to be reinvested).

During FY2019, TSR increased as a 
result of both the BHP share price 
and dividends paid, resulting in a 
21.5 percentage change from FY2018. 
From 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019, BHP 
underperformed the sector peer group 
by 9.3 per cent and underperformed 
the Index TSR by 35.3 per cent.

Credit ratings are forward-looking 
opinions on credit risk. Standard & Poor’s 
and Moody’s credit ratings express the 
opinion of each agency on the ability 
and willingness of BHP to meet its 
financial obligations in full and on time. 
A credit rating is not a recommendation 
to buy, sell or hold securities and may 
be subject to suspension, reduction or 
withdrawal at any time by an assigning 
rating agency. Any rating should 
be evaluated independently of any 
other information.

Standard & Poor’s credit rating of BHP 
remained at the A level throughout 
FY2019. It affirmed this rating on 23 July 
2019. Moody’s upgraded its credit rating 
of BHP from A3 to A2 on 31 October 2018 
with a stable outlook thereafter in FY2019.

For more information on our 
approach to capital discipline, 
refer to section 1.4.3.

For more information on our 
liquidity and capital resources, 
refer to section 1.12.3

(1)  Total recordable injury frequency (TRIF) is an indicator in highlighting broad personal injury trends and is calculated based on the number of recordable injuries 

per million hours worked. TRIF includes work-related events occurring outside our operated assets from FY2015. In FY2015, we expanded our definition of 
work-related activities to include events that occur outside our operated assets where we have established the work to be performed and can set and verify 
the health and safety standards, such as an employee driving in a BHP vehicle between two sites for work. TRIF does not include events at non-operated 
joint ventures. FY2015 to FY2018 TRIF data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported. FY2019 data 
includes Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) to 28 February 2019 and Continuing operations.

20  BHP Annual Report 2019

Sustainability KPIs

High potential injury events (1) (2)  

Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (3)

Millions of tonnes CO2-e

Social investment (9)
US$ million 

100

80

60

40

20

0

50.0

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

This year we continue to report on high 
potential injuries, which are injury events 
where there was the potential for a 
fatality. We are currently able to report 
data for the last four financial years. 
High potential injury trends remain a 
primary focus to assess progress against 
our most important safety objective: 
to eliminate fatalities. High potential 
injuries declined by 7 per cent from 
FY2018 due to reductions at Western 
Australia Iron Ore, Olympic Dam 
and Potash. 

250

200

150

100

50

0

16.6
76.9

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

Contributions to BHP Group
supported charities
Contributions and administrative costs

Our target is to invest not less than 
1 per cent of our pre-tax profit to 
contribute to improved quality of life 
in communities where we operate and 
support achievement of the United 
Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Our voluntary social investment in FY2019 
totalled US$93.5 million, consisting of 
US$55.7 million in direct community 
development projects and donations, 
US$8.9 million equity share to non-
operated joint venture programs, a 
US$16.57 million donation to the BHP 
Foundation and US$4 million to the 
Matched Giving and community small 
grants programs. Administrative costs 
to facilitate social investment activities 
at our assets totalled US$6.27 million and 
US$2 million supported the operations 
of the BHP Foundation. 

40

30

20

10

0

1.7

1.7

0.0
0.5
00.0

5.8

8.8

5.9

8.9

4.9

9.3

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

8
1
0
2
Y
F

9
1
0
2
Y
F

Scope 1 (4)  
Scope 2 (5)
Onshore US
FY2017 baseline (6) 

Our five-year greenhouse gas (GHG) 
emissions reduction target, which took 
effect from 1 July 2017, is to maintain our 
total operational emissions in FY2022 at 
or below FY2017 levels(7) while we continue 
to grow our business. Our target builds 
on our success in achieving our previous 
five-year target. 
Our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 
emissions (operational emissions) in 
FY2019 totalled 14.7 million tonnes of 
carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), 
3 per cent below our FY2017 target 
baseline(8). This decrease is primarily due 
to a change in the electricity emissions 
factor for Minerals Americas that resulted 
from the interconnection of Chile’s 
northern grid system, which is mainly 
fossil fuel-based, and southern grid 
system, which has a higher proportion 
of renewable energy.
We have also set the longer-term goal 
of achieving net-zero operational GHG 
emissions in the latter half of this century, 
consistent with the Paris Agreement. 
In order to set the trajectory towards 
achieving that goal, in FY2020 we intend 
to develop a medium-term target for 
operational emissions. We also intend to set 
public goals related to Scope 3 emissions.

For information on our approach to 
health and safety, and our performance, 
refer to section 1.10.2 and 1.10.3.

For more information on our Scope 1 
and 2 GHG emissions, as well as 
Scope 3 emissions in our value chain, 
refer to section 1.10.8.

For information on our voluntary social 
investment, refer to section 1.10.5.

(1)  High potential injuries (HPI) are recordable injuries and first aid cases where there was the potential for a fatality. FY2016 to FY2018 HPI data includes Continuing 
and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) for the financial years being reported. FY2019 HPI data includes Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) 
to 28 February 2019 and Continuing operations. 

(2) FY2018 data has been adjusted due to the reclassification of an event after the reporting period. 
(3) Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been calculated on an operational control basis in accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. 

Comparisons of data over the period FY2015 to FY2016 should be made with consideration of the divestment of South32 during FY2015 (FY2015 data excludes 
emissions from South32 operations between the date of the divestment and 30 June 2015). Data over the period FY2017 to FY2019 is displayed with Onshore US 
emissions shown separately for comparability (12 months of emissions in FY2017 and FY2018, and four months of emissions in FY2019 prior to divestment of this asset).

(4) Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from operated assets.
(5) Scope 2 refers to indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity and steam that is consumed by operated assets (calculated using the 

market-based method).

(6) FY2017 is the base year for our current five-year GHG emissions reduction target, which took effect from FY2018. The FY2017 baseline has been adjusted for 

the divestment of our Onshore US assets to ensure ongoing comparability of performance. The baseline will continue to be adjusted for any material acquisitions 
and divestments based on GHG emissions at the time of the transaction; carbon offsets will be used as required. 

(7)  FY2017 baseline will be adjusted for any material acquisitions and divestments based on GHG emissions at the time of the transaction. Carbon offsets will be used as required.
(8) Calculated on a Continuing operations basis. The FY2017 baseline has been adjusted for the divestment of our Onshore US assets to ensure ongoing comparability 

of performance.

(9) Our voluntary social investment is calculated as 1 per cent of the average of the previous three years’ pre-tax profit. Expenditure includes BHP’s equity share for operated 

and non-operated joint ventures, and comprises cash, administrative costs and costs to facilitate the operation of the BHP Foundation. FY2015 to FY2018 social 
investment figures include Continuing operations and Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported. FY2019 social investment figure includes 
Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) to 31 October 2018 and Continuing operations.

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1.5.3 Our contribution in FY2019

In FY2019, our total direct economic contribution was US$46.2 billion, including payments to suppliers, 
wages and employee benefits, dividends and other payments to shareholders, taxes and royalties, as well 
as voluntary social investment across the communities where we operate. 

Of this, we paid US$9.1 billion globally in taxes, royalties and 
other payments to governments. Our global adjusted effective 
tax rate was 36 per cent. Including royalties, this increases to 
44.7 per cent. This significant source of taxation revenue assists 
governments to provide essential services to their citizens and 
invest in their communities for the future. 

During FY2019, we paid US$18 billion to shareholders, lenders 
and investors.

As well as our direct economic contribution, we invested 
US$7.6 billion into our business through the purchase of property, 
plant and equipment and expenditure on exploration. This 
investment typically has a multiplier effect by creating new jobs 
within our operations and also for the suppliers on whom they 
rely. For example, investments that were approved during FY2019 
included: the investment of approximately A$200 million (BHP share) 
in the development of the West Barracouta gas field in Bass Strait, 
Victoria, Australia, US$696 million (BHP share) in funding to 
develop the Atlantis Phase 3 project in the US Gulf of Mexico 
and US$256 million in funding to drill an additional appraisal well 
(3DEL) and perform further studies in the Trion field in Mexico.

Total economic contribution in FY2019

Suppliers

Payments made to our 
suppliers for the purchase 
of utilities, goods and services

US$15.0b

Employees

Employee expenses for salary, 
wages and incentives

US$4.0b

Shareholders, lenders 
and investors

Dividend payments
Share buy-backs
Interest payments

Total payments 
to governments

Income taxes
Royalty-related income taxes
Royalties
Other payments to governments

Social investment (1) (2)

Contributions and 
administrative costs

US$18.0b

US$9.1b

US$93.5m

Total economic 
contribution

US$46.2b

Figures are rounded to the nearest decimal point. All figures include Continuing and Discontinued operations.
(1)  Calculated on an accrual basis.
(2)  Total social investment includes community contributions and associated administrative costs (including US$2.0 million to facilitate the operation of the BHP 

Foundation) and BHP’s equity share in community contributions for operated and non-operated joint ventures. Our social investment target is not less than 1 per cent 
of pre-tax profits invested in community programs, including cash and administrative costs, calculated on the average of the previous three years’ pre-tax profit. 

22  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.6 Our operating environment

1.6.1 Market factors and trends

We produce raw materials that are essential to modern life. 
Our success is tied to the sustainable growth of emerging and 
developed economies and, at the same time, the commodities 
we produce are integral to driving that growth. 

As a result, our performance is influenced by a wide range of 
factors that drive a complex relationship between supply and 
demand. Our diverse portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets allows 
us to adapt to the changing needs of our customers and bring 
people and resources together to build a better world.

Key trends 
Our long-term view for our markets remains positive. Population 
growth and rising living standards are expected to continue to 
generate demand for energy, metals and fertilisers for decades 
to come. New demand centres will emerge where the twin levers 
of industrialisation and urbanisation are still immature today. 
Technology continues to advance, creating both opportunities 
and threats. International responses to climate change will evolve. 

Against that backdrop, we are confident we have the right assets 
in the right commodities, with demand diversified by end-use 
sector and geography. Our exploration and acquisition efforts are 
critical to maintaining that advantage, as they create a pipeline of 
products to meet future demand (see section 1.6.3). Exploration 
is inherently risky (see section 1.6.4), as the geoscience used for 
locating and accessing resources is complex and uncertain. 
Exploration and acquisition are also subject to political, 
infrastructure and other risks that can impact the accessibility 
of resources. 

Policy uncertainty
Policy uncertainty heightened during FY2019. 
The escalation of US-China trade tensions 
and other trade and technology transfer 
inhibiting policies, along with an increasingly 
unpredictable policy formation process in some 
major economies, serve to reduce consumer 
confidence and business certainty. By extension, 
this affects investment and jobs.

Mixed sentiments
Business and investor confidence have 
been hit by policy uncertainty, feeding 
back into commodity markets. 

New supply
New supply, particularly of copper 
and petroleum, is expected to 
be required as demand grows 
and current resources are depleted.

Sustainable productivity rewarded
As industry-wide costs rise, disciplined producers 
are likely to see margin benefits from accumulated 
investment in sustainable productivity gains.

Growth in population, wealth
Demand for metals, energy and fertiliser is 
expected to increase to meet the needs of 
the world’s growing population and rising 
living standards. 

Short 
term

Medium 
term

Long 
term

Modest economic growth
While they remain in place, protectionism and 
political uncertainty lower the achievable ceiling 
for global economic growth. 

Prudently cautious
The operating environment is complex, with 
uncertainty and volatility expected to be high.

Steeper cost curves
The marginal cost of producing some commodities 
is likely to rise, particularly for oil and copper, as 
existing resources deplete and new resources 
come from lower-quality deposits that are more 
costly to access. 

Emerging Asia
China still offers rich opportunities due to its 
large-scale, ongoing urbanisation and the Belt and 
Road Initiative, despite its ongoing structural shift 
away from manufacturing towards services. India has 
significant potential for sustained high growth, 
along with populous South East Asia.

Electrification of transport
Electrification of transport creates both risks 
and opportunities for our portfolio. Demand for 
non-ferrous metals has potential upside, but oil 
demand could face headwinds.

Decarbonisation of power
The move towards a low-carbon economy has the 
potential to drive significant change. Environmental 
and risk concerns will drive increasing diversification 
of national energy sources. 

Biosphere stewardship
Unsustainable land and water use and biodiversity 
loss are a danger to long-run living standards. 
Leading stewardship in these areas is a key vehicle 
for creating social value.

BHP Annual Report 2019  23

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1.6.1 Market factors and trends continued

Key geographies
Our customers are geographically diverse. We have structured our business to meet changing demands as global market dynamics shift. 
Developments in a particular country can affect the demand for our products in that country and in any countries that supply goods for 
import to that country.

China

China is the largest consumer of our commodities, accounting for roughly half of our sales. As the largest manufacturer and exporter in 
the world and the second-largest importer, China’s performance is also a significant factor in the health of the global economic system. 
China’s GDP growth in the short term is expected to remain steady. Growth is expected to slow modestly in CY2019 and CY2020 to 
the range of 6 per cent to around 6 and a quarter per cent. This reflects the likely negative impact of US trade protection on the export 
sector as well as an appropriately calibrated countervailing domestic policy response. 

In our view, China’s policymakers are likely to continue to seek a balance between pursuing reform and maintaining macroeconomic 
and financial stability. We expect a continuation of current efforts to reduce debt and deal with housing inflation.

In the long term, we expect China’s economic growth to slow progressively as the working age population falls and the capital stock 
matures, with productivity reforms offsetting these impacts to some degree. 

China’s economic structure is expected to continue to move from industry to services, and growth drivers shift from investment and 
exports towards consumption. This structural change would likely produce a less volatile underlying growth rhythm in the long run.

United States

As both a major producer and consumer of our products, the United States is important to our performance. With most of our 
transactions denominated in US dollars, fluctuations in the dollar also influence our performance.

The US performed strongly in CY2018 with a significant boost from the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reducing the corporate 
tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent. However, near-term prospects are less certain as the expansionary impact of tax cuts will 
progressively fade and trade policies remain unpredictable.

With the rise of US-China trade tensions, protectionist policies could hurt consumer purchasing power and productivity growth. 
Purchasing power is reduced through higher prices for imported goods and domestic goods with imported components. Reduced 
competition and the unintended consequences of restrictive migration policies on the free flow of world-class talent could dent 
productivity growth. We note that the true costs of protectionism, particularly diminished consumer purchasing power, have not 
yet been fully felt by US households and businesses. 

Japan

Japan’s demographics (ageing population and low birth rate) and its public debt burden are constraints on long-term growth. 
Without population, immigration and microeconomic reform, we expect that growth would likely stagnate. 
The Japanese economy has slowed and we expect growth to be modest next year. Beyond the boost provided by the Tokyo Olympics, 
in the medium term, with monetary and fiscal policy proving ineffective at spurring domestic demand, any sustained lift in Japanese 
growth would likely come from external sources. 

Eurozone

In Europe, economic conditions have softened. A material slowdown in the bellwether auto sector has weighed on the economy, 
and rising political and policy uncertainty, at both a national and regional level, have hurt business confidence.
Significant macroeconomic reform is required in Europe’s southern regions to prevent longer-run stagnation. In the more 
internationally competitive northern regions, lower savings rates would boost growth at home and help to rebalance demand within 
the common currency zone.

India

In India, we believe growth prospects are solid. India’s short-term outlook seems positive, driven by consumer demand. Economic 
reform that boosts the supply of basic infrastructure is critical to India’s ability to take advantage of its demographic profile and 
successfully urbanise.

Progress on key reforms, including GST, real estate regulation and insolvency resolution, has been encouraging. The strong 
performance of the incumbent government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi provides a basis for the pursuit of further economic 
reforms in his second term.

Signposts on India expanding its resource and energy footprint have been encouraging. It is now the world’s second-largest crude 
steel producer, the second-largest incremental contributor to global oil demand growth, a top-five potash importer and an increasingly 
significant consumer of copper. 

Exchange rates

We are exposed to exchange rate transaction risk on foreign currency 
sales and purchases. Operating costs and costs of locally sourced 
equipment are influenced by fluctuations in local currencies, primarily 
the Australian dollar and Chilean peso. The majority of our sales are 
denominated in US dollars and we borrow and hold surplus cash 
predominately in US dollars. Those transactions and balances provide 
no foreign exchange exposure relative to the US dollar presentation 
currency of the Group.

The US dollar broadly increased in value during FY2019 against our 
main local currencies.

We are also exposed to exchange rate translation risk in relation to 
our foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, 
including certain debt and other long-term liabilities. 

Interest rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk on our outstanding borrowings 
and investments. Our policy on interest rate exposure is to pay on 
a US dollar floating interest rate basis.

Our earnings are sensitive to changes in interest rates on the 
floating component of BHP’s borrowings. Our main exposure is 
to the three-month US LIBOR benchmark, which decreased by 
two basis points from 2.34 per cent at 30 June 2018 to 2.32 per cent 
at 30 June 2019.

24  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.6.2 Commodity performance overview

Commodity prices
The following table shows the prices for our most significant commodities for the years ended 30 June 2019, 2018 and 2017. 
These prices represent selected quoted prices from the relevant sources as indicated and will differ from the realised prices 
due to differences in quotation periods, quality of products, delivery terms and the range of quoted prices that are used for 
contracting sales in different markets.

For information on realised 
prices, refer to section 1.13.

Year ended 30 June

Natural gas Asian Spot LNG (1) (US$/MMBtu) 
Crude oil (Brent) (2) (US$/bbl)
Ethane (3) (US$/bbl)
Propane (4) (US$/bbl)
Butane (5) (US$/bbl)
Copper (LME cash) (US$/lb)
Iron ore (6) (US$/dmt)
Metallurgical coal (7) (US$/t)
Energy coal (8) (US$/t)
Nickel (LME cash) (US$/lb)

2019
Closing

2018
Closing

2017
Closing

2019
Average

2018
Average

2017
Average

 2019 vs 2018

Average (9)

4.8
66.1
7.1
18.9
20.6
2.7
118.0
193.5
68.8
5.7

10.3
77.9
14.7
39.3
45.9
3.0
64.5
199.0
117.3
6.8

5.5
47.4
10.3
25.1
30.8
2.7
63.0
148.5
82.5
4.2

8.1
69.0
13.4
31.5
37.4
2.8
80.1
204.7
99.4
5.6

8.5
63.6
11.0
36.2
41.0
3.1
69.0
203.0
100.2
5.6

6.4
49.6
9.5
24.9
33.3
2.4
69.5
190.4
80.5
4.6

-5%
9%
21%
-13%
-9%
-9%
16%
1%
-1%
-1%

(1)  Platts Liquefied Natural Gas Delivery Ex-Ship (DES) Japan/Korea Marker – typically applies to Asian LNG spot sales.
(2) Platts Dated Brent – a benchmark price assessment of the spot market value of physical cargoes of North Sea light sweet crude oil. 
(3) OPIS Mont Belvieu non-Tet Ethane – typically applies to ethane sales in the US Gulf Coast market. 
(4) OPIS Mont Belvieu non-Tet Propane – typically applies to propane sales in the US Gulf Coast market. 
(5) OPIS Mont Belvieu non-Tet Normal Butane – typically applies to butane sales in the US Gulf Coast market. 
(6) Platts 62% Fe Cost and Freight (CFR) China – used for fines.
(7)  Platts Low-Vol hard coking coal Index FOB Australia – representative of high-quality hard coking coals. 
(8) GlobalCoal FOB Newcastle 6,000kcal/kg NCV – typically applies to coal sales in the Asia Pacific market.
(9) Due to rounding, immaterial differences in numbers may exist. 

Impact of changes to commodity prices
The prices we obtain for our products are a key driver of value for BHP. Fluctuations in these commodity prices affect our results, 
including cash flows and asset values. The estimated impact of changes in commodity prices in FY2019 on our key financial 
measures is set out in the following table.

US$1/bbl on oil price
US¢1/lb on copper price
US$1/t on iron ore price
US$1/t on metallurgical coal price
US$1/t on energy coal price
US¢1/lb on nickel price

Impact on profit 
after taxation 
from Continuing 
operations (US$M)

Impact on 
Underlying 
EBITDA 
(US$M)

29
21
154
26
12
1

44
30
221
37
18
2

BHP Annual Report 2019  25

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1.6.3 Exploration

Our exploration program is focused on conventional petroleum and copper in order to replenish 
our resource base and enhance our portfolio. The purpose is to generate attractive, low-cost, 
value-accretive options by leveraging our competitive strengths. 

In Mexico, we became the first international operator to drill a well 
in the Mexican deepwater with the Trion-2DEL appraisal well, 
which was spud on 15 November 2018 and encountered oil in line 
with expectations. This was followed by a downdip sidetrack that 
encountered oil and water, as predicted, further appraising the 
field and delineating the resource. Following the recent results in 
the Trion block, an additional appraisal well (3DEL) was approved 
and spud on 9 July 2019. Based on preliminary results, the well 
encountered oil in the reservoir’s up-dip from all previous well 
intersections. Evaluation and analysis is ongoing.

During FY2019, we acquired the world’s first deepwater exploration 
ocean bottom node seismic survey in the western US Gulf of Mexico. 
The acquisition survey and node recovery have been completed 
and will be incorporated into our ongoing analysis, which we will 
continue to progress over the next 18 months. This will provide 
key information to inform the risk of prospects in the area.

For more information on conventional 
petroleum exploration, refer to section 1.13.1.

Western Australia

South Australia

During FY2019, our conventional petroleum exploration program 
accessed a new acreage position in the Orphan Basin in Canada, 
opened a new gas province in northern offshore Trinidad and 
Tobago, drilled the first well in deepwater Mexico operated by 
an international oil company and completed the world’s first 
deepwater exploration ocean bottom node seismic survey in the 
western US Gulf of Mexico. BHP tested nine opportunities with the 
drill bit. We appraised Trion, and discovered gas offshore in both 
the north and south deepwater regions of Trinidad and Tobago.

Our copper exploration program is at an earlier stage where we 
continue to seek, secure and test concessions in regions such 
as Ecuador, Canada, southwestern United States, South Australia, 
Chile and Peru.

Exploration in FY2019
Conventional petroleum
In FY2019, we matured and expanded our exploration portfolio. We 
were successful in our bid to acquire a 100 per cent participating 
interest in, and operatorship of, two exploration licence agreements 
for blocks 8 and 12 in the Orphan Basin, offshore Eastern Canada. 
The drilling and seismic work required by the exploration work 
programs spans over a six-year term under the licence agreements. 

In Trinidad and Tobago, BHP has northern and southern deepwater 
licences. In our northern licences, Bongos-2 spud in July 2018 and 
found gas, opening a new play. This was followed by three additional 
exploration wells, Bele-1, Tuk-1 and Hi-Hat-1, in the first half of CY2019 
that all successfully encountered gas. Technical work is underway 
to assess further exploration targets and commercial options for 
the northern gas play. In our southern licences, we drilled Victoria-1 
and Concepcion-1 to further assess the commercial potential of the 
Magellan field play. Victoria-1 encountered gas while Concepcion-1 
did not encounter commercial hydrocarbons.

BHP exploration regions

Northern Canada

Eastern Canada

South West US

Gulf of Mexico (US)
Gulf of Mexico (Mexico)

Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago

Ecuador

Peru

Chile

Petroleum exploration regions

Copper exploration regions

26  BHP Annual Report 2019

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Copper
Copper exploration is focused on identifying and gaining access 
to new search spaces to test the best targets capable of delivering 
tier one deposits while we maintain research and technology 
activities aligned with our exploration strategy. The field copper 
exploration activities are directed towards the discovery of large, 
high-quality copper deposits in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, North 
America and Australia. These activities encompass early stage 
reconnaissance work through to target definition and testing in 
every country where we have exploration concessions. 

On 27 November 2018, we announced a copper, gold and uranium 
discovery at one of our exploration projects on the Stuart Shelf, 
65 kilometres to the southeast of BHP’s operations at Olympic Dam. 
Our Copper Exploration team was responsible for the four drill 
hole intercepts, the most significant having grades of 3.04 per cent 
copper, 0.59 grams per tonne gold and 346 parts per million 
uranium over a drill length of 426 metres. We progressed the second 
phase of the drilling program in the June 2019 half and the results 
are currently being analysed.

In parallel, we continued to review other jurisdictions and 
opportunities to partner with third parties to counter the increasing 
exploration maturity of our existing geographies. During FY2019, 
we acquired an 11.2 per cent interest in Solgold Plc, the majority 
owner and operator of the Cascabel porphyry copper-gold project, 
and in July 2019 we entered into a binding earn-in and joint venture 
agreement with Luminex, both in Ecuador. We acquired a 5 per cent 
interest in Midland Exploration Inc., a Canadian junior company 
with interests in copper projects in northern Québec in Canada. 
In Mexico, Copper Exploration entered into a financial agreement 
with Riverside Resources that will enable BHP to access new 
search spaces. The financial agreement is focusing on early stage 
exploration opportunities.

Exploration expenditure
Our resource assessment expenditure increased by 13 per cent 
in FY2019 to US$126 million, while our greenfield expenditure 
increased to US$62 million. Expenditure on resource assessment 
and greenfield exploration over the last three financial years is 
set out in the following table.

Year ended 30 June

Greenfield exploration
Resource assessment 

Total minerals exploration 
and assessment

2019
US$M

 62
126

188

2018
US$M

53
112

165

2017
US$M

43
120

163

Conventional petroleum exploration and appraisal
Petroleum exploration expenditure for FY2019 was US$685 million, 
of which US$388 million was expensed. Expenditure on petroleum 
exploration over the last three financial years is set out below.

Year ended 30 June

Conventional petroleum 
exploration and appraisal

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

685

709

803

Our petroleum exploration program had positive results in FY2019. 
We are pursuing high-quality plays in our four priority basins and 
a US$0.7 billion exploration program is planned for FY2020 as we 
progress testing of our future growth opportunities.

For more information on conventional petroleum 
exploration, refer to section 1.13.1

Exploration expense
Exploration expense represents that portion of exploration 
expenditure that is not capitalised in accordance with our 
accounting policies, as set out in note 11 ‘Property, plant and 
equipment’ in section 5.

Exploration expense for each segment over the last three financial 
years is set out below.

Year ended 30 June

Exploration expense
Petroleum (1) (2)
Copper
Iron Ore
Coal
Group and unallocated items (2) (3)

Total Group

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

409
62
41
15
10

537

592
53
44
21
7

717

573
44
70
9
16

712

(1)  Includes US$21 million (FY2018: US$76 million; FY2017: US$102 million) 
exploration expense previously capitalised, written off as impaired. 
(2) Excludes Onshore US exploration expenditure of US$ nil (FY2018: US$ nil;

FY2017: US$2 million).

(3) Group and unallocated items includes functions, other unallocated operations, 

including Potash, Nickel West and consolidation adjustments.

BHP Annual Report 2019  27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.6.4 Risk management

The identification and management of risks is central to achieving our strategic objectives.

It protects us against potential negative impacts, enables us to take risk for strategic reward and improves our resilience against emerging 
risks. BHP believes an essential element of effective risk management is to have a single, consolidated view of risks across the business to 
understand the Group’s full risk exposure and to prioritise risk management and governance activity. As such, we apply a single framework 
(known as the ‘Risk Framework’) for all risks.

Refinements were made to BHP’s Risk Framework during FY2019. There are four pillars in our Risk Framework: risk strategy, risk governance, 
risk process and risk intelligence.

Risk strategy
Taking the right risks,
at the right time,
 in the right way

Risk governance
The right people 
focusing on the 
right things

Risk intelligence
Gaining insights
from our risk
knowledge

Risk process
Using the right
tools for the job

28  BHP Annual Report 2019

Risk strategy
Group Risk Architecture
In order to understand and manage the risks that BHP is exposed to, we have developed a Group Risk Architecture, which is a tool to 
identify, analyse, monitor and report risk. The Group Risk Architecture is currently made up of 10 Group Risk categories, which cover a 
number of Group Risks. Risks in BHP’s profile are connected to a Group Risk. This gives the Board and management visibility over the 
aggregate exposure to risks on an enterprise-wide basis and supports performance monitoring and reporting against BHP’s risk appetite.

For example, under the Group Risk of occupational safety, we have identified risks relating to the safety of our people in performing their 
work, such as vehicle incidents, falls from height and dropped objects.

The Group Risk Architecture (as at 30 June 2019) is illustrated below. The left column shows the Group Risk category and the columns 
to the right show the allocation of the Group Risks to each category. This Group Risk Architecture will change over time to reflect our 
strategy, changing activities and consideration of the external context. Our principal risks are shown in a darker shade of blue in the 
diagram below, and are described further in the Risk factors section below.

Group Risk Categories

Group Risks

1

Strategy

2

3

Exploration, Growth 
and Development

Production and 
Operations

4

Commercial

5

People and Culture

6

Health and Safety

7

8

Environment, Climate 
Change and 
Community

Technology, Innovation 
and Systems

9

Financial Management

10

Legal Compliance 
and Stakeholder 
Management

Capital allocation

Competitive advantage

Returns sustainability

Geopolitics and macro economics

Market disruption

Assessment and estimation

Political stability and new country entry

Expansions, organic growth and major projects

Asset performance

Business continuity

Third party performance

Production volume and cost

Asset integrity

Rehabilitation and closure

Commodity price

Counterparty risk

Supply chain management

Procurement cost

Sales and supplier concentration

Contractual terms

Attract and retain talent

Critical skills and 
technical capabilities

Employee and labour relations

Performance management

Aviation

Process safety

Diversity, inclusion 
and equal opportunity

Physical security and 
emergency preparedness

Mental and physical health

Occupational safety

Occupational health exposures

Biodiversity loss

Human rights

Social unrest

Community wellbeing

Land use impacts

Water interactions

Climate change, greenhouse gas 
emissions and energy

IT/OT service management

Cybersecurity

Automation and technology innovation

Information security

Liquidity

Tax

Financial control and reporting

Balance sheet

Stakeholder relations

Ethics and compliance

Legal and regulatory

Competition

Risk treatment and insurance

Risk appetite
BHP’s Risk Appetite Statement has been approved by the Board 
and is a foundational element of our Risk Framework. It is made
up of a qualitative statement for each Group Risk category that 
describes the nature and extent of risk we are prepared to take in 
pursuing our objectives. The Risk Appetite Statement defines the 
parameters that management is obliged to operate within and we 
use key risk indicators to indicate any changes to our risk exposure. 

Key risk indicators
Key risk indicators (KRIs) assist in identifying whether BHP is operating 
within or outside of our risk appetite, as defined in our Risk Appetite 
Statement. They also support decision making by providing 

management with information about risk exposure at a group level. 
KRIs are defined for Group Risks to provide the data for proactive 
monitoring of BHP’s risk performance. Where KRI limits are exceeded, 
management will review potential causes to understand if BHP may 
be taking too little or too much risk, and to identify whether further 
action is required. For example, our current KRIs monitor data such 
as market concentration based on the percentage of revenue linked 
to a single jurisdiction, the number of critical cybersecurity incidents, 
greenhouse gas emissions relative to the FY2017 baseline and 
trends in the number of community complaints received.

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Risk governance
Risk management accountability and oversight is an integral part of BHP’s governance. The Board and senior management (including 
the Executive Leadership Team) provide oversight and monitoring of risk management outcomes. They are ultimately responsible for 
ensuring BHP maintains a robust Risk Framework and an effective internal control environment. 

BHP uses the ‘three lines of defence’ model of risk governance and management to define the relationships and clarify the role 
of different teams across the organisation in managing risk. This approach is illustrated in the diagram below and integrates risk 
management, control definition, control improvement, governance and assurance frameworks into one governance model.

BHP Board

Executive Leadership Team

Operational management
(operations, assets 
and regions)

Centres of Excellence

Health, Safety and Environment

Analysis and improvement

Risk

Ethics and compliance

Legal

Business partners

Internal audit
(IAA)

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Second line of defence

Third line of defence

Management across the assets 
and functions who identify 
risk and implement controls 

Management in the functions that 
define Group-wide minimum standards 
and provide subject matter expertise 
to support, delivering insight and 
oversight to manage risk  

Our Internal Audit and Advisory team, 
who provide independent assurance 
over the control environment 
(governance, risk management 
and internal controls) 

Adapted from Institute of Internal Audit Position Paper: The three lines of defence in effective risk management and control. 

For example, for a loss of containment risk within the Group Risk 
of process safety, our first line operations personnel would be 
responsible for implementing pipe thickness checks to ensure 
corrosion is within acceptable limits. Second line functions, such as 
our engineering teams, would define and assure minimum standards 
for pipe materials and acceptable levels of corrosion. Our Internal 
Audit and Advisory team would then audit the effectiveness of the 
standards and their application, as the third line.

BHP Board and committees
The Board reviews and considers BHP’s risk profile, covering 
operational and strategic risks, using the Material Risk Report. The 
report includes an overview of the risk profile, summary of material 
changes to the profile, performance against KRIs and summaries 
of our priority group risks. The contents of this report are further 
described in the diagram below ‘Risk intelligence’. 

The Risk and Audit Committee (RAC) assists the Board with the 
oversight of risk management, including by receiving a range of 
reports from management on all types of risk, although the Board 
retains overall accountability for BHP’s risk profile. In addition, the 
Board requires the CEO to implement a system of control for 
identifying and managing risk. The Directors, through the RAC, 
review the systems that have been established for this purpose, 
review the effectiveness of those systems and monitor that 
necessary actions have been taken to remedy any significant 
failings or weaknesses identified from that review. The RAC 
regularly reports to the Board to enable the Board to review our 
Risk Framework. For more information, refer to section 2.13.

The Sustainability Committee has oversight of health, safety, 
environment and community related (HSEC) risks. Identification 

and management of HSEC risks and the investigation of any 
HSEC incidents are undertaken by management and reported 
to the Sustainability Committee. For more information, refer 
to section 2.13. 

The Risk Appetite Statement is the mechanism by which the Board 
sets boundaries for taking risk. It enables management to make 
risk-informed decisions within the risk appetite of the Board. 
Performance against risk appetite is monitored and reported to 
the RAC and the Board, as described below. This includes reporting 
of performance that is outside upper or lower tolerance limits to 
indicate whether management is taking sufficient or excessive risk.

In FY2019, we introduced an additional second-line led review of 
the Group’s most significant risks, such as dam failure, to provide a 
further level of rigour in the management of these risks. This process, 
referred to as the Priority Group Risk Review process, reviews the 
analysis and controls for risks that could impact the Group’s viability 
or strategy, with findings and recommendations reported to the 
Board’s Risk and Audit, and Sustainability Committees. Findings 
and recommendations will be used to inform strategic decisions 
on whether to accept, reduce or further eliminate risks to align with 
the Group’s risk appetite, and to develop remediation plans, such 
as to improve risk analysis or control definition.

Additional information on risk management and internal controls is 
provided to the Board and the RAC by the Business Risk and Audit 
Committees (covering each asset group), other Board committees, 
management committees and our Internal Audit and Advisory 
team. For more information, refer to section 2.13. Our approach 
to risk reporting is outlined in the ‘Risk Intelligence’ section.

30  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
Risk process
Our Risk Framework requires identification and management 
of risks to be embedded in business activities through the 
following processes: 

•  Risk identification 

New and emerging risks are identified and owned where 
they occur within BHP.

•  Risk assessments 

Risks are assessed with the most appropriate technique 
and results are translated for BHP to understand and 
appetite to be considered.

•  Risk treatment 

Risks are prevented, reduced or mitigated with controls.

•  Monitoring and review 

Risks and controls are reviewed periodically and on 
an adhoc basis to evaluate performance.

Our Risk Framework includes requirements and guidance 
on the tools and process to manage all risk types (current, 
strategy and emerging). 

Current risk
Current risks may have their origin inside BHP or originate as a 
result of BHP’s activities. These may be strategic or operational 
in nature and include material and non-material risks.

The materiality of our current risks is determined by calculating 
an estimate of the maximum foreseeable loss (MFL). The MFL is 
the estimated impact sustained by BHP in the ‘worst case’ scenario 
for that risk. The ‘worst case’ scenario considers all potential 
impacts without regard to probability and assumes all risk controls, 
including insurance and hedging contracts, are ineffective. 
For example, when calculating the number of fatalities to assess 
MFL in an underground explosion, we might assume the maximum 
number of people who are allowed to enter the underground mine. 

Our focus for current risks is to prevent their occurrence or 
minimise their impact should they occur. Current material risks 
are required to be evaluated once a year at a minimum to 
determine whether the risk exposure is within our risk appetite.

Strategy risk
Strategy risks inform, are created, or are affected by business 
strategy decisions or pursuit of strategic objectives. They represent 
opportunities as well as threats. The Risk Appetite Statement 
and KRIs are available to assist in determining whether a proposed 
course of action is within BHP’s appetite. Once a decision has 
been made, our risk process as described above applies. In 
addition to calculating the MFL, another tool available to inform 
decision-making is the Maximum Foreseeable Gain (MFG). The MFG 
is the ‘best case’ scenario that should be articulated when seeking 
to take risk for strategic returns. It represents the optimum return. 

Our focus for strategy risks is to enable the pursuit of high-reward 
strategies. Therefore, as well as having controls to protect BHP 
from the downside risk, we will implement controls to increase the 
likelihood of the opportunity being realised. For example, we might 
establish additional governance, oversight or reporting to ensure 
new initiatives remain on track.

Emerging risk
Emerging risks typically have their origin outside BHP. There is 
often insufficient information for these risks to be fully understood 
and they cannot be prevented by BHP. Effective management 
of emerging risks is critical to strengthening our resilience to 
foreseeable changes and our ability to capture competitive 
advantages. We assess and manage emerging risks based on 
the expected consequence, timing and speed of the risk event, 
as well as the capacity for BHP to respond. 

Emerging risks are identified and initially monitored by subject 
matter experts. Ongoing management is handed over to risk owners 
when the impact and our response is defined. For example, BHP has 
a dedicated climate change team that monitors and manages the 
emerging risks relating to climate change as they evolve. However, 
operational aspects (such as managing the increased risk of 
extreme weather events) are managed by our operations.

Our focus for emerging risks is on reducing the impact should an 
event occur, and on advocacy efforts to reduce the likelihood of 
the risk manifesting. Our approach is to apply contingency controls, 
such as response plans, to emerging risks that are outside our 
appetite. These controls increase the resilience of BHP to shocks 
from the external environment. Emerging risks are evaluated 
annually to determine whether the risk remains emerging and if 
the exposure is within our risk appetite.

Our emerging risk process was formalised during FY2019 and 
in FY2020, emerging risks will be included in our Group-wide 
risk register. 

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Risk intelligence
Board and senior management are provided with insights on trends and aggregate exposure for our most significant risks, as well as 
performance against risk appetite, by the Risk team. The Board also receives reports from other teams to support their robust assessment 
of principal risks; including internal audit reports, ethics and compliance reports and the Chief Executive Officer’s report.

A summary of the risk reports delivered by the Risk team, and how these provide additional intelligence to the Board are outlined below.

BHP Board

CEO/ELT

Risk and Audit Committee

Sustainability Committee

Material risk report

Material risk report

Material risk report

Financial Risk 
Management Committee

Group robust risk assessment
and viability statement

Priority group risk reviews

Material risk report
(Finance focused)

Viability statement

Business Risk and 
Audit Committee

Material risk report
(Region focused)

Other management 
committees

As required

Priority group risk reviews

Material risk report includes:
•  Update on the implementation of the 
  Group’s new risk framework
•  Group risk profile overview
•  Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
•  Change in the material risk profile
•  HSEC coverage
•  Chief Risk Officer opinion (or Head of Risk 
  Business Partners opinion for Business RAC)
•  Priority group risk summaries

Robust risk assessment and viability statement
During the year, the Board carried out a robust assessment of 
BHP’s principal risks, including those risks that would threaten 
the business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 

The Directors assessed the prospects of BHP over the next three 
years, taking into account our current position and principal risks. 

The Directors believe a three-year viability assessment period is 
appropriate for the following reasons. BHP has a two-year budget, 
a five-year plan and a longer-term life of asset outlook. We have 
publicly stated our view that, while commodity prices remain 
volatile, our short-term outlook is optimistic. Price and exchange 
rate volatility results in variability in plans and budgets. A three-year 
period strikes an appropriate balance between long and short-term 
influences on performance. 

The viability assessment took into account, among other things, 
BHP’s commodity price protocols, including: low-case prices; the 
latest funding and liquidity update; the long-dated maturity profile 
of BHP’s debt and the maximum debt maturing in any one year; the 
Group-level risk profile and the mitigating actions available should 
particular risks materialise; the regular Board strategy discussions, 
which address the range of outcomes under the capital allocation 
framework; the flexibility in BHP’s capital and exploration 
expenditure programs under the capital allocation framework; 
and the reserve life of BHP’s minerals assets and the reserves-to-
production life of our oil and gas assets. 

32  BHP Annual Report 2019

The Directors’ assessment also took account of additional stress-
testing of the balance sheet against two hypothetical significant 
risk events: a well blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico and a low-price 
environment. A further level of robustness is added given no debt 
issuance is required in the three-year period, and BHP would still 
have access to US$6.0 billion of credit through its revolving credit 
facility. The Directors were also mindful of the assessment of our 
portfolio against scenarios as part of BHP’s corporate planning 
process to help identify key uncertainties facing the global natural 
resources sector.

In making this viability statement, the Directors have considered 
the capital allocation framework and have also made certain 
assumptions regarding management of the portfolio, the alignment 
of production, capital expenditure and operating expenditure with 
five year plan forecasts and the alignment of prices with the 
cyclical low price case used in the control stress case for monthly 
balance sheet testing. 

Taking account of these matters, and BHP’s current position and 
principal risks, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
BHP will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due. 

Risk factors
Our Group Risk Architecture currently has 10 Group Risk categories that represent BHP’s areas of risk. These categories are further broken 
down into Group Risks. This section highlights our most significant Group Risks. Each of the risk factors listed below could materially 
and adversely affect our business, financial performance, financial condition, prospects or reputation, leading to a loss of long-term 
shareholder and/or investor confidence.

Asset integrity

Risks associated with operational integrity and performance of our assets.

Why is this important to BHP? 
Maintaining the operational integrity and performance of our assets is crucial to protect our people, the environment and 
communities in which we operate from incidents. We have onshore and offshore assets in variety of geographic locations. All our 
assets exist in and around broader communities and environments. A serious incident (such as dam failure or underground explosion) 
or the failure to appropriately maintain or develop our assets, could have an impact on our people, surrounding communities and 
environments, as well as our cash flow, operations or the longevity of our assets.

Threats

Management

We employ a number of measures designed to protect the 
operational integrity and performance of our assets, and to 
detect, eliminate, prevent and mitigate operational incidents 
and outages. These measures include:
•  BHP’s standards on health, safety, the environment, communities, 
water and tailings dams, maintenance, crisis and emergency 
management, and event and investigation management; 

•  planning, designing and constructing mines, dams and 

equipment to avoid incidents; 

•  maintaining and improving infrastructure and equipment to 

protect our people and assets (for example controls to prevent 
the accumulation of flammable gas and coal dust); 

•  inspections and reviews (including a dam risk review to assess 
the management of significant tailings storage facilities, both 
active and inactive as described in section 1.8);

•  routine reviews and revisions to management plans and 
manuals (for example, to test and update for alignment 
with operating specifications and industry dam codes);

•  training and qualifications for staff and contractors; 
•  maintaining mine evacuation routes and supporting equipment 
(such as breathing apparatus), crisis and emergency response 
plans and business continuity plans.

Failure to maintain operational integrity and performance of our 
assets may result in operational incidents or reduce asset value.

An operational incident, such as dam failure or underground 
explosion, could result in:
•  multiple injuries and fatalities;
•  extensive community disruption (including impacts to personal 

safety, livelihood and quality of life);

•  short-term and long-term health risks to our people or 

the community;

•  environmental damage (for example, affecting air quality, 

biodiversity or water resources);

•  loss of licences, permits or necessary approvals to operate assets; 
•  loss of community infrastructure and services (such as power, 

water or transport);

•  failure or redundancy of mining, processing or support 

infrastructure or equipment (such as a structural collapse 
or failure of a conveyor, petroleum platform or rail line);

•  disruption to essential supplies or delivery of our products (for 

example, where channel blockage is caused by a vessel incident);

•  significant repair costs;
•  interruption in production or other critical activities and loss 

of revenue from affected operations;

•  litigation, including class actions, or fines and investigations 

by authorities. 

A failure to maintain operational integrity and performance of 
our assets may impact asset value due to production shortfalls, 
loss of development options or a delay in asset development. 
For example, poor maintenance of facilities that manage fugitive 
emissions could result in excess dust or noise and restrict the 
ability to obtain approvals to increase output or throughput. 
It may also negatively impact cash flows and profitability, result 
in financial write downs (for example, due to a need to abandon 
remaining reserves where it is uneconomic to reconstruct or 
recover the asset following a major incident) or increased costs 
or other commercial impacts. We take steps to maintain the 
operational integrity and performance of our assets through 
planning, design, construction, operation and closure. However, 
our projects are complex and may be adversely impacted by 
factors out of our control, such as natural disasters. 

Our risk financing approach is to self-insure or not purchase 
external insurance for certain risks, including property damage 
and business interruption, sabotage and terrorism, marine cargo, 
construction, primary public liability and employee benefits. 
Business continuity plans may not provide protection for all costs 
that arise from such events, and where external insurance is 
purchased, third party claims may exceed the limit of liability 
of policies. Any uninsured or underinsured losses could impact 
our financial position or the financial results of our assets. 

FY2019 insights 
The Group’s exposure to asset integrity risks is expected to remain relatively stable. The Priority Group Risk Review process 
(described above) aims to provide additional rigour around the management of top operational risks, such as dam failure 
and underground fire and explosion.

BHP Annual Report 2019  33

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Occupational and process safety

Risks associated with the safety of BHP employees and contractors in performing their work.

Why is this important to BHP? 
All our sites may be subject to operational accidents, including fires, explosions, road, vehicle, port, shipping, railroad, aircraft or 
airport incidents, rock fall incidents, loss of power supply, environmental pollution, mechanical equipment failures, mine-related 
accidents, personal conveyance equipment failures, loss of primary containment of hazardous materials, or loss of well control 
(involving an uncontrolled flow of well fluids or formation fluids from the wellbore to the surface). 

We have onshore and offshore extractive, processing and logistical operations in many geographic locations. Transporting our people 
to the locations of our exploration activities and operations can involve helicopters, aircraft or high occupancy vehicles. We have port 
facilities and four underground mines, including one underground coal mine. The nature of the activities performed at such facilities 
and mines can involve safety hazards. 

We operate in zones prone to natural disasters. This includes our Western Australia Iron Ore, Queensland Coal and Gulf of Mexico oil 
and gas assets, which are located in areas subject to cyclones or hurricanes, and our Chilean copper and Peruvian base metals assets 
and Global Asset Services office in Manila, which are located in known earthquake and tsunami zones.

Threats

Management

Occupational and process safety incidents may lead to serious 
injuries, loss of life or livelihood or quality of life to BHP employees, 
contractors and members of the community. In addition, 
occupational and process safety incidents may result in: 
•  interruption in production or other activities critical to 

We employ a number of measures designed to detect, 
eliminate, prevent and mitigate operational and process 
safety incidents, including:
•  BHP’s standards on aviation, health, safety, the environment 

and community, crisis and emergency management; 

our business;

•  disruption to essential supplies (such as explosives 

or maintenance parts);

•  failure of mining or processing equipment or support 
infrastructure (for example, relating to power, water, 
transport or technology);
•  environmental damage; 
•  increased costs or other commercial impacts;
•  litigation (including class actions), fines or investigations 

by authorities; 

•  reputational damage.

Our risk financing (insurance) approach is to self-insure or not 
purchase external insurance for certain risks. For more information, 
refer to Asset integrity section.

•  compliance with quality assurance standards (for example, 
the Drilling and Completions Quality Assurance Standard 
for Petroleum offshore drilling and completion activity);

•  selection and design of mine plans, wells and equipment to 
prevent incidents (including slope design and underground 
support systems);

•  inspection, maintenance and improvements of infrastructure to 
protect our people and assets (for example, cyclone resilience);

•  inspection, maintenance and improvement of key equipment 
designed to prevent or mitigate an occupational or process 
safety incident (for example, pressure vessels designed 
to contain fluids or gas at pressure and emergency response 
equipment);

•  training and qualifications for staff and contractors (including 

drill rig contractors and aircraft operators);

•  influencing joint venture partners to align with BHP standards;
•  monitoring adverse weather conditions, ground stability and 

pressure/temperature of materials;

•  continuity plans and crisis and emergency response plans; 
•  self-insurance for losses arising from property damage, 

business interruption and construction.

FY2019 insights 
Although the divestment of our Onshore US assets in FY2019 decreased the onshore risk exposure in Petroleum, the Group’s exposure 
to operational and process safety risk is expected to remain relatively stable.

34  BHP Annual Report 2019

Capital allocation and returns sustainability 

Risks associated with the allocation of capital through annual planning and other processes, and ongoing returns 
from BHP’s assets and investments. 

Why is this important to BHP? 
Our strategy is to have the best capabilities, commodities and assets to create long-term value and high returns. Our decisions and 
actions relating to the allocation of capital across asset or reserve discovery, acquisition, maintenance, development or divestment, 
impacts our financial performance and financial condition, and therefore the sustainability of our returns. This is particularly the case 
with commodities that we view as attractive (for example, copper, oil and nickel sulphides). 

Threats

Management

Changes in our portfolio, missed opportunities to invest or 
a failure to effectively allocate capital or achieve expected 
returns from assets or investments may lead to: 
•  loss of value, for example due to incorrect reserve estimates, 
incorrect or changing assumptions (including those related 
to commodity prices) or early depletion of reserves;

•  failure to achieve expected commercial objectives, including 
cost savings, sales revenues or operational performance; 

•  unexpected costs or liabilities, including due to the imposition 

of adverse regulatory conditions, from acquired assets or 
entities (such as rehabilitation costs) or legal dispute costs;

•  adverse market reaction;
•  adverse impacts on BHP’s ability to deliver returns 

to shareholders;

•  financial write-downs (for example, as a result of changes 
in market or industry, prices, inability to recover reserves 
or additional costs); 

•  exchange rate related additional costs; 
•  inability to retain key staff important to the success of 

our business.

We have a number of strategies, processes and frameworks in 
place designed to grow and protect the strength of our portfolio 
and to help deliver ongoing returns to shareholders, including:
•  a long-term strategy that informs the decisions and actions 

in capital allocation;

•  an ongoing strategy process that assesses the competitive 

advantage of our business and enables identification of risks and 
opportunities for our portfolio using fit-for-purpose scenarios; 
•  monitoring indicators to interpret external events and trends;
•  commodity strategies and commodity price protocols that 

are reviewed and presented to the Executive Leadership Team 
and Board;

•  life of asset plans, which inform forecasts for proposed 

investments and operations;

•  management reviews and governance activities to support 

operational and project forecasts and planning;

•  our Capital Allocation Framework, which provides the structure 
and governance for prioritising capital allocation across the 
Group and adding growth options to our portfolio. Refer to 
section 1.4.3 for more information; 

•  investment approval processes that apply to investment 

decisions, including mergers and acquisitions activity, overseen 
by an investment committee as described in sections 2.14 
and 2.15;

•  annual reviews of our portfolio valuations to identify any value 

change and test internal value methodologies and assumptions 
against external benchmarks.

FY2019 insights 
The Group’s exposure to risks related to capital allocation and returns sustainability is expected to remain relatively stable. 
The divestment of our Onshore US assets in FY2019 has further simplified our portfolio.

BHP Annual Report 2019  35

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Geopolitics and macroeconomics

Risks associated with geopolitical and macroeconomic changes that impact our ability to access resources 
and markets needed to realise our strategy. 

Why is this important to BHP? 
BHP operates in multiple locations around the globe and may consider operating in new locations to access the resources we require. 
Our customers and suppliers are also located in markets around the world. Geopolitical and macroeconomic developments have the 
potential to restrict our ability to access resources in certain countries or effectively trade in markets. Any restrictions will impact our 
ability to realise our strategy as competition for resources grows, existing reserves are depleted and supply sources become more 
expensive to develop.

Threats

Management

The diversification of our portfolio of commodities, markets, 
geographies and currencies is a key strategy intended to reduce 
our exposure to geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts.

We regularly monitor geopolitical and macroeconomic trends to 
understand potential impacts on our business and seek to identify 
mitigating actions as soon as possible.

We also engage with governments and other key stakeholders 
to understand and attempt to mitigate any potential impacts 
from changes in trade or resource policies.

Changes in relations between countries, trade protectionism and 
political uncertainty can impact our ability to access resources 
and markets, such as: 
•  a continued slowing in China’s economic growth and demand 
could result in lower demand or prices for our products and 
materially, and adversely impact our results, including cash 
flows. Sales into China generated US$24.3 billion (FY2018: 
US$22.7 billion) or 54.8 per cent (FY2018: 52.5 per cent) of 
our revenue in FY2019, on a Continuing operations basis. 
Section 5 note 2 ‘Revenue’ details our calculation of revenue, 
including the impact of new accounting standards. FY2019 
sales into China by commodity included 57 per cent Iron Ore, 
26 per cent Copper, 14 per cent Coal and 2 per cent Nickel 
(reported in Group and Unallocated);

•  a marked rise in geopolitical uncertainty and protectionism has 
the potential to inhibit international trade, weigh on business 
confidence and constrain investment. In particular, restrictive 
trade policies in the United States and China have ramifications 
for business, governments and citizens. They may adversely 
affect BHP’s ability to trade, and impact demand for BHP’s 
products in those and other economies;

•  BHP’s ability to obtain and retain licences to explore or develop 

resources or to access markets for sales or supply may be 
inhibited if there are tensions between a host country where 
we operate or sell our products in other countries that BHP is 
seen to be allied with. Such tensions may result in rescission 
of licences, nationalisation of assets, detention of BHP 
employees for regulatory investigations or limitations on 
markets or customer access;

•  our access may be restricted through disruptions to shipping 

lanes, ports or other facilities as a result of conflicts or 
embargoes that are not directly related to BHP or our customers;

•  our business may be negatively impacted by the exit of the 

United Kingdom from the EU, potentially triggering a 
deterioration of business activity in Britain and other countries. 
There remains uncertainty surrounding financial and trade 
implications of Brexit, which may be more severe than expected. 

For a discussion of the current geopolitical and macroeconomic 
forces relevant to BHP’s performance, refer to section 1.6.1.

FY2019 insights 
The Group’s exposure to geopolitics and macroeconomics risks is anticipated to increase in the short term due to heightened political 
and policy uncertainty.

36  BHP Annual Report 2019

Cybersecurity 

Cyber-related risk events, including attacks on our enterprise or incidents relating to human error.

Why is this important to BHP? 
Many of our business and operational processes are heavily dependent on technology. We have a significant and increasing reliance 
on autonomous systems for haulage and drilling. In addition, we have substantial integration between our information technology 
and our operating technology. 

Threats

Management

Cyber events or attacks may lead to: 
•  operational or commercial disruption (such as the inability 

to process or ship resources);

•  corruption or loss of system data; 
•  a misappropriation or loss of funds;
•  unintended disclosure of commercial or personal information; 
•  health and safety incidents, including fatalities (where cyber 
events cause system error or malfunction, which result in 
operational incidents);

•  environmental damage (for example, cyber incidents could 

cause train derailments for autonomous transport); 

•  inability to respond appropriately to unrelated incidents;
•  regulatory fines and compensation to people impacted; 
•  reputational damage. 

We employ a number of measures designed to protect, 
detect and respond to cyber events, including:
•  BHP’s standards on technology and cybersecurity, 

communications and external engagement;
•  cybersecurity strategy and resilience programs;
•  enterprise security framework and cybersecurity standards;
•  cybersecurity awareness plan and training; 
•  security assessments and monitoring;
•  restricted physical access to critical centres and servers; 
•  incident response plans, process and root cause analysis.

FY2019 insights 
Although there were no identified cyber breaches to the Group’s technology environment during FY2019, the Group’s exposure to 
cyber-related risk events is expected to increase primarily due to our growing reliance on technology and the increasing sophistication 
of external cyberattacks.

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Third party performance 

Risks associated with the delivery of products and services by third parties engaged by BHP, including contractors 
and non-operated joint ventures.

Why is this important to BHP? 
BHP holds interests in assets and joint ventures that it does not directly operate, primarily within Minerals Americas (Samarco, Antamina, 
Resolution, Cerrejón and Nimba) and Petroleum (Algeria, Australia and Gulf of Mexico). Joint venture partners or other companies 
managing non-operated joint ventures take action contrary to our standards or fail to adopt standards equivalent to BHP’s standards. 
In such situations, BHP may be unable to influence non-operated joint venture activities. 

In addition, BHP’s workforce is made up of a combination of permanent employees and contractors across all our operations. As a result, 
appropriate contractor selection and effective management of contractors from a safety, cost, quality, schedule and performance 
perspective is important to the success of our business. We also contract with many commercial and financial counterparties, including 
end customers, suppliers and financial institutions in the context of global financial markets that remain volatile.

Threats

Management

We have global practices and standards for operations and 
production that apply to third parties, including:
•  BHP’s standards on supply, safety and capital projects that 
apply to contractors and include requirements relating to 
contractor management; 

•  Our Code of Conduct, which sets out requirements related 

to working with integrity, including dealings with third parties 
as described in section 2.16;

•  our Contractor Management Framework, which specifies 
a holistic approach to support regional alignment and is 
supported by global training;

•  anti-corruption training, competition training, and Our Code 

of Conduct training;

•  independent inspections, assurance and verifications 

(in some cases performed by regulatory bodies);

•  governance frameworks for our joint ventures, which define 

how shareholders work together with management to 
govern the joint venture;

•  BHP and external reviews of joint venture projects, 

risk management and governance activities; 
•  internal and shareholder audits of joint ventures. 

We maintain a ‘one book’ approach with commercial 
counterparties, which means that we aim to quantify and 
assess our credit exposures on a consistent basis. We also 
have contingency plans in place if production or shipping 
is interrupted.

Third party (including contractor) activities, including a failure 
to adopt standards, controls and procedures that are equivalent 
to BHP’s, could lead to increased risk of: 

•  operational incidents or health and safety accidents, 

including fatalities; 

•  failure to meet remediation and compensation requirements 
(such as delays to community resettlements related to the 
Samarco dam failure, see section 1.7 for information on our 
response, support and commitments);

•  inadequate quality of construction (for example, if contractors 

do not follow appropriate standards);

•  reduced production (for example, from poor planning 

that does not align to appropriate standards); 

•  disengagement of the remaining workforce; 
•  litigation or regulatory action (for example, if a third party 

was in breach of a law or regulation); 

•  cost overruns, schedule delays or interruptions (such as 

in major development projects).

A failure by suppliers, contractors or joint venture partners 
to perform existing contracts or obligations may lead to the 
following impacts:

•  non-supply of key inputs, such as explosives, mining 
equipment, petrol and other consumables important 
to our business; 

•  loss of access to third party owned or supplied infrastructure;
•  disruption to essential supplies or delivery of our products 

(for example, where access or use of BHP owned and operated 
rail is disrupted by third parties);

•  reduction in production at our assets; 
•  litigation (for example, for contractual breach);
•  loss of revenue.

Our existing counterparty credit controls may not prevent 
a material loss to us due to our credit exposure to certain 
customer segments or financial counterparties.

Our risk financing (insurance) approach is to self-insure or not 
purchase external insurance for certain risks. For information, 
refer to the Asset integrity section.

FY2019 insights 
There are no changes identified in the risk environment for third party performance, internally or externally, that are expected to 
significantly increase the Group’s exposure.

38  BHP Annual Report 2019

Community wellbeing and human rights 

Risks that have the potential to impact communities and the environment and damage support for our business with communities, 
government or the general public.

Why is this important to BHP? 
Our approach to all phases of the life cycle of an operation from exploration to closure can impact the environment, communities or 
other stakeholders, which can affect support for our existing or future operations. The nature of our activities may cause adverse 
impacts to air quality, biodiversity, water resources and related ecosystem services or health risks. Our activities may also have an 
impact on human rights, community livelihoods and wellbeing. Our assets are subject to law and regulations on a range of issues, 
including safety, health, environmental, anti-corruption, human rights, ethics, and employment conditions. Environmental and 
community impacts or non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with such laws and regulations could adversely impact the 
environment or communities, and damage community or governmental support for our business. Finally, our activities may be 
affected by shareholder activism or civil society activism.

Threats

Management

BHP may engage in activities (or fail to engage in activities) that 
impact the environment, communities, human rights and social 
wellbeing. This can affect BHP’s relationships with, or be viewed 
negatively by, the community and other stakeholders. A loss 
of stakeholder support could result in the following impacts to 
our business:
•  loss of licences or permits for the operation of assets, or delays 

in approvals for new projects; 

•  opposition to new BHP projects or BHP’s entry to new jurisdictions 

by communities, including through legal or social action; 

•  increased costs for mitigation, offsets or financial 

compensatory actions or obligations; 

•  potential schedule delay, increased costs or reduced production; 
•  increased taxes and royalties;
•  industrial relations disputes, negotiations, litigation or 
regulatory action, resulting in a loss of productivity; 

•  loss of business opportunity.

In addition, changes to legal requirements or community 
expectations, for example, related to the rehabilitation or closure 
of assets, may increase required financial provisioning and costs.

We have Group-wide standards for communications, community 
and external engagement; and environment and climate change. 
These standards and underpinning practices strengthen our 
environmental and social performance and include:

•  conducting regular impact assessments for each asset to 

understand the social, environmental and economic context;
•  identifying and analysing stakeholder, social, environmental 

and human rights impacts and business risks;

•  engaging in regular, open and honest dialogue with stakeholders 

to understand their expectations, concerns and interests;
•  contributing to environmental and community resilience 

through social investment;

•  applying the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimise, rehabilitate, 

compensate) to minimise environment and community 
impacts, and achieve target environmental outcomes.

These activities also assist us to identify, mitigate or manage 
key potential social, environmental and human rights risks, 
as described in section 1.10.

FY2019 insights 
The Group’s exposure to risks associated with the community and human rights is assessed as increasing due to increasing societal 
and political requirements and expectations.

BHP Annual Report 2019  39

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Climate change and greenhouse gas emissions

Risks associated with changes in climate patterns, as well as risks arising from policy, regulatory, legal, technological 
or market responses to climate change.

Why is this important to BHP? 
We are exposed to a broad range of climate-related risks arising from both the physical and non-physical impacts of climate change. 
Climate-related risks may affect our operations, the markets in which we sell our products, the communities in which we operate 
and our upstream and downstream value chains. 

Risks related to the physical impacts of climate change include acute risks resulting from increased severity of extreme weather 
events and chronic risks resulting from longer-term changes in climate patterns. 

Risks also arise from a wide variety of policy, regulatory, legal, technological and market responses to the challenges posed by climate 
change and the transition to a lower carbon economy. Fossil fuel use is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 
which contribute to climate change. The production and use of fossil fuels receive scrutiny from a range of stakeholders, including 
governments, investors, NGOs and communities. At BHP, we produce fossil fuels (energy coal, oil and gas) used primarily in the 
transport and electricity generation sectors, as well as fossil fuels and other commodities that are used as inputs to emissions-
intensive industrial processes (including metallurgical coal and iron ore used in steelmaking). We also use fossil fuels in our mining 
and processing operations either directly or through the purchase of fossil fuel-based electricity. We can therefore be impacted by 
policies and regulations to reduce GHG emissions from the resources, electricity generation, transport and industrial sectors. 
Technological and market-related risks include the substitution of existing technologies with lower emissions options, such as 
renewables, particularly in the electricity generation and transport sectors, which have the potential to reduce demand for fossil fuels. 

Threats

Management

The impacts of climate change could affect the execution of 
our strategy, the expansion of our portfolio, and the ability of
our operated and non-operated assets to operate efficiently. 
The following threats relating to climate change may affect us: 
•  the physical impacts of climate change (for example, changes 
in precipitation patterns, water shortages, rising sea levels, 
increased storm intensities and higher temperatures) may 
materially and adversely affect our assets, the productivity 
of our assets and the costs associated with our assets, as 
well as our supply chains, transport and distribution networks, 
customers’ facilities and the markets in which we sell our products; 

•  the Group’s asset carrying values or financial performance 

may be affected by any adverse impacts to reserve estimates 
or market prices that may occur if, for example, reserves are 
rendered incapable of extraction or demand for fossil fuel 
commodities decreases due to policy, regulatory (including 
carbon pricing mechanisms), legal, technological, market or 
societal responses to climate change in our operating 
jurisdictions or markets;

•  climate change may increase competition for, and the regulation 
of, limited resources, such as power and water, which are critical 
to the operation of our business. This could affect the productivity 
of our assets and the costs associated with our assets; 

•  we are impacted by current and emerging policy and regulation 
aimed at reducing GHG emissions from the resources, electricity 
generation, transport and industrial sectors, including the 
introduction of carbon pricing mechanisms. Climate policy and 
regulation may reduce demand for our products or increase the 
costs associated with our assets. Examples of recent regulatory 
changes include the launch of an emissions trading scheme in 
China in 2017 and the introduction of a carbon tax in Chile in 2017; 
•  applications for licences, permits and authorisations required to 
develop our assets and projects may face greater scrutiny and 
be contested by third parties. This could delay, limit or prevent 
future development of our assets or affect the productivity 
of our assets and the costs associated with our assets; 
•  the Group’s reputation and financial performance may be 

impacted by concerns regarding the contribution of fossil fuels 
to climate change. Impacts could include a reduction in investor 
confidence and constraints on our ability to access capital from 
financial markets;

•  the Group may be subject to or impacted by climate-related 
litigation (including class actions) and the associated costs. 

Assessments of the potential impact of future climate change 
policy, regulatory, legal, technological, market and societal 
outcomes are uncertain given the wide scope of influencing 
factors and the many countries in which we do business. For 
example, countries will need to introduce new or strengthen 
existing policies and regulation in order to meet the goals of 
the Paris Agreement. 

We work with globally recognised agencies to obtain regional 
analyses of climate science to improve our understanding of the 
potential climate vulnerabilities of our operations and communities 
where we operate, and to inform resilience planning at an asset 
level. Our assets are required to build climate resilience into their 
activities, for example, by designing facilities to withstand sea level 
rise or changing climate patterns, or factoring forecast increases 
in extreme weather events into operational plans. We also require 
new investments to assess and manage risks associated with the 
forecast physical impacts of climate change. 

We evaluate the resilience of our portfolio to climate change and 
the low carbon transition by using a broad range of scenarios that 
consider divergent policy, regulatory, legal, technological, market 
and societal outcomes, including low plausibility, extreme shock 
events. We also continue to monitor climate-related developments 
that could impact the resilience of our portfolio. Our investment 
evaluation process has incorporated market and sector-based 
carbon prices for more than a decade.

We seek to mitigate our exposure to risk arising from current and 
emerging policy and regulation in our operating jurisdictions and 
markets by reducing our operational emissions and developing 
a product stewardship approach to emissions in our value chain. 

We also respond to our exposure to policy and regulatory risk by 
advocating for the development of an effective, long-term policy 
framework that can deliver a measured transition to a lower 
carbon economy. 

Identifying cost-effective and robust carbon offsets is important 
to meeting our emissions reduction commitments and managing 
reputational risk. We therefore also support the development of 
market mechanisms that reduce global GHG emissions through 
projects that generate carbon credits. 

The Group continues to monitor policy, market and technological 
changes and community, investor and regulatory standards and 
expectations, as they develop, to inform appropriate management 
actions. For more information on our climate change risk 
management strategy, refer to section 1.10.8.

FY2019 insights 
During FY2019, there was an accumulation of new indicators of 
the risks and costs associated with climate change, including the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on 
Global Warming of 1.5°C, which stated that the effects of climate 
change are already being observed, that warming of even 1.5°C 
would have profound impacts and that 2°C of warming would 
be more damaging than previously believed.

Community, investor and regulatory standards and expectations 
in relation to climate change continued to increase during 
FY2019. There has also been a recent escalation of climate-related 
litigation involving companies, particularly in the United States.

40  BHP Annual Report 2019

Legal, regulatory, ethics and compliance

Risks associated with BHP’s legal, regulatory, ethics and compliance obligations.

Why is this important to BHP? 
Our operated assets and non-operated joint ventures are based on material long-term investments that are dependent on long-term 
legal, regulatory, political, judicial and fiscal stability. In addition, the nature of the industries in which we operate means many of our 
activities are highly regulated, including through: (i) law and regulations relating to bribery and anti-corruption, trade and financial 
sanctions, market manipulation, taxation, royalties, competition, data protection and privacy; and (ii) local regulations and standards, 
such as controls on production, imports, exports, prices on greenhouse gas emissions, native title, and health, safety and environment. 

Section 1.7 details our response and support in relation to the Samarco incident as well as the progress on our commitments.

Threats

Management

We have internal policies, standards, systems and processes 
for governance and compliance, including:
•  BHP’s standards on business conduct, market disclosure, 
and information governance and controlled documents;

•  Our Code of Conduct; 
•  contractor due diligence and automated risk screening;
•  ring fencing protocols to separate potentially competitive 

businesses within BHP; 

•  classification of compliance sensitive transactions; 
•  governance and compliance processes (including the review 

of internal controls over financial reporting and specific internal 
controls in relation to trade and financial sanctions, market 
manipulation, competition, data protection and privacy 
and corruption);

•  anti-corruption training, competition training, Our Code of 

Conduct training;

•  oversight and engagement with higher risk areas by our Ethics 
and Compliance function, Internal Audit and Advisory team 
and the Disclosure Committee;

•  global monitoring of compliance controls by our Ethics 

and Compliance function;

•  EthicsPoint anonymous reporting service, supported by an 

ethics and investigations framework and central investigations 
team (within the Ethics and Compliance function) to investigate 
Our Code of Conduct concerns.

BHP’s activities or those of our associates could result in actual or 
alleged corruption, bribery, collusion, anti-competitive behaviour, 
market manipulation, tax avoidance or other breaches of legal, 
regulatory, ethics or compliance obligations. These activities, or 
changes in laws or regulations due to the developing nature of 
government regulations and international standards, could lead to 
the following threats to BHP’s business, reputation and operations: 
•  actions, investigations or inquiries by regulatory authorities 
or courts over actual or alleged legal or regulatory breaches 
(for example, over suspected facilitation payments or bribery 
and corruption which are prevalent in some of the countries 
where we do business or our assets are located); 

•  disgorgement of profits (for example, if bribery or corruption 

is established); 

•  civil or criminal prosecution of employees or third parties;
•  loss of operating licences, permits or approvals; 
•  operational impacts, such as unforeseen closures, site 

rehabilitation expenses, delays or disruption; 

•  increased compliance costs (for example, to meet new 

or more onerous operating or reporting standards);

•  regulatory fines or settlements (for example, from a failure 
to comply with reporting standards or recognise royalties);

•  increased costs in relation to taxation or royalties if laws 

or policies change;

•  adverse impacts to the quality and condition of infrastructure 

that BHP uses in the operation of its assets, such as rail or ports 
(which can be affected by political and legislative change);

•  adverse change to regulatory regimes for access to 

government-owned or privately operated infrastructure 
or resources (for example, rail, electricity or water), resulting 
in additional costs or limitations on access by BHP;

•  renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts, leases, 

permits or other agreements;

•  litigation or disputes (such as in connection with ownership 
and use of land) and the associated cost of such litigation 
or disputes; 

•  loss or uncertainty of land tenure, for example, in countries 

where native title must be established and recognised, 
such as in Australia;

•  effects on the economics of new mining projects and 

the expansion of existing assets and operations.

We conduct our business globally in numerous jurisdictions 
with complex regulatory frameworks. Our governance and 
compliance processes may not identify or prevent misstatements 
or fraud or prevent potential breaches of law, accounting or 
governance practice.

FY2019 insights 
There are currently no changes identified in the risk environment for BHP’s legal and regulatory obligations that are expected to significantly 
increase the Group’s exposure, with the exception of those noted above for climate change and community and human rights. The Group’s 
exposure to risks associated with legal, regulatory, ethics and compliance issues may increase in the event of increased investment and 
activity in higher risk jurisdictions.

BHP Annual Report 2019  41

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1.6.4 Risk management continued

Commodity prices

Risks associated with the prices of commodities, including sustained price shifts relative to the price of extraction.

Why is this important to BHP? 
The prices we obtain for our minerals, oil and gas are determined by, or linked to, prices in world markets, which have historically 
been, and may continue to be, subject to significant volatility.

Threats

Management

Our usual policy is to sell our products at the prevailing market 
prices. We manage our exposures primarily through the diversity 
of commodities, markets, geographies and currencies provided by 
our relatively broad portfolio of commodities. However, this does 
not necessarily insulate BHP from the effects of price changes. 

Note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5 outlines BHP’s 
financial risk management strategy, including market, commodity 
and currency risk.

Fluctuations in commodity prices can occur in response to a 
range of factors. These include price shifts triggered by global 
economic and geopolitical factors, industry demand, increased 
supply due to the development of new productive resources 
or increased production from existing resources, technological 
change, product substitution and national tariffs. The effects 
of the trade negotiations between the US and China and the 
United Kingdom’s exit from the EU may also have an impact on 
price volatility and therefore affect us. 

We are particularly exposed to price movements in minerals, oil 
and gas. For example, a US$1 per tonne decline in the average 
iron ore price and US$1 per barrel decline in the average oil price 
would have an estimated impact on FY2019 profit after taxation 
of US$154 million and US$29 million, respectively. For more 
information on commodity price impacts, refer to section 1.6.2. 
Commodity price impacts can also be exacerbated by exchange 
rate fluctuation, which may impact our financial results. 

Long-term price volatility or sustained low prices may adversely 
affect our future profitability. This could result in cost pressure, 
as we do not generally have the ability to offset costs through 
price increases. In addition, this impact may result in lower than 
desired credit ratings for BHP, restricting our access to debt 
funding or increasing our financing costs. 

FY2019 insights 
With the exception of geopolitical and macroeconomic developments (mentioned in the Geopolitics and macroeconomics section), which 
are expected to increase commodity price volatility, there are no changes identified in the risk environment for commodity prices that are 
likely to significantly increase or decrease the Group’s exposure to commodity prices. Volatility in the market will continue to translate into 
profit variability.

42  BHP Annual Report 2019

Balance sheet and liquidity 

Risks associated with BHP’s ability to maintain a robust and effective balance sheet, distribute dividends and remain financially liquid.

Why is this important to BHP? 
Fluctuations in commodity prices and ongoing global economic volatility could materially and adversely affect our future cash flows 
and ability to access capital from financial markets at acceptable pricing. If our liquidity and cash flows deteriorate significantly, 
it may adversely affect our ability to fund our strategy.

Threats

Management

If our key financial ratios and credit ratings are not maintained, 
our ability to fund current and future capital projects and 
acquisitions, cost of financing, solvency, ability to pay a dividend 
and/or share price may be impacted.

The Financial Risk Management Committee (FRMC) oversees the 
financial risks faced by BHP and endorses or approves financial 
risk management strategies, mandates and activities, including 
those related to commodity, currency, credit and insurance 
markets. The role of the FRMC is described in sections 2.14 
and 2.15. Note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5 outlines 
our financial risk management strategy.

We seek to maintain a strong balance sheet supported by 
our portfolio risk management strategy. To achieve this, we:
•  operate a diversified portfolio, which reduces overall cash 

flow volatility;

•  maintain access to key debt markets globally;
•  monitor target gearing levels and credit rating metrics;
•  assess cash flow at risk to monitor sensitivities to market prices 

and their impact on key financial ratios; 

•  maintain target cash and liquidity buffers within ranges set by 
the Board (which are designed to sustain BHP through periods 
where there is limited access to debt markets);

•  operate within credit limits set by frameworks approved by 

the FRMC.

FY2019 insights 
Protectionism and political uncertainty heightened during FY2019, which we expect will constrain global economic growth. 
However, no material changes have been identified in the risk environment, internally or externally, that are expected to significantly 
increase the Group’s risk exposure or significantly impact the Group’s ability to maintain a strong balance sheet, distribute dividends 
and remain financially liquid.

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1.7 Samarco

Monitoring of the Doce river water.

The Fundão dam failure 
On 5 November 2015, the Fundão tailings dam operated by Samarco 
Mineração S.A. (Samarco) failed. Samarco is a non-operated joint 
venture owned by BHP Billiton Brasil Limitada (BHP Billiton Brasil) 
and Vale S.A. (Vale), with each having a 50 per cent shareholding.

A significant volume of tailings (water and mud-like waste resulting 
from the iron ore beneficiation process) was released. Tragically, 
19 people died – five community members and 14 people who 
were working on the dam when it failed. The communities of Bento 
Rodrigues, Gesteira and Paracatu were flooded. A number of other 
communities further downstream in the states of Minas Gerais 
and Espírito Santo were also affected by the tailings, as was the 
environment of the Rio Doce basin.

Our response and support for Fundação Renova
More than three years into the recovery process, we remain 
committed to doing the right thing for the people and the 
environment in the Rio Doce region in a challenging and complex 
operating context. 

The Framework Agreement entered into between Samarco, Vale 
and BHP Billiton Brasil and the relevant Brazilian authorities in 
March 2016 established Fundação Renova, a not-for-profit, private 
foundation that has developed and is implementing 42 remediation 
and compensatory programs to restore the environment and 
re-establish affected communities. As well as remediating the 
impacts of the dam failure, Fundação Renova is implementing 
a range of compensatory actions aimed at leaving a lasting, 
positive legacy for the people and environment of the Rio Doce.

BHP is focused on supporting Fundação Renova’s operations through 
representation on the Board of Governors and Board Committees, 
making available secondees who work within Fundação Renova to 
provide their technical expertise on priority areas, and regular peer 
engagement on issues such as safety, risk management, human 
rights and compliance.

Fundação Renova
Fundação Renova’s staff of approximately 530 people is supported 
by about 6,200 contractors. Its CY2019 budget is R$3.1 billion. 

The activities of Fundação Renova are overseen by an 
Interfederative Committee comprising representatives from the 
Brazilian Federal and State Governments, local municipalities, 
environmental agencies, impacted communities and the Public 
Defense Office, who monitor, guide and assess the progress of 
actions agreed in the Framework Agreement. The Interfederative 
Committee is supported by the Technical Chambers, made up 
of specialists from the various government departments, which 
are established to assist the Interfederative Committee in the 
performance of its purpose of guiding, monitoring and supervising 
the execution of the socioeconomic and socio-environmental 
programs managed by Fundação Renova. There are 11 Technical 
Chambers in the following areas: communication, participation, 
dialogue and social control; economy and innovation; social 
organisation and emergency aid; Indigenous peoples and traditional 
communities; reconstruction and infrastructure recovery; health, 
education, culture, leisure and information; conservation and 
biodiversity; tailings and environmental safety management; forestry 
restoration and water production; and water safety and quality. 

Fundação Renova is governed by a Board of Governors, currently 
comprising representatives nominated by Vale, BHP Billiton 
Brasil and the Interfederative Committee. In the near term, 
representatives of impacted communities are also expected to 
join the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors appoints 
an Executive Board, including the CEO, which is responsible for 
the operational management of Fundação Renova.

Fundação Renova’s governance structure also comprises a Fiscal 
Council, Advisory Council, seven Board Committees, a Compliance 
Manager and an Ombudsman. The Advisory Council includes 
representation from impacted communities and community 
development and education experts. 

On 25 June 2018, Samarco, Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil signed a 
Governance Agreement with the other parties to the Framework 
Agreement, the Public Prosecutors Office and the Public Defense 
Office. The Governance Agreement augments the participation 
of impacted people in the decision-making process, through 
representation on both the Fundação Renova Board of Governors 
and the Interfederative Committee. 

44  BHP Annual Report 2019

In addition, during FY2019, a network of 18 local commissions, 
made up of affected people, was established along the Rio Doce 
to represent the affected people in the governance process for 
full reparation of the damages. 

Participants in the local commissions will be offered training 
by the technical advisers (non-profit organisations that aim 
to defend the rights of affected people, providing access 
to information and technical guidance) to enable them to 
actively participate in the process by submitting proposals, 
recommendations and comments on the work of the Interfederative 
Committee, Technical Chambers and Fundação Renova. 
Each commission should also be able to work with other local 
commissions to discuss and improve the results in each territory. 
Due to the diversity, scale and complexity of the programs, 
Fundação Renova collaborates and engages broadly with affected 
communities, scientific and academic institutions, regulators 
and civil society. 

Resettlement
One of Fundação Renova’s priority social programs is the livelihood 
restoration program to relocate and rebuild the communities of 
Bento Rodrigues, Paracatu and Gesteira. A key to the success of 
this program is the participation of affected community members, 
their technical advisers, State Prosecutors, municipal leaders, 
regulators and other interested parties. 

The process involves the identification and acquisition of land, 
design and planning for the urban plan, including all infrastructure 
services (roads, power, water, drainage, sewerage) and public 
buildings (schools, health centres, squares, sports grounds and 
religious buildings), and construction of new houses for the affected 
people. The resettlement project provides local employment for 
community members where possible and support to help affected 
people restore their livelihoods.

In Bento Rodrigues, preparation for construction of the public 
school has commenced and infrastructure works are progressing. 
Unfortunately, work is behind schedule due to delays in project 
engineering and in the permitting process. Fundação Renova has 
signed an agreement to provide additional resources required by 
the municipality to analyse the individual house projects for 
permitting approval. Of the 257 houses, as of June 2019, 112 families 
had concluded the conceptual design of their houses and around 
76 house projects have permits submitted to start construction. 
In June 2019, Renova signed Letters of Intent with two major Brazilian 
construction companies to undertake construction of the houses 
and infrastructure. 

In Paracatu, by June 2019, all licences and authorisations to 
commence construction were granted and works to prepare 
the construction site were under way (117 houses). 

In December 2018, land was purchased for the resettlement of 
37 families of Gesteira following a protracted negotiation with 
the landowner. The urban plan design is being designed with 
the community.

In addition to these three community resettlements, 14 families 
from the rural area chose to rebuild their houses on their previous 
property, and of these, six houses have been rebuilt and delivered 
to the families.

Eighty-three families have chosen not to live in one of the three 
villages or in their previous houses. Fundação Renova is assisting 
them. Twenty-two properties have been purchased for these families 
(as of June 2019). 

Financial assistance and compensation
Fundação Renova had paid R$1.7 billion in indemnification and 
financial aid up to June 2019.

Fundação Renova has distributed about 13,160 financial assistance 
cards to those whose livelihoods were impacted by the dam failure, 
including registered and informal commercial fisherfolk who are 
unable to fish due to the imposition of fishing bans in the Rio Doce 
and along the coast of Espírito Santo. The payments are designed 
to provide those affected with the capacity to support themselves 
and their families pending the re-establishment of conditions that 
enable them to resume their economic activities. 

Fundação Renova is also undertaking Brazil’s largest mediated 
compensation program to fairly compensate all individuals 
impacted by the dam failure. It comprises two key components:
•  The Water Damages component compensated people for 

an interruption to public water supplies for seven to 10 days 
following the dam failure. Over 268,000 people participated 
in the program, and were paid a total of approximately 
R$267 million. Between judicial and extrajudicial processes, 
about 300,000 settlements have been reached in small claims 
filed by impacted people in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo 
requesting the payment of moral damages related to the 
shortage of public water supply.

•  The General Damages component covers all other impacts, 

including loss of life, injury, property, business impacts, loss of 
income and moral damages. The program was designed based 
on inputs from public agencies, technical entities and impacted 
families and has been validated by the Interfederative Committee. 

Compensation represents 36 per cent of Fundação Renova’s budget, 
which is approximately R$1 billion for CY2019. 

Of the 19 fatalities, 16 families have been fully indemnified and one 
partially. The remaining two families are still in legal negotiations. 

Other socioeconomic programs
While resettlement, compensation and restoring fishing livelihoods 
are an important focus, Fundação Renova continues to implement 
a wide range of other socioeconomic programs in areas such 
as health and social protection, education, small business 
development, economic diversification, Indigenous peoples 
and traditional communities (i.e. sand-gold miners): 
•  There are two work fronts of Fundação Renova in the area of 

health: (i) conducting epidemiological and toxicological studies 
to investigate the health risk of tailings and heavy metals from 
the Doce River and to monitor the impact of dust on people’s 
lives and (ii) supporting the public management of municipalities 
by strengthening existing municipal structures, both in clinical 
care and social protection. In March 2019, more than 60 
professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers and 
psychologists hired by Fundação Renova worked in Mariana 
and Barra Longa (Minas Gerais). 

•  Fundação Renova seeks to promote the local economy to 

stimulate the resumption of the economic activity of the impacted 
region. To promote small business development and economic 
diversification, Fundação Renova launched, amongst others, a 
fund of R$40 million, to finance micro and medium companies 
with loans ranging from R$10,000 to R$200,000.

•  Fundação Renova prioritises the local workforce in repair actions 
and in March 2019, reported that 57 per cent of people directly 
engaged or engaged via suppliers were from affected 
municipalities. Fundação Renova’s goal is for this percentage 
to stabilise at or exceed 70 per cent. 

•  Actions to protect and restore the quality of life of Indigenous 

peoples and traditional communities aim to repair and 
compensate for the social, cultural, environmental and economic 
impacts on four communities and a total of 1,600 families. Impact 
studies are being developed to be the foundation of an integrated 
development action plan to recover the livelihoods of each of 
these communities.

BHP Annual Report 2019  45

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1.7 Samarco continued

Legal proceedings
BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and BHP Billiton Brasil are 
involved in legal proceedings relating to the Samarco dam failure. 
For more information on the significant legal proceedings in 
which BHP is currently involved, refer to section 6.6. 

Restart
While restart remains a focus and is expected to provide a positive 
effect on livelihoods in impacted communities, restart will only 
occur if it is safe, economically viable and has the support of 
the community.

Progress on our commitments
Following the investigation into the causes of the dam failure, 
Samarco and its shareholders identified a number of specific actions 
to help prevent a similar event from occurring. The actions were in 
addition to the overall improvements we identified to further improve 
the management of our tailings dams (as discussed in section 1.8).

Monitoring: A centralised monitoring system and control room with 
emergency warning and response protocols has been established 
for the Samarco tailings dams. Specifically trained personnel staff 
the control room 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Dam decommissioning plan: Due to legislative changes in Brazil, 
Samarco is currently progressing plans for the accelerated 
decommissioning of its upstream tailings dams (the Germano 
dam complex). Plans for the decommissioning are at an early 
stage and work is in progress on finalising the conceptual design. 

Emergency drills: Emergency drills are conducted once a year, 
bringing together the communities, employees and civil defence to 
validate the efficiency of the Emergency Response Plan, so that all 
parties that may potentially be affected are aware and prepared to 
respond in case of an emergency.

More information on our ongoing dam 
and tailings management is available in 
our Sustainability Report 2019 at bhp.com.

More information on health, safety and environmental 
performance at our NOJVs is available in our Sustainability 
Report 2019, available online at bhp.com.

Bento Rodrigues school construction works.

Environmental remediation 
Fundação Renova had successfully concluded works to stabilise the 
impacted land areas by June 2019. The riverbanks and floodplains 
have been vegetated, river margins have been stabilised and, in 
general, water and sediment qualities have returned to historic 
conditions. Regarding long-term remediation, work is continuing 
with landowners and regulators to define the land use objectives, 
further interventions that may be required, and the indicators and 
monitoring programs that will be used to demonstrate success of 
the program.

One of the main concerns held by stakeholders regarding the 
tailings related to the potential contamination of water, sediment, 
soil and biota. Fundação Renova commissioned human health 
and ecological risk assessment studies to answer these questions. 
Although the tailings have low concentrations of trace metals, the 
background concentrations of some elements are elevated in the 
area due to previous human activity or natural conditions. It is 
therefore important that studies are well designed and results clearly 
show the source of any potential health risks. BHP has been working 
with Fundação Renova to make sure robust data is collected, the 
correct methodologies are applied and clear causes for any health 
impacts are identified so that health authorities have accurate 
information to support their decision-making. 

Water quality, aquatic habitat and fish surveys are continuing in the 
rivers and coastal zone to understand the impact of the tailings flow 
and the rate of recovery of the ecological systems. Results from 
these studies indicate that, while sediment in the river channels 
along the spill flow path upstream of the Candonga reservoir 
continues to limit the re-establishment of habitats and aquatic fauna 
diversity and abundance, the natural sediment transport processes 
will ultimately restore suitable habitat. Methods to enhance the rate 
of habitat recovery in the upstream section of the river closest to 
the dam failure are under implementation. 

Research institutions have been progressing with studies along 
the river and coast required by regulators and prosecutors, with 
preliminary results scheduled for late 2019. In May 2019, Brazil’s 
National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) attested to the 
safety of the consumption of fish and crustaceans from the Doce 
River Basin and the coastal region, within daily limits of 200 grams 
per adult and 50 grams per child. Given the significant impacts of 
the fishing bans on the livelihoods of commercial and subsistence 
fisherfolk and the social cohesion within their communities, BHP 
Billiton Brasil has continued providing technical support to Fundação 
Renova to accelerate the collection of data to address the concerns 
of regulators and the community. This includes analysis of the safety 
of fish for human consumption and the status of fish populations to 
support lifting of the fishing bans currently in place.

46  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.8 Tailings dams

Tailings dams are dynamic structures and maintaining their integrity requires consideration of a range 
of factors, including appropriate engineering design, quality construction, ongoing operating discipline 
and effective governance processes.

Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and 
communities. Immediately following the tragic failure of the Fundão 
dam at Samarco in 2015, the BHP Board and senior management 
initiated a dam risk review to assess the management of significant(1) 
tailings storage facilities,(2) both active and inactive. This review was 
in addition to existing review processes already being undertaken 
by our operated assets. The review, conducted by a combination 
of external tailings experts and BHP personnel, assessed dam design, 
construction, operations, emergency response and governance 
to determine the current level of risk and the adequacy and 
effectiveness of controls.

Improvement actions were also identified at the Group level to 
address common findings and lessons learned across the Group 
so that our approach to dam risk management could be further 
improved. As part of this, a central technical team was set up 
to enhance oversight and assurance. We also increased our 
investment in research and development to reduce and eliminate 
tailings storage risks, including research into static liquefaction 
failure mechanisms and evaluating dewatering of tailings. We are 
also actively assisting the International Council on Mining and 
Metals (ICMM) Tailings Working Group to contribute to improvements 
in tailings storage management across the broader mining industry. 

The scope of the review included:
•  significant tailings facilities across all operated assets 

and non-operated joint ventures;

•  any proposed significant tailings or water dams as part of major 

capital projects; 

•  consideration of health, safety, environmental, community and 
financial impacts associated with the failure of a tailings dam, 
including the physical impacts of climate change.

Improvement actions were assigned to address facility-specific 
findings. Our Internal Audit and Advisory team subsequently 
followed up to assess quality and completeness. These actions 
resulted in enhancements such as buttressing of dam walls and 
installation of additional instrumentation to monitor dam integrity. 
Following such findings, we have subsequently undertaken and will 
continue to undertake dam safety reviews, which provide external 
assurance statements on dam integrity. 

Prior to the tragic collapse of the Brumadinho dam at Vale’s iron 
ore operation in Brazil in January 2019, we already had a significant 
focus on looking at how we could deliver a step change reduction 
in tailings risk. Together with our peers across the resource sector, 
Brumadinho further strengthened our resolve to collaborate to 
reduce tailings risk by sharing and implementing best practice. 
As well as implementing a comprehensive tailings governance plan, 
we established an internal Tailings Taskforce team reporting to the 
Executive Leadership Team and the Board’s Sustainability Committee. 
The Taskforce is accountable for the continued improvement and 
assurance of our operated tailings storage facilities, progressing 
the development of technology to improve tailings management 
storage, and engaging in the setting of new tailings management 
standards. BHP continues to review our approach to tailings 
management as information on the causes of the Brumadinho 
dam failure come to light, and will continue to consider any 
industry guidance, standards and regulation as they emerge. 

(1)  Significance was determined as part of the review process taking account of the dam classification under the Canadian Dam Association and/or the Australian 

National Committee on Large Dams for both active and inactive facilities.

(2) A tailings storage facility could comprise multiple dams or cells that have: a contiguous, structurally similar interconnected wall, operated under the same tailings 

disposal regime, are interdependent for stability, of similar height and risk profile.

BHP Annual Report 2019  47

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1.8 Tailings dams continued

We welcome a common, international and independent body 
to oversee integrity of construction and operation of all tailings 
storage facilities across the industry. In addition, we support calls 
for greater transparency in tailings management and plan to work 
with community, regulatory and financial stakeholders to promote 
the application of consistent disclosure that informs better tailings 
dam stewardship.

Dam risk management
BHP’s approach to dam risk management at our operated dams 
is integrated into our standard approach to risk management, 
assurance and continuous improvement with particular focus 
on four key areas:
1.  Maintenance of dam integrity; 
2.  Governance of dam facilities; 
3.  Monitoring, surveillance and review; 
4.  Emergency preparedness and response.

Supporting this approach to dam risk management at our operated 
assets are Group-wide processes of technical support and oversight. 

Maintenance of dam integrity
Central to our approach is the recognition that maintaining dam 
integrity is a process of continuous assessment that needs to be 
maintained for the life (including into closure and post-closure) of 
a tailings facility. As a result, we have identified five key dimensions 
to maintaining dam integrity:
1. 

 Design – the basis of dam design is guided by design criteria 
specified through the Australian National Committee on Large 
Dams (ANCOLD), the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) and 
local regulation, taking account of dam classification;

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

 Construction – quality assurance and quality control across 
all construction phases (from initial construction to dam 
lifts/expansions during operation to closure and post closure);

 Operations and maintenance – operating and maintaining 
the dam in accordance with its design requirements;

 Change management – identifying, assessing and mitigating 
the impacts of any changes on dam design and integrity; 

 Monitoring, surveillance and review – ensuring the dam 
is functioning as intended.

Governance of dam facilities
We believe that effective governance encompasses a range 
of aspects from the management of change in our business to 
appropriately employing and enabling qualified personnel with 
clear accountabilities.

We have mandated three key roles across our operated assets, 
accountable to the Asset General Manager of the relevant asset:
•  Dam Owner – the single point of accountability for maintaining 
effective governance and integrity of the tailings storage facility 
throughout its life cycle;

•  Responsible Dam Engineer – a suitably qualified BHP individual 
accountable for maintaining overall engineering stewardship 
of the facility, including planning, operation, surveillance 
and maintenance; 

•  Engineer of Record – an independent, suitably qualified 

professional engineer retained by the Dam Owner for the 
purpose of maintaining dam design, certifying dam integrity 
and supporting the Dam Owner and the Responsible Dam 
Engineer on any other matters of a technical nature.

Monitoring, surveillance and review
Given tailings dams are dynamic structures we believe effective 
monitoring, surveillance and review is central to ongoing dam 
integrity and governance. We believe these processes span 
six dimensions, with the level of utilisation of each dimension 
being dependent on the specific needs of the relevant facility. 
These six dimensions include:
1.  Monitoring systems – operating in real time or periodically;

2.  Routine surveillance – undertaken by operators;

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

 Dam inspections – more detailed inspections undertaken 
periodically by the Responsible Dam Engineer;

 Dam safety inspections – annual inspections undertaken 
by the external Engineer of Record reviewing aspects 
across both dam integrity and governance;

 Dam safety reviews – conducted by an external third party 
as set out below; 

 Tailings review or Stewardship Boards(1) – a panel of qualified 
independent individuals established, whose capability is 
commensurate with dam significance, under specific terms 
of reference to review aspects such as the current status of 
the dam; any proposed design changes; and outcomes of 
any inspections or dam safety reviews. The review board is 
approved by and accountable to the asset General Manager.

The type and frequency of monitoring, surveillance and review 
is informed by the consequence classification, complexity and 
operational status of the dam. Dams that are likely to have a 
greater level of consequence, as a result of failure, that have 
greater technical complexity and that are actively operating 
will have monitoring, surveillance and reviews with greater 
rigour and frequency.

Dam safety reviews
Dam safety reviews are central to our approach to dam integrity 
and continuous improvement. We engage an external engineer 
to undertake dam safety reviews consistent with the guidance 
provided by the CDA in their 2016 Technical Bulletin on Dam Safety 
Reviews. As per this guidance, review frequency is informed by the 
dam classification under the CDA.

Dam safety reviews are detailed processes that include a thorough 
review of dam integrity, dam governance and include a review of 
the dam break assessment and dam consequence classification. 
Reviews are led by an external qualified professional engineer 
(selected for their appropriate level of education, training and 
experience), with support and input from other technical specialists 
from fields that may include, for example, hydrology, geochemistry, 
seismicity, geotechnical and mechanical. At the conclusion of the 
review, the qualified professional engineer provides a signed 
assurance statement, which includes a comment as to the integrity 
of the facility.

Emergency preparedness and response
We believe the final key element in our approach to dam risk 
management is emergency preparedness and response. Our 
approach to emergency response planning for our tailings facilities 
is designed to be commensurate with risk, with the following steps 
taken as appropriate given the risk:
•  identifying and monitoring stability and operating conditions, 
with thresholds that prompt preventive or remedial action;

•  assessing and mapping the potential impacts from a hypothetical, 

significant failure, including infrastructure, communities and 
environment, both on and offsite, regardless of probability; 

•  establishing procedures to assist operations personnel 

responding to emergency conditions at the dam; 

•  testing and training in emergency preparedness ranges from 
desktop exercises to full-scale simulations. Desktop and field 
drills are scheduled at a frequency commensurate with the level 
of risk of the facility.

(1)  BHP assesses the dam classification, risk and operational circumstances in determining whether to empanel a tailings review or Stewardship Board. Not all facilities will 
have tailings reviews or Stewardship Boards. Tailings reviews or Stewardship Boards are either in place or in the process of being established for our operated assets 
with very high and extreme classified tailings facilities.

48  BHP Annual Report 2019

BHP’s operated and non-operated tailings portfolio
The following classifications align to the CDA classification 
system. It is important to note that the classification is based 
on the modelled, hypothetical most significant failure mode and 
consequences possible without controls, and not on the current 
physical stability of the dam. It is also important to note that it is 
possible for dam classifications to change over time, for example, 
following changes to the operating context of a dam. As such, 
this data represents the status of the portfolio as at May 2019. 
The dam classification informs the design, surveillance and review 
components of risk management and, therefore, dams that will 
likely have a greater level of consequence as a result of failure 
will have more rigorous requirements than dams that will have 
a lesser level of consequence.

In total, we have 67 tailings facilities(1) at our operated assets, 
29 of which are of upstream design. Of the 67 operated facilities, 
we have five classified as extreme and a further 16 classified as very 
high. Thirteen of our operated facilities are active. The substantial 
inactive portfolio (54) at our operated assets is due largely to the 
number of historic tailings facilities associated with our North 
American legacy assets portfolio.

There are nine tailings facilities at our non-operated joint ventures. 
All non-operated facilities are located in the Americas. There 
are two active tailings facilities: Antamina in Peru, which is of 
downstream/centreline construction and Cantor TSF at Cerrejón 
in Colombia, which is of downstream construction. In addition, there 
are seven inactive facilities. These include: two upstream facilities 
at Samarco (Germano) in Brazil that are being decommissioned 
following the February 2019 rulings by the Brazilian Government 
on upstream dams in Brazil; three upstream inactive facilities and 
one inactive modified centreline facility at Resolution Copper in the 
United States; and one downstream inactive facility at Bullmoose 
in Canada. The highest classification facilities, rated as extreme, are 
the downstream facility at Antamina and the upstream Germano 
facilities at Samarco.

More information on tailings dams is available online 
at bhp.com. 

Classification of operated 
tailings facilities (2) (3) (4)

Types of operated 
tailings facilities

Operational status of 
operated tailings facilities

Low 20
Significant 13
High 11
Very high 16
Extreme 5
N/A 2

Upstream 29
Centreline 8
Downstream 16
Other (5) 14

Inactive (6) 54
Active 13

(1)  The number of tailings storage facilities is based on the definition agreed to by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Tailings Advisory Group.
(2) The following classifications align to the CDA classification system. It is important to note that the classification is based on the modelled, hypothetical most significant

failure mode and consequences possible without controls, and not on the current physical stability of the dam. 

(3) For the purposes of this chart, ANCOLD and other classifications have been converted to their CDA equivalent. Hamburgo and Island Copper tailings facilities are 

not considered dams and are, therefore, not subject to classification: Hamburgo TSF at Escondida is an inactive facility where tailings were deposited into a natural 
depression; and Island Copper TSF in Canada, acquired in the 1980s, is also an inactive facility. Tailings at Island Copper were deposited in the ocean under an 
approved licence and environmental impact assessment. This historic practice ceased in the 1990s. We have since committed to not dispose of mine waste rock 
or tailings in river or marine environments.

(4) These classifications align to the CDA classification system and reflect the modelled, hypothetical most significant failure mode and consequences possible without 

controls, and not the current physical stability of the dam. 

(5) Other includes dams of a design that combines upstream, downstream and centreline, and the two non-dam tailing facilities of Hamburgo TSF in Chile and Island 

Copper TSF in Canada.

(6) Inactive includes facilities not in operational use, under reclamation, reclaimed, closed and/or in post-closure care and maintenance.

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1.9 People

1.9.1 Our people

We employ over 72,000 employees and contractors globally. We are committed to investing 
in our people so they have the right skills and are supported by a healthy workplace culture 
that is inclusive and collaborative. 

We are committed to empowering our people to find safer, 
more creative and more efficient ways of working. We continue 
to develop a culture based on trust and collaboration and give 
our people more say, new capabilities and tools, and new avenues 
for technology and innovation to support BHP’s transformation.

We provide competitive remuneration to reward employees for 
their expertise and commitment to our business strategy and 
long-term success. Our remuneration approach is designed to 
inspire our employees to embrace BHP’s core objectives and 
values. Performance against key performance indicators linked 
to safety, productivity and culture drives our employees’ variable 
reward outcomes. 

Building an enabled culture to support BHP’s transformation
Our annual Engagement and Perception Survey (EPS) is an important 
tool to gauge our culture. The overall results in FY2019 remained 
stable and showed we sustained the positive improvements achieved 
in FY2018, despite the changes that occurred across the business. 

The FY2019 results indicated we have more to do to continue 
to simplify our processes and make it easier for our team to 
perform their work. Our focus for FY2020 will be to support our 
transformation initiatives (refer to section 1.4.4) and realise the 
benefits to our culture and people. We will continue to enable our 
people and address the obstacles that prevent them from doing 
their job well by simplifying processes and increasing technology 
capability. We expect that further capability development of our 
employees in our new ways of working and continued development 
of our leaders will set up our people and the organisation for success.

Developing our capabilities
We believe that the changing nature of work presents significant 
opportunity for BHP. Our approach is to invest in new skills, 
so our people are ready for the jobs of the future.

Over the past five years, we have invested in developing leadership 
capability, as these qualities are critical to guiding our people and 
navigating changes to the work environment. 

Our employees told us they feel proud to work at BHP and 
described the work environment as collaborative and inclusive. 
They have the confidence to make decisions required to do their 
job well and believe they have opportunities for professional 
and personal development.

Our Operational Leadership Program aims to develop the technical 
and operational leadership excellence of our operational general 
managers and to identify successors to senior leadership roles that 
drive operational value. The program launched in FY2018 and was 
completed by 38 operational leaders in FY2019. 

We have seen improvements in our EPS results related to equal 
opportunities at work for all employees, perceptions on how 
the leadership group communicates a vision of the future that 
is exciting, how leaders are managing change, and perceived 
opportunities for growth and development. These are important 
indicators of people’s experiences at work.

The Step Up to Leadership and Leading Value programs continue 
to drive our foundational leadership focus and in FY2019, 856 
leaders completed the programs. Our Maintenance Academy 
Program, introduced in FY2018, saw 39 maintenance managers 
work to broaden their technical knowledge, leadership capability 
and collaboration in FY2019.

50  BHP Annual Report 2019

We also focused in FY2019 on developing the leadership skills of 
our Indigenous employees through our Indigenous Development 
Program. The program is designed to identify Indigenous 
employees with leadership potential and to respond to issues 
identified as barriers to career progression. By May 2019, 147 
employees in Australia had completed the program. Of the 97 
employees that completed the program in the first half of 2019, 
40 per cent have moved into new roles and 19 per cent have been 
promoted to leadership roles.

We are proud of our EPS results related to the performance of our 
leaders. In particular, the results identified our leaders as strong in 
communicating the vision of BHP and leading their teams through 
significant change.

In FY2020, we expect to increase our focus on systems, processes, 
tools and behaviours to improve operational capability. The BHP 
Operating System sets out the foundation for long-term and in-depth 
learning and development, by developing practices and capabilities 
that empower our people to pursue operating excellence. 

Operations Services, which provides maintenance and production 
services across Minerals Australia supports people to build their 
skills through coaching and by performing in-field verifications. 
This helps deliver consistent equipment operation and maintenance 
that balances safety, maximum productivity and equipment 
reliability. Participants report a high sense of achievement as they 
leverage best practice from across BHP to help perfect their daily 
activities and accelerate productivity. 

Inclusion and diversity
We believe our people should have the opportunity to fulfil 
their potential and thrive in an inclusive and diverse workplace. 
In our experience, inclusion and diversity promotes safety, 
productivity and wellbeing within BHP and underpins our ability 
to attract new employees.

We employ, develop and promote people based on merit and our 
systems, processes and practices are designed to empower fair 
treatment. We do not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination, 
bullying or harassment. 

Our employees are trained to recognise and mitigate potential 
bias towards any employee. To help address gender pay disparities 
we have taken steps to reduce potential bias in recruitment and 
conduct an annual gender pay review, the results of which are 
reported to the BHP Remuneration Committee. 

Respect is one of our six core Our Charter values and we believe 
it is fundamental to building stronger teams, and being a truly 
inclusive and diverse workplace. For some people in our business, 
this is not their experience of working at BHP. We are determined to 
address this, so during FY2019 we began a Group-wide campaign 
about respectful behaviour. The aim is to create greater awareness 
and build understanding of what disrespectful behaviour is and 
how it affects our people. We shared real-life examples of how 
some people experience disrespectful behaviour at BHP, to 
highlight the current environment and generate conversations. 

The campaign asks everyone to reflect on their own behaviours 
and what they see around them and ask ‘Is that ok?’ We equipped 
leaders and employees with materials to help them have 
conversations about disrespectful behaviours, and take steps to 
address it. We also launched a new eLearning module on inclusion 
and continue to develop additional resources for our people as we 
continue this critical initiative. Further development of a culture of 
care within our business is a fundamental element of our FY2020 
business plan.

Gender balance (1)
We have an aspirational goal to achieve gender balance globally 
by CY2025. In FY2019 we increased the representation of women 
working at BHP by 2.1 percent, resulting in 1,156 more female 
employees than the same time in FY2018. Our overall 
representation of women is 24.5 per cent.(1) 

In FY2019, the percentage of people newly hired to work for BHP 
was 62.3 per cent male and 37.7 per cent female. This female 
representation outcome is a marked increase when compared 
to FY2015 (10.4 per cent), the baseline for our aspirational goal. 
Our growth projects have reported strong female representation. 
For example, South Flank operational workforce in Western 
Australia has achieved 41 per cent female representation as at the 
end of FY2019. We have improved the voluntary turnover rate of 
women by 0.7 per cent, when compared to FY2018; the turnover 
of women (11.4 per cent) remains higher than the rate for men 
(10.4 per cent).

Our strategy to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace 
continues to focus on the following four areas:
•  embedding flexibility in the way we work; 
•  encouraging and working with our supply chain partners 
to support our commitment to inclusion and diversity; 

•  uncovering and taking steps to mitigate potential bias in our 

behaviours, systems, policies and processes; 

•  ensuring our brand is attractive to a diverse range of people. 

Indigenous employment 
In communities in which we operate, we aim to provide 
employment opportunities that contribute to sustainable social 
and economic benefits for Indigenous peoples. In Minerals 
Australia, Indigenous employment within our overall workforce 
increased from 4.4 per cent to 5 per cent (1,090 to 1,168) as we 
aim to achieve 5.75 per cent by the end of FY2020. Twenty per 
cent of all apprentices were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 
people. In North America, we have focused on working with our 
contracting partners to support the employment of First Nations 
and Métis peoples, who now comprise 9 per cent of our workforce 
at the Jansen Potash Project. Chile has implemented a number of 
initiatives that will result in formal performance reporting in FY2020. 

LGBT+ inclusion
We want to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive workplace for 
everyone at BHP. Jasper is BHP’s employee inclusion group for our 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and others (LGBT+) community 
and its allies. Inspired by the mineral rock jasper, which is known 
for its unique multi-coloured patterns, the group was formally 
endorsed by BHP’s Global Inclusion and Diversity Council in 2017 
and is sponsored by BHP Executive team member, Laura Tyler. 
Jasper’s aim is to drive a safe, inclusive and supportive work 
environment for everyone by providing advice on ways to reduce 
bias and ensure LGBT+ people are respected and valued irrespective 
of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex variability.

Since its formation in 2017, Jasper has grown to over 900 
members. We rolled out LGBT+ inclusion awareness and education 
sessions across all Minerals Australia operations in FY2019, with 
plans to extend to our other operations and offices in FY2020. 
We also continue to celebrate days of significance, including 
IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, 
Interphobia and Transphobia) and Wear It Purple Day (awareness 
day for young LGBT+ people). 

(1)   Based on a ‘point in time’ snapshot of employees as at 30 June 2019, as used in internal management reporting for the purposes of monitoring progress against our 
goals. This does not include contractors. This methodology differs from the data reported in section 1.9.2, which is calculated based on the average of the number 
of employees at the last day of each calendar month for a 10-month period from July through to April and in accordance with our reporting requirement under the 
UK Companies Act 2006. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  51

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1.9.1 Our People continued

Flexible working
Flexible work supports the diversity and wellness of our workforce. 
Some 41 per cent of our people worked flexibly in FY2019 and 
we continue to educate our workforce about flexible working 
at BHP. We also continue to challenge the mindset that flexible 
working is only available for office-based employees, with a 
number of operations implementing flexible rosters and job 
share arrangements that assist employees both commuting long 
distances and living locally. For example, the Crib Relief Program 
at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) changed the existing approach 
to truck crib relief by reducing the shift length for relief drivers 
to better align with school hours. This helped unlock a new and 
more diverse talent pool that also increased the workforce’s local 
community representation. It also helped improve workforce 
culture and morale as employees shared skills and knowledge 
with those new to the industry. 

Working with suppliers
We continue to work with our suppliers on ensuring their products 
and services are suitable for a diverse workforce, as well as 
encouraging diversity in their own work teams. For example, 
we are working with Caterpillar to investigate improving the 
ergonomic design of their vehicles. At Olympic Dam in Australia, 
following a request by an employee of Muslim faith living at 
camp, we collaborated with our catering supplier to ensure the 
availability of halal food. This helped ensure that appropriate food 
was available for all living at camp, as well as helping create a sense 
of one team among the workforce. In FY2019, where practicable, 
we also introduced inclusion and diversity incentives into our 
supply contracts. 

Employee relations
The culture of care and trustful relationships is a fundamental 
principle of our employee relations strategy. The three key focus 
areas for employee relations at BHP has continued to be:

•  ensure BHP complies with legal obligations and regional 

labour regulations;

•  negotiate, where there are requirements to collectively bargain;
•  close out agreements with our workforce in South America and 

Australia, with no lost time due to industrial action.

On 17 August 2018, Minera Escondida Limitada (Escondida) 
successfully completed negotiations with Union N°1 and signed 
a new collective agreement, effective for 36 months from 
1 August 2018.

Our people policies
We have a comprehensive set of frameworks that support 
our culture and drive our focus on safety and productivity.

Our Charter is central to everything we do. It describes our 
purpose, our values, how we measure our success, who we 
are, what we do and what we stand for. 

Our Code of Conduct demonstrates how to practically apply 
the commitments and values set out in Our Charter and reflects 
many of the standards and procedures we apply throughout 
BHP. We have a business conduct advisory service, as well as 
internal dispute and grievance handling processes, to report 
and address any potential breaches of Our Code of Conduct.

The Our Requirements standards outline the minimum mandatory 
standards we expect of those who work for, or on behalf of, 
BHP. Some of those standards relate to people activities, such 
as recruitment and talent retention. 

Our all-employee share purchase plan, Shareplus, is available 
to all permanent full-time and part-time employees and those 
on fixed-term contracts, except where local regulations limit 
operation of the scheme. In these instances, alternative 
arrangements are in place.

Through all of these documents, we make it clear that unlawful 
discrimination on any basis is not acceptable. In instances where 
employees require support for a disability, we work with them 
to identify any roles that meet their skill, experience and capability 
and offer retraining where required. 

The information in this section illustrates how these policies 
have been implemented and the steps that we take to measure 
their effectiveness.

52  BHP Annual Report 2019

Case study: 
Inclusion and diversity in Minerals Americas

Diversity in new projects
A goal of the Spence Growth Option (SGO) Project was 
to develop a diverse workforce for the concentrator plant. 
The aim was to achieve a gender-balanced workforce and 
increase local employability by focusing on hiring people 
from local communities, of people without experience 
and workers with disabilities.

A series of information and recruitment activities occurred 
in regional towns of Iquique, Calama, Antofagasta, Copiapo 
and La Serena and the communities of Sierra Gorda and 
Baquedano, reaching nearly 1,200 people. Differentiated 
training also occurred for people with and without experience 
in mining, engineering and procurement, as well as with 
construction companies engaged by the SGO. This helped 
improve knowledge ranging in areas from equipment 
assembly to commissioning. 

All recruitment goals were exceeded, including creating a 
workforce with a number of employees with disabilities; 
61 per cent females; 22 per cent of employees hired from local 
communities; and 60 per cent from the Antofagasta region. 

Gender balanced programs at Escondida
Escondida faced the challenge of embedding inclusion 
and diversity within an operation that traditionally had a 
high percentage of males and low employee turnover. 
Similar to the SGO project, Escondida adopted a balanced 
hiring strategy, which consistently achieved gender balance 
month-on-month through FY2019. The recruitment strategy 
for apprentices and graduates also achieved greater than 
50 per cent female representation, resulting in some 50 
women joining Escondida via this program since 2016. 

There was a 4.1 per cent increase in total female representation 
and a 5.9 per cent increase in female representation in regional 
leadership executive roles in FY2019. Escondida’s total female 
representation at the end of FY2019 was 15.5 per cent, up 
from 7.4 per cent in FY2016. Female turnover decreased from 
6.6 per cent in FY2016 down to 2.1 per cent at the end of FY2019.

Adopting the BHP Operating System enabled operational 
roles to be redefined and standardised. 

Victoria Moreno is an example of the positive effect of this 
dedicated focus on diversity. After many years working in 
various camp service roles, Victoria was inspired to pursue 
an operator role and in FY2019 commenced working as 
a truck operator in the North Pit at Escondida.

The Mine Apprenticeship Program also selected 45 female 
maintainers from a class of 81, enhancing local employment, 
increasing the gender diversity of our workforce and creating 
new opportunities for women that historically have had fewer 
opportunities than males to develop careers in the mobile 
maintenance field. 

Reflecting on her participation in the program, participant 
Raquel Gavia commented: 

‘I am a woman from an Indigenous community, specifically 
from the Toconao community. This has been a very good 
opportunity in my life, one I did not imagine I could have, which 
I have tried to take advantage of, as I do not have experience 
and they gave me the possibility to develop. I will always be 
grateful. Women also have the right to work, and this opportunity 
allows us to achieve this dream.’

BHP Annual Report 2019  53

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1.9.2 Employees and contractors

The data in this section (consistent with previous years) are averages. We take the number of employees and contractors 
(where applicable) at the last day of each calendar month for a 10-month period to calculate an average for the year. This does 
not necessarily reflect the number of employees and contractors as at the end of FY2019. All the data in this section includes 
Continuing and Discontinued operations for the financial years being reported.

The diagram below shows the average number of employees and contractors over the last three financial years, and a breakdown 
of our average number of employees by geographic region over the last three financial years. 

Average number of employees and contractors 
for the year ended 30 June 2019 (1)

Average number of employees by geographic region
for the year ended 30 June 2019 (1)

2019
Total 72,414
Employees 28,926
Contractors 43,488

60%

40%

2018
Total 62,476
Employees 27,161
Contractors 35,315

57%

43%

2017
Total 60,644
Employees 26,146
Contractors 34,498

57%

43%

North America 1,999
7%

South America 6,979
24%

North America 2,490
9%

South America 6,729
25%

North America 2,786
11%

South America 6,361
24%

Europe 59
< 1%

Asia 1,743 
6%

Australia 18,146
63%

Europe 70
< 1%

Australia 16,504
61%

Europe 74
< 1%

Australia 15,906 
61%

Asia 1,368 
5%

Asia 1,019
4%

The table below shows the gender composition of our employees, senior leaders and the Board over the last three financial years. 

Female employees(1)
Male employees(1)
Female senior managers(2) (3)
Male senior managers(2) (3)
Female Board members(2)
Male Board members(2)

2019

6,874
22,052
70
227
4
7

2018

5,907
21,254
70
235
3
7

2017

4,868 
21,278 
65
211
3
7

(1)  Based on the average of the number of employees at the last day of each calendar month for a 10-month period to April, which is then used to calculate a weighted 
average for the year to 30 June based on BHP ownership. Data includes Continuing and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) for the financial years being 
reported. These numbers differ from the ‘point in time’ snapshot as used in internal management reporting for the purposes of monitoring progress against our goals, 
which are reported in section 1.9.1.

(2) Based on actual numbers as at 30 June 2019, not rolling averages. FY2017 and FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued operations 

(Onshore US assets) for the financial years being reported. FY2019 data does not include Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets). 

(3) For the purposes of the UK Companies Act 2006, we are required to show information for ‘senior managers’, which are defined to include both senior leaders and 

any persons who are directors of any subsidiary company, even if they are not senior leaders. In FY2019, there were 282 senior leaders at BHP. There were 15 Directors 
of subsidiary companies who are not senior leaders, comprising 11 men and 4 women. Therefore, for UK law purposes, the total number of senior managers was 
227 men and 70 women (24 per cent women) in FY2019. 

54  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.10 Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the core values set out in Our Charter. That means putting health and safety 
first, being environmentally responsible and supporting our communities. The wellbeing of our people, 
the community and the environment is considered in everything we do. 

1.10.1 Our approach to sustainability

For more than 130 years, BHP has sought to operate a safe, 
sustainable and productive business that makes a fair contribution 
to society. As custodians of natural resources, we have a 
responsibility to shape the future in a way that creates prosperity 
for shareholders, our communities and society.

In 2011, BHP expressed its purpose as the creation of long-term 
shareholder value. That statement of purpose was laid out in 
Our Charter. Since then, we have evolved as the external business 
landscape has changed. While value creation is central to what we 
do, this purpose did not fully reflect the story behind why we exist. 
We believed our purpose must encompass all of our stakeholders 
and more accurately capture our long-term approach.

Following a year of feedback and testing with more than 1,000 
employees, BHP’s Board approved our new purpose as: to bring 
people and resources together to build a better world.

Our new purpose reflects a spirit, approach and ambition that 
already exists at BHP and will guide us in everything we do. 
Creating long-term shareholder value remains a strategic imperative. 
Without that focus, BHP would not exist, because our shareholders 
entrust us with their funds and expect competitive returns.

To fulfil our purpose, we have evolved our thinking about our 
partnerships with the communities where we operate and our 
contribution to society and the environment more broadly. 
For many years, BHP has maintained relationships and achieved 
social, environmental and economic outcomes that were necessary 
to operate, otherwise referred to as social licence. However, 
we believe this is no longer enough to maintain BHP’s long-term 
success. Our focus has shifted to identifying opportunities that 
contribute to social value, while continuing to meet our legal, 
regulatory and ethical requirements.

The long-term success of our business depends on the long-term 
health of society and a sustainable natural environment; our 
approach must be about the long-term value we can create 

together with our stakeholders. If we do not do this well, our ability 
to earn and maintain the trust of our stakeholders, attract the right 
employees and secure access to capital, resources and markets 
will be hampered. Importantly, social value is not new to BHP – 
there are already many examples of BHP’s contribution to social 
value: from global water stewardship and Indigenous advocacy 
to our Local Buying Program.

BHP’s Board oversees our sustainability approach, with the Board’s 
Sustainability Committee overseeing health, safety, environment 
and community (HSEC) matters and assisting the Board with 
governance and monitoring. The Sustainability Committee also 
oversees the adequacy of the systems to identify and manage 
HSEC-related risks, legal and regulatory compliance and overall 
HSEC and other human rights performance. The Board’s Risk and 
Audit Committee assists with oversight of the Group’s risk 
management systems.

Transparency and accountability
BHP’s business model is premised on trust and public acceptance 
because our mines have long lifespans and cannot be moved 
across jurisdictions in response to a breakdown in trust, changing 
societal expectations or regulatory requirements. That is why 
we must contribute to long-term social value. Our tax and 
royalty payments help governments fund healthcare, education, 
infrastructure and other essential services. Conversely, corruption 
and poor governance of natural resources divert funding from 
those basic provisions and diminish our contribution. 

Economic transparency is not our only focus. We also have a strong 
record of supporting robust reporting on climate change issues. 
We were one of the first companies to report in accordance with 
the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures in our Annual Report. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  55

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1.10.1 Our approach to sustainability continued

1.10.2 Safety

We set clear targets to challenge ourselves to improve our 
sustainability performance, transparency and accountability. 
To realise these targets, we embed sustainability performance 
measures throughout the Group. They include Group-wide key 
performance indicators to balanced scorecards for individual 
employees. Achieving these goals is fundamental to the success 
of our business and our commitments to the objectives of the Paris 
Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Our conduct
While what we achieve is important – so is how we achieve it. 
We know consistent ethical behaviour cultivates loyalty and 
trust with each other and our stakeholders.

How we work is guided by the core values in Our Charter. They 
are: Sustainability, Integrity, Respect, Performance, Simplicity 
and Accountability. We are relentless in our pursuit of these 
values and they guide our decision-making. 

Our Code of Conduct sets the standard for our commitment to 
working with integrity and respect. Our Code of Conduct guides 
us in our daily work and demonstrates how to practically apply 
the commitments and values set out in Our Charter. Acting in 
accordance with Our Code of Conduct is a condition of employment 
for everyone who works for and on behalf of BHP, and is accessible 
to all our people and external stakeholders on our website. 

We deliver annual mandatory training for employees and 
contractors to help them clearly understand Our Code of 
Conduct and the standards of behaviour that are acceptable 
at BHP. We do not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination, 
bullying or harassment. 

Anti-corruption 
Our commitment to anti-corruption compliance is embodied in 
Our Charter and Our Code of Conduct. We also have a specific 
anti-corruption procedure that sets out mandatory requirements 
to identify and manage the risk of anti-corruption laws being 
breached. We prohibit authorising, offering, giving or promising 
anything of value directly or indirectly to a government official 
to influence official action, or to anyone to encourage them to 
perform their work disloyally or otherwise improperly. We also 
require our people to take care that third parties acting on our 
behalf do not violate anti-corruption laws. A breach of these 
requirements can result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, 
or termination of contractual relationships.

Our Ethics and Compliance function has a mandate to design 
and govern BHP’s compliance frameworks for key compliance 
risks, including anti-bribery and corruption. The function is 
independent of our assets and asset groups. The Chief Compliance 
Officer reports twice a year to the Risk and Audit Committee and 
separately to the Committee Chairman, also twice a year.

Our anti-corruption compliance program is designed to meet the 
requirements of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK 
Bribery Act, the Australian Criminal Code and applicable laws of 
all places where we do business. These laws are consistent with 
the standards of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery 
of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. 
We regularly review our anti-corruption compliance program 
to make any changes required by regulatory developments. 

In addition to anti-corruption training as part of annual training on 
Our Code of Conduct, additional risk-based anti-corruption training 
was completed by 9,374 employees in FY2019 as well as numerous 
employees of business partners and community partners. 

Our highest priority is the safety of our operations, including 
our employees and contractors and the communities in which 
we operate.

Tragically, one of our colleagues died at work on 31 December 
2018. Allan Houston suffered fatal injuries while he was operating 
a dozer at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Saraji Mine. After a thorough 
investigation, we could not determine the direct cause of the 
incident. However, we identified several areas for improvement 
and are actively sharing the learnings from the investigation 
throughout our operations, with contract partners and the 
broader resources industry. 

On 5 November 2018, Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) 
experienced a train rollaway event. There were no injuries as 
our team at Train Control intentionally derailed the train at a time 
when it was considered the safest to do so. Post the incident and 
before rail operations recommenced, we implemented additional 
procedures to help prevent a similar event from re-occurring. 

In FY2019, we established new requirements for engaging 
and managing contractors. The contractor safety requirements 
were rolled out across BHP and assurance programs have 
been established to monitor and verify the implementation 
of the requirements. 

To strengthen our safety leadership and culture, we are educating 
our people about chronic unease, that is, being mindful of the 
possibility of what could go wrong, and creating a culture where 
it is safe to speak up and report hazards and incidents. One of the 
objectives of our global Field Leadership Program is to strengthen 
the reporting culture. We monitor reporting culture across all our 
operations and we coach and support our leaders to improve 
the quality of our field leadership activities with our employees 
and contractors. 

We also introduced a new event management system for recording 
health, safety, environmental and community events. The system 
is designed to capture, analyse and track events in real time and 
will be implemented in FY2020.

Our safety performance
Total recordable injury frequency (per million hours worked)

Year ended 30 June

Total recordable injury frequency (1)

2019

4.7

2018

4.4

2017

4.2

(1)  FY2017 to FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued 

operations (Onshore US assets). FY2019 data includes Discontinued operations 
(Onshore US assets) to 28 February 2019 and Continuing operations.

Total recordable injury frequency (TRIF) performance increased 
by 7 per cent to 4.7 per million hours worked, compared to 
4.4 per million hours worked in FY2018. This was due to an increase 
in injuries in both Minerals Australia and Minerals Americas.

High potential injury events 

Year ended 30 June

High potential injury events (2)

2019

50

2018

54

2017

61

(2) Data adjusted since it was previously reported, due to reporting errors. Includes 

recordable injuries and first aid cases where there was the potential for a 
fatality. FY2017 to FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued 
operations (Onshore US assets). FY2019 data includes Discontinued operations 
(Onshore US assets) to 28 February 2019 and Continuing operations.

High potential injuries declined by 7 per cent from FY2018 due 
to reductions at WAIO, Olympic Dam and Potash. High potential 
injury trends remain a primary focus to assess progress against 
our most important safety objective: to eliminate fatalities.

56  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.10.3 Health

Our goal is to protect the health and wellbeing of our workforce 
from potential occupational injury, now and into the future. We set 
minimum mandatory controls to identify and manage health risks 
for our employees and contractors. Our workplace health risks 
include occupational exposures to noise, silica, diesel particulate 
matter (DPM), coal mine dust, musculoskeletal stressors and mental 
health impacts. The effectiveness of our health controls is regularly 
reviewed and subjected to periodic audit to verify the controls are 
implemented and operating as designed.

Our periodic medical surveillance programs help us support early 
identification of potential occupational exposure illness and 
enable us to assist our people through illness management and 
recovery. In FY2019, we established key performance indicators 
that require a 90 per cent adherence to schedule for health 
surveillance activities, achieving 79 to 100 per cent across the 
Group. We also reviewed our medical testing programs through 
internal and external benchmarking with industry peers and 
standards. Improvement opportunities identified from the 
review are expected to be evaluated and the implementation 
of endorsed recommendations are expected to commence 
in FY2020, along with plans to further increase adherence 
to planned surveillance activities.

Occupational illness
The incidence of employee occupational illness in FY2019 was 
4.38 per million hours worked, an increase of 5 per cent compared 
with FY2018. The reported incidence of contractor occupational 
illness was 1.62 per million hours worked, a decrease of 16 per cent 
compared with FY2018. The overall decrease in contractor illnesses 
was predominantly driven by the 23 per cent increase in hours 
worked in FY2019. We do not have full oversight of the incidence 
of contractor noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) cases in many 
parts of BHP due to regulatory regimes and limited access to data. 
We continue to work with our contractors and regulatory agencies 
to resolve these issues.

The majority of our reported occupational illnesses are 
musculoskeletal illness. The improved identification and more 
effective control of causes of musculoskeletal stressors will be 
supported by the progressive implementation of the Standardised 
Work program. Standardised Work is a key foundational tool of 
the BHP Operating System that seeks to empower individuals 
to design work in a way that supports efficiency and ergonomics, 
where health and other risks are identified, and enables additional 
controls to be identified and incorporated. 

Our continued focus on implementing our requirements for fit 
testing for hearing protection devices has supported a 6.7 per cent 
reduction in the NIHL illness rate. 

We have seen an increase in the number of other illnesses reported, 
which include short-term, low-impact conditions such as blisters, 
skin conditions (dermatitis/eczema), bites and stings, due to a small 
increase in cases across most Minerals Australia operations. The 
dermatitis/eczema cases arose from different work locations across 
Olympic Dam and could be attributed to the continued education 
campaign on the prevention and management of skin conditions, 
which encourages early reporting of signs and symptoms.

To a lesser extent, the increase was also driven by increases in 
mental stress conditions and heat stress cases at Olympic Dam in 
South Australia. These conditions are currently captured as ‘other 
illnesses’ but, with our strong focus on mental health, we plan to 
establish a stand-alone category for ‘mental stress conditions’ in 
FY2020. Across the Group, mental stress conditions continue to 
be reported in low numbers and the number of cases were not 
significantly different to FY2018. Through the BHP Mental Health 
Framework, we continue to seek to foster a work environment 
where our people feel comfortable to raise their experience of 
mental stress and to access appropriate support when needed. 

Occupational exposures
We set internally specified occupational exposure limits (OELs) 
to manage exposures to DPM, silica, coal mine dust and other 
potentially harmful agents. For our most material exposures, 
our process to set those OELs involves periodic monitoring and 
evaluation of scientific literature, benchmarking against peers as 
well as engagement with regulators, OEL-setting agencies and 
expert independent advice. Our approach to monitor and review our 
internal OELs is designed to ensure they continue to be aligned with, 
or are more conservative than applicable regulated health limits. 

For our most material exposures to DPM, silica and coal mine dust, 
we have committed to a five-year target to achieve a 50 per cent 
reduction in the number of workers potentially exposed(1) as 
compared to our baseline exposure profile (as at 30 June 2017(2)) 
by 30 June 2022. 

In Petroleum, the divestment of our Onshore US assets during 
FY2019 changed the exposure profile for the region as workplace 
exposures to silica and DPM are no longer present. Our baseline 
exposure profile for the Group for the five-year target was therefore 
adjusted to remove the baseline exposures attributed to the 
Onshore US assets.

In FY2019, planned exposure reduction projects were implemented 
across the Group, involving a collaborative effort from operational 
and maintenance teams, supported by the Health, Safety and 
Environment, and Supply and Technology teams. Many assets 
exceeded planned exposure reductions resulting in an overall 
reduction of 49 per cent(3) compared to the revised FY2017 
baseline. Planned growth projects across the Group may result 
in an increase in some potential exposures over the short term; 
however, commitments to achieve planned exposure reductions 
over the five-year target period remain unchanged.

Coal mine dust lung diseases
As at 30 June 2019, 10 cases of coal mine dust lung diseases 
(CMDLD(4)) among our current employees were reported to 
the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and 
Energy. We continue to provide counselling, medical support 
and redeployment options (where relevant) for all 10 colleagues 
(seven of the 10 have been able to continue working). 

During FY2019, one former BHP employee had a worker’s 
compensation claim accepted for CMDLD resulting in a total, 
as at 30 June 2019, of six former workers diagnosed with CMDLD 
since January 2016 (noting that no Australian coal mine worker 
had been diagnosed with CMDLD in the preceding two decades). 
In addition to these confirmed cases, as at 30 June 2019, there were 
six intimated worker’s compensation claims for CMDLD from current 
and former employees that had not yet been determined. Our 
Charter values guide our response and the support we offer, and we 
are actively reviewing how we can improve timeframes and 
processes for determination of claims.

To further protect the health of our people we remain committed to: 
•  a reduction in our coal mine dust OEL from 2 mg/m3 to 1.5 mg/m3 

to be achieved as soon as reasonably practicable and no 
later than 1 July 2020 (as compared with the regulatory OEL of 
2.5 mg/m3), noting that all operations have developed exposure 
reduction plans;

•  a reduction in potential exposure to silica in coal mine workers 

that exceeds a level 50 per cent lower than the current regulatory 
level by no later than 1 July 2021. 

(1)  For exposures exceeding our FY2017 occupational exposure limits discounting the use of personal protective equipment, where required.
(2) The baseline exposure profile is derived through a combination of quantitative exposure measurements and qualitative assessments undertaken 

by specialist occupational hygienists consistent with best practice as defined by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

(3) FY2019 data excludes Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets).
(4) CMDLD is the name given to the lung diseases related to exposure to coal mine dust and includes CWP, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis and chronic 

obstructive pulmonary disease. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  57

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1.10.3 Health continued

Mental health
BHP has prioritised the mental health of our people since 2015. We 
have subsequently made good progress with the implementation 
of our Group-wide Mental Health Framework. 

In FY2019, we continued to embed programs and resources that 
support a healthy, thriving workforce. This included the peer-led 
Resilience Program, in which more than 3,392 people had 
participated, as at the end of FY2019. We launched the inaugural 
BHP Mental Health Week to raise awareness of BHP’s available 
mental health resources and tools, and encourage conversations 
about mental health. We conducted a global mental health risk 
assessment with internal and external stakeholders to help identify 
critical parts of our Mental Health Framework that promote a 
supportive work environment. 

FY2019 was the third year the wellbeing category was included  
in our annual Engagement and Perception Survey. There was no 
change overall at the Group level, but we continue to evaluate the 
differences observed at the asset and function levels from previous 
years’ results to inform local plans. 

1.10.4 Protecting the environment

There is growing pressure on and competition for environmental 
resources, such as land, biodiversity, water and air. Climate change 
amplifies the sensitivities of our natural systems. Our operations 
and growth strategy depend on obtaining and maintaining the  
right to access these environmental resources. Our environmental 
performance and management of environmental impacts on the 
communities in which we operate are critical to creating social value.

We have comprehensive governance, risk management, policies 
and processes that set the basis for how we manage risk and 
realise opportunities to achieve our environmental objectives.  
Our approach to environmental management is set out in the  
Our Requirements for Environment and Climate Change and Our 
Requirements for Risk Management standards. These standards 
have been designed taking account of the ISO management 
system requirements, such as ISO14001 for Environmental 
Management. In FY2019, we began updating the Our Requirements 
for Environment and Climate Change standard to reflect recent 
changes in BHP’s Risk Framework and other Our Requirements 
standards, new Technical Standards for water and our evolving 
climate change and water stewardship programs.

Responsibly managing land and supporting biodiversity
Our assets have plans and processes in place that reflect local 
biodiversity risks and regulatory requirements. We have a five-year 
target to improve marine and terrestrial biodiversity outcomes  
by developing a framework to evaluate and verify the benefits  
of our actions, in collaboration with others. This will allow us  
to better monitor, avoid, reduce and offset biodiversity impacts  
of our activities in a coordinated way. 

We started work on the framework in FY2018 and completed  
initial phase pilot testing using data from three operating sites  
and a social investment project during FY2019. We are progressing 
this work with Conservation International and Proteus, a voluntary 
partnership between the UN Environment World Conservation 
Monitoring Centre and 12 extractive industry companies. We intend 
to use the framework to track achievement of our longer-term 
biodiversity goal: ‘in line with United Nations Sustainable Development 
Goals 14 and 15, BHP will, by FY2030, have made a measurable 
contribution to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use  
of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in all regions where we operate’. 

Rehabilitation and closure
We are committed to implementing a planned approach to closure 
and rehabilitation through the life cycle of our operations. We do 
this by following our closure management process, detailed in the 
Our Requirements for Closure standard, taking into consideration 
our values, obligations, commitment to safety, cost risks/benefits 
and expectations of external stakeholders, and developing a 
closure management plan that delivers enduring environmental 
and social benefits.

The focus is to aim to achieve an optimal closure outcome in 
consultation with local communities and other stakeholders. In 
addition to environmental rehabilitation, closure outcomes may 
include further local economic opportunities, recreational and/or 
other community uses.

In November 2018, 1,176 hectares of rehabilitated subsidence with  
a post-mining land use of mixed cropping and grazing at Gregory 
Crinum Mine (now sold to Sojitz) was certified as complete. At the 
Norwich Park Mine in Queensland, a further 294 hectares of spoil 
dump was certified as complete for grazing in February 2019, 
bringing the total rehabilitated land area certified as complete  
to 1,470 hectares. In total, in FY2019, rehabilitation and closure 
strategies for assets in Australia delivered just under 20,000 
hectares rehabilitated land. 

Contributing to a resilient environment
BHP recognises that we have a broader role to play in contributing 
to environmental resilience. We achieve this through our Social 
Investment Framework, and work with strategic partners and 
communities to invest in voluntary projects that contribute  
to the management of areas of national or international 
conservation significance.

Since 2011, we have committed more than US$75 million to 
biodiversity conservation through our alliance with Conservation 
International and other partners. We look for projects that can 
provide multiple benefits, improve water quality or quantity, 
nature-based solutions to climate change, local livelihoods or 
cultural benefits, as well as improve biodiversity conservation.

Towards water stewardship
Water stewardship is about safeguarding our natural water 
resources for future generations. This requires collaboration  
at every level of society, be it communities, government, business 
and civil society, and we are committed to working with such 
stakeholders to ensure that fresh and marine water resources  
are conserved, become resilient and continue to support healthy 
communities and ecosystems, maintain cultural and spiritual  
values and sustain economic growth.

Water is integral to what we do and is vital to the sustainability of 
our business. We cannot operate without it. We interact with water 
in a number of ways including extracting water for activities such 
as ore processing, cooling, dust suppression and processing mine 
tailings; managing it to access ore through dewatering, and at our 
closed operations; providing drinking water and sanitation facilities, 
and discharging it back to the receiving environment. In addition, 
we interact with marine water resources through our offshore 
Petroleum business as part of the oil recovery process and port 
facilities and utilise marine water for desalination. 

We recognise our responsibility to effectively manage our 
interactions and minimise impacts on water resources. Our  
work starts within our operations, where we must strive to build  
a foundation from which we can credibly collaborate with others 
toward solutions to shared water challenges. Responsible water 
interactions will ultimately make our business more resilient in the 
long term, and positively contribute to an enduring environment 
and social value. 

58  BHP Annual Report 2019

Our Water Stewardship Strategy was adopted in FY2017 to improve 
our management of water, increase transparency and contribute to 
the resolution of shared water challenges. In FY2019, we developed 
our Water Stewardship Position Statement, BHP’s expression of 
commitment to and advocacy focus for water stewardship. 
Implementation of the Position Statement will commence in FY2020. 

social baseline analysis, social impact and opportunity assessments, 
human rights impact assessments, stakeholder mapping and 
community perception surveys. This information informs our 
approach to community engagement, community development 
and social investment activities that aim to be culturally sensitive 
and socially inclusive. 

Our five-year Group-wide target and longer-term goal focused 
on water were revised in 2017. The Group-wide target is to reduce 
FY2022 freshwater withdrawal(1) by 15 per cent from FY2017 levels. 
It is focused on the use of freshwater as it is generally the most 
important water resource for the communities in which we operate 
and the environment.

Our longer-term goal is to collaborate to enable integrated water 
resource management in all catchments where we operate by 
FY2030. It is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 
that seeks to ‘ensure availability and sustainable management 
of water and sanitation for all’.

Freshwater withdrawal increased 9 per cent in FY2019 compared 
to FY2018. However, overall we remain on track to attain the 
15 per cent reduction target by FY2022, with FY2019 withdrawals 
1 per cent below the FY2017 adjusted baseline.(2) 

Transition to the ICMM Water Reporting Guidelines has continued 
in FY2019. Improvements in the quality of data, particularly at WAIO 
and our Queensland Coal assets, resulted in data changes that 
required restatements to FY2017 data which form part of the 
FY2017 baseline. Reductions in freshwater continued because 
of increased throughput of the desalination plant at Escondida 
and the subsequent reduced reliance on the region’s aquifers. 
The most material increase in water withdrawal was at WAIO, due 
to increases in water used for production and dust suppression.

Much of our initial collective action work is directed at supporting 
local integrated water resource management (IWRM) initiatives. 
During FY2019, we commenced the development of guidance on 
how to approach collective action in support of IWRM. Effective 
disclosure is fundamental to the success of IWRM initiatives and 
we have continued to collaborate with the CEO Water Mandate 
to support harmonisation of water accounting standards. We see 
this as a critical step to enhancing transparency and collaboration 
across all sectors for improved water governance. In line with our 
Water Stewardship Position Statement, we anticipate releasing 
the initial set of context-based, business-level targets by FY2022.

For details on our approach to water stewardship and water 
performance in FY2019, see our Sustainability Report 2019.

1.10.5 Engaging with communities

We believe we are successful when we work in partnership with 
communities to achieve long-term social, environmental and 
economic outcomes. To support this, we must consider social value 
in our decision-making and work with communities where we have 
a presence. Social value is the sum of our contribution to society 
underpinned by respectful and mutually beneficial partnerships, 
and working collectively to prioritise social, environmental and 
economic outcomes. 

In FY2019, we completed an in-depth review of how we understand 
and support social value. The review focused on how we can 
improve our capacity to connect to communities, understand 
their ambitions and work to empower these communities. 

Engaging with communities 
Our Code of Conduct and the Our Requirements for 
Communications, Community and External Engagement 
standard govern our actions in making a positive contribution 
to communities where we have a presence and minimising 
adverse impacts where these cannot be avoided.

Our community practitioners apply a range of systems, processes 
and tools across our operations to help us understand, plan, 
implement and evaluate our engagement activities. This includes 

Supporting local economic growth
BHP proudly supports the growth of local businesses in the regions 
where we operate, through sourcing and promoting locally available 
products and services. Our assets develop local procurement 
plans that identify opportunities for local suppliers, including small 
businesses to deliver capacity building and employment creation 
initiatives. These initiatives are designed to be sustainable post 
BHP’s presence.

During FY2019, 14 per cent of our external expenditure was 
with local suppliers. An additional 82 per cent of our supply 
expenditure was located within the regions in which we operate.

Our expenditure with local suppliers in FY2019 was mostly 
in Trinidad and Tobago (57 per cent), the United States 
(31 per cent), Chile (14 per cent) and Australia (12 per cent).

Social investment 
Through our long-standing commitment to investing not less 
than 1 per cent of our pre-tax profit in social and environmental 
projects and donations, we generate social value through greater 
engagement with a broad set of stakeholders. Our contribution 
to sustainability challenges at the local, regional, national and 
global levels is a key element in managing current and future risk. 
It also provides an opportunity to build long-term reciprocal 
relationships with stakeholders. 

We seek to develop strategic social investment partnerships by 
advocating collective action, bringing together key stakeholders 
to support the self-determination of communities, with a shared 
approach to solving local challenges and building local opportunities. 
We generate social value through our contribution to grass roots 
initiatives, such as community donations, employee volunteering, 
our Local Buying Program and BHP’s Matched Giving Program.

Our voluntary social investment in FY2019 totalled US$93.5 million,(3) 
consisting of US$55.7 million in direct community development 
projects and donations, US$8.9 million equity share to non-operated 
joint venture programs, a US$16.57 million donation to the BHP 
Foundation and US$4 million to the Matched Giving and community 
small grants programs. Administrative costs to facilitate direct 
social investment activities at our assets totalled US$6.27 million 
and US$2 million supported the operations of the BHP Foundation. 

In FY2019, we commenced the management of our social investment 
contracts for community projects and donations through our 
Global Contract Management System. The new system enables an 
integrated end-to-end partnership management approach that is 
auditable, transparent and enhances our ability to communicate 
and report on our social investment activities. 

1.10.6 Respecting human rights

We believe respecting human rights and contributing to the 
positive realisation of rights is not only critical to the sustainable 
operation of our business, it is the right thing to do. We are 
committed to respecting internationally recognised human rights 
as set out in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the 
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and operating 
in a manner consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business 
and Human Rights and the 10 UN Global Compact Principles.

Human rights related to workplace health, safety and labour 
conditions, activities of security providers, land access and use, 
and water and sanitation are the most relevant to BHP’s business. 
Of equal importance are the rights of Indigenous peoples and 
other communities impacted by BHP’s operations. 

(1)  Where ‘withdrawal’ is defined as water withdrawn and intended for use (in accordance with ‘A Practical Guide to Consistent Water Reporting’, ICMM (2017)). 

‘Freshwater’ is defined as waters other than sea water, waste water from third parties and hypersaline ground water. Freshwater withdrawal also excludes entrained 
water that would not be available for other uses. These exclusions have been made to align with the target’s intent to reduce the use of freshwater sources subject 
to competition from other users or the environment.

(2) The FY2017 baseline data has been adjusted to account for: the materiality of the strike affecting water withdrawals at Escondida in FY2017 and improvements to water 
balance methodologies at WAIO and Queensland Coal in FY2019. Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) have been excluded from the FY2017 baseline data.

(3) Our voluntary social investment is calculated as 1 per cent of the average of the previous three years’ pre-tax profit. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  59

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1.10.6 Respecting human rights continued

1.10.7 Indigenous peoples

For BHP, Indigenous peoples are critical partners and stakeholders 
in many of our operations. We respect the rights of Indigenous 
peoples and the special connection they often have with the 
land, water and natural environment, and we understand that 
this connection can be spiritual, reaching beyond tangible 
objects or locations. 

BHP’s Indigenous Peoples Policy Statement articulates our 
approach to engagement and support for Indigenous peoples and 
our commitment to the International Council of Mining and Metals 
Indigenous Peoples Position Statement. Our Indigenous Peoples 
Strategy guides the implementation of our Policy Statement. 

In FY2019, each of our regions had an active Indigenous Peoples 
Plan that operationalised the Indigenous Peoples Strategy across 
our regions. Each plan is aligned with the Indigenous Peoples 
Strategy and prioritises the local and regional context and 
operational footprint and relevant Indigenous stakeholders. 

In April 2019, BHP publicly released our FY2019–FY2023 South 
American Indigenous Peoples Plan in San Pedro de Atacama, 
Chile, which focuses on opportunities for advocacy and 
strengthening opportunities for Indigenous employment. 
The Plan is the first of its kind by a mining company in Chile.

BHP also contributes to and engages in programs and public policy 
to advance the interests of Indigenous peoples. After significant 
reflection and consultation with critical stakeholders, in January 
2019, our CEO Andrew Mackenzie announced BHP’s support for 
the Uluru Statement from the Heart. As part of this support, we 
committed to a number of activities in support of the areas of 
Voice, Treaty and Truth; key themes from the Uluru Statement 
from the Heart.

Our Code of Conduct sets the standards of behaviour and human 
rights commitments for our people, as well as our contractors, 
suppliers and others who perform work for BHP. The commitments 
in Our Code of Conduct are implemented through mandatory 
minimum human rights performance requirements in the Our 
Requirements standards and through our policy statements.

Human rights are also integrated into BHP’s Risk Framework through 
these standards. Using that Framework, human rights risks were 
assessed in functional, exploration and project risk assessments in 
FY2019. This included inputs into a risk assessment for exploration 
activities in Ecuador and a human rights and Indigenous peoples’ 
assessment for activities in Mexico. 

We consolidated our existing human rights commitments and 
management approaches in FY2019 into a Group-wide policy 
statement. This action reflects Principle 16 of the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our Human Rights Policy 
Statement (available on bhp.com) sets out the expectations of our 
people, business partners and other relevant parties to respect 
human rights. 

A new globally consistent approach to human rights impact 
assessments in FY2019 was also developed to enable a more 
comprehensive understanding of our human rights exposures 
across our assets and functions. The new methodology will be 
mandated under the Our Requirements standards. 

We are taking a multi-year, systemic approach to integrating human 
rights due diligence for our supply chain process. At the centre 
of our approach is engagement with our direct suppliers to assess 
and encourage continuous improvement in their own capacity 
to manage human rights risks (including modern slavery) in their 
subcontractors and broader supply chain. 

Modern slavery 
Our 2019 Modern Slavery Act Statement provides a detailed 
overview of our approach to managing human rights risks, in 
particular those relating to modern slavery and trafficking in 
our supply chain. It is prepared under the UK Modern Slavery 
Act (2015) and available online at bhp.com. 

Australian legislation for modern slavery was passed in December 
2018 and our first statement under this legislation is expected 
to be published for FY2020 by 31 December 2020. 

60  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.10.8 Climate change

Our climate change strategy focuses on reducing our operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 
investing in low emissions technologies, promoting product stewardship, managing climate-related risk 
and opportunity, and working with others to enhance the global policy and market response.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires collaboration. 
Resources companies such as BHP, our customers and governments 
must play their part to meet this challenge.

Responding to climate change remains a priority governance and 
strategic issue for us. Our Board is actively engaged in the 
governance of climate change issues, including our strategic 
approach, supported by the Sustainability Committee. Management 
has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of 
our climate change strategy and our performance against our 
targets (outlined below) is reflected in senior executive and 
leadership remuneration. From 2021, the link between our targets 
and management remuneration will be strengthened to reinforce 
the strategic importance of action to reduce emissions.

Operational emissions 
As a major energy consumer, managing energy use, ensuring 
energy security and reducing GHG emissions at our operations are 
key components of our climate change strategy. We set targets in 
order to hold ourselves accountable for these goals, and regularly 
review them as our strategy and circumstances change.

Our five-year GHG emissions reduction target, which took effect 
from 1 July 2017, is to maintain our total operational emissions 
in FY2022 at or below FY2017 levels(1) while we continue to grow 
our business. Our target builds on our success in achieving our 
previous five-year target. 

We have also set the longer-term goal of achieving net-zero 
operational GHG emissions in the latter half of this century, 
consistent with the Paris Agreement. In order to set the trajectory 
towards achieving that goal, in FY2020 we intend to develop 
a medium-term target for operational emissions.

Operational emissions performance
Our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (operational 
emissions) in FY2019 totalled 14.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide 
equivalent (CO2-e), 3 per cent below our FY2017 target baseline. (2) 
This decrease is primarily due to a change in the electricity emissions 
factor for Minerals Americas that resulted from the interconnection 
of Chile’s northern grid system, which is mainly fossil fuel-based, 
and southern grid system, which has a higher proportion of 
renewable energy.

We have disclosed operational emissions performance at the asset 
level for the first time in this year’s Report (see section 6.5 Climate 
change data).

Operational greenhouse gas emissions (million tonnes CO2-e) (a) (b)

Year ended 30 June

Scope 1 GHG emissions (c)
Scope 2 GHG emissions (d)

Total operational GHG emissions

2019

9.7
5.0

14.7

2018

10.6
5.9

16.5

2017

10.5
5.8

16.3

(a)  Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been calculated on an operational control basis in 

accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.

(b) FY2017 and FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued 

operations (Onshore US assets). FY2019 data includes Continuing operations 
and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) to 31 October 2018. 

(c)  Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from operated assets.
(d) Scope 2 refers to indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased 
electricity and steam that is consumed by operated assets (calculated using 
the market-based method).

Our FY2019 GHG emissions intensity was 2.2 tonnes of CO2-e per 
tonne of copper equivalent production (FY2018: 2.3 tonnes of 
CO2-e). Our FY2019 energy intensity was 22 gigajoules per tonne 
of copper equivalent production (FY2018: 21 gigajoules). (3)

(1)  FY2017 baseline will be adjusted for any material acquisitions and divestments based on GHG emissions at the time of the transaction. Carbon offsets will be used 

as required.

(2) Calculated on a Continuing operations basis. The FY2017 baseline has been adjusted for the divestment of our Onshore US assets to ensure ongoing comparability 

of performance.

(3) Copper equivalent production has been calculated based on FY2019 average realised product prices for FY2019 production, and FY2018 average realised product 

prices for FY2018 production.

BHP Annual Report 2019  61

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1.10.8 Climate change continued

Investing in low emissions technologies
Defining a pathway to net-zero GHG emissions for our long-life 
assets requires planning for the long term and a deep 
understanding of the development pathway for low emissions 
technologies (LETs). 

Our LET strategy is threefold. First, we work to adapt mature 
technologies such as light electric vehicles, in order to integrate 
them safely and effectively into our operations. Second, in the 
medium term, we create road maps for development and adoption 
of LETs that support our goal of net-zero emissions, which may 
include trials and demonstrations of technology in our production 
environments. Finally, we look for early stage LETs that hold high 
potential for future results. For these emerging technologies, 
we seek opportunities for collaboration, research and other 
ways to accelerate their development and adoption. 

Our LET strategy has been developed to address BHP’s key sources 
of operational GHG emissions. Emissions from electricity use 
make up 43 per cent of our operational emissions.(1) This includes 
the power we generate ourselves as well as the power we buy 
from grids around the world. Our strategy seeks to accelerate the 
transition to lower carbon sources of electricity while balancing 
cost, reliability and emissions reductions.

Emissions from fuel and distillate make up 42 per cent of our 
operational emissions, much of which is from diesel used in 
moving material (for example, haul trucks). Our strategy is to 
accelerate and de-risk technologies and innovations that can 
transition operations over time to alternate fuels and greater 
electrification of mining equipment and mining methods.

Fugitive methane emissions from our petroleum and coal assets 
make up 15 per cent of our operational emissions. Our strategy 
is to pursue innovation in mitigation technologies for these 
emissions, which are among the most technically and economically 
challenging to reduce.

Scope 3 emissions
While reducing our operational emissions is vital, emissions from 
our value chain (Scope 3 emissions) are significantly higher than 
those from our own operations. We work with our customers, 
suppliers and other value chain participants to seek to influence 
emissions reductions across the life cycle of our products. 

As we work to develop an integrated product stewardship strategy in 
FY2020 we intend to look to identify additional opportunities to work 
with others in our value chain to influence emissions reductions. 
We also intend to set public goals related to Scope 3 emissions.

Supporting the development of climate 
change solutions
In July 2019, our CEO Andrew Mackenzie announced that BHP’s 
Board had approved a new Climate Investment Program that 
will invest in technologies to reduce emissions, and research 
and development of potential future solutions. 

The Program will build on BHP’s existing program of investing 
in low emissions technologies and carbon capture and storage. 
It includes a total investment amount of up to US$400 million 
over five years from FY2020. Investments will target operational 
emissions reduction and potential reductions of Scope 3 
emissions, including from the processing and use of our products.

The Program will target mature and disruptive technologies, 
designed to achieve both near-term emissions outcomes and 
longer-term, higher-risk goals. We expect technology investment 
to be critical in meeting our short- and medium-term targets 
for operational emissions reduction, our long-term goal of 
operational net-zero emissions, and our goals for addressing 
Scope 3 emissions. The Program will also drive investment 
in nature-based solutions.

Scope 3 emissions performance
The most significant contributions to Scope 3 emissions in our 
value chain come from the downstream processing and use of our 
products, in particular emissions emanating from the steelmaking 
process (the processing and use of our iron ore and metallurgical 
coal). In FY2019 emissions associated with the processing of our 
non-fossil fuel commodities (iron ore to steel; copper concentrate 
and cathode to copper wire) were 305 million tonnes of CO2-e. 
Emissions associated with the use of our fossil fuel commodities 
(metallurgical and energy coal, oil and gas) were 233 million 
tonnes of CO2-e. 
Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions (million tonnes CO2-e) (1) (2)

Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

Upstream

Purchased goods and services 
(including capital goods)
Fuel and energy related activities
Upstream transportation 
and distribution(3)
Business travel
Employee commuting

Downstream

Downstream transportation 
and distribution(4)
Processing of sold products(5)

– Iron ore to steel
– Copper to copper wire

Use of sold products
– Metallurgical coal
– Energy coal
– Natural gas
– Crude oil and condensates(6)
– Natural gas liquids

Investments 
(i.e. our non-operated assets)(7)

17.3
1.3

3.6
0.1
<0.1

4.0
304.7
299.6
5.1
232.7
111.4
67.0
28.3
23.3
2.8

8.2
1.4

3.6
0.1
<0.1

5.0
322.6
317.4
5.2
253.8
112.3
71.0
36.4
29.6
4.5

7.7
1.4

3.2
0.1
<0.1

2.8
313.7
309.5
4.2
254.1
105.5
72.1
38.3
33.1
5.1

3.1

1.7

1.9

(1)  Scope 3 refers to all other indirect GHG emissions (not included in Scope 2) 
from activities across our value chain, including upstream emissions related 
to the extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels; downstream 
emissions related to the processing and use of our products; upstream and 
downstream transportation and distribution; and emissions from our 
non-operated joint ventures. Scope 3 emissions have been calculated using 
methodologies consistent with the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain 
(Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard.

(2) FY2017 and FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued 

operations (Onshore US assets). FY2019 data includes Discontinued operations 
(Onshore US) to 31 October 2019 and Continuing operations. 

(3) Includes product transport where freight costs are covered by BHP, for example 
under Cost and Freight (CFR) or similar terms, as well as purchased transport 
services for process inputs to our operations. 

(4) Product transport where freight costs are not covered by BHP, for example 

under Free on Board (FOB) or similar terms. 

(5) All iron ore production is assumed to be processed into steel and all copper 

production is assumed to be processed into copper wire for end use. 
Processing of nickel, zinc, gold, silver, ethane and uranium oxide is not currently 
included, as production volumes are much lower than iron ore and copper, 
and a large range of possible end uses apply. Processing/refining of petroleum 
products is also excluded as these emissions are considered immaterial 
compared to the end-use product combustion reported in the ‘Use of sold 
products’ category.

(6) All crude oil and condensates are conservatively assumed to be refined 

and combusted as diesel.

(7)  Covers the Scope 1 and 2 emissions (on an equity basis) from our assets that 

are owned as a joint venture but not operated by BHP.

Scope 3 emissions reporting necessarily requires a degree of 
overlap in reporting boundaries due to our involvement at multiple 
points in the life cycle of the commodities we produce and 
consume. A significant example of this is that Scope 3 emissions 
reported under the ‘Processing of sold products’ category in the 
table above include the processing of our iron ore to steel. This 
third party activity also consumes metallurgical coal as an input, 
a portion of which is produced by us. For reporting purposes, we 
account for Scope 3 emissions from combustion of metallurgical 
coal with all other fossil fuels under the ‘Use of sold products’ 
category, such that a portion of metallurgical coal emissions 
is accounted for under two categories. 

(1)  Includes Scope 1 emissions from our natural gas-fired power generation as well as Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity.

62  BHP Annual Report 2019

Supporting the development of eff  ective climate 
and energy policy
Industry has a key role to play in supporting policy development. 
We engage with governments and other stakeholders to contribute 
to the development of an effective, long-term policy framework 
that can deliver a measured transition to a lower carbon economy.

We believe an effective policy framework should include a 
complementary set of measures, including a price on carbon, 
support for low emissions technology and measures to build 
resilience. We are a signatory to the World Bank’s Putting a Price on 
Carbon statement and a partner in the Carbon Pricing Leadership 
Coalition, a global initiative that brings together leaders from 
industry, government, academia and civil society with the goal of 
putting in place effective carbon pricing policies. Our CEO Andrew 
Mackenzie has also been appointed to the World Bank’s High-Level 
Commission on Carbon Pricing and Competitiveness.

We also advocate for a framework of policy settings that will 
accelerate the deployment of CCS. We are a member of the Global 
CCS Institute and the UK Government’s Council on Carbon Capture 
Usage and Storage. 

Industry association membership
We believe industry associations have the capacity to play a key 
role in advancing the development of standards, best practices 
and constructive policy that are of benefit to members, the 
economy and society. We also recognise there is stakeholder 
interest in the nature and role of industry associations and the 
extent to which the positions of industry associations on key 
issues are aligned with those of member companies.

We were one of the first major companies to review our alignment 
with the advocacy positions on climate and energy policy taken 
by industry associations to which we belong, and to share the 
findings and outcomes of this review publicly. Our initial review 
was published in December 2017. 

We continue to monitor the climate and energy policy positions 
of our industry association memberships and to keep our 
memberships of industry associations that hold an active position 
on climate and energy policy under review. A further review 
of our industry associations was commenced during FY2019. 

More information on our approach to industry associations, 
including our updated register of material differences on 
climate and energy policy, is available online at bhp.com.

This is an expected outcome of emissions reporting between the 
different scopes defined under standard GHG accounting practices 
and is not considered to detract from the overall value of our 
Scope 3 emissions disclosure. This double counting means that the 
emissions reported under each category should not be added up, 
as to do so would give an inflated total figure. For this reason, we 
do not report a total Scope 3 emissions figure. Further details of 
the calculation methodologies, assumptions and key references 
used in the preparation of our Scope 3 emissions data can be 
found in the associated Scope 3 calculation methodology 
document available online at bhp.com/climate. 

Accelerating the development of carbon capture and storage
We are working in partnership with others across our value chain 
to accelerate the development of technologies with the potential 
to reduce emissions from the processing and use of our products. 
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key low emissions 
technology with the potential to play a pivotal role in reducing 
emissions from industrial processes, such as steel production, 
as well as emissions from the power sector and from oil and 
gas production.

While we recognise progress is required in developing policy 
frameworks to support the wider deployment of this technology, 
our CCS investments and partnerships focus on mechanisms 
to reduce costs and accelerate development timeframes. Our 
investments include activities aimed at knowledge sharing from 
commercial-scale projects, development of sectoral deployment 
road maps and funding for research and development at leading 
universities and research institutes.

For further information, refer to our Sustainability 
Report 2019, available online at bhp.com.

Contributing to the global response
Climate change is a global challenge that requires collaboration. 
We prioritise working with others to enhance the global policy 
and market response.

Promoting market mechanisms to reduce global emissions
In addition to measures to reduce our emissions, we support 
the development of market mechanisms that reduce global 
GHG emissions through projects that generate carbon credits.

Our climate change strategy includes a focus on reducing emissions 
from deforestation through support for REDD+, the UN program that 
aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. 
For example, in partnership with the International Finance 
Corporation (IFC) and Conservation International (CI) we developed 
a first-of-its-kind US$152 million Forests Bond, issued by the IFC in 
2016. We provide a price-support mechanism for the bond, which 
supports the Kasigau Corridor REDD project in Kenya. During 
FY2019, we purchased additional carbon credits from the Kasigau 
Corridor project.

In partnership with CI and Baker McKenzie, we developed the 
Finance for Forests (F4F) initiative in FY2018, which aims to share 
our experiences to help encourage replication of these investments 
and provide a suite of innovative financial mechanisms to channel 
private sector investment in REDD+.

BHP Annual Report 2019  63

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1.10.8 Climate change continued

Managing risk and opportunity
We recognise the physical and non-physical impacts of climate 
change may affect our assets, productivity, the markets in which 
we sell our products and the communities in which we operate. 
Risks related to the physical impacts of climate change include 
acute risks resulting from increased severity of extreme weather 
events and chronic risks resulting from longer-term changes in 
climate patterns. Non-physical risks arise from a variety of policy, 
regulatory, legal, technological and market responses to the 
challenges posed by climate change and the transition to a lower 
carbon economy. 

A broader discussion of our climate-related risk factors and risk 
management approach is provided as part of our Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)-aligned disclosures 
throughout this Report, as described below.

Adapting to the physical impacts of climate change
We take a risk-based approach to adapting to the physical impacts 
of climate change. We work with globally recognised agencies to 
obtain regional analyses of climate science to inform resilience 
planning at an asset level and improve our understanding of the 
potential climate vulnerabilities of our operations and communities 
where we operate. 

Our operations are required to build climate resilience into 
their activities through compliance with the Our Requirements 
for Environment and Climate Change standard. We also require 
new investments to assess and manage risks associated with 
the forecast physical impacts of climate change. As well as this 
ongoing business resilience planning, we continue to look at 
ways we can contribute to community and ecosystem resilience. 

Evaluating the resilience of our portfolio
We consider the impacts of climate change in our strategy process. 
We recognise the world could respond in a number of different 
ways to address climate change. We use a broad range of scenarios 
to consider how divergent policy, technology, market and societal 
outcomes could impact our portfolio, including low plausibility, 
extreme shock events. We also continually monitor a range of 
data sources to identify climate change-related developments 
that would serve as a call to action for us to reassess the resilience 
of our portfolio.

Our investment evaluation process includes an assessment of 
non-quantifiable risks, such as those that could impact the people 
and environment that underpin our contribution to social value. 
The process has also incorporated market and sector-based carbon 
prices for more than a decade.

Our Climate Change: Portfolio Analysis (2015) and Climate Change: 
Portfolio Analysis – Views after Paris (2016) reports, which are 
available online at bhp.com/climate, describe in more detail how 
we have used scenario analysis to evaluate the resilience of our 
portfolio to both an orderly and a more rapid transition to a 2°C 
world. We will update our portfolio analysis in FY2020, evaluating 
the potential impacts of a broader range of scenarios including 
a transition to well below 2°C. 

We are committed to keeping our stakeholders informed of the 
potential impact of climate change on our business and continue 
to review and consider developing best practices and evolving 
stakeholder expectations. 

Engagement and disclosure
Our climate change strategy is supported by active engagement 
with our stakeholders, including investors, policymakers and 
non-governmental organisations, and with peer companies 
where appropriate.

We periodically hold one-on-one and group meetings with 
investors and their advisers to explain our approach to climate 
change. In FY2019, our climate-related investor engagement 
included meetings held in Australia, the United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands and the United States. 

We also seek input and insight from external experts, such as the 
BHP Forum on Corporate Responsibility (FCR). The FCR, which is 
composed of civil society leaders and BHP executives, has played 
a critical role in the development of our position on climate change. 
During FY2019, the FCR met twice, with one of the meetings 
including discussion of the review of our climate change strategy. 

Informed by this engagement, we regularly review our approach 
to climate change in response to emerging scientific knowledge, 
changes in global climate policy and regulation, developments in 
low emissions technologies and evolving stakeholder expectations.

64  BHP Annual Report 2019

Climate-related financial disclosures
BHP was one of the first companies to align our disclosures with 
the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). We believe the 
TCFD recommendations represent an important step towards 
establishing a widely accepted framework for climate-related 
financial risk disclosure and we have been a firm supporter of this 
work. Our Vice President of Sustainability and Climate Change, 
Dr Fiona Wild, is a member of the Task Force. 

We are committed to continuing to work with the TCFD and our 
peers in the resources sector to support the wider adoption 
of the TCFD recommendations and the development of more 
effective disclosure practices within the sector. 

As responding to climate change is an integral part of our strategy 
and operations, our TCFD-aligned disclosures can be found 
throughout this Report. The table below shows how our disclosures 
in this Report align to the TCFD recommendations and where the 
relevant information can be found.

Location of TCFD-aligned disclosures

TCFD recommendation 

BHP disclosure

Reference

Governance – Disclose the organisation’s governance around climate-related risks and opportunities

a) Describe the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities.

b)  Describe management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related 

risks and opportunities.

Risk management
Board skills and experience – climate change
Sustainability committee – role and focus

Risk management
Climate change – managing risk and opportunity
Sustainability committee – role and focus 
FY2019 STIP performance outcomes
Note 11 Property, plant and equipment
– Impairment of non-current assets

1.6.4
2.8
2.13.4

1.6.4
1.10.8
2.13.4
3.3.2
5.1.6

Strategy – Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation’s businesses, strategy, and financial 
planning where such information is material

a)  Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has 

identified over the short, medium, and long term.

b)  Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the 

organisation’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning.

c)  Describe the resilience of the organisation’s strategy, taking into 

consideration different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C 
or lower scenario.

Risk management – Risk factors (climate change, 
greenhouse gas emissions and energy)
Climate change – managing risk and opportunity

Risk management – Risk factors (climate change, 
greenhouse gas emissions and energy)
Climate change – managing risk and opportunity

Climate change – evaluating the resilience of our portfolio

Risk management – Disclose how the organisation identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks

a)  Describe the organisation’s processes for identifying and assessing 

Risk management

climate-related risks.

b) Describe the organisation’s processes for managing climate-related risks.

c)  Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-

related risks are integrated into the organisation’s overall 
risk management.

Risk management – Risk factors (climate change, 
greenhouse gas emissions and energy)

Risk management 
Non-financial KPIs – sustainability KPIs
Risk management – Risk factors (climate change, 
greenhouse gas emissions and energy)

Metrics and targets – Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and opportunities 
where such information is material

a)  Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess climate-related risks 
and opportunities in line with its strategy and risk management process.

b)  Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas 

(GHG) emissions, and the related risks.

c)  Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage climate-related risks 

and opportunities and performance against targets.

Non-financial KPIs – sustainability KPIs
Climate change – Operational emissions
Climate change – Scope 3 emissions

Non-financial KPIs – sustainability KPIs
Climate change – operational emissions performance
Climate change – Scope 3 emissions performance
Climate change data

Non-financial KPIs – sustainability KPIs
Climate change – operational emissions performance
FY2019 STIP performance outcomes

1.6.4

1.10.8

1.6.4

1.10.8

1.10.8

1.6.4

1.6.4

1.6.4
1.5.2
1.6.4

1.5.2
1.10.8
1.10.8

1.5.2
1.10.8
1.10.8
6.5

1.5.2
1.10.8
3.3.2

BHP Annual Report 2019  65

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1.11 Our businesses
The maps in this section should be read in conjunction with the information on mining operations table in section 6.1.

1.11.1 Minerals Australia

The Minerals Australia asset group includes operated assets in Western Australia, Queensland, 
New South Wales and South Australia.

Coober Pedy

Olympic Dam

Port Augusta

Port Lincoln

Adelaide

Victor Harbor

Kangaroo
Island

South Australia

Olympic Dam

Port

Hwy

Copper asset

Olympic Dam
Overview
Located 560 kilometres north of Adelaide, Olympic Dam is one 
of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold, silver 
and uranium. 

Olympic Dam is made up of underground and surface operations 
and operates a fully integrated processing facility from ore to 
metal. Ore mined underground is hauled by an automated train 
system to crushing, storage and ore hoisting facilities, or trucked 
directly to the surface via declines. 

The processing plant consists of two grinding circuits in which 
high-quality copper concentrate is extracted from sulphide ore 
through a flotation extraction process. Olympic Dam has a fully 
integrated metallurgical complex with a grinding and concentrating 
circuit, a hydrometallurgical plant incorporating solvent extraction 
circuits for copper and uranium, a copper smelter, a copper refinery 
and a recovery circuit for precious metals. 

Key developments during FY2019
Olympic Dam began operating its third access ramp or decline, 
opening up the southern mine area. The new decline, known 
as the Kalta decline, supports productivity and potential growth 
at the mine as it improves traffic flow for Olympic Dam’s 
underground trucking fleet.

BHP’s research and development trials into heap leaching 
technology were successfully completed. Heap leaching works 
by drip-feeding acid through a large stockpile (or heap) of ore 
to leach out metals. The program, which began in 2012, was 
conducted with the support of the South Australian Government, 
and confirmed the viability of the technology.

Looking ahead
In November 2018, BHP announced a discovery 65 kilometres 
southeast of Olympic Dam. A potential new iron oxide, copper 
and gold mineralised system was uncovered as part of our 
ongoing copper exploration program. The results are still in 
an early phase and more geological information is required. 

Olympic Dam has a range of future growth options to consider 
as part of its sustained, long-term growth strategy, including the 
Brownfield Expansion project. 

The Brownfield Expansion project has the potential to result in 
production growing at Olympic Dam to approximately 240-300 
kilotonnes per annum (ktpa). 

66  BHP Annual Report 2019

Western
Australia

Port Hedland

Finucane Island
South Hedland

Karratha

Nelson Point

Goldsworthy 

Rail Line

Yarrie

Great
Northern 
Highway

Marble Bar

Port Hedland – Newman Rail Line

Chichester
Deviation

Karijini
National 
Park

Yandi

 Mining Area C

South Flank

Orebody
24/25

Orebody 18

Mt Whaleback
Orebody 29/30/35

Newman

Jimblebar/
Wheelarra

Existing operations
Port Hedland – Newman Rail Line

Port

Goldsworthy Rail Line

Iron ore asset 

Western Australia Iron Ore
Overview
Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) is an integrated system of four 
processing hubs and five mines connected by more than 1,000 
kilometres of rail infrastructure and port facilities in the Pilbara 
region of northern Western Australia.

WAIO’s Pilbara reserve base is relatively concentrated, allowing 
development to be planned around integrated mining hubs that 
are connected to the mines and satellite orebodies by conveyors 
or spur lines. This approach enables the value of installed 
infrastructure to be maximised by using the same processing 
plant and rail infrastructure for a number of orebodies.

The ore is crushed, beneficiated (where necessary) and blended 
at each processing hub – Newman operations, Yandi, Mining Area C 
and Jimblebar – to create high-grade lump and fines products. 
Iron ore products are then transported along the Port Hedland–
Newman rail line to the Finucane Island and Nelson Point port 
facilities at Port Hedland.

There are four main WAIO joint ventures (JVs): Mt Newman, Yandi, 
Mt Goldsworthy and Jimblebar. BHP’s interest in each of the joint 
ventures is 85 per cent, with Mitsui and ITOCHU owning the 
remaining 15 per cent. The joint ventures are unincorporated, 
except Jimblebar.

BHP, Mitsui and ITOCHU are also participants in the POSMAC JV, 
a joint venture with a subsidiary of POSCO that involves the 
sublease of parts of one of WAIO’s existing mineral leases. 
The ore from the POSMAC JV is sold to the Mt Goldsworthy JV.

All ore is transported by rail on the Mt Newman JV and 
Mt Goldsworthy JV rail lines to the port facilities. WAIO’s port 
facilities at Nelson Point are owned by the Mt Newman JV 
and Finucane Island is owned by the Mt Goldsworthy JV.

Key developments during FY2019
Construction of the US$3.6 billion (100 per cent basis) South Flank 
project started in July 2018 and by the end of FY2019 was more 
than 30 per cent complete.

South Flank remains on track to deliver first ore in CY2021 and is 
expected to produce 80 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), replacing 
volumes from Yandi as Yandi reaches its end of economic life in the 
early-to-mid 2020s. 

For more information about South Flank, 
refer to section 6.4.

WAIO production was broadly unchanged in FY2019 compared 
to FY2018. This was a positive result given the production impacts, 
including a train derailment in November 2018 and Tropical Cyclone 
Veronica in March 2019. 

Jimblebar had record production of 58.5 million tonnes (Mt) 
in FY2019, compared to 55.8 Mt in FY2018.

A range of cost and improvement initiatives contributed to 
productivity, including changes to maintenance planning, 
materials handling and truck fleet utilisation.

Looking ahead
South Flank is expected to reach its peak construction workforce of 
around 3,000 people as the project moves into the second full year 
of construction.

Within WAIO, our focus will remain on supply chain stability, quality 
improvement and operating discipline. 

In addition to equipment productivity, prioritisation of resource 
recovery optimisation and stable supply of high-quality product 
to market will continue. There will also be a focus on embedding 
our transformation programs into the WAIO business. For example, 
the BHP Operating System is currently being deployed at Port, in 
the Perth Repair Centre and at Jimblebar and will soon be deployed 
at Mining Area C, Nickel West’s Mt Keith operations and our 
Integrated Remote Operations Centre during FY2020.

BHP Annual Report 2019  67

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1.11.1 Minerals Australia continued

Abbot Point

Bowen

Collinsville

Queensland,
Australia

Dalrymple Bay
BMA Hay Point 
Coal Terminal

Mackay

Broadmeadow

Goonyella
Riverside

Moranbah

Caval 
Ridge

Saraji

South Walker
Creek

Daunia

Poitrel

Peak Downs

Dysart

Norwich Park

Emerald

Blackwater

Blackwater

Barney Point

Rockhampton

RG Tanna

Gladstone

BMA Mine

BMC Mine

BMA Port

Port

Rail

Coal assets

Our coal assets in Australia consist of open-cut and underground 
mines. At our open-cut mines, overburden is removed after blasting, 
using either draglines or truck and shovel. Coal is then extracted 
using excavators or loaders and loaded onto trucks to be taken 
to stockpiles or directly to a beneficiation facility.

At our underground mine, coal is extracted by either longwall 
or continuous miner. The coal is then transported to stockpiles 
on the surface by conveyor. Coal from stockpiles is crushed and, 
for a number of the operations, washed and processed through 
a coal preparation plant. Domestic coal is transported to nearby 
customers via conveyor or rail, while export coal is transported 
to ports on trains. Single and multi-user rail and port infrastructure 
is used as part of the coal supply chain. 

Queensland Coal
Overview
Queensland Coal comprises the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) 
and BHP Mitsui Coal (BMC) assets in the Bowen Basin in Central 
Queensland, Australia.

The Bowen Basin’s high-quality metallurgical coals are ideally suited 
to efficient blast furnace operations. The region’s proximity to Asian 
customers means it is well positioned to competitively supply the 
seaborne market.

Queensland Coal has access to key infrastructure in the Bowen Basin, 
including a modern, multi-user rail network and its own coal loading 
terminal at Hay Point, located near the city of Mackay. Queensland 
Coal also has contracted capacity at three other multi-user port 
facilities – the Port of Gladstone (RG Tanna Coal Terminal), Dalrymple 
Bay Coal Terminal and Abbot Point Coal Terminal.

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
BMA is Australia’s largest coal producer and supplier of 
seaborne metallurgical coal. It is owned 50:50 by BHP 
and Mitsubishi Development.

BMA operates seven Bowen Basin mines (Goonyella Riverside, 
Broadmeadow, Daunia, Peak Downs, Saraji, Blackwater and 
Caval Ridge) and owns and operates the Hay Point Coal Terminal 
near Mackay. BMA also owns Norwich Park Mine, which is in 
care and maintenance. With the exception of the Broadmeadow 
underground longwall operation, BMA’s mines are open-cut, using 
draglines and truck and shovel fleets for overburden removal.

BHP Mitsui Coal (BMC)
BMC owns and operates two open-cut metallurgical coal mines 
in the Bowen Basin – South Walker Creek Mine and Poitrel Mine. 
BMC is owned by BHP (80 per cent) and Mitsui and Co (20 per cent).

South Walker Creek Mine is located on the eastern flank of the 
Bowen Basin, 35 kilometres west of the town of Nebo and 132 
kilometres west of the Hay Point Port facilities. Poitrel Mine is 
situated southeast of the town of Moranbah and began open-cut 
operations in October 2006.

Key developments during FY2019
BMA completed the sale of the Gregory Crinum Mine to Sojitz 
Corporation on 27 March 2019. In addition to the sale of the mine to 
Sojitz, BMA has provided Sojitz funding for rehabilitation of existing 
areas of disturbance at the site. 

For BMA, the construction of the Caval Ridge Southern Circuit 
(CRSC) project in the Bowen Basin was completed with the first 
conveying of coal in October 2018. The CRSC project includes an 
11-kilometre overland conveyor system that transports coal from 
Peak Downs Mine to the coal handling preparation plant at the 
nearby Caval Ridge Mine, enabling utilisation of the latent capacity 
of the Caval Ridge coal handling preparation plant.

The introduction of productivity initiatives targeting system 
hours, the haul cycle, payload, our trucking strategy and enabling 
activities were initiated in FY2019 to improve pre-strip productivity 
across the Queensland Coal business. By further improving 
our productivity in truck and shovel operations, we expect 
to accelerate the rate at which coal is uncovered and ensure 
a continuous feed for our wash plants.

The Integrated Remote Operations Centre has been focused on 
ultra-class truck utilisation improvements through the use of 
analytics and technology to optimise on-circuit trucks. This has 
minimised process delays through effective refuelling, meal breaks 
and shift change practices and embedded improvements in the 
24-hour mine planning process. 

68  BHP Annual Report 2019

Gunnedah

NSW, Australia

Tamworth

Quirindi

Mt Arthur

Muswellbrook

Singleton

Cessnock

Maitland

Newcastle

NSWEC

Port

Rail

Coal assets

Looking ahead
For BMA, continued delivery of initiatives and improved operating 
discipline through the site-level integrated operational plans 
are expected to support delivery of productivity improvement. 
In the medium term, trucking performance is expected to improve 
to benchmark rates, as well as the realisation of transformation 
initiative benefits, through leveraging latent coal handling 
preparation plant and logistics capacity. 

BMA’s safety performance requires significant improvement. 
With three fatalities over the last four years, BMA is focusing its 
efforts to drive a change in safety through the consistent application 
of improved safety standards, increasing the standardisation of 
work, improving the quality of task-based risk assessments and 
decreasing fatal risk exposure through investment in hard controls. 

BMC will work to continue to improve the quality of field leadership, 
hazard reporting and risk management at both South Walker 
Creek and Poitrel Mines, and the Red Mountain coal handling 
preparation plant. We will also focus on improving truck and 
shovel productivity to ensure optimal utilisation of our coal 
handling preparation plants. BMC will reopen Ramp 10 at Poitrel 
to increase available mining areas, target delivery of the Mulgrave 
Resource Area 2C project at South Walker Creek to release lower 
strip ratio resources in the medium term, and continue to prioritise 
low capital de-bottlenecking opportunities. 

New South Wales Energy Coal
Overview
New South Wales Energy Coal (NSWEC) consists of the Mt Arthur 
Coal open-cut energy coal mine in the Hunter Valley region of 
New South Wales, Australia. The site produces coal for domestic 
and international customers in the energy sector.

Key developments during FY2019
In October 2018, BHP awarded Thiess a mining services contract to 
complete end-to-end mining services in the Ayredale and Roxburgh 
pits (referred to as Mt Arthur South) over five years. Thiess was 
identified as the preferred contractor, with expertise in existing 
operations at the southern area of the main pit and terrace mining 
techniques demonstrated at nearby operations. Under the new 
contract, Thiess is appointed statutory mine operator of Mt Arthur 
South, with scope including vegetation clearing, mine planning, 
drill and blast, overburden and coal mining.

BHP will remain mine and lease holder of Mt Arthur South and 
Mt Arthur North, and mine operator of Mt Arthur North. 

Looking ahead
NSWEC is transitioning to a strategy of optimising product quality. 
Volume is expected to decrease and unit costs to increase in 
the short term. We expect that benefits of the multiple elevated 
roadways project and continued improvements to truck and shovel 
productivity will lead to lower unit costs in the medium term.

BHP Annual Report 2019  69

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1.11.1 Minerals Australia continued

Western 
Australia

Newman

Cliffs

Mt Keith

Leinster

Geraldton

Kalgoorlie Smelter
Kambalda 
Concentrator

Ravensthorpe

Fremantle

Perth
Kwinana Refinery

Albany

Nickel West

Port

Hwy

Nickel West

Overview
Nickel West is a fully integrated mine-to-market nickel business. 
All nickel operations (mines, concentrators, a smelter and refinery) 
are located in Western Australia. The integrated business adds 
value throughout our nickel supply chain, with the majority of 
Nickel West’s current production sold as powder and briquettes. 

Low-grade disseminated sulphide ore is mined from the large 
open-pit operation at Mt Keith. The ore is crushed and processed 
on-site to produce nickel concentrate. High-grade nickel sulphide 
ore is mined at the Cliffs and Leinster underground mines and 
Rocky’s Reward open-pit mine. The ore is processed through a 
concentrator and dryer at Leinster. Nickel West’s concentrator plant 
in Kambalda processes concentrate purchased from third parties 
through its dryer, with its mill currently on care and maintenance.

The three streams of nickel concentrate come together at the 
Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter. The smelter uses a flash furnace 
to smelt concentrate to produce nickel matte. Nickel West Kwinana 
then refines granulated nickel matte from the Kalgoorlie smelter 
into premium-grade nickel powder and briquettes containing 
99.8 per cent nickel. Nickel matte and metal are exported to 
overseas markets via the Port of Fremantle.

Key developments in FY2019 
Nickel West made significant progress in FY2019 on its transition to 
become a leading supplier to the battery materials market, selling 
more than 70 per cent of its production to this sector in FY2019. 
In addition, it was announced that Nickel West will be retained 
in the BHP portfolio.

Construction of a nickel sulphate plant at the Kwinana Nickel 
Refinery is underway. Stage 1 is expected to produce up to 100 ktpa 
of nickel sulphate. 

In FY2019, Nickel West signed an agreement with the traditional 
owners of the land surrounding used by Nickel West’s operations in 
the northern Goldfields. In addition to formalising BHP’s relationship 
with the Tjiwarl people, the agreement provides support for the 
Mt Keith Satellite mine development, which will supply additional 
ore to the Mt Keith concentrator. Work has begun on the Mt Keith 
Satellite mine development with excavation of the northern pit 
(Six Mile Well) and construction of the haul road.

70  BHP Annual Report 2019

Work has commenced at our underground Venus Mine near 
Leinster and work on the new main ventilation shaft and pastefill 
plant are progressing well. Nickel West will operate the underground 
infrastructure for the Venus mine.

Development on the undercut for Leinster B11 (block cave) is 
proceeding in line with expectations, with key underground 
infrastructure recommissioned and in use. 

Looking ahead
Nickel West offers a number of development options and potential 
enhancements to its resource position through exploration and 
processing innovation. Our short-term focus is the upstream 
segment of the nickel value chain through increased exploration 
activities in Western Australia and continuing nickel mine 
development in the northern Goldfields.

First production from the nickel sulphate plant at the Kwinana 
Nickel Refinery is expected in the first half of CY2020. 

First ore from the Mt Keith Satellite project is expected by the end 
of CY2019. Additional capacity from the project will be matched 
to meet the Mt Keith mill requirements. 

We expect first production ore from the Leinster B11 undercut 
in the second half of CY2020, pending external approvals.

Case study: 
South Flank update 

BHP continues to be committed to creating shared value 
for local economies in the places in which we operate. Our 
investment in South Flank is also an investment in Western 
Australian-based businesses. By the end of June 2019, we 
had awarded more than A$3.3 billion of work on South Flank 
– 78 per cent of which is Australian-based work, including 
37 per cent that is Pilbara based and 39 per cent that is based 
in the rest of Western Australia.

Two of these local operators, Monadelphous and Clough, 
deliver significant structural, mechanical, process, electrical 
and instrumentation works for South Flank. When operational, 
South Flank will be the largest producing iron ore mine BHP 
has ever developed, integrating the latest advances in 
autonomous-ready fleets and digital connectivity. 

Monadelphous, an Australian engineering group 
headquartered in Perth, has been contracted to expand an 
existing stockyard within the rail loop, resulting in the creation 
of 600 jobs. We have worked with Monadelphous for more 
than 20 years on construction and maintenance projects.

Similarly, Clough, a Western Australian engineering and 
construction business celebrating 100 years of local operation 
in CY2019, has been contracted to construct the South Flank 
ore handling plant and coarse ore stockpile. BHP expects 
more than 600 ongoing operational roles over the life of 
the 25-year mine.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.11.2 Minerals Americas

The Minerals Americas asset group includes projects, operated assets and non-operated joint ventures in 
Canada, Chile, Peru, the United States, Colombia and Brazil.

Operated assets

PERU

Chile

BOLIVIA

Cerro
Colorado

Iquique

Pica

CHILE

Calama

Spence

ARGENTINA

Minera Escondida

Pacific Ocean

Tocopilla

Mejillones

Antofagasta

Mine

Copper

Our operated copper assets in the Americas, Escondida and Pampa 
Norte, are open-cut mines. At these mines, overburden is removed 
after blasting, using truck and shovel. Ore is then extracted and 
further processed into high-quality copper concentrate or cathodes. 
Copper concentrate is obtained through a grinding and flotation 
process, while copper cathodes are produced through a leaching, 
solvent extraction and electrowinning process. Copper concentrate 
is transported to ports via pipeline, while cathodes are transported 
by either rail or road. From the port, copper is exported to our 
customers around the world.

Escondida (Chile)
Overview
We own 57.5 per cent of the Escondida mine, a leading producer 
of copper concentrate and cathodes located in the Atacama Desert 
in northern Chile. Escondida’s two pits feed three concentrator 
plants, as well as two leaching operations (oxide and sulphide).

Key developments during FY2019
Escondida copper production in FY2019 decreased by 6 per cent 
to 1,135 kilotonnes (kt), as a consequence of an expected 12 per cent 
decline in copper grades, partially offset by a record level of ore 
milled reflecting a full year of operation with three concentrators.

The Escondida Water Supply Expansion (EWSE) project progressed 
according to schedule during FY2019 and is expected to deliver its 
first water in the first half of FY2020. The EWSE project comprises 
the expansion of the Escondida Water Supply conveyance system 
by 1,300 litres per second and the desalination water production 
by 800 litres per second. This project is key to enabling Escondida 
achieve its production plans while also reducing its reliance on 
groundwater sources. The proportion of desalinated water in use 
at Escondida at the end of FY2019 was 40 per cent. 

On 17 August 2018, Escondida successfully completed negotiations 
with Union N°1 and signed a new collective agreement, effective 
for 36 months from 1 August 2018. On 17 April 2019, Escondida 
reached an agreement with an intercompany union that includes 
105 workers that were formerly part of Union N°1.

72  BHP Annual Report 2019

Looking ahead
Production of between 1,160 and 1,230 kt is expected for FY2020, 
reflecting a further uplift in ore milled and higher recoveries at 
the cathode process. 

Escondida plans to continue to unlock latent capacity through the 
maximisation of concentrator throughput, increased use of the 
cathode circuit and improvements in mine fleet performance. 
This will be enabled by focusing on continuous improvement 
and leveraged by the implementation of the BHP Operating System 
and the Maintenance Centre of Excellence. We will also implement 
technology projects to enhance our decision making and automate 
key activities. We expect these initiatives will allow Escondida to 
operate with a medium-term unit cost of less than US$1.15 per 
pound despite the continuation of grade decline and the increasing 
water costs as we progress toward our goal to cease freshwater 
usage altogether by CY2030. 

PERU

Chile

BOLIVIA

Cerro
Colorado

Iquique

Pica

CHILE

Calama

Spence

ARGENTINA

Minera Escondida

Pacific Ocean

Tocopilla

Mejillones

Antofagasta

Mine

Copper

Pampa Norte (Chile)
Overview
Pampa Norte consists of two wholly owned assets in the Atacama 
Desert in northern Chile – Spence and Cerro Colorado. Spence 
and Cerro Colorado produce high-quality copper cathodes through 
leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning processes.

Key developments during FY2019
Pampa Norte copper production for FY2019 decreased by 7 per cent 
to 247 kt, mostly due to a fire event in the electrowinning plant at 
Spence in September 2018, which had a production impact of 18 kt. 
This was partially offset by a 19 per cent increase in production at 
Cerro Colorado due to higher throughput and recoveries.

The Spence Growth Option (SGO) to construct a 95 kilotonnes per 
day (ktpd) ore concentrator and the outsourcing of a 1,000 litre per 
second desalination plant progressed according to schedule and 
at the end of FY2019 had an overall progress of 60 per cent. The 
project is expected to incrementally increase copper production 
capacity by approximately 185 ktpa, with first production expected 
in the first half of FY2021. For more information about SGO, refer 
to section 6.4.

In July 2018, Compañía Minera Cerro Colorado and its Supervisors 
and Staff Union signed a new collective agreement for 36 months, 
effective from 1 July 2018. In September 2018, Cerro Colorado and 
the Operators and Maintainers Union N°1 signed a new collective 
agreement for 36 months, effective from 1 September 2018. 

On December 2018, BHP terminated the sale agreement of Cerro 
Colorado to the private equity manager, EMR Capital, as the 
financing conditions were not met by the buyer. BHP will continue 
to operate Cerro Colorado.

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Looking ahead
Production at Pampa Norte is expected to be between 230 and 
250 kt in FY2020, despite the expected 11 per cent decline in 
copper grades across both operations. Plans are on track to 
redesign the approach to operations at Spence to optimally 
balance the requirements of the concentrate and cathodes 
processes, as well as changes in the loading and hauling fleet 
following completion of the SGO. Spence will introduce a new 
Ultra-Class truck fleet over the medium term, with the first units 
expected to arrive during FY2020. This change, along with 
technology enabled solutions, is expected to lead to reduced 
health and safety risks and operating costs. 

Production at Cerro Colorado is expected to remain relatively stable 
during FY2020. The commissioning of a recovery optimisation 
project is expected to be completed during the first half of FY2020.

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1.11.2 Minerals Americas continued

Prince Albert

Saskatchewan,
Canada

Wolverine

Burr

Saskatoon

Jansen

Young

Stalwart

Boulder

Yorkton

Holdfast

Regina

Regina

Melville

Moose Jaw

Assiniboia

Weyburn

BHP Potential Projects
Extent of Mine Integrity

BHP Land Permits
Prairie Evaporite 1,100m

Potash

Potash is a potassium-rich salt mainly used in fertiliser to improve 
the quality and yield of agricultural production. As an essential 
nutrient for plant growth, potash is a vital link in the global food 
supply chain. The demands on that supply chain are intensifying; 
there will be more people to feed in future, as well as rising calorific 
intake comprising more varied diets. The strains this will place on 
finite land supply mean sustainable increases in crop yields will be 
crucial and potash fertilisers will be critical in replenishing our soils. 

Jansen Potash Project (Canada)
Overview
BHP holds exploration permits and mining leases covering 
approximately 9,600 square kilometres in the province of 
Saskatchewan, Canada. The Jansen Potash Project is located 
approximately 140 kilometres east of Saskatoon. We currently 
own 100 per cent of the Project.

Jansen’s large resource endowment provides the opportunity to 
develop it in stages, with anticipated initial capacity of between 
4.3 and 4.5 Mtpa for Jansen Stage 1, with sequenced brownfield 
expansions of up to 12 Mtpa (4 Mtpa per stage). 

Key developments during FY2019
Having safely excavated the two 7.3-metre diameter service and 
production shafts to their full depths in August 2018, focus turned 
to preparing the temporary liners for the final watertight composite 
concrete and steel liners, and removing the two shaft boring 
roadheader (SBR) machines that excavated the shafts. The SBRs 
were removed from the shafts in April 2019. 

The service shaft and production shaft are 1,005 metres and 975 
metres deep, respectively. Jansen is intended to mine the Lower 
Patience Lake potash formation, which lies between 935 metres 
and 940 metres.

Looking ahead
Future work will include installing watertight composite concrete 
and steel final liners from a depth of approximately 800 metres 
upwards in both shafts. We expect the shafts to be completed in 
the first half of CY2021 and we continue to assess how to reduce 
risk and unlock value as we conclude this work. At the end of 
FY2019, the current scope of work was 84 per cent complete. 
We will continue the selection of a port option on the North 
American west coast from which Jansen’s potash would be 
exported. As with all decisions relating to the deployment of 
capital, the next steps of the Project will be assessed in line 
with our Capital Allocation Framework. 

74  BHP Annual Report 2019

Non-operated minerals joint ventures
BHP holds interests in companies and joint ventures that we do 
not operate. Our non-operated minerals joint ventures (NOJVs) 
include Antamina (33.75 per cent ownership), Resolution 
(45 per cent ownership), Cerrejón (33.33 per cent ownership) 
and Samarco (50 per cent ownership).

We engage with our NOJV partners and operator companies 
through our NOJV team, which seeks to sustainably maximise 
returns through managing risk. While NOJVs have their own 
operating and management standards, we seek to enhance 
governance processes and influence operator companies to 
adopt international standards (within the limits of the relevant 
joint venture agreements). 

Since the creation of the NOJV team, our focus has been to 
reinforce strong practices in governance, risk management 
and value optimisation. Our achievements to date include: 
•  Governance: We continue to work in our NOJV boards and 

committees to improve governance practices and standards, 
benchmarking against best practice. In collaboration with our 
shareholder partners, we identify and implement annual 
governance improvement plans for each operator company. 
•  Risk management: Our FY2019 strategy continued to focus on 

understanding the NOJV operator’s risk management processes 
and influencing them to align with international standards 
(including ISO 31000). This included analysing and challenging 
their risk profiles and prioritising management of those risks. 

More information on health, safety and environment 
performance at our NOJVs is available in our 
Sustainability Report 2019, available online at bhp.com. 

Non-operated minerals joint ventures

Santa District

Chimbote

Casma District

La Gramita

Chingas
District

Huari

Huaraz

Antamina
Mine

Puerto Huarmey

Las Zorras

Huari 
Province, 
Ancash, 
Peru

Barranca
District

La Guajira 
province,
Colombia

Puerto Bolivar

Caribbean Sea

Riohacha

Uribia

Maicao

COLOMBIA

Cerrejón

Gulf of Venezuela

Maracaibo

VENEZUELA

Antamina Mine

Port

Hwy

Cerrejón

Port

Rail

Copper

Antamina (Peru)
Overview
We own 33.75 per cent of Antamina, a large, low-cost copper and 
zinc mine in north central Peru. Antamina is a joint venture between 
BHP (33.75 per cent), Glencore (33.75 per cent), Teck Resources 
(22.5 per cent) and Mitsubishi Corporation (10 per cent), and is 
operated independently by Compañía Minera Antamina S.A. 
Antamina by-products include molybdenum and silver.

Key developments during FY2019
Copper production for FY2019 increased by 6 per cent to 147 kt, 
with zinc decreasing by 18 per cent to 98 kt, reflecting higher copper 
head grades and lower zinc head grades, in line with the mine plan. 
Throughout FY2019, Antamina progressed studies to debottleneck 
the operation with a strong focus on evaluating new technologies to 
secure a more sustainable operation in the long term and to maintain 
cost competitiveness. The three-year Antamina Union Agreement 
was signed in June 2019, expiring on 31 July 2021.

Looking ahead
Antamina remains focused on improving productivity and reducing 
unit cash costs. Copper production of approximately 135 kt and 
zinc production of approximately 110 kt is expected in FY2020. 

Resolution Copper (United States)
Overview
We hold a 45 per cent interest in the Resolution Copper project in 
the US state of Arizona, which is operated by Rio Tinto (55 per cent 
interest). Resolution Copper is one of the largest undeveloped 
copper projects in the world and has the potential to become the 
largest copper producer in North America. The Resolution Copper 
deposit lies more than 1,600 metres beneath the surface. Resolution 
Copper is working with regulators and the community to plan the 
development of the resource and obtain the necessary permits.

Key developments during FY2019
Restoration of the historic No. 9 shaft, originally constructed 
in 1971, was successfully completed safely and on budget in 
December 2018. The second phase of the project is to deepen the 
shaft from its current depth at 1,460 metres below the surface to a 
final depth of 2,086 metres and link it with the existing No. 10 shaft 
via development activities underground.

During FY2019, the Resolution project continued to move forward 
to identify the best development pathway for the project. The 
multi-year National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting 
process and community engagement are progressing positively. 
Our share of project expenditure for FY2019 was US$85 million.

Looking ahead
We remain focused on optimising the Resolution Copper project 
and working with the operator, Rio Tinto, to develop the project 
in a manner that creates sustainable benefits for all stakeholders. 
The next key milestones for the project will take place in the 
June 2020 quarter with the completion of a final version of the 
environmental impact study and in the December 2020 quarter 
with the completion of the selection phase. A single preferred 
investment alternative is yet to be selected.

Coal

Cerrejón (Colombia)
Overview
We have a one-third interest in Cerrejón, which owns, operates 
and markets (through an independent company) one of the 
world’s largest open-cut energy coal mines, located in the 
La Guajira province of Colombia. Cerrejón also owns and operates 
integrated rail and port facilities through which the majority 
of its production is exported to European, North American and 
South American customers.

Cerrejón’s coal assets consist of an open-cut mine with several 
pits. Overburden is removed after blasting, using truck and shovel. 
Coal is then extracted using excavators or loaders and loaded onto 
trucks to be taken to stockpiles.

Coal from stockpiles is crushed, of which a certain portion is 
washed and processed through the coal preparation plant. 
Export coal is transported to the port via a 150-kilometre railway.

Key developments during FY2019
FY2019 concluded with stable safety and operational performance 
at Cerrejón. Production declined 13 per cent to 9,230 kt in FY2019, 
due to severe weather impacts and a lower volume plan compared 
with FY2018. 

Looking ahead
Cerrejón is focused on stability of throughput with current 
installed capacity and securing the necessary permits to access 
ore reserves. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  75

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1.11.2 Minerals Americas continued

Minas Gerais,
Espírito Santo
Brazil

Gov. Valadares

Belo Horizonte
(Main Offices)

Nova Era – Antônio Dias
(Guilman-Amorim Hydroelectric Plant)

Mining Lease

Mariana – Ouro Preto
(Germano 
Operational Unit)

Muniz Freire
(Muniz Freire 
Hydroelectric Plant)

Vitória
(Sales Office)

Anchieta
(Operational 
unit and Ocean 
Terminal at 
Ponta Ubu)

Juiz de Fora

Samarco
2nd pipeline

1st pipeline
3rd pipeline

Iron ore

Samarco (Brazil)
BHP Billiton Brasil Limitada and Vale S.A. each have a 50 per cent 
shareholding in Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco), the owner 
of the Samarco iron ore mine in Brazil. 

Overview
As a result of the tragic failure of the Fundão dam at Samarco 
in November 2015, operations at Samarco remain suspended.

Samarco comprises a mine and three concentrators located in 
the state of Minas Gerais and four pellet plants and a port located 
in Anchieta in the state of Espírito Santo. Three 400-kilometre 
pipelines connect the mine site to the pelletising facilities.

Samarco’s main product is iron ore pellets. Prior to the suspension 
of operations, the extraction and beneficiation of iron ore were 
conducted at the Germano facilities in the municipalities of 
Mariana and Ouro Preto. Front end loaders were used to extract the 
ore and convey it from the mines. Ore beneficiation then occurred 
in concentrators, where crushing, milling, desliming and flotation 
processes produced iron ore concentrate. The concentrate would 
leave the concentrators as slurry and be pumped through the slurry 
pipelines from the Germano facilities to the pelletising plants in 
Ubu, Anchieta, where the concentrate was processed into pellets. 
The iron ore pellets were then heat treated. The pellet output 
was stored in a stockpile yard before being shipped out of the 
Samarco-owned Port of Ubu in Anchieta.

All geotechnical structures within the Germano facilities, including 
tailings dams, are monitored 24 hours a day, by more than 650 
pieces of monitoring and safety equipment, including cameras, 
weather forecast stations, drones and accelerometers. 
In addition, sirens are installed along the river up to 100 kilometres 
downstream of Samarco. Geotechnical engineers and technicians 
monitor data from the instrumentation in an Integrated Monitoring 
Control Room, undertake daily field inspections and perform 
monthly third party audits.

Key developments during FY2019
The new Santarém dam was commissioned and is operating as 
planned and drainage preparation commenced at the bottom 
area of the Fundão Valley, which is part of the Degraded Area 
Recovery Plan. The Alegria Sul pit tailings disposal system 
implementation commenced and services completion is 
expected in September 2019.

76  BHP Annual Report 2019

Following Vale’s Brumadinho dam tragedy on 25 January 2019, 
Brazil’s National Mining Agency announced a requirement for all 
upstream construction tailings dams to be decommissioned by 
various dates, depending on their size. The relevant deadline for 
the Germano Main Pit is September 2025 and for the Germano 
Main Dam is September 2027. Samarco has hired STANTEC, an 
international consulting company, to develop a detailed design 
of the decommissioning plan for the Germano facilities, to be 
submitted by December 2019.

In May 2019, Brazil’s National Sanitary Surveillance Agency 
(ANVISA) attested to the safe consumption in certain quantities of 
fish and crustaceans from the Doce River basin and coastal region, 
within daily limits of 200 grams per adult and 50 grams per child. 
Given the significant impacts of the fishing bans on the livelihoods 
of commercial and subsistence fisherfolk and the social cohesion 
within their communities, BHP Billiton Brasil has continued 
providing technical support to Fundação Renova to accelerate the 
collection of data to address the concerns of regulators and the 
community. This includes analysis of the safety of fish for human 
consumption and the status of fish populations to support lifting 
of the fishing bans that currently remain in place.

Looking ahead
The development of the decommissioning plan for the Germano 
facilities is the highest priority for Samarco. The plan will include 
the design of downstream reinforcement, a surface drainage 
management system and instrumentation and monitoring systems. 
Restart of Samarco’s operations also remains a focus, provided it 
is safe, economically viable and has the support of the community. 
Activities required for the granting of licences by state and federal 
authorities are complete or near completion. These include 
completion of the Alegria Sul pit tailings disposal system and the 
construction of a new filtration plant. 

1.11.3 Petroleum

Conventional petroleum
BHP has owned oil and gas assets since the 1960s. We have high-margin conventional assets located in the 
US Gulf of Mexico, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Algeria, as well as appraisal and exploration options 
in Mexico, Deepwater Trinidad and Tobago, Western Gulf of Mexico, Eastern Canada and Barbados. Our 
conventional petroleum business includes exploration, appraisal, development and production activities. 
We produce crude oil and condensate, gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) that are sold on the international spot 
market or delivered domestically under contracts with varying terms, depending on the location of the asset.

LOUISIANA

New Orleans

Shenzi

Neptune

Atlantis

Mad Dog

Gulf of Mexico

United States

BHP acreage

Petroleum

United States
Gulf of Mexico
Overview
We operate two fields in the US waters of the Gulf of Mexico – 
Shenzi (44 per cent interest) and Neptune (35 per cent interest).

We hold non-operating interests in two other fields – Atlantis 
(44 per cent interest) and Mad Dog (23.9 per cent interest).

All our producing fields are located between 155 and 210 kilometres 
offshore from the US state of Louisiana. We also own 25 per cent 
and 22 per cent, respectively, of the companies that own and 
operate the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline. 
These pipelines transport oil and gas from the Green Canyon 
area, where our US Gulf of Mexico fields are located, to connecting 
pipelines that transport product onshore.

Key developments during FY2019
Mad Dog Phase 2, located in the Green Canyon area in the 
deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is an extension of the existing 
Mad Dog field. The Mad Dog Phase 2 project is in response to 
the successful Mad Dog South appraisal well, which confirmed 
significant hydrocarbons in the southern portion of this field.

The project includes a new floating production facility with the 
capacity to produce up to 140,000 gross barrels of crude oil 
per day from up to 14 production wells. Production is expected 
to begin in CY2022.

On 13 February 2019, the BHP Board approved the development 
of the Atlantis Phase 3 project in the US Gulf of Mexico. The project 
includes a subsea tie back of eight new production wells and 
is expected to increase production by an estimated 38,000 
gross barrels of oil equivalent per day at its peak.

For more information on Mad Dog Phase 2 
and Atlantis Phase 3, refer to section 6.4.

BHP Annual Report 2019  77

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1.11.3 Petroleum continued

Thebe

Scarborough

North West Shelf 

VICTORIA

Dampier

Australia

Macedon

Pyrenees

Onslow

Maffra

Sale

Longford

Snapper

Tuna

Bream

Turrum

Halibut

Kipper

Flounder

Barracoutta

Blackback

Kingfish

0

200km

0

10

20

30km

Bass Strait

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Pyrenees
BHP operates six oil fields in Pyrenees, which are located offshore 
around 23 kilometres northwest of Northwest Cape, Western 
Australia. We had an effective 63 per cent interest in the fields 
as at 30 June 2019 based on inception-to-date production from 
two permits in which we have interests of 71.43 per cent and 
40 per cent, respectively. The development uses a FPSO facility.

Macedon
We are the operator of Macedon (71.43 per cent interest), an 
offshore gas field located around 75 kilometres west of Onslow, 
Western Australia and an onshore gas processing facility, located 
around 17 kilometres southwest of Onslow.

The operation consists of four subsea wells, with gas piped onshore 
to the processing plant. After processing, the gas is delivered into 
a pipeline and sold to the Western Australian domestic market.

Minerva
BHP operates the Minerva Joint Venture (90 per cent interest), 
a gas field located 11 kilometres south-southwest of Port Campbell 
in western Victoria. The operation consists of two subsea wells, 
with gas piped onshore to a processing plant. After processing, 
the gas is delivered into a pipeline and sold domestically.

On 1 May 2018, BHP entered into an agreement for the sale of 
its interests in the onshore gas plant with subsidiaries of Cooper 
Energy and Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd. The agreement, which 
is conditional on completion of regulatory approvals and 
assignments, provides for the transfer of the plant and associated 
land after the cessation of current operations processing gas 
from the Minerva gas field. Following Minerva’s end-of-field life, 
the wells will be plugged and abandoned. 

BHP acreage

Oil fields

Gas fields

Petroleum

Australia
Overview
Bass Strait
We have produced oil and gas from Bass Strait (50 per cent 
interest) for over 50 years. Our operations are located between 
25 and 80 kilometres off the southeastern coast of Australia. 
The Gippsland Basin Joint Venture, operated by Esso Australia 
(a subsidiary of ExxonMobil), participated in the original discovery 
and development of hydrocarbons in the basin. The Kipper gas 
field under the Kipper Unit Joint Venture (32.5 per cent interest), 
also operated by Esso Australia, has brought online additional 
gas and liquids production that are processed via existing 
Gippsland Basin Joint Venture facilities.

The majority of our Bass Strait crude oil and condensate production 
is sold to local refineries in Australia. Gas is piped onshore to the 
Gippsland Joint Venture’s Longford processing facility, from where 
we sell our share of production to domestic retailers and end users. 
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is dispatched via pipeline, road 
tanker or sea tanker. Ethane is dispatched via pipeline to a 
petrochemical plant in western Melbourne.

North West Shelf
We are a joint venture participant in the North West Shelf project 
(12.5–16.67 per cent interest), located approximately 125 kilometres 
northwest of Dampier in Western Australia. The North West Shelf 
project supplies gas to the Western Australian domestic market 
and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to buyers primarily in Japan, 
South Korea and China.

North West Shelf gas is piped from offshore fields to the onshore 
Karratha Gas Plant for processing. LPG, condensate and LNG are 
transported to market by ship, while domestic gas is transported 
by the Dampier-to-Bunbury and Pilbara Energy pipelines to buyers.

We are also a joint venture partner in four nearby oil fields produced 
through the Okha floating, production, storage and off-take (FPSO) 
facility (16.67 per cent interest) – Cossack, Wanaea, Lambert and 
Hermes. All North West Shelf gas and oil joint ventures are operated 
by Woodside Energy Limited (Woodside).

78  BHP Annual Report 2019

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Petroleum

Key developments during FY2019
North West Shelf – Greater Western Flank-B
The Greater Western Flank-B project was sanctioned by the 
Board in December 2015 and represents the second phase of 
development of the core Greater Western Flank fields, behind 
the Greater Western Flank-A development. It is located to the 
southwest of the existing Goodwyn A platform. The development 
comprises six fields and eight subsea wells. First production was 
achieved during the December 2018 quarter ahead of schedule 
and under budget.

Scarborough
BHP holds a 25 per cent non-operated interest in Scarborough 
(WA-1-R) and a 50 per cent non-operated interest in Jupiter, 
North Scarborough and Thebe titles (WA-61-R, WA-62-R and 
WA-63-R), located offshore northwest Australia. Opportunities 
to develop the Scarborough gas field are being actively studied, 
including the potential to utilise available capacity at nearby 
onshore LNG processing facilities. 

Woodside became the operator of the WA-1-R lease in March 2018 
following its acquisition of Esso’s working interest in the title. BHP 
has an option to acquire a further 10 per cent interest in WA-1-R 
from Woodside on equivalent terms to its Esso transaction. 
This option may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of 
31 December 2019 and the date the Scarborough Joint Venture 
approves entry into the front-end engineering and design phase 
of the development of the Scarborough gas field. BHP continues 
to evaluate the option as we progress our assessment of the 
Scarborough development opportunity. 

Bass Strait West Barracouta
The Bass Strait West Barracouta project was approved during the 
December 2018 quarter. The A$200 million investment (which is 
BHP’s share) is expected to produce first gas in CY2021, and help 
offset Bass Strait production decline and deliver competitive 
returns. The project includes a two well brownfield subsea tieback 
to existing Gippsland Basin Joint Venture facilities and is expected 
to supply the Australian domestic market. 

Other conventional petroleum assets
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago
BHP operates the Greater Angostura field (45 per cent interest 
in the production sharing contract), an integrated oil and gas 
development located offshore 40 kilometres east of Trinidad. 
The crude oil is sold on a spot basis to international markets, 
while the gas is sold domestically under term contracts.

Algeria
Our Algerian asset comprises an effective 29.3 per cent interest 
in the ROD Integrated Development, which consists of the ROD, 
SF SFNE and four satellite oil fields that pump oil back to a 
dedicated processing train. The oil is sold on a spot basis to 
international markets. ROD Integrated Development is jointly 
operated by Sonatrach and ENI.

United Kingdom
On 30 November 2018, BHP completed the sale of our interests 
in the Bruce and Keith oil and gas fields in the United Kingdom 
to Serica Energy UK Ltd, with an effective date of 1 January 2018.

For more information, refer to section 1.13.1.

Key developments during FY2019
Ruby is an offshore shallow water oil and gas development in 
Trinidad and Tobago that would consist of five production wells 
tied back into existing operated processing facilities. BHP is the 
operator (68 per cent interest) and the project has an expected 
investment of US$283 million (which is BHP’s share). The project 
was approved by the BHP Board on 8 August 2019 with first 
production targeted in CY2021. The relevant operating agreement 
requires at least two parties and 65 per cent of the working interest 
to approve the investment.

Unconventional petroleum
Onshore US 
The Onshore US sales process was completed on 31 October 2018, 
with the net proceeds of US$10.4 billion. The Fayetteville Onshore 
US gas assets were sold to a company owned by Merit Energy 
Company. BHP’s interests in the Eagle Ford, Haynesville and 
Permian Onshore US oil and gas assets were sold to BP America 
Production Company, a subsidiary of BP Plc.

For more information, refer to note 27 
‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5.

BHP Annual Report 2019  79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.11.4 Commercial

The purpose of the Commercial function is to optimise value creation and minimise costs 
across our end-to-end supply chain.

The function is organised around our core value chain activities – 
Sales and Marketing; Maritime and Supply Chain Excellence; 
Procurement; and Warehousing Inventory and Logistics and Property 
– supported by short and long-term market insights, strategy and 
planning activities, and close partnership with our assets. 

Our Operating Model enables us to provide improved service levels 
and deliver optimised commercial outcomes by embedding deep 
functional expertise and market insights. By embracing our 
strategic end-to-end supply chain mandate and influencing 
suppliers and customers to partner with BHP, the Commercial 
function also creates social value through supply chain integrity 
and sustainability focus. 

Sales and Marketing
Sales and Marketing creates value by connecting BHP’s resources 
to market through commercial expertise, optimised sales and 
operations planning, deep customer insights and proactive risk 
management. They present a single face to markets across multiple 
assets, thereby allowing our assets to focus on their operations.

Maritime and Supply Chain Excellence
Maritime and Supply Chain Excellence is accountable for BHP’s 
enterprise-wide transportation strategy and chartering ocean 
freight (to meet BHP’s inbound and outbound transportation 
needs). They work to ensure consistent safety standards across 
BHP’s maritime supply chain and lead the industry toward a safer 
and more sustainable global ecosystem. The team maintains a 

strong focus on supply chain excellence and on sourcing marine 
freight coverage at the lowest available cost.

Procurement
Our global Procurement sub-functions purchase all the goods 
and services that are used by projects, our assets and functions. 
Procurement works with our business to optimise equipment 
performance, reduce operating cost and improve working capital. 
They manage supply chain risk and develop sustainable relationships 
with global suppliers and local businesses in our communities.

Warehousing Inventory and Logistics and Property
Warehousing Inventory and Logistics and Property is accountable for 
the design and operation of our inbound supply chain networks for 
the delivery of spare parts, operating supplies and consumables to 
enable our assets to achieve superior performance. They design 
and operate our office workspaces globally to provide a collaborative 
and productive work environment for our employees and contractors.

Market Analysis and Economics
Our Market Analysis and Economics team is responsible for 
developing the Company’s independent view on the outlook for 
commodity demand and commodity prices. The team works 
closely with our Procurement, Maritime, and Sales and Marketing 
sub-functions to help optimise end-to-end commercial value. 
The team also works closely with the Finance and External Affairs 
functions to help identify and respond to long-run strategic 
changes in our operating environment. 

Commercial: Strategically located close to our key markets and Assets

Saskatoon

London

Houston

Trinidad and Tobago

Santiago

80  BHP Annual Report 2019

New Delhi

Tokyo

Shanghai

Manila

Kuala Lumpur

Singapore

Perth

Brisbane

Adelaide

Melbourne

1.12 Summary of financial performance
1.12.1 Group overview

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board. We publish our Consolidated Financial Statements in US dollars. All Consolidated Income 
Statement, Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement information below has been derived from audited 
financial statements. For more information, refer to section 5.

Unless otherwise stated, comparative financial information for FY2017, FY2016 and FY2015 has been restated to reflect the sale of the 
Onshore US assets, as required by IFRS 5/AASB 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’. Consolidated Balance 
Sheet information for these periods has not been restated as accounting standards do not require it. 

Information in this section has been presented on a Continuing operations basis to exclude the contribution from Onshore US assets 
and assets that were demerged with South32 in FY2015, unless otherwise noted. Details of the contribution of the Onshore US assets 
to the Group’s results are disclosed in note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5.

Year ended 30 June
US$M

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Consolidated Income Statement (section 5.1.1)
Revenue (1) 
Profit from operations
Profit/(loss) after taxation from Continuing operations
Loss after taxation from Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations 
attributable to BHP shareholders (Attributable profit/(loss)) (2)
Dividends per ordinary share – paid during the period (US cents)
Dividends per ordinary share – determined in respect of the period (US cents)
Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (US cents) (2) (3)
Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share (US cents) (2) (3)
Basic earnings/(loss) from Continuing operations per ordinary share (US cents) (3)
Diluted earnings/(loss) from Continuing operations per ordinary share (US cents) (3)
Number of ordinary shares (million)

– At period end
– Weighted average
– Diluted

Consolidated Balance Sheet (section 5.1.3) (4)
Total assets
Net assets
Share capital (including share premium)
Total equity attributable to BHP shareholders

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (section 5.1.4)
Net operating cash flows (5)
Capital and exploration expenditure (6)

Other financial information
Net debt (7)
Underlying attributable profit (7)
Underlying EBITDA (7)
Underlying EBIT (7)
Underlying basic earnings per share (US cents) (7)

44,288
16,113
9,520
(335)

43,129
15,996
7,744
(2,921)

35,740
12,554
6,694
(472)

8,306
220.0
235.0
160.3
159.9
166.9
166.5

5,058
5,180
5,193

100,861
51,824
2,686
47,240

17,871
7,566

9,215
9,124
23,158
17,065
176.1

3,705
98.0
118.0
69.6
69.4
125.0
124.6

5,324
5,323
5,337

111,993
60,670
2,761
55,592

18,461
6,753

10,934
8,933
23,183
16,562
167.8

5,890
54.0
83.0
110.7
110.4
119.8
119.5

5,324
5,323
5,336

117,006
62,726
2,761
57,258

16,804
5,220

16,321
6,732
19,350
13,190
126.5

28,567
2,804
(312)
(5,895)

(6,385)
78.0
30.0
(120.0)
(120.0)
(10.2)
(10.2)

5,324
5,322
5,322

118,953
60,071
2,761
54,290

10,625
7,711

26,102
1,215
11,720
5,324
22.8

40,413
12,887
7,306
(4,428)

1,910
124.0
124.0
35.9
35.8
119.6
119.3

5,324
5,318
5,333

124,580
70,545
2,761
64,768

19,296
13,412

24,417
7,109
19,816
13,296
133.7

(1)  FY2018 and FY2017 have been restated to reflect the impact of the accounting standard, IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which became effective 
from 1 July 2018 with restatements applied to comparative periods in section 5. FY2016 and FY2015 have not been restated. For more information on revenue, 
refer to note 2 ‘Revenue’ in section 5.

(2)  Includes Loss after taxation from Discontinued operations attributable to BHP shareholders.
(3) For more information on earnings per share, refer to note 7 ‘Earnings per share’ in section 5.
(4) The Consolidated Balance Sheet for FY2018 includes the assets and liabilities held for sale in relation to Onshore US as IFRS 5/AASB 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for 

Sale and Discontinued Operations’ does not require the Consolidated Balance Sheet to be restated for comparative periods. 

(5) Net operating cash flows are after dividends received, net interest paid and net taxation paid and includes Net operating cash flows from Discontinued operations.
(6)  Capital and exploration expenditure is presented on a cash basis and represents purchases of property, plant and equipment plus exploration expenditure from the 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement in section 5 and includes purchases of property, plant and equipment plus exploration expenditure from Discontinued operations. 
For more information, refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5. Purchase of property, plant and equipment includes capitalised deferred stripping of 
US$1,022 million for FY2019 (FY2018: US$880 million) and excludes capitalised interest. Exploration expenditure is capitalised in accordance with our accounting 
policies, as set out in note 11 ‘Property, plant and equipment’ in section 5.

(7)  We use alternative performance measures to reflect the underlying performance of the Group. Underlying attributable profit and Underlying basic earnings per share 
includes Continuing and Discontinued operations. Refer to section 1.12.4 for a reconciliation of alternative performance measures to their respective IFRS measure. 
Refer to section 1.12.5 for the definition and method of calculation of alternative performance measures. Refer to note 19 ‘Net debt’ in section 5 for the composition 
of Net debt.

BHP Annual Report 2019  81

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1.12.2 Financial results

The following table expands on the Consolidated Income Statement in section 5.1.1, to provide more information on the revenue and expenses 
of the Group in FY2019.

2019
US$M

44,288

393

(4,032)
(496)
(4,591)
(2,378)
(4,745)
(1,069)
147
(2,538)
(516)
(5,829)
(264)
(405)
(1,306)

(28,022)

(546)

16,113

(1,064)
(5,529)

9,520

(335)

9,185

879
8,306

2018
US$M
Restated

2017
US$M
Restated

43,129

247

(3,990)
142
(4,389)
(2,294)
(4,786)
(1,374)
93
(2,168)
(641)
(6,288)
(333)
(421)
(1,078)

(27,527)

147

15,996

(1,245)
(7,007)

7,744

(2,921)

4,823

1,118
3,705

35,740

662

(3,694)
743
(3,830)
(1,786)
(4,037)
(1,060)
(103)
(1,986)
(610)
(6,184)
(193)
(391)
(989)

(24,120)

272

12,554

(1,417)
(4,443)

6,694

(472)

6,222

332
5,890

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related 
impairments and expenses of US$(546) million has decreased 
by US$693 million from FY2018. The decrease is primarily due 
to the Samarco dam failure provision updated assumptions relating 
to the fishing ban, financial assistance, compensation programs 
and resettlement of communities and Samarco Germano dam 
accelerated decommissioning provision following legislative 
changes in Brazil. This is coupled with lower coal production 
volumes at Cerrejón due to adverse weather and lower average 
realised prices for copper at Antamina in FY2019. 

Net finance costs of US$1.1 billion decreased by US$0.2 million, 
or 15 per cent, from FY2018 mainly due to higher interest earned 
on increased term deposit holdings and a lower average debt 
balance following the repayment on maturity of Group debt. 
For more information on net finance costs, refer to section 1.12.3 
and note 19 ‘Net debt’ in section 5.

Total taxation expense of US$5.5 billion decreased by US$1.5 billion 
from FY2018, primarily due to the impacts of the US tax reform in 
FY2018. For more information on income tax expense, refer to note 
6 ‘Income tax expense’ in section 5.

Year ended 30 June

Continuing operations
Revenue (1)

Other income

Employee benefits expense
Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress
Raw materials and consumables used
Freight and transportation
External services 
Third party commodity purchases
Net foreign exchange gains/(losses)
Government royalties paid and payable
Exploration and evaluation expenditure incurred and expensed in the current period
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Impairment of assets 
Operating lease rentals
All other operating expenses

Expenses excluding net finance costs

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses

Profit from operations

Net finance costs
Total taxation expense

Profit after taxation from Continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Loss after taxation from Discontinued operations

Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

(1)  Includes the sale of third party products. 

Profit after taxation attributable to BHP shareholders increased 
from a profit of US$3.7 billion in FY2018 to a profit of US$8.3 billion 
in FY2019. 

Revenue of US$44.3 billion increased by US$1.2 billion, or 
3 per cent, from FY2018. This increase was primarily attributable 
to higher average realised prices for iron ore, petroleum and 
metallurgical coal, and higher sales volumes at WAIO as a result 
of record production at Jimblebar and the expiry of the Wheelarra 
Joint Venture. This was partially offset by lower average realised 
prices for copper and thermal coal, the impact from Tropical 
Cyclone Veronica and a train derailment at WAIO, lower volumes 
from Escondida (lower grade partially offset by record concentrator 
throughput) and Pampa Norte (fire at electrowinning plant at 
Spence and heavy rainfall), coupled with lower volumes from 
Petroleum due to planned Pyrenees dry-dock maintenance and 
natural field decline. For information on our average realised prices 
and production of our commodities, refer to section 1.13. 

Total expenses of US$28.0 billion increased by US$0.5 billion or 
2 per cent, from FY2018. The increase in changes in inventories 
of finished goods and work in progress of US$638 million was 
primarily driven by higher recoveries at the leach pad and inventory 
drawdowns as more ore was redirected to the concentrators in line 
with the Los Colorados Extension commissioning at Escondida, and 
inventory drawdown at Coal due to Tropical Cyclone Trevor and 
general wet weather affecting all operations at Queensland Coal. 
Raw materials and consumables used increased by US$202 million 
driven by higher diesel prices across the Group. Third party 
commodity purchases have decreased by US$305 million driven 
primarily by a decrease in copper price. Government royalties paid 
and payable have increased by US$370 million reflecting higher 
iron ore prices. Depreciation and amortisation expense decreased 
by US$459 million reflecting lower depreciation and amortisation 
at Petroleum (lower production at Shenzi and increase in estimated 
remaining reserves at Atlantis) and lower depreciation at Escondida 
(increase in asset life of the Escondida Water Supply project). 

82  BHP Annual Report 2019

Principal factors that affect Revenue, Profit from operations and Underlying EBITDA
The following table describes the impact of the principal factors that affected Revenue, Profit from operations and Underlying EBITDA for 
FY2019 and relates them back to our Consolidated Income Statement. For information on the method of calculation of the principal factors 
that affect Revenue, Profit from operations and Underlying EBITDA, refer to section 1.12.6.

Revenue
US$M

43,129

1,591
 −

1,591

304
(17)

287

 −
 −

 −

(107)
 −
 −
 −
(350)

(457)

 −
23
(285)

 −
 −

44,288

Year ended 30 June 2018
Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs
(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Total other income, expenses excluding net finance costs and Profit 
from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses

Profit from operations
Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1)
Exceptional items

Underlying EBITDA

Change in sales prices
Price-linked costs

Net price impact

Productivity volumes
Growth volumes

Changes in volumes

Operating cash costs
Exploration and business development

Change in controllable cash costs (2)

Exchange rates
Inflation on costs
Fuel and energy
Non-cash
One-off items

Change in other costs

Asset sales
Ceased and sold operations
Other

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1) 
Exceptional items

Year ended 30 June 2019
Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs
(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Total other income, expenses excluding net finance costs and Profit 
from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses

Profit from operations
Depreciation, amortisation and impairments 
Exceptional items 

Underlying EBITDA

Total expenses, 
Other income and 
(Loss)/profit from 
equity accounted 
investments
US$M

Profit from 
operations
US$M

Depreciation, 
amortisation and 
impairments and 
Exceptional Items
US$M

Underlying 
EBITDA
US$M

247
(27,527)

147

(27,133)

(36)
(353)

(389)

(161)
(58)

(219)

(1,176)
142

(1,034)

1,104
(400)
(180)
81
(46)

559

29
(264)
134

528
(386)

393
(28,022)

(546)

(28,175)

15,996

1,555
(353)

1,202

143
(75)

68

(1,176)
142

(1,034)

997
(400)
(180)
81
(396)

102

29
(241)
(151)

528
(386)

16,113

6,621
566

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

(528)
386

23,183

1,555
(353)

1,202

143
(75)

68

(1,176)
142

(1,034)

997
(400)
(180)
81
(396)

102

29
(241)
(151)

 −
 −

6,093
952

23,158

(1)  Depreciation and impairments that we classify as exceptional items are excluded from depreciation, amortisation and impairments. Depreciation, amortisation and 

impairments includes non-exceptional impairments of US$264 million (FY2018: US$333 million).

(2) Collectively, we refer to the change in operating cash costs and change in exploration and business development as change in controllable cash costs. Operating cash 
costs by definition do not include non-cash costs. The change in operating cash costs also excludes the impact of exchange rates and inflation, changes in fuel and 
energy costs, changes in exploration and business development costs and one-off items. These items are excluded so as to provide a consistent measurement of 
changes in costs across all segments, based on the factors that are within the control and responsibility of the segment. Change in controllable cash costs and change 
in operating cash costs are not measures that are recognised by IFRS. They may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

BHP Annual Report 2019  83

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1.12.2 Financial results continued

The total decrease in Underlying EBITDA relating to productivity initiatives in FY2019 was US$1.0 billion compared to a decrease 
of US$96 million in FY2018. The following table reconciles relevant factors with changes in the Group’s productivity:

Year ended 30 June (1)

Change in controllable cash costs
Change in volumes attributed to productivity

Change in productivity in Underlying EBITDA
Change in capitalised exploration

Change attributable to productivity initiatives

(1) Productivity initiatives exclude Onshore US.

2019 
US$M

(1,034)
143

(891)
(124)

(1,015)

2018
US$M

(1,243)
1,024

(219)
123

(96)

Higher average realised prices increased Underlying EBITDA by US$1.6 billion in FY2019 reflecting higher iron ore, petroleum and 
metallurgical coal prices, partially offset by lower copper and thermal coal prices. This was partially offset by an increase to price-linked 
costs of US$353 million mainly reflecting higher royalty charges. 

Productivity volumes in Underlying EBITDA improved by US$143 million primarily as a result of record throughput at Escondida following 
the Los Colorados Extension commissioning and increased sales volumes at WAIO (record production at Jimblebar and improved material 
handling and equipment reliability), partially offset by lower head grade at Escondida, the WAIO train derailment and fire at the Spence 
electrowinning plant. This was partially offset by US$75 million lower growth volumes at Petroleum due to planned Pyrenees dry-dock 
maintenance, higher gas to liquids production mix and natural field decline partially offset by higher uptime in the US Gulf of Mexico 
and Australia and increased tax barrels in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Higher costs reflect unfavourable fixed cost dilution related to unplanned production outages at Olympic Dam, WAIO, Spence and 
Nickel West during the first half of FY2019, higher strip ratios and contractor stripping costs at our Australian coal operations, inventory 
drawdowns related to the Los Colorados Extension commissioning, increased maintenance activities, partially offset by the benefit from 
higher overall volumes at Olympic Dam as a result of the smelter maintenance campaign in the prior year. This was partially offset by lower 
Petroleum exploration expense (the Ocean Bottom Node survey acquisition costs in the Gulf of Mexico were less than the prior year 
impact of expensing the Scimitar well) and lower study costs (following development approval of the Escondida Water Supply Extension 
project in March 2018).

Overall, underlying improvements in productivity of US$1.0 billion were offset by the impact of unplanned production outages at Olympic 
Dam, WAIO, Spence and Nickel West of US$0.8 billion during the December 2018 half year; higher than expected unit costs at Queensland 
Coal (lower volumes, wet weather and increased contractor stripping costs), New South Wales Energy Coal (higher strip ratio and 
contractor stripping costs) and Nickel West (mine plan changes) of US$0.4 billion; and grade decline in copper of US$0.8 billion. 

A stronger US dollar against the Australian dollar and Chilean peso increased Underlying EBITDA by US$997 million during the period. 

84  BHP Annual Report 2019

Cash flow
The following table provides a summary of the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement contained in section 5.1.4 to show the key sources 
and uses of cash during the periods presented:

Year ended 30 June

Cash generated from operations
Dividends received
Net interest paid
Proceeds/(settlements) of cash management related instruments
Net taxation paid

Net operating cash flows from Continuing operations

Net operating cash flows from Discontinued operations

Net operating cash flows

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Exploration expenditure

Subtotal: Capital and exploration expenditure

Exploration expenditure expensed and included in operating cash flows
Net investment and funding of equity accounted investments
Other investing activities

Net investing cash flows from Continuing operations

Net investing cash flows from Discontinued operations
Proceeds from divestment of Onshore US, net of its cash 

Net investing cash flows

Net repayment of interest bearing liabilities
Share buy-back – BHP Group Limited
Dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Other financing activities

Net financing cash flows from Continuing operations

Net financing cash flows from Discontinued operations

Net financing cash flows

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents from Continuing operations

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from Discontinued operations

2019
US$M

23,428
516
(903)
296
(5,940)

17,397

474

17,871

(6,250)
(873)

(7,123)

516
(630)
(140)

(7,377)

(443)
10,427

2,607

(2,514)
(5,220)
(11,395)
(1,198)
(188)

(20,515)

(13)

(20,528)

(10,477)

(10,495)

18

2018
US$M

22,949
709
(887)
(292)
(4,918)

17,561

900

18,461

(4,979)
(874)

(5,853)

641
204
(52)

(5,060)

(861)
 −

(5,921)

(3,878)
 −
(5,220)
(1,582)
(171)

(10,851)

(40)

(10,891)

1,649

1,650

(1)

2017
US$M

18,612
636
(984)
(140)
(2,248)

15,876

928

16,804

(3,697)
(966)

(4,663)

610
(234)
563

(3,724)

(437)
 −

(4,161)

(5,501)
 −
(2,921)
(575)
(108)

(9,105)

(28)

(9,133)

3,510

3,047

463

Net operating cash inflows of US$17.9 billion decreased by 
US$0.6 billion. This decrease reflects increased costs (including 
outages and weather impact) and higher Australian and Chilean 
income tax payments in FY2019 offset by strong commodity 
prices and record production from several of our operations.

Net investing cash inflows of US$2.6 billion increased by 
US$8.5 billion. The increase reflects the proceeds from the 
divestment of Onshore US, net of its cash partially offset by 
continued investment in high-return latent capacity projects, 
and increased investment in South Flank, Mad Dog Phase 2 
and the Spence Growth Option. Higher net investment and 
funding of equity accounted investments relate to the FY2018 
cash receipt from Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group not 
repeating in FY2019 and investment in SolGold and Resolution.

For more information and a breakdown 
of capital and exploration expenditure 
on a commodity basis, refer to section 1.13.

Net financing cash outflows of US$20.5 billion increased by 
US$9.6 billion. This reflects the off-market buy-back of BHP Group 
Limited shares of US$5.2 billion in December 2018, the special 
dividend of US$5.2 billion paid in January 2019 from the Onshore 
US asset sale (net proceeds) and higher dividends to BHP 
shareholders of US$1.0 billion partially offset by lower repayments 
of interest bearing liabilities of US$1.6 billion and lower dividends 
to non-controlling interests of US$0.4 billion.

For more information, refer to section 1.12.3 
and note 19 ‘Net debt’ in section 5.

BHP Annual Report 2019  85

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1.12.3 Debt and sources of liquidity

Our policies on debt and liquidity management have 
the following objectives:

This both extended BHP’s average debt maturity profile 
and enhanced BHP’s capital structure.

•  a strong balance sheet through the cycle;
•  diversification of funding sources;
•  maintain borrowings and excess cash predominantly in US dollars.

Interest bearing liabilities, net debt and gearing
At the end of FY2019, Interest bearing liabilities were US$24.8 billion 
(FY2018: US$26.8 billion) and Cash and cash equivalents were 
US$15.6 billion (FY2018: US$15.9 billion). This resulted in net debt(1) 
of US$9.2 billion, which represented a decrease of US$1.7 billion 
compared with the net debt position at 30 June 2018. Gearing, 
which is the ratio of net debt to net debt plus net assets, was 
15.1 per cent at 30 June 2019, compared with 15.3 per cent at 
30 June 2018.

During FY2019, the Group continued to reduce its debt. This 
included the decision not to refinance US$2.4 billion of Group-level 
debt (being €1.3 billion of European medium-term notes and 
US$0.8 billion of senior notes which matured in November 2018 
and April 2019 respectively). 

At the subsidiary level, Escondida has refinanced US$0.3 billion 
of maturing long-term debt.

Funding sources
No new Group-level debt was issued in FY2019 and debt that 
matured during the year was not refinanced. 

Our Group-level borrowing facilities are not subject to financial 
covenants. Certain specific financing facilities in relation to specific 
assets are the subject of financial covenants that vary from facility 
to facility, but this would be considered normal for such facilities. 
In addition to the Group’s uncommitted debt issuance programs, 
we hold the following committed standby facilities:

Revolving credit facility (2)

Total financing facilities

Facility available 
2019 
US$M

6,000

6,000

Drawn 
2019 
US$M

– 

– 

Undrawn 
2019 
US$M

Facility available 
2018 
US$M

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

Drawn 
2018 
US$M

–

–

Undrawn 
2018
US$M

6,000

6,000

(1)  We use alternative performance measures to reflect the underlying performance of BHP, refer to section 1.12.4. For the definition and method of calculation 

of alternative performance measures, refer to section 1.12.5. For the composition of net debt, refer to note 19 ‘Net debt’ in section 5. 

(2) BHP’s committed US$6.0 billion revolving credit facility operates as a back-stop to the Group’s uncommitted commercial paper program. The combined amount drawn 

under the facility or as commercial paper will not exceed US$6.0 billion. As at 30 June 2019, US$ nil commercial paper was drawn (FY2018: US$ nil), therefore 
US$6.0 billion of committed facility was available to use (FY2018: US$6.0 billion). The revolving credit facility expires on 7 May 2021. A commitment fee is payable on 
the undrawn balance and an interest rate comprising an interbank rate plus a margin applies to any drawn balance. The agreed margins are typical for a credit facility 
extended to a company with BHP’s credit rating.

For more information on the maturity profile of our debt obligations 
and details of our standby and support agreements, refer to note 21 
‘Financial risk management’ in section 5.

In BHP’s opinion, working capital is sufficient for its present requirements. BHP’s credit ratings are currently A2/P-1 outlook stable 
(Moody’s – long-term/short-term) and A/A-1 outlook stable (Standard & Poor’s – long-term/short-term). A credit rating is not 
a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by 
an assigning rating agency. Any rating should be evaluated independently of any other information.

The following table expands on the net debt, to provide more information on the cash and non-cash movements in FY2019.

Year ended 30 June

Net debt at the beginning of the financial year

Net operating cash flows
Net investing cash flows

Free cash flow

Carrying value of interest bearing liability repayments
Net settlements of interest bearing liabilities and debt related instruments
Share buy-back – BHP Group Limited
Dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Other financing activities(1)

Other cash movements

Interest rate movements (2)
Foreign exchange impacts on debt (3)
Foreign exchange impacts on cash (3)
Others

Non-cash movements

Net debt at the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

17,871
2,607

2,351
(2,514)
(5,220)
(11,395)
(1,198)
(201)

(729)
311
(170)
6

(10,934)

20,478

(18,177)

(582)

(9,215)

2018
US$M

18,461
(5,921)

3,573
(3,878)
 −
(5,220)
(1,582)
(211)

353
(245)
56
1

(16,321)

12,540

(7,318)

165

(10,934)

(1)  Other financing activities mainly comprises purchases of shares by Employee Share Option Plan trusts of US$188 million (FY2018: US$171 million). 
(2) Interest rate movements reflect the movement in the mark to market (fair value) adjustment of corporate bond interest rates. 
(3)  Foreign exchange impacts reflect the revaluation of local currency debt and cash to US dollars, the Group’s functional currency.

The Group hedges against the volatility in both exchange and interest rates on debt, and also exchange on cash, with associated movements in derivatives reported 
in Other financial assets/liabilities as effective hedged derivatives (cross currency and interest rate swaps), in accordance with accounting standards. 
For more information, refer to note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5. 

86  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.12.4 Alternative performance measures

We use various alternative performance measures (APMs) to reflect 
our underlying performance. 

These indicators are not defined or specified under the requirements 
of IFRS, but are derived from the Group’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. The APMs are 
consistent with how management reviews financial performance 
of the Group with the Board and the investment community. 

Section 1.12.5 outlines why we believe the APMs are useful and the 
calculation methodology. We believe these APMs provide useful 
information, but they should not be considered as an indication of, 
or as a substitute for, statutory measures as an indicator of actual 
operating performance, such as profit, net operating cash flow or 
any other measure of financial performance or position presented 
in accordance with IFRS, or as a measure of a company’s 
profitability, liquidity or financial position. 

The following tables provide reconciliations between the APMs 
and their nearest respective IFRS measure.

The measures and below reconciliations included in this section 
for the year ended 30 June 2019 and comparative periods are 
unaudited and have been derived from the Group’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Exceptional items
To improve the comparability of underlying financial performance 
between reporting periods, some of our APMs adjust the relevant 
IFRS measures for exceptional items. For more information on 
exceptional items, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

Exceptional items are those gains or losses where their nature, 
including the expected frequency of the events giving rise to them, 
and amount is considered material to the Group’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements. The exceptional items included within the 
Group’s profit from Continuing and Discontinued operations for 
the fiscal year are detailed below.

Year ended 30 June

Continuing operations
Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs, depreciation, amortisation and impairments
Depreciation and amortisation
Net impairments
(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses

Profit/(loss) from operations 

Financial expenses
Financial income

Net finance costs

Profit/(loss) before taxation 

Income tax benefit/(expense)
Royalty-related taxation (net of income tax benefit)

Total taxation benefit/(expense)

Profit/(loss) after taxation from Continuing operations 

Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) after taxation from Discontinued operations

Profit/(loss) after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations

Total exceptional items attributable to non-controlling interests
Total exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders

Exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders per share (US cents)
Weighted basic average number of shares (Million)

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

 −
50
(57)
 −
 −
(945)

(952)

(108)
 −

(108)

(1,060)

242
 −

242

(818)

 −

(818)

 −
(818)

(15.8)
5,180

 −
 −
(57)
 −
 −
(509)

(566)

(84)
 −

(84)

(650)

(2,320)
 −

(2,320)

(2,970)

(2,258)

(5,228)

 −
(5,228)

(98.2)
5,323

 −
169
(416)
(212)
(5)
(172)

(636)

(127)
 −

(127)

(763)

(243)
 −

(243)

(1,006)

 −

(1,006)

(164)
(842)

(15.8)
5,323

BHP Annual Report 2019  87

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1.12.4 Alternative performance measures continued

APMs derived from Consolidated Income Statement
Underlying attributable profit

Year ended 30 June

Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations attributable to BHP shareholders
Total exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders (1)

Underlying attributable profit

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

Underlying attributable profit – Continuing operations

Year ended 30 June

Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations attributable to BHP shareholders
Loss attributable to members of BHP for Discontinued operations
Total exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders (1)
Total exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders for Discontinued operations (1)

Underlying attributable profit – Continuing operations

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

Underlying basic earnings per share

Year ended 30 June

Basic earnings per ordinary share 
Exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders per share (1)

Underlying basic earnings per ordinary share

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

Underlying EBITDA

Year ended 30 June

Profit from operations
Exceptional items included in profit from operations (1)

Underlying EBIT

Depreciation and amortisation expense
Net impairments
Exceptional item included in Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1)

Underlying EBITDA

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

2019
US$M

8,306
818

9,124

2019
US$M

8,306
342
818
 −

9,466

2018
US$M

3,705
5,228

8,933

2018
US$M

3,705
2,947
5,228
(2,258)

9,622

2017
US$M

5,890
842

6,732

2017
US$M

5,890
485
842
 −

7,217

2019
US cents

2018
US cents

2017
US cents

160.3
15.8

176.1

2019
US$M

16,113
952

17,065

5,829
264
 −

23,158

69.6
98.2

167.8

2018
US$M

15,996
566

16,562

6,288
333
 −

23,183

110.7
15.8

126.5

2017
US$M

12,554
636

13,190

6,184
193
(217)

19,350

88  BHP Annual Report 2019

Underlying EBITDA – Segment

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Profit from operations 
Exceptional items included in profit from operations (1)
Depreciation and amortisation expense 
Net impairments 
Exceptional item included in Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1)

Underlying EBITDA 

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

2,220
 −
1,560
21
 −

2,587
 −
1,835
128
 −

8,426
971
1,653
79
 −

3,400
 −
632
35
 −

3,801

4,550

11,129

4,067

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Profit from operations 
Exceptional items included in profit from operations (1)
Depreciation and amortisation expense 
Net impairments 
Exceptional item included in Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1)

Underlying EBITDA 

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

1,546
 −
1,719
76
 −

3,341

4,389
 −
1,920
213
 −

6,656
539
1,721
14
 −

3,682
 −
686
29
 −

6,522

8,930

4,397

Year ended 30 June 2017
US$M

Profit from operations 
Exceptional items included in profit from operations (1)
Depreciation and amortisation expense 
Net impairments 
Exceptional item included in Depreciation, amortisation and impairments (1)

Underlying EBITDA 

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

1,367
 −
1,648
102
 −

1,460
546
1,737
14
(212)

6,994
203
1,828
52
 −

3,214
(164)
719
20
(5)

3,117

3,545

9,077

3,784

Group and 
unallocated 
items/

elimination (2)

(520)
(19)
149
1
 −

(389)

Group and 
unallocated 
items/

elimination (2)

(277)
27
242
1
 −

(7)

Total Group

16,113
952
5,829
264
 −

23,158

Total Group

15,996
566
6,288
333
 −

23,183

Group and 
unallocated 
items/

elimination (2)

(481)
51
252
5
 −

(173)

Total Group

12,554
636
6,184
193
(217)

19,350

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.
(2)  Group and unallocated items includes functions and other unallocated operations, including Potash and Nickel West and consolidation adjustments. 

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Potash 
Nickel West 
Corporate and eliminations 

Total

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Potash 
Nickel West 
Corporate and eliminations 

Total

Year ended 30 June 2017
US$M

Potash 
Nickel West 
Corporate and eliminations 

Total

Exceptional 
items 
included in 
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operations (1)

 −
 −
(19)

(19)

Profit from 
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(131)
91
(480)

(520)

Depreciation and 
amortisation 

Net 
impairments 

Exceptional item 
included in 
Depreciation, 
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impairments (1)

4
11
134

149

 −
 −
1

1

 −
 −
 −

 −

Exceptional 
items included 
in profit from

operations (1)

Profit from 
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(139)
215
(353)

(277)

 −
 −
27

27

Exceptional 
items included 
in profit from

operations (1)

Profit from 
operations 

(118)
(43)
(320)

(481)

 −
 −
51

51

Depreciation and 
amortisation 

Net 
impairments 

Exceptional item 
included in 
Depreciation, 
amortisation and

impairments (1)

4
76
162

242

 −
 −
1

1

 −
 −
 −

 −

Depreciation and 
amortisation 

Net 
impairments 

Exceptional item 
included in 
Depreciation, 
amortisation and

impairments (1)

5
87
160

252

5
 −
 −

5

 −
 −
 −

 −

Underlying 
EBITDA 

(127)
102
(364)

(389)

Underlying 
EBITDA 

(135)
291
(163)

(7)

Underlying 
EBITDA 

(108)
44
(109)

(173)

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

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1.12.4 Alternative performance measures continued

Underlying EBITDA margin 

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Revenue – Group production
Revenue – Third party products 

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA – Group production(1) 
Underlying EBITDA – Third party products(1)

Underlying EBITDA 

Segment contribution to the Group’s Underlying EBITDA(2)
Underlying EBITDA margin(3)

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Revenue – Group production
Revenue – Third party products 

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA – Group production(1) 
Underlying EBITDA – Third party products(1)

Underlying EBITDA

Segment contribution to the Group’s Underlying EBITDA(2)
Underlying EBITDA margin(3)

Year ended 30 June 2017
US$M

Revenue – Group production
Revenue – Third party products 

Revenue

Underlying EBITDA – Group production(1) 
Underlying EBITDA – Third party products(1)

Underlying EBITDA 

Segment contribution to the Group’s Underlying EBITDA(2)
Underlying EBITDA margin(3)

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

5,920
10

9,729
1,109

17,223
32

9,102
19

5,930 10,838

17,255

9,121

3,801
 −

4,434
116

11,115
14

4,068
(1)

3,801

4,550

11,129

4,067

16%
64%

19%
46%

48%
65%

17%
45%

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

5,396
12

11,432
1,349

14,756
54

8,887
2

5,408

12,781

14,810

8,889

3,340
1

6,462
60

8,929
1

4,398
(1)

3,341

6,522

8,930

4,397

14%
62%

28%
57%

39%
61%

19%
49%

Petroleum Copper

Iron Ore

Coal

4,713
9

6,930
1,012

14,543
81

4,722

7,942

14,624

3,114
3

3,117

16%
66%

3,522
23

3,545

18%
51%

9,054
23

9,077

47%
62%

7,578
 −

7,578

3,784
 −

3,784

19%
50%

Group and 
unallocated  
items/

elimination(4) Total Group

1,116
28

1,144

(389)
 −

(389)

43,090
1,198

44,288

23,029
129

23,158

100%
53%

Group and 
unallocated  
items/

elimination (4)

Total Group

1,222
19

1,241

(8)
1

(7)

41,693
1,436

43,129

23,121
62

23,183

100%
55%

Group and 
unallocated  
items/

elimination (4)

Total Group

867
7

874

(173)
 −

(173)

34,631
1,109

35,740

19,301
49

19,350

100%
56%

(1)  We differentiate sales of our production from sales of third party products to better measure the operational profitability of our operations as a percentage of revenue. 

These tables show the breakdown between our production and third party products, which is necessary for the calculation of the Underlying EBITDA margin and 
margin on third party products. 

  We engage in third party trading for the following reasons:

•  Production variability and occasional shortfalls from our assets means that we sometimes source third party materials to ensure a steady supply of product  

to our customers. 

•  To optimise our supply chain outcomes, we may buy physical product from third parties. 
•  To support the development of liquid markets, we will sometimes source third party physical product and manage risk through both the physical  

and financial markets. 

(2) Percentage contribution to Group Underlying EBITDA, excluding Group and unallocated items.
(3) Underlying EBITDA margin excludes third party products.
(4) Group and unallocated items includes functions and other unallocated operations, including Potash and Nickel West and consolidation adjustments. Revenue not 

attributable to reportable segments comprises the sale of freight and fuel to third parties. Exploration and technology activities are recognised within relevant segments. 

Effective tax rate

Year ended 30 June

Statutory effective tax rate
Adjusted for:
Exchange rate movements
Exceptional items(1)

Adjusted effective tax rate 

2019

2018

2017

Profit 
before 
taxation 
US$M

Income tax 
expense 
US$M

Profit  
before 
taxation 
US$M

Income tax 
expense 
US$M

%

Profit  
before 
taxation 
US$M

Income tax 
expense 
US$M

%

%

15,049

(5,529)

36.7

 14,751 

 (7,007)

 47.5 

 11,137 

 (4,443)

 39.9 

 −
1,060

(25)
(242)

 −
650

 (152)
 2,320 

 −
763

 88 
 243 

16,109

(5,796)

36.0

 15,401 

 (4,839)

 31.4 

 11,900 

 (4,112)

 34.6 

(1)  For more information, refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5.

90  BHP Annual Report 2019

APMs derived from Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
Capital and exploration expenditure

Year ended 30 June

Capital expenditure (purchases of property, plant and equipment)
Add: Exploration expenditure

Capital and exploration expenditure (cash basis) – Continuing operations

Capital and exploration expenditure – Discontinued operations

Capital and exploration expenditure (cash basis) – Total operations

Free cash flow

Year ended 30 June

Net operating cash flows
Net investing cash flows

Free cash flow

Free cash flow – Continuing operations

Year ended 30 June

Net operating cash flows from Continuing operations
Net investing cash flows from Continuing operations

Free cash flow – Continuing operations

APMs derived from Consolidated Balance Sheet
Net debt and gearing ratio

Year ended 30 June

Interest bearing liabilities – Current
Interest bearing liabilities – Non current

Total interest bearing liabilities 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents 

Net debt 

Net assets

Gearing

Net debt waterfall

Year ended 30 June

Net debt at the beginning of the period

Net operating cash flows
Net investing cash flows
Net financing cash flows

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents from Continuing and Discontinued operations

Carrying value of interest bearing liability repayments

Interest rate movements 
Foreign exchange impacts on debt 
Foreign exchange impacts on cash 
Others

Non-cash movements

Net debt at the end of the period

2019
US$M

6,250
873

7,123

443

7,566

2019
US$M

17,871
2,607

20,478

2019
US$M

17,397
(7,377)

10,020

2018
US$M

4,979
874

5,853

900

6,753

2018
US$M

18,461
(5,921)

12,540

2018
US$M

17,561
(5,060)

12,501

2019
US$M

1,661
23,167

24,828

15,613

9,215

51,824

15.1%

2019
US$M

(10,934)

17,871
2,607
(20,528)

(50)

2,351

(729)
311
(170)
6

(582)

2017
US$M

3,697
966

4,663

555

5,218

2017
US$M

16,804
(4,161)

12,643

2017
US$M

15,876
(3,724)

12,152

2018
US$M

2,736
24,069

26,805

15,871

10,934

60,670

15.3%

2018
US$M

(16,321)

18,461
(5,921)
(10,891)

1,649

3,573

353
(245)
56
1

165

(9,215)

(10,934)

BHP Annual Report 2019  91

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1.12.4 Alternative performance measures continued

Net operating assets
The following table reconciles Net operating assets for the Group to Net assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet: 

Year ended 30 June

Net assets

Less: Non-operating assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables (1)
Other financial assets (2)
Current tax assets
Deferred tax assets
Assets held for sale (3)

Add: Non-operating liabilities
Trade and other payables (4)
Interest bearing liabilities
Other financial liabilities (5)
Current tax payable
Non-current tax payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Liabilities held for sale (3)

Net operating assets

Petroleum
Copper
Iron Ore
Coal
Group and unallocated items (6)

Total

2019
US$M

51,824

(15,613)
(222)
(1,188)
(124)
(3,764)
 −

328
24,828
1,020
1,546
187
3,234
 −

62,056

7,228
24,088
17,486
9,674
3,580

62,056

2018
US$M

60,670

(15,871)
(36)
(974)
(106)
(4,041)
(11,939)

363
26,805
1,218
1,773
137
3,472
1,222

62,693

8,052
23,679
18,320
9,853
2,789

62,693

(1)  Represents loans to associates of US$33 million (FY2018: US$13 million), external finance receivable and accrued interest receivable of US$51 million 

(FY2018: US$23 million) included within other receivables.

(2) Represents cross currency and interest rate swaps, forward exchange contracts of US$35 million (FY2018: US$140 million) and investment in shares and other 

investments (refer to note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5) included in other financial assets. 

(3) Represents Onshore US assets and liabilities treated as held for sale.
(4) Represents accrued interest payable included within other payables.
(5) Represents cross currency and interest rate swaps (refer to note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5) included in other financial liabilities.
(6) Group and unallocated items include functions and other unallocated operations including Potash and Nickel West and consolidation adjustments.

92  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.12.5 Definition and calculation of alternative performance measures

Alternative performance measure (APM)

Reasons why we believe the APMs are useful

Calculation methodology

Underlying attributable profit

Allows the comparability of underlying financial 
performance by excluding the impacts of exceptional 
items and is a performance indicator against 
which short-term incentive outcomes for our senior 
executives are measured. It is also the basis on 
which our dividend payout ratio policy is applied.

Profit after taxation attributable to BHP shareholders 
excluding any exceptional items attributable to 
BHP shareholders.

Underlying basic earnings per share On a per share basis, allows the comparability 

Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin

Underlying EBIT

Capital and exploration expenditure

Free cash flow

Net debt

Gearing ratio

Net operating assets

Adjusted effective tax rate

Unit cost

of underlying financial performance by excluding 
the impacts of exceptional items.

Used to help assess current operational profitability 
excluding the impacts of sunk costs (i.e. depreciation 
from initial investment). Each is a measure that 
management uses internally to assess the 
performance of the Group’s segments and make 
decisions on the allocation of resources.

Used to help assess current operational profitability 
excluding net finance costs and taxation expense 
(each of which are managed at the Group level), 
as well as Discontinued operations and any 
exceptional items. 

Used as part of our Capital Allocation Framework 
to assess efficient deployment of capital. 
Represents the total outflows of our operational 
investing expenditure.

It is a key measure used as part of our Capital 
Allocation Framework. Reflects our operational cash 
performance inclusive of investment expenditure, 
which helps to highlight how much cash was 
generated in the period to be available for the 
servicing of debt and distribution to shareholders. 

Net debt shows the position of gross debt offset by 
cash immediately available to pay debt if required. 
Net debt, along with the gearing ratio, is used to 
monitor the Group’s capital management by relating 
Net debt relative to equity from shareholders.

Enables a clearer view of the physical assets deployed 
to generate earnings by highlighting the net operating 
assets of the business separate from the financing and 
tax balances. This measure helps provide an indicator 
of the underlying performance of our assets and 
enhances comparability between them.

Provides an underlying tax rate to allow 
comparability of underlying financial performance 
by excluding the impacts of exceptional items.

Used to assess the controllable financial 
performance of the Group’s assets for each unit of 
production. Unit costs are adjusted for site specific 
non-controllable factors to enhance comparability 
between the Group’s assets. 

Underlying attributable profit divided by the 
weighted basic average number of shares.

Earnings before net finance costs, depreciation, 
amortisation and impairments, taxation expense, 
Discontinued operations and exceptional items. 
Underlying EBITDA includes BHP’s share of profit/
(loss) from investments accounted for using the 
equity method including net finance costs, 
depreciation, amortisation and impairments and 
taxation expense/(benefit).

Underlying EBITDA excluding third party product 
EBITDA, divided by revenue excluding third party 
product revenue.

Earnings before net finance costs, taxation 
expense, Discontinued operations and any 
exceptional items. Underlying EBIT includes 
BHP’s share of profit/(loss) from investments 
accounted for using the equity method including 
net finance costs and taxation expense/(benefit).

Purchases of property, plant and equipment 
and exploration expenditure.

Net operating cash flows less Net investing 
cash flows.

Interest bearing liabilities less Cash and cash 
equivalents for the Group at the reporting date.

Ratio of Net debt to Net debt plus Net assets.

Operating assets net of operating liabilities, including 
the carrying value of equity accounted investments 
and predominantly excludes cash balances, loans 
to associates, interest bearing liabilities, derivatives 
hedging our debt and tax balances.

Total taxation expense/(benefit) excluding 
exceptional items and exchange rate movements 
included in taxation expense/(benefit) divided by 
Profit before taxation and exceptional items.

Ratio of Net costs of the assets to the equity share of 
sales tonnage. Net costs is defined as revenue less 
Underlying EBITDA and excludes freight and other 
costs, depending on the nature of each asset. Freight 
is excluded as the Group believes it provides a similar 
basis of comparison to our peer group.

Conventional petroleum unit costs exclude:

•  exploration, development and evaluation expense 

as these costs do not represent our cost 
performance in relation to current production 
and the Group believes it provides a similar basis 
of comparison to our peer group;

•  other costs that do not represent underlying 

cost performance of the business.

Escondida unit costs exclude: 

•  by-product credits being the favourable impact 

of by-products (such as gold or silver) to determine 
the directly attributable costs of copper production.

WAIO, Queensland Coal and NSWEC unit cash 
costs exclude royalties as these are costs that 
are not deemed to be under the Group’s control, 
and the Group believes exclusion provides a similar 
basis of comparison to our peer group.

See section 1.13 for unit cost information.

BHP Annual Report 2019  93

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1.12.6 Definition and calculation of principal factors 

The method of calculation of the principal factors that affect Revenue, Profit from operations and Underlying EBITDA is as follows:

Principal factor

Method of calculation

Change in sales prices

Price-linked costs

Productivity volumes

Growth volumes

Controllable cash costs

Operating cash costs

Change in average realised price for each operation from the prior period to the current period, 
multiplied by current period sales volumes.

Change in price-linked costs (mainly royalties) for each operation from the prior period to the current 
period, multiplied by current period sales volumes.

Change in sales volumes for each operation not included in the Growth category from the prior period 
to the current period, multiplied by the prior year Underlying EBITDA margin.

Comprises: (1) Underlying EBITDA for operations that are new or acquired in the current period minus 
Underlying EBITDA for operations that are new or acquired in the prior period; (2) change in sales volumes 
for operations identified as a growth project from the prior period to the current period multiplied by the 
prior year Underlying EBITDA margin; and (3) change in sales volumes for our petroleum assets from the 
prior period to the current period multiplied by the prior year Underlying EBITDA margin.

Total of operating cash costs and exploration and business development costs. 

Change in total costs, other than price-linked costs, exchange rates, inflation on costs, fuel and energy 
costs, non-cash costs and one-off items as defined below for each operation from the prior period to 
the current period.

Exploration and business development Exploration and business development expense in the current period minus exploration and business 

development expense in the prior period.

Exchange rates

Inflation on costs

Fuel and energy

Non-cash

One-off items

Asset sales

Change in exchange rate multiplied by current period local currency revenue and expenses. 

Change in inflation rate applied to expenses, other than depreciation and amortisation, price-linked costs, 
exploration and business development expenses, expenses in ceased and sold operations and expenses 
in new and acquired operations.

Fuel and energy expense in the current period minus fuel and energy expense in the prior period.

Change in net impact of capitalisation and depletion of deferred stripping from the prior period to 
the current period.

Change in costs exceeding a pre-determined threshold associated with an unexpected event that 
had not occurred in the last two years and is not reasonably likely to occur within the next two years.

Profit/(loss) on the sale of assets or operations in the current period minus profit/(loss) on sale of assets 
or operations in the prior period.

Ceased and sold operations

Underlying EBITDA for operations that ceased or were sold in the current period minus Underlying EBITDA 
for operations that ceased or were sold in the prior period.

Share of operating profit from equity 
accounted investments

Share of operating profit from equity accounted investments for the current period minus share 
of operating profit from equity accounted investments in the prior period.

Other

Variances not explained by the above factors.

Productivity 
Comprises changes in controllable cash costs, changes in volumes attributed to productivity and changes in capitalised exploration 
(being capitalised exploration in the current period less capitalised exploration in the prior period as reported in the cash flow statement).

94  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.13 Performance by commodity
Management believes the following financial information presented 
by commodity provides a meaningful indication of the underlying 
performance of the assets, including equity accounted 
investments, of each reportable segment. Information relating 
to assets that are accounted for as equity accounted investments 
are shown to reflect BHP’s share, unless otherwise noted, 
to provide insight into the drivers of these assets. 

For the purposes of this financial information, segments are 
reported on a statutory basis in accordance with IFRS 8 ‘Operating 
Segments’. The tables for each commodity include an ‘adjustment 
for equity accounted investments’ to reconcile the equity 
accounted results to the statutory segment results. 

1.13.1 Petroleum 

For a reconciliation of alternative performance measures to 
their respective IFRS measure and an explanation as to the use 
of Underlying EBITDA and Underlying EBIT in assessing our 
performance, refer to section 1.12.4. For the definition and method 
of calculation of alternative performance measures, refer to section 
1.12.5. For more information as to the statutory determination of our 
reportable segments, refer to note 1 ‘Segment reporting’ in section 5.

Unit costs is one of the financial measures used to monitor the 
performance of our individual assets and is included in the analysis 
of each reportable segment.

Detailed below is financial information for our Petroleum assets excluding Onshore US for FY2019 and FY2018 and an analysis 
of Petroleum’s financial performance for FY2019 compared with FY2018.

Underlying 
EBIT

Net operating

assets (8) 

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration

gross (2)

Exploration

to profit (3)

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Australia Production Unit (4)
Bass Strait
North West Shelf
Atlantis
Shenzi
Mad Dog
Trinidad/Tobago
Algeria
Exploration
Other (5)

Revenue (1)

Underlying 
EBITDA

507
1,237
1,657
979
540
319
287
258
 −
153

332
915
1,220
824
437
268
181
201
(388)
73

D&A

192
427
298
261
151
59
56
26
58
55

Total Petroleum from Group production
Closed mines (6)
Third party products 

5,937

4,063

1,583

 −
10

(260)
 −

 −
 −

Total Petroleum 
Adjustment for equity accounted investments (7)

5,947

3,803

1,583

(17)

(2)

(2)

Total Petroleum statutory result

5,930

3,801

1,581

2,220

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Australia Production Unit (4)
Bass Strait
North West Shelf
Atlantis
Shenzi
Mad Dog
Trinidad/Tobago
Algeria
Exploration
Other (5)

Total Petroleum from Group production
Closed mines (6)
Third party products 

Total Petroleum 
Adjustment for equity accounted investments (7)

Total Petroleum statutory result

568
1,285
1,400
833
576
229
161
234
−
126

5,412

 −
12

5,424

(16)

5,408

D&A

247
494
230
332
193
50
38
28
127
59

422
948
1,058
666
470
160
(53)
186
(516)
54

3,395

1,798

1,597

(52)
1

 −
 −

3,344

1,798

(3)

(3)

3,341

1,795

(52)
1

1,546

 −

1,546

140
488
922
563
286
209
125
175
(446)
18

2,480

(260)
 −

2,220

 −

175
454
828
334
277
110
(91)
158
(643)
(5)

513
2,217
1,371
1,060
658
1,232
302
49
1,039
(109)

8,332

(1,104)
 −

7,228

 −

7,228

13
32
106
31
30
362
23
7
 −
41

645

 −
 −

645

 −

645

685

409

685

 −

685

409

 −

409

740
2,504
1,574
1,307
743
947
256
37
953
(142)

8,919

(867)
 −

8,052

 −

8,052

 −
29
167
159
32
189
16
6
−
58

656

 −
 −

656

 −

656

709

592

709

 −

709

592

 −

592

Revenue (1)

Underlying 
EBITDA

Underlying 
EBIT

Net operating

assets (8) 

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration

gross (2)

Exploration 

to profit (3)

(1)  Total Petroleum statutory result Revenue includes: crude oil US$3,171 million (2018: US$2,933 million), natural gas US$1,259 million (2018: US$1,124 million), LNG 

US$1,179 million (2018: US$920 million), NGL US$263 million (2018: US$294 million) and other US$58 million (2018: US$137 million) which includes third party products.

(2) Includes US$297 million of capitalised exploration (2018: US$193 million).
(3) Includes US$21 million of exploration expenditure previously capitalised, written off as impaired (included in depreciation and amortisation) (2018: US$76 million).
(4) Australia Production Unit includes Macedon, Pyrenees and Minerva.
(5) Predominantly divisional activities, business development, UK (divested in November 2018), Neptune and Genesis. Also includes the Caesar oil pipeline and the 

Cleopatra gas pipeline, which are equity accounted investments. The financial information for the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline presented above, 
with the exception of net operating assets, reflects BHP’s share.

(6) Comprises closed mining and smelting operations in Canada and the United States.
(7)  Total Petroleum statutory result Revenue excludes US$17 million (2018: US$16 million) revenue related to the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline. 

Total Petroleum statutory result Underlying EBITDA includes US$2 million (2018: US$3 million) D&A related to the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline.
(8) Refer to section 1.12.4 for a reconciliation of Net operating assets to Net assets and section 1.12.5 for the definition and method of calculation of Net operating assets.

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Conventional petroleum unit costs increased by 5 per cent to 
US$10.54 per barrel of oil equivalent due to additional planned 
maintenance partially offset by higher volumes. The calculation 
of conventional petroleum unit costs is set out in the table below. 

Conventional petroleum unit costs (1) 
US$M

Revenue
Underlying EBITDA

Gross costs

Less: exploration expense (2)
Less: freight
Less: development and evaluation
Less: other (3)

Net costs

Production (MMboe, equity share)

Cost per Boe (US$) (4)

FY2019

5,930
4,061

1,869

388
152
46
8

1,275

121

10.54

FY2018

5,408
3,393

2,015

516
152
34
106

1,207

120

10.06

(1)  Conventional petroleum assets exclude divisional activities reported in Other 
and closed mining and smelting operations in Canada and the United States. 

(2) Exploration expense represents conventional petroleum’s share of total 

exploration expense. 

(3) Other includes non-cash profit on sales of assets, inventory movements, 
exchange and the impact from the revaluation of embedded derivatives 
in the Trinidad and Tobago gas contract.

(4) FY2019 based on an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.72.

Delivery commitments 
We have delivery commitments of natural gas and LNG in 
conventional petroleum of approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet 
through FY2034 (65 per cent Australia and Asia, 35 per cent 
Trinidad). We have crude and condensate delivery commitments 
of around 10.8 million barrels through FY2020 (51 per cent United 
States, 46 per cent Australia and Asia, 3 per cent others). We have 
sufficient proved reserves and production capacity to fulfil these 
delivery commitments.

We have obligations of US$53 million for contracted capacity on 
transportation pipelines and gathering systems through FY2024, 
on which we are the shipper. The agreements have annual 
escalation clauses. 

Other information
Drilling
The number of wells in the process of drilling and/or completion 
as of 30 June 2019 was as follows:

Exploratory wells Development wells

Total

Gross

Net (1)  Gross

Net (1)

Gross

Net (1)

Australia
United States
Other (2)

Total

 − 
 − 
 − 

 − 

 − 
 − 
 − 

 − 

 − 
 5 
 1 

 6 

 − 
 1 
 1 

 2 

 − 
 5 
 1 

 6 

 − 
1
 1 

 2

(1)  Represents our share of the gross well count.
(2) Other is comprised of Algeria.

1.13.1 Petroleum continued

Key drivers of conventional petroleum’s financial results
Price overview
Trends in each of the major markets are outlined below.

Crude oil 
Our average realised sales price for crude oil was US$66.59 per 
barrel (FY2018: US$60.57 per barrel). While crude oil prices 
were higher on average compared to the previous financial year, 
geopolitics and shifts in OPEC policy contributed to increased 
price volatility. Brent hit a four-year high in the first half of FY2019, 
ahead of US sanctions on Iran taking effect, but then fell sharply 
in December on mounting oversupply concerns. Deeper supply 
cuts by OPEC and its non-member allies (‘OPEC plus’), coupled 
with increased US sanctions and unplanned outages supported 
a recovery in the second half of FY2019. However, this was 
moderated by rising US supply and concerns over demand growth 
in response to ongoing trade tensions. A roughly balanced market 
is expected in CY2019. Our long-term outlook remains positive, 
underpinned by rising demand from the developing world and 
natural field decline.

Liquefied natural gas 
Our average realised sales price for LNG was US$9.43 per Mcf 
(FY2018: US$8.07 per Mcf). The Japan-Korea Marker (JKM) price 
for LNG reached a three-year high in September 2018 on strong 
demand growth in Asia, led by China. However, prices declined 
sharply in the second half as Asian demand slowed, while new 
supply volume increased. European imports increased substantially 
year-on-year, playing a key role to help balance the market. We 
expect the market to remain well supplied through to CY2020. Our 
long-term outlook for LNG remains positive, underpinned by rising 
energy demand from emerging economies and the need for low 
emission and flexible fuels to supplement intermittent renewables. 
Depleting indigenous gas supplies are also expected to increase 
the dependence of some major consumers on the export market.

Production
Total petroleum production for FY2019 increased by 1 per cent 
to 121 MMboe as a result of higher uptime and stronger field 
performance at Atlantis, Mad Dog and North West Shelf offset by 
natural field decline and a 70-day planned dry dock maintenance 
program at Pyrenees.

For more information on individual asset production in FY2019, 
FY2018 and FY2017, refer to section 6.2.

Financial results 
Petroleum revenue for FY2019 increased by US$522 million to 
US$5.9 billion. Gulf of Mexico, which includes Atlantis, Shenzi 
and Mad Dog, increased by US$200 million to US$1.8 billion. In 
Australia, Bass Strait and North West Shelf collectively increased 
by US$209 million to US$2.9 billion. The Trinidad Production Unit 
increased by US$126 million to US$0.3 billion while the Australian 
Production Unit, which includes Macedon, Pyrenees and Minerva, 
decreased by US$61 million to US$0.5 billion.

Underlying EBITDA for Petroleum increased by US$460 million to 
US$3.8 billion. Price impacts, net of price-linked costs, increased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$599 million. Controllable cash costs 
decreased by US$27 million reflecting lower exploration expenses 
due to the ocean bottom node seismic survey acquisition costs in 
the Gulf of Mexico less than the prior year impact of expensing the 
Scimitar well, partially offset by additional maintenance activity at 
our Australian assets. Ceased and sold operations decreased by 
US$167 million reflecting the revaluation of the closed mines 
provision partially offset by the sale of our interests in the Bruce 
and Keith oil and gas fields. Lower volumes decreased Underlying 
EBITDA by US$75 million mainly due to planned Pyrenees dry-dock 
maintenance, higher gas to liquids production mix, natural field 
decline across the portfolio and an increase in overlift positions 
in Australia. Other items such as exchange rate, inflation and 
revaluation of embedded derivatives in the Trinidad and Tobago 
gas contract also positively impacted Underlying EBITDA by 
US$76 million.

96  BHP Annual Report 2019

Conventional petroleum exploration and appraisal
The majority of the expenditure incurred in FY2019 was in our focus 
areas, including Gulf of Mexico (US and Mexico) and Trinidad and 
Tobago. We also incurred expenditure in Canada.

Access
BHP was successful in its bids to acquire a 100 per cent interest in, 
and operatorship of, two exploration licences for blocks 8 and 12 in 
the Orphan Basin, offshore Eastern Canada. BHP’s aggregate bid 
amount of US$625 million reflects the costs of the drilling and 
seismic work likely to be performed during the exploration phase, 
although there is no minimum work program under the licence 
agreements. The maximum forfeiture amount under the licence 
agreements if no work is performed is approximately US$119 million 
for block 8 and US$38 million for block 12.

Exploration program expenditure details
Our gross expenditure on exploration was US$685 million 
in FY2019, of which US$388 million was expensed. 

Conventional petroleum
BHP’s net share of capital development expenditure in FY2019, 
which is presented on a cash basis within this section, was 
US$645 million (FY2018: US$656 million). While the majority 
of the expenditure in FY2019 was incurred by operating partners 
at our Australian and Gulf of Mexico non-operated assets, we also 
incurred capital expenditure at our operated Australian, Gulf of 
Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago assets.

Australia
BHP’s net share of capital development expenditure in FY2019, 
which is presented on a cash basis within this section, was 
US$151 million. The expenditure was primarily related to:
•  North West Shelf: Karratha Gas Plant refurbishment projects, 
external corrosion compliance and Greater Western Flank-B 
subsea tie back well development;

•  West Barracouta subsea tie back development, Snapper A21a 
development project and rationalisation of crude processing 
facility onshore.

Gulf of Mexico
BHP’s net share of capital development expenditure in FY2019, 
which is presented on a cash basis within this section, was 
US$423 million. The expenditure was primarily related to:
•  Atlantis: execution of approved development on Atlantis 

Phase 3 Project;

•  Mad Dog: execution phase of Phase 2 development, including 
ongoing drilling activity, with additional development activity 
on one well at Spar A.

Exploration and appraisal wells drilled, or in the process of drilling, during the year included: 

Well

Location

Target

BHP equity

Spud date

Water depth Total well depth Status

Victoria-1

Bongos-1

Bongos-2

Samurai-2

Samurai-2 
ST01 
(sidetrack)

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block TTDAA 5 

Gas

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 14

Gas

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 14

Gas

US Gulf of Mexico 
GC432

US Gulf of Mexico 
GC 476

Oil

Oil

65% 
(BHP Operator)

70% 
(BHP Operator)

70% 
(BHP Operator)

50% 
(Murphy Operator)

50% 
(Murphy Operator)

Concepcion-1 Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 5

Gas

Trion-2DEL

Mexico Block 
AE-0093

Trion-2DEL 
ST01

Mexico Block 
AE-0093

Oil

Oil

65% 
(BHP Operator)

60% 
(BHP Operator)

60% 
(BHP Operator)

Bele-1

Tuk-1

Hi-Hat-1

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 23(a)

Gas

70% 
(BHP operator)

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 23(a)

Gas

Trinidad and Tobago 
Block 14

Gas

70% 
(BHP Operator)

70% 
(BHP Operator)

12 Jun 2018 1,828 m

3,282 m

20 Jul 2018 1,909 m

2,469 m

22 Jul 2018

1,910 m

5,151 m

16 Apr 2018 1,088 m

9,777 m

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Plugged and abandoned due to 
mechanical failure

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

25 Aug 2018 1,088 m

10,088 m

Plugged and abandoned (sidetrack)

30 Sep 2018 1,721 m

3,506 m

15 Nov 2018 2,379 m

4,659 m

4 Jan 2019

2,379 m

5,002 m

2 Mar 2019

2,102 m 

3,982 m

24 Apr 2019 1,954 m

4,511 m

20 May 2019 1,782 m

3,804 m

No commercial hydrocarbons 
encountered; plugged and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Hydrocarbons encountered; plugged 
and abandoned

Achernar-1

Western Australia 
WA-28-P

Gas

15.8% 
(Woodside Operator)

2 May 2019 122 m

3,285 m

Dry hole; plugged and abandoned

In Trinidad and Tobago, we continued phase 2 of our deepwater 
drilling program. Victoria-1 and Concepcion-1 were drilled in our 
southern licences to further assess the commercial potential of 
the Magellan play. Victoria-1 encountered gas, while Concepcion-1 
did not encounter commercial hydrocarbons. Analysis is ongoing. 
Phase 2 drilling also included Bongos-2, which spud on 22 July 2018 
and discovered gas in the Pliocene and Late Miocene. 

Following the Bongos-2 discovery, a Phase 3 drilling program in 
Trinidad and Tobago in the second half of the year included three 
wells (Bele-1, Tuk-1 and Hi-Hat-1) to establish additional volumes 
around the Bongos discovery. All three wells encountered gas and 
analysis of the results is ongoing.

In Mexico, we drilled our first operated well at Trion, following 
acquisition of the discovery in 2017. Trion 2DEL encountered oil in 
line with expectations and was followed by a down-dip sidetrack 
to delineate the field and provide information about the oil water 
contact. Another appraisal well, Trion 3DEL, spud on 9 July 2019 

and based on preliminary results, the well encountered oil in the 
reservoir’s up-dip from all previous well intersections. Evaluation 
and analysis is ongoing. 

In Australia, as part of the North West Shelf Joint Venture, we 
participated in the Achernar-1 exploration to fulfil a well commitment 
on the WA-28-P exploration permit. The well was a dry hole and was 
plugged and abandoned.

Following the Wildling-2 well in FY2018 in the US Gulf of Mexico, 
technical work is continuing as we advance evaluation of the 
development options to optimise value of the resource discovered 
in this area.

For more information on conventional 
petroleum exploration, refer to section 1.6.3.

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1.13.1 Petroleum continued

Outlook
In our conventional business, volumes are expected to be between 
110 and 116 MMboe in FY2020 as a result of planned maintenance 
at Atlantis and natural field decline across the portfolio. 

Conventional unit costs are expected to be between US$10.50 
and US$11.50 per barrel (based on an average exchange rate of 
AUD/USD 0.70) in FY2020 reflecting the impact of lower volumes, 
partially offset by lower maintenance activities at our Australian 
assets. In the medium term, we expect an increase in unit costs 
to less than US$13 per barrel (based on an average exchange rate 
of AUD/USD 0.70) as a result of natural field decline.

Conventional petroleum capital expenditure of approximately 
US$1.2 billion is planned in FY2020. Conventional petroleum capital 
expenditure for FY2020 includes US$1.1 billion of development 
and US$0.1 billion of maintenance.

A US$0.7 billion exploration and appraisal program is planned 
for FY2020. 

Onshore US: Discontinued operations 
On 28 September 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent 
of the issued share capital of BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. 
and 100 per cent of the membership interests in BHP Billiton 
Petroleum (Fayetteville) LLC, which held the Fayetteville assets, 
for a gross cash consideration of US$0.3 billion. 

On 31 October 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of 
the issued share capital of Petrohawk Energy Corporation, the 
BHP subsidiary that held the Eagle Ford (being Black Hawk and 
Hawkville), Haynesville and Permian assets, for a gross cash 
consideration of US$10.3 billion (net of preliminary customary 
completion adjustments of US$0.2 billion).

While the effective date at which the right to economic profits 
transferred to the purchasers was 1 July 2018, the Group continued 
to control the Onshore US assets until the completion dates of their 
respective transactions. As such, the Group continued to recognise 
its share of revenue, expenses, net finance costs and associated 
income tax expense related to the operation until the completion 
date. In addition, the Group provided transitional services to the 
buyer, which ceased in July 2019. Results from the Onshore US 
assets are disclosed as Discontinued operations. 

For further information, refer to note 27 
‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5.

1.13.2 Copper

Detailed below is financial information for our Copper assets for FY2019 and FY2018 and an analysis of Copper’s financial performance for 
FY2019 compared with FY2018.

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Revenue

Underlying 
EBITDA

Escondida (1)
Pampa Norte (2)
Antamina (3)
Olympic Dam
Other (3) (4)

Total Copper from Group production

Third party products

Total Copper

6,876
1,502
1,144
1,351
 −

10,873

1,109

11,982

Adjustment for equity accounted investments (5)

(1,144)

3,384
701
723
273
(315)

4,766

116

4,882

(332)

Total Copper statutory result

10,838

4,550

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Revenue(6)

Underlying 
EBITDA

Escondida (1)
Pampa Norte (2)
Antamina (3)
Olympic Dam
Other (3) (4)

Total Copper from Group production

Third party products

Total Copper

Adjustment for equity accounted investments (5)

Total Copper statutory result

8,346
1,831
1,305
1,255
 −

12,737

1,349

14,086

(1,305)

12,781

4,921
924
955
267
(193)

6,874

60

6,934

(412)

6,522

D&A

1,245
381
108
331
8

2,073

 −

2,073

(110)

1,963

D&A

1,601
298
111
228
8

 −

2,246

(113)

2,133

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating

 assets (7) 

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration 
gross

Exploration 
to profit

2,139
320
615
(58)
(323)

12,726
2,937
1,345
7,133
(53)

2,693

24,088

116

 −

2,809

24,088

(222)

 −

2,587

24,088

1,036
1,194
229
485
21

2,965

 −

2,965

(230)

2,735

66

(4)

62

65

(3)

62

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating

assets (7)

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration 
gross

Exploration 
to profit

2,246

4,628

23,679

3,320
626
844
39
(201)

13,666
1,967
1,313
6,937
(204)

60

 −

4,688

23,679

(299)

 −

997
757
183
669
5

2,611

 −

2,611

(183)

4,389

23,679

2,428

53

 −

53

53

 −

53

(1)  Escondida is consolidated under IFRS 10 and reported on a 100 per cent basis.
(2) Includes Spence and Cerro Colorado.
(3) Antamina, SolGold and Resolution are equity accounted investments and their financial information presented above with the exception of net operating assets 

reflects BHP Group’s share.

(4) Predominantly comprises divisional activities, greenfield exploration and business development. Includes Resolution and SolGold (acquired in October 2018).
(5) Total Copper statutory result Revenue excludes US$1,144 million (2018: US$1,305 million) revenue related to Antamina. Total Copper statutory result Underlying 

EBITDA includes US$110 million (2018: US$113 million) D&A and US$222 million (2018: US$299 million) net finance costs and taxation expense related to Antamina, 
Resolution and SolGold that are also included in Underlying EBIT. Total Copper Capital expenditure excludes US$229 million (2018: US$183 million) related to Antamina 
and US$1 million (2018: US$ nil) related to SolGold. Exploration gross excludes US$4 million (2018: US$ nil) related to SolGold of which US$3 million (2018: US$ nil) 
was expensed.

(6) Comparative financial information has been restated for the new accounting standard, IFRS15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which became effective 

from 1 July 2018. 

(7)  Refer to section 1.12.4 for a reconciliation of Net operating assets to Net assets and section 1.12.5 for the definition and method of calculation of Net operating assets.

98  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
Key drivers of Copper’s financial results
Price overview
Our average realised sales price for FY2019 was US$2.62 per pound 
(FY2018: US$3.00) per pound. Copper prices decreased in FY2019 
as rising global trade uncertainty affected investor sentiment. 
Labour negotiations in Chile and Peru during CY2018 went relatively 
smoothly with limited volume disruptions. Despite the lower price, 
refined copper stocks at exchanges decreased year-on-year. In the 
near term, incremental mine production from committed projects 
and rising scrap availability should continue to meet demand needs. 
In the longer term, we expect demand to grow steadily, led by 
a solid performance in traditional end-use sectors. Exposure to 
the electrification megatrend provides some upside. A deficit 
is expected to emerge early to middle of next decade as grade 
declines, a rise in costs and a scarcity of high-quality future 
development opportunities are likely to constrain the industry’s 
ability to cheaply meet this demand growth. 

Production
Total Copper production for FY2019 decreased by 4 per cent 
to 1.7 Mt.

Escondida copper production decreased by 6 per cent to 1,135 kt, 
as an expected 12 per cent decline in copper grade was partially 
offset by record average concentrator throughput of 344 ktpd. 
Pampa Norte copper production decreased by 7 per cent to 247 kt, 
due to adverse weather impacts and a production outage at Spence 
following a fire at the electrowinning plant in September 2018. This 
was partially offset by record ore milled at Spence and Cerro 
Colorado after implementing maintenance improvement initiatives 
as part of our broader transformation program. Olympic Dam 
copper production increased by 17 per cent to 160 kt as a result of 
the major smelter maintenance campaign in the prior period, which 
was partially offset by an unplanned acid plant outage in August 
2018 and two minor production outages relating to the smelter and 
to the refinery crane during the year. Antamina copper production 
increased by 6 per cent to 147 kt and zinc production decreased by 
18 per cent to 98 kt, reflecting higher copper head grades and lower 
zinc head grades, in line with the mine plan.

For more information on individual asset production 
in FY2019, FY2018 and FY2017, refer to section 6.2.

Financial results
Copper revenue decreased by US$1.9 billion to US$10.8 billion 
in FY2019. Escondida revenue decreased by US$1.5 billion to 
US$6.9 billion.

Underlying EBITDA for Copper decreased by US$2.0 billion to 
US$4.6 billion. Price impacts, net of price-linked costs, decreased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$1.3 billion. Lower volumes decreased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$315 million mainly driven by lower grades 
at Escondida and lower production at Pampa Norte after a fire at 
the electrowinning plant at Spence and heavy rainfall, partially 
offset by a record concentrator throughput at Escondida following 
the Los Colorados Extension commissioning and record ore milled 
at Pampa Norte. 

Controllable cash costs increased by US$321 million, mainly due 
to Olympic Dam unfavourable fixed cost dilution related to the 
acid plant outage, Escondida inventory drawdowns related to the 
Los Colorados Extension commissioning, change in estimated 
recoverable copper contained in the Escondida sulphide leach 
pad which benefited costs in the prior year and end-of-negotiation 
bonus payments. This was partially offset by the Olympic Dam 
acid plant outage self-insurance recoveries, inventory movements 
at Pampa Norte and the benefit from higher overall volumes at 
Olympic Dam as a result of the smelter maintenance campaign 
in the prior year. 

Unit costs at Escondida increased by 7 per cent to US$1.14 per 
pound, driven by an expected 12 per cent decline in copper grade 
and labour settlement costs. The calculation of Escondida unit 
costs is set out in the table below. 

US$M

Revenue
Underlying EBITDA

Gross costs 

Less: by-product credits
Less: freight

Net costs

Sales (kt, equity share)
Sales (Mlb, equity share)

Cost per pound (US$) (1)

Escondida unit costs

FY2019

FY2018

6,876
3,384

3,492

490
149

2,853

1,131
2,493

1.14

8,346
4,921

3,425

447
123

2,855

1,209
2,664

1.07

(1)  FY2019 based on average exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.72 and USD/CLP 673.

Outlook
Total Copper production of between 1,705 and 1,820 kt is expected 
in FY2020. Escondida production of between 1,160 and 1,230 kt is 
expected in FY2020, underpinned by a further uplift in concentrator 
throughput to compensate grade decline. Production at Pampa 
Norte is expected to be between 230 and 250 kt in FY2020, as 
the Spence Growth Option continues to progress on schedule 
and budget, with initial production targeted in FY2021. At Olympic 
Dam, production is expected to be between 180 and 205 kt in 
FY2020 reflecting improved operational performance, partially 
offset by planned maintenance related to the replacement of 
the refinery crane. 

Escondida unit costs are expected to increase to between US$1.20 
and US$1.35 per pound (based on an average exchange rate of 
USD/CLP 683) in FY2020 reflecting lower by-product credits and 
higher deferred stripping costs. The impact of a decline in copper 
grade of approximately 5 per cent is expected to be offset by 
increased concentrator throughput. In the medium term, unit costs 
are expected to remain less than US$1.15 per pound (based on an 
average exchange rate of USD/CLP 683) with expected higher 
power and water costs offset by transformation programs focused 
on efficiency improvements and optimised maintenance strategies. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  99

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1.13.3 Iron Ore

Detailed below is financial information for our Iron Ore assets for FY2019 and FY2018 and an analysis of Iron Ore’s financial performance 
for FY2019 compared with FY2018.

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Western Australia Iron Ore
Samarco (2)
Other (3)

Total Iron Ore from Group production

Third party products (4)

Total Iron Ore

Adjustment for equity accounted investments

Revenue

Underlying 
EBITDA

17,066
 −
157

17,223

32

17,255

 −

11,053
 −
62

11,115

14

11,129

 −

D&A

1,707
 −
25

1,732

 −

1,732

 −

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating
assets

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration

gross (1)

Exploration 
to profit

9,346
 −
37

9,383

14

19,208
(1,908)
186

17,486

 −

9,397

17,486

 −

 −

1,600
 −
11

1,611

 −

1,611

 −

1,611

93

 −

93

41

 −

41

Total Iron Ore statutory result

17,255

11,129

1,732

9,397

17,486

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Western Australia Iron Ore
Samarco (2)
Other (3)

Total Iron Ore from Group production

Third party products (4)

Total Iron Ore

Revenue

Underlying 
EBITDA

14,596
 −
160

14,756

54

8,869
 −
60

8,929

1

14,810

8,930

Adjustment for equity accounted investments

 −

 −

Total Iron Ore statutory result

14,810

8,930

D&A

1,721
 −
14

1,735

 −

1,735

 −

1,735

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating

assets (5)

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration

gross (1)

Exploration 
to profit

7,148
 −
46

7,194

1

19,406
(1,278)
192

18,320

 −

7,195

18,320

 −

 −

7,195

18,320

1,047
 −
27

1,074

 −

1,074

 −

1,074

84

 −

84

44

 −

44

(1)  Includes US$52 million of capitalised exploration (2018: US$40 million).
(2) Samarco is an equity accounted investment and its financial information presented above, with the exception of net operating assets, reflects BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda’s 

share. All financial impacts following the Samarco dam failure have been reported as exceptional items in both reporting periods.

(3) Predominantly comprises divisional activities, towage services, business development and ceased operations. 
(4) Includes inter-segment and external sales of contracted gas purchases.
(5) Refer to section 1.12.4 for a reconciliation of Net operating assets to Net assets and section 1.12.5 for the definition and method of calculation of Net operating assets.

Key drivers of Iron Ore’s financial results
Price overview
Iron Ore’s average realised sales price for FY2019 was US$66.68 per 
wet metric tonne (wmt) (FY2018: US$56.71 per wmt). The Platts 62% 
Fe Iron Ore Fines index has been elevated since the tailings dam 
collapse in Brazil disrupted the market in late January 2019. In 
addition to the decline in Brazilian exports, prices responded to 
stronger than expected Chinese pig iron production and cyclone 
disruptions to Australian supply. In the longer term, supply is 
expected to return to a more normal trajectory and the marginal 
tonne being provided by a higher cost, lower value-in-use exporter 
from Australia or Brazil. 

Production
Total Iron Ore production from WAIO for FY2019 was broadly 
unchanged at 238 Mt, or 270 Mt on a 100 per cent basis. This 
reflected record production at Jimblebar and inventory impacts 
from the Mt Whaleback fire in the prior period offset by the impacts 
of planned maintenance in September 2018, a train derailment 
in November 2018 and Tropical Cyclone Veronica in March 2019.

For more information on individual asset production 
in FY2019, FY2018 and FY2017, refer to section 6.2.

Financial results 
Total Iron Ore revenue increased by US$2.4 billion to US$17.3 billion 
in FY2019.

Underlying EBITDA for Iron Ore increased by US$2.2 billion to 
US$11.1 billion. Price impact, net of price-linked costs, increased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$2.1 billion. Higher volumes increased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$382 million driven by record production 
at Jimblebar, expiry of the Wheelarra joint venture and improved 
supply chain reliability and performance. This was partially offset 
by a train derailment and the impact from Tropical Cyclone Veronica. 
Lower controllable cash costs from favourable inventory movements 
partially offset by increased maintenance activities increased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$103 million.

WAIO unit costs decreased by 1 per cent to US$14.16 per tonne 
reflecting higher volumes, continued productivity improvements 
and favourable exchange movements, partially offset by the 
impacts of a train derailment and Tropical Cyclone Veronica. 
The calculation of WAIO unit costs is set out in the table below.

WAIO unit costs (US$M)

Revenue
Underlying EBITDA

Gross costs

Less: freight
Less: royalties

Net costs

Sales (kt, equity share)

Cost per tonne (US$)(1)

FY2019

17,066
11,053

6,013

1,308
1,322

3,383

238,836

14.16

FY2018

14,596
8,869

5,727

1,276
1,075

3,376

236,771

14.26

(1)  FY2019 based on an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.72.

Outlook
WAIO production of between 242 and 253 Mt, or between 273 and 
286 Mt on a 100 per cent basis is expected in FY2020. This reflects 
a significant maintenance program at Port Hedland designed to 
improve productivity and provide a stable base for our tightly 
coupled supply chain as we sustainably increase production 
towards 290 Mtpa (100 per cent basis). As part of this, a major car 
dumper maintenance campaign is planned for the September 2019 
quarter, with a corresponding impact expected on production. 

WAIO unit costs are expected to decrease to between US$13 and 
US$14 per tonne (based on an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 
0.70) in FY2020. In the medium term, we expect to lower our unit 
costs to less than US$13 per tonne (based on an average exchange 
rate of AUD/USD 0.70).

100  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.13.4 Coal

Detailed below is financial information for our Coal assets for FY2019 and FY2018 and an analysis of Coal’s financial performance 
for FY2019 compared with FY2018.

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Queensland Coal
New South Wales Energy Coal (1)
Colombia (1)
Other (2)

Total Coal from Group production

Third party products

Total Coal

Adjustment for equity accounted investments (3) (4)

Total Coal statutory result

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Queensland Coal
New South Wales Energy Coal (1)
Colombia (1)
Other (2)

Total Coal from Group production

Third party products

Total Coal

Adjustment for equity accounted investments (3) (4)

Total Coal statutory result

Revenue

Underlying 
EBITDA

7,679
1,527
698
2

9,906

19

9,925

(804)

9,121

3,722
431
274
(110)

4,317

(1)

4,316

(249)

4,067

Revenue

Underlying 
EBITDA

7,388
1,605
818
 −

9,811

2

9,813

(924)

8,889

3,647
652
395
(10)

4,684

(1)

4,683

(286)

4,397

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating

assets (5) 

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration 
gross

Exploration 
to profit

3,190
265
173
(112)

3,516

(1)

3,515

(115)

8,232
920
853
(331)

9,674

 −

9,674

 −

3,400

9,674

549
102
104
5

760

 −

760

(105)

655

23

 −

23

15

 −

15

Underlying 
EBIT

Net 
operating

assets (5)

Capital 
expenditure

Exploration 
gross

Exploration 
to profit

3,051
503
300
(13)

3,841

(1)

3,840

(158)

3,682

8,355
994
883
(379)

9,853

 −

9,853

 −

9,853

391
18
54
 −

463

 −

463

(54)

409

21

 −

21

21

 −

21

D&A

532
166
101
2

801

 −

801

(134)

667

D&A

596
149
95
3

843

 −

843

(128)

715

(1)  Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group and Cerrejón are equity accounted investments and their financial information presented above with the exception of net 

operating assets reflects BHP Group’s share.

(2) Predominantly comprises divisional activities and ceased operations.
(3) Total Coal statutory result Revenue excludes US$698 million (2018: US$818 million) revenue related to Cerrejón. Total Coal statutory result Underlying EBITDA includes 
US$101 million (2018: US$95 million) D&A and US$70 million (2018: US$108 million) net finance costs and taxation expense related to Cerrejón, that are also included 
in Underlying EBIT. Total Coal statutory result Capital expenditure excludes US$104 million (2018: US$54 million) related to Cerrejón.

(4) Total Coal statutory result Revenue excludes US$106 million (2018: US$106 million) revenue related to Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group. Total Coal statutory result 
excludes US$78 million (2018: US$83 million) Underlying EBITDA, US$33 million (2018: US$33 million) D&A and US$45 million (2018: US$50 million) Underlying EBIT 
related to Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group until future profits exceed accumulated losses. Total Coal Capital expenditure excludes US$1 million (2018: US$ nil) 
related to Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group.

(5) Refer to section 1.12.4 for a reconciliation of Net operating assets to Net assets and section 1.12.5 for the definition and method of calculation of Net operating assets.

Key drivers of Coal’s financial results
Price overview 
Metallurgical coal
Our average realised sales price for FY2019 was US$199.61 per 
tonne for hard coking coal (FY2018: US$194.59 per tonne) and 
US$130.18 per tonne for weak coking coal (FY2018: US$131.70 per 
tonne). Metallurgical coal prices reached a high in the middle of 
FY2019 amid supply constraints in Queensland on account of wet 
weather conditions. Prices eased from this peak due to weaker 
demand from India and uncertainties around Chinese imports. In 
the short term, supply should continue to improve with additional 
volumes expected from various regions. Within this broader view, 
the application of China’s coal supply reform, and the design and 
enforcement of safety, environmental and water stewardship 
requirements will be critical signposts to monitor. Over the longer 
term, emerging markets such as India are expected to support 
seaborne demand growth. High-quality metallurgical coals will 
continue to offer steelmakers value-in-use benefits. 

Energy coal
Our average realised sales price for FY2019 was US$77.90 per 
tonne (FY2018: US$86.94 per tonne). The Newcastle 6,000 kcal/kg 
price reached its peak in July 2018 and gradually declined over the 
course of FY2019. Weaker demand in North Asia, driven by 
increased nuclear and renewable power generation, and slower 
restocking post the winter season, weighed on price. Tighter 
import controls and softer demand from China also contributed 
to lower prices, particularly for the lower-heat 5,500 kcal/kg coals. 
In the long term, global energy coal demand is expected to grow 
only modestly, with Indian and South East Asian demand offsetting 
weakness in OECD countries amidst slowing demand from China.

Production
Metallurgical coal production for FY2019 was broadly flat at 42 Mt, 
or 75 Mt on a 100 per cent basis. At Queensland Coal, record annual 
production was achieved at BMC due to improved wash plant 
performance and increased yields at South Walker Creek and higher 
wash plant throughput at Poitrel. Despite record stripping, BMA’s 
production decreased slightly due to unfavourable weather impacts 
and lower wash plant yields during the year. Energy coal production 
decreased 6 per cent to 27 Mt, as record stripping performance 
was offset by higher strip ratios and lower wash plant yields at 
New South Wales Energy Coal, and due to adverse weather and 
its impacts on mine sequencing at Cerrejón.

For more information on individual asset production 
in FY2019, FY2018 and FY2017, refer to section 6.2.

Financial results
Coal revenue increased by US$0.2 billion to US$9.1 billion in FY2019.

Underlying EBITDA for Coal decreased by US$330 million to 
US$4.1 billion. Prices, net of price-linked costs, decreased 
Underlying EBITDA by US$115 million. Controllable cash costs 
decreased Underlying EBITDA by US$415 million driven by 
increased contractor stripping activity and rates coupled with 
higher planned maintenance activity at Queensland Coal, and 
unfavourable inventory movements and increased contractor 
mining and stripping activity at New South Wales Energy Coal. 
Higher volumes increased Underlying EBITDA by US$103 million 
supported by record production at South Walker Creek and Poitrel 
and prior year impacts from lower volumes at Broadmeadow 
(roof conditions) and Blackwater (geotechnical issues).

BHP Annual Report 2019  101

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1.13.4 Coal continued

Queensland Coal unit costs increased by 2 per cent to US$69 per 
tonne, mainly due to wet weather impacts and higher strip ratios, 
diesel prices and contractor stripping costs, partially offset by 
favourable exchange rate movements. New South Wales Energy 
Coal unit costs increased by 10 per cent to US$50 per tonne, as 

a result of higher strip ratios and contractor stripping costs, and 
unfavourable inventory movements. This was partially offset by the 
impact of favourable exchange rate movements. The calculation 
of Queensland Coal’s and New South Wales Energy Coal’s unit 
costs is set out in the table below.

US$M

Revenue
Underlying EBITDA

Gross costs

Less: freight
Less: royalties

Net costs

Sales (kt, equity share)

Cost per tonne (US$) (1)

(1)  FY2019 based on an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.72.

Outlook
Metallurgical coal production is expected to be between 41 and 
45 Mt, or 73 and 79 Mt on a 100 per cent basis, in FY2020. With 
major wash plant shutdowns at Goonyella, Peak Downs and 
Caval Ridge planned in the September 2019 quarter, volumes 
are expected to be larger in the last three quarters of FY2020. 
Energy coal production is expected to be between approximately 
24 to 26 Mt in FY2020.

Queensland Coal unit costs are expected to be between US$67 
and US$74 per tonne (based on an average exchange rate 
of AUD/USD 0.70) in FY2020 as a result of increased wash plant 
maintenance and local inflationary pressures. In the medium term, 
we expect to lower our unit costs to between US$54 and US$61 
per tonne (based on an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.70) 
reflecting higher volumes, lower strip ratios, optimised 
maintenance strategies and efficiency improvements from 
our transformation programs.

Queensland Coal unit costs

NSWEC unit costs

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

7,679
3,722

3,957

156
805

2,996

43,145

69.44

7,388
3,647

3,741

150
740

2,851

41,899

68.04

1,421
353

1,068

 −
114

954

19,070

50.03

FY2018

1,501
569

932

 −
111

821

18,022

45.56

New South Wales Energy Coal unit costs are expected to be 
between US$55 and US$61 per tonne (based on an average 
exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.70) in FY2020 reflecting increased 
stripping costs and lower volumes as we continue to progress 
through the monocline, increase development stripping and focus 
on higher-quality products. In the medium term, unit costs are 
expected to be between US$46 and US$50 per tonne (based on 
an average exchange rate of AUD/USD 0.70), reflecting ongoing 
progression through the monocline and our focus on higher-
quality products.

102  BHP Annual Report 2019

1.13.5 Other assets

Nickel West
Key drivers of Nickel West’s financial results
Price overview
Our average realised sales price for FY2019 was US$12,462 per 
tonne (FY2018: US$12,591 per tonne). The average nickel price in 
FY2019 was similar to the previous financial year. Decreasing prices 
in the first half of the year could be attributed to trade uncertainty 
and a slow-down in industrial activities, while improvements in the 
second half were linked to stronger stainless steel output in China. 
Exchange stocks of refined nickel metal continued to decline 
throughout FY2019. In the near term, we expect Indonesian supply 
of stainless steel and nickel intermediates to continue to grow. 
However, the industry wide impact of Indonesia’s nickel ore export 
policies is a source of uncertainty. In the long term, the battery 
sector is expected to provide strong growth in demand for 
high-purity nickel supply.

Production
Nickel West production in FY2019 decreased by 6 per cent to 87 kt 
following a fire at the Kalgoorlie smelter in September 2018.

For more information on individual asset production 
in FY2019, FY2018 and FY2017, refer to section 6.2.

Financial results
Lower production and lower realised sales prices resulted in 
revenue decreasing by US$104 million to US$1.2 billion in FY2019. 

Underlying EBITDA for Nickel West decreased by US$189 million 
to US$102 million due to the transition to new ore bodies, which 
resulted in a drawdown of inventories and unfavourable fixed cost 
dilution from reduced volumes at Leinster and Mt Keith, and the 
impact from a fire at the Kalgoorlie smelter in the December 2018 
half year.

Potash
Potash recorded an Underlying EBITDA loss of US$127 million 
in FY2019, compared to a loss of US$135 million in FY2018. 

1.14 Other information
Application of critical accounting policies 
The preparation of the Financial Statements requires management 
to make judgements and estimates and form assumptions that 
affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, 
revenues and expenses reported in the Financial Statements. 
On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its judgements 
and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, 
revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements and 
estimates on historical experience and on other factors it believes 
to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which 
form the basis of the reported amounts that are not readily 
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these 
estimates under different assumptions and conditions. 
The Group has identified a number of critical accounting policies 
under which significant judgements, estimates and assumptions 
are made. Actual results may differ for these estimates under 
different assumptions and conditions. This may materially affect 
financial results and the financial position to be reported in future. 
These critical accounting policies are as follows:

•  significant events – Samarco dam failure;
•  taxation;
•  inventories;
•  exploration and evaluation;
•  development expenditure;
•  overburden removal costs;
•  depreciation of property, plant and equipment;
•  impairments of non-current assets – recoverable amount;
•  closure and rehabilitation provisions.

In accordance with IFRS, we are required to include information 
regarding the nature of the judgements and estimates and 
potential impacts on our financial results or financial position in the 
Financial Statements. This information can be found in section 5.1.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk
We identified our principal market risks in section 1.6.4. A 
description of how we manage our market risks, including both 
quantitative and qualitative information about our market risk 
sensitive instruments outstanding at 30 June 2019, is contained 
in note 21 ‘Financial risk management’ in section 5.1.

Off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual 
commitments
Information in relation to our material off-balance sheet 
arrangements, principally contingent liabilities, commitments 
for capital expenditure and commitments under leases 
at 30 June 2019 is provided in note 32 ‘Commitments’ 
and note 33 ‘Contingent liabilities’ in section 5.1.

Subsidiary information
Information about our significant subsidiaries is included in note 
28 ‘Subsidiaries’ in section 5.1 and in note 13 ‘Related undertakings 
of the Group’ in section 5.2.

Related party transactions
Related party transactions are outlined in note 31 ‘Related party 
transactions’ in section 5.1.

Significant changes since the end of the year
Significant changes since the end of the year are outlined 
in note 34 ‘Subsequent events’ in section 5.1.

The Strategic Report is made in accordance with a resolution 
of the Board.

Ken MacKenzie
Chairman

Dated: 5 September 2019

BHP Annual Report 2019  103

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104  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 2

Governance 
at BHP

In this section

2.1   Governance at BHP
2.2   Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team
2.3   Shareholder engagement
2.4   Role and responsibilities of the Board
2.5   Board membership
2.6   Chairman
2.7   Renewal and re-election
2.8   Director skills, experience and attributes
2.9  Director induction, training and development
2.10  Independence
2.11  Board evaluation
2.12  Board meetings and attendance
2.13  Board committees
2.14  Risk management governance structure
2.15  Management
2.16  Our conduct
2.17  Market disclosure
2.18  Remuneration
2.19  Directors’ share ownership
2.20  Conformance with corporate governance standards
2.21  Additional UK disclosure

BHP Annual Report 2019  105

2.1 Governance at BHP

2.1.1 Chairman’s letter

‘Alongside a lean and agile management 
culture, transformation has the potential 
to unlock value worth billions of dollars 
in the short and medium term.’

Ken MacKenzie 
Chairman

Dear Shareholder,

At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, I once again discussed our 
priorities, safety, our portfolio, capital discipline, capability and 
culture, and social value. We made good progress with these 
priorities during FY2019, and I want to touch on a few aspects 
here that are relevant to governance.

Safety
Safety remains our first priority. We never forget the impact a 
fatality has on the families, friends and colleagues. The tragic death 
of our colleague Allan Houston at BMA’s Saraji Mine in Queensland 
was a stark reminder of this. The results of an investigation into 
the fatality were considered by both the Sustainability Committee 
and the Board, and for the first time in many years, the cause was 
unable to be determined. However, our investigation identified a 
number of improvement areas and work is underway to implement 
these. Leaders have also shared findings broadly through interactive 
safety briefings with employees and contractors at all sites and 
major offices.

With regards to Samarco, the Board has continued to focus on 
responding to the tragedy. Please see section 1.7 for information 
on our ongoing response to the Samarco dam failure.

Portfolio
At BHP, our strategy is to have the best capabilities, commodities 
and assets to create long-term shareholder value and high returns. 
During the year we continued to reshape the portfolio with the 
completion of the sale of our Onshore US assets for net proceeds 
of US$10.4 billion.

In addition, we have continued to explore for petroleum and 
copper assets. In Petroleum the Board approved US$696 million 
in funding to develop the Atlantis Phase 3 project in the US Gulf 
of Mexico, and US$256 million in funding to drill an additional 
appraisal well and perform further studies in the Trion field in 
Mexico, along with the successful bid for exploration blocks 
in the offshore Orphan Basin in Eastern Canada. In copper 
we confirmed the potential new iron oxide, copper and gold 
mineralised system located 65 kilometres south east of Olympic 
Dam. Our US$2.46 billion Spence Growth Option project in Chile, 
which is expected to extend the mining operations by more than 
50 years, is on schedule and on budget.

Capital discipline
Our Capital Allocation Framework remains key to how we assess 
decisions about the deployment of capital. During FY2019, we 
have kept capital expenditure below US$8 billion per annum 
and reduced our net debt to US$9.2 billion, reflecting strong 
cash generation. As a result of the sale of our Onshore US assets, 
BHP also completed the return of US$10.4 billion to shareholders 
through the combination of an off-market buyback and a special 
dividend. These returns, when added to dividends determined 
in FY2019, delivered record annual cash returns to shareholders.

Culture and capability
There is significant opportunity ahead to create more shareholder 
value from BHP’s assets. This will be made possible through 
BHP’s Transformation work. That is why, in late 2018, a dedicated 
Transformation Office was established to focus on simplification, 
workforce capability and to accelerate adoption of the technology 
required to deliver greater efficiencies. 

The Transformation programs will make BHP safer and operations 
more efficient and predictable. They will also help develop 
workforce capability so that our people are equipped for the 
rapid pace of change that lies ahead. 

Alongside a lean and agile management culture, transformation 
has the potential to unlock value worth billions of dollars in the 
short and medium term.

Board composition
The Board has 11 members, including the CEO. I am a proponent 
of a relatively small Board. However, for a company like BHP, 
which has four key Board committees, a Board size of 10 to 12 
is appropriate. In addition, diversity remains a focus and BHP has 
an aspiration to achieve gender balance on our Board by FY2025. 

As referenced in last year’s Corporate Governance Statement, we 
have a refreshed board skills matrix which we have used through 
FY2019 in our Board succession planning. This year, Wayne Murdy 
retired from the Board after the 2018 Annual General Meetings 
(AGMs). On behalf of shareholders, I thank Wayne for his dedicated 
service and leadership. 

106  BHP Annual Report 2019

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We also strive to build social value through trust and transparency. 
That is why we disclose that in FY2019, our total direct economic 
contribution was US$46.2 billion. This includes payments to 
suppliers, wages and employee benefits, dividends to shareholders, 
and taxes and royalties to government.

We consider social value throughout the value chain, from our 
local operational footprint, to our impact on society. We continue 
to focus on local businesses through initiatives such as the Local 
Buying Program to support suppliers in our communities. We 
also take a global perspective. This year we announced measures 
to address global warming, including a five-year US$400 million 
Climate Investment Program (CIP). 

Conclusion
During the past year, I have continued to meet with many of 
our institutional shareholders along with members of our retail 
shareholder base. Direct engagement with investors remains 
invaluable to the Board and the management of BHP.

I have also continued to visit many of our operations around the 
world. These visits reinforce the quality of BHP’s assets and people, 
which gives me confidence that BHP can create long-term value 
for our shareholders. 

Ken MacKenzie 
Chairman

We also stated that our search for a new Non-executive Director 
with mining experience was well under way and on 1 April 2019 
we appointed Ian Cockerill to the Board. Ian has extensive mining 
experience, including in chief executive, operational, strategic 
and technical roles. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer 
of Anglo Coal and Gold Fields Limited, and a senior executive 
with AngloGold Ashanti and Anglo American Group. Ian has 
considerable public company board experience, including 
as Chairman of Polymetal International plc, and as a former 
Non-executive Director of Orica Limited, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd 
and Endeavour Mining Corporation, and the former Chairman 
of Blackrock World Mining Trust plc.

Susan Kilsby also joined the Board on 1 April 2019. She has 
extensive experience in finance and strategy, having held several 
roles in global investment banking. From 1996 to 2014, she held 
senior executive roles at Credit Suisse, including as a Senior 
Adviser, and Chairman of EMEA Mergers and Acquisitions. Susan 
brings to the BHP Board her Non-executive experience across 
multiple industries. Until recently, she was the Chairman of Shire 
plc and Senior Independent Director of BBA Aviation plc. She is 
currently a Non-executive Director of Unilever N.V and Unilever 
plc, Diageo plc and Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

I also want to acknowledge Carolyn Hewson, a Board member for 
over nine years, who will be retiring from the Board, as planned, at 
this year’s Annual General Meeting. On behalf of her colleagues on 
the Board and the many employees she has closely interacted with 
over her term, I want to thank Carolyn for her counsel on the Board 
and as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Carolyn has 
made an outstanding contribution to BHP and we wish her all the 
very best for the future.

Social value
Throughout its history, BHP has recognised its corporate 
responsibility. Over the last decade, the business landscape 
has shifted and the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders 
have changed. 

As a Company, we recognise we must work with others to address 
issues and opportunities, both inside and outside the mine gate, 
and we must work with a range of stakeholders to make a positive 
contribution. That is consistent with our longer-term interests and 
the long-term interests of our shareholders. Without the overt support 
of communities and other stakeholders, BHP cannot succeed.

BHP Annual Report 2019  107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.1.2 Governance structure

Our philosophy of governance goes beyond compliance. 
We believe high-quality governance supports long-term value 
creation: simply put, good governance is good business. 
Our approach is to adopt what we consider to be the best of 
the prevailing governance standards in Australia, the United 
Kingdom and the United States.

In the same spirit, we do not see governance as just a matter for 
the Board. Good governance is also the responsibility of executive 
management and is embedded throughout BHP. In this, the Board 
and management are guided by Our Charter values, including our 
value of Sustainability, in how we operate our business, interact 
with our stakeholders and plan for the future.

Update on governance reforms in Australia 
and the United Kingdom
In July 2018, the Financial Reporting Council released the 2018 
UK Corporate Governance Code and the Guidance on Board 
Effectiveness. The UK Code emphasises the importance of 
demonstrating, through reporting, how the governance of 
a company contributes to its long-term sustainable success 
and achieves wider objectives. We agree that good governance 
contributes to sustainable success, and we recognise the 
renewed emphasis on a business building trust by forging 
strong relationships with key stakeholders. We also understand 
the importance of a corporate culture that is aligned with 
BHP’s purpose and strategy, and which promotes integrity 
and includes diversity. 

As anticipated in last year’s Annual Report, BHP is well placed 
to comply with the UK Code. We have begun implementing 
new policies and procedures in line with the new Code, and 
will report against it in full in next year’s Annual Report. 

One of the main UK Code changes relates to how the Board 
engages with the workforce and takes into account their views. 
During the year under review, the Board for example:
•  visited operational sites in a number of countries and engaged 
with a broad cross-section of the working population, both in 
the field and in small-group discussions and meetings to hear 
first-hand the views our people; 

•  during a Board meeting in Brisbane, met with employees in a 

range of settings and at multiple levels to hear their perspectives, 
and learn more about their day-to-day work experience including 
working in one of our Integrated Remote Operations Centres 
and a virtual reality underground mine walkthrough;

•  attended the annual HSEC awards, which celebrate excellence 
in HSEC implementation, and met with employees and award 
finalists to hear their improvement ideas and projects;

BHP governance structure

•  heard from a range of employees at each Board meeting on 

topics such as the health and safety of our people, workforce 
relations, our purpose as a company, human rights, conduct 
concerns and diversity;

•  participated in a half-day immersive in Melbourne led by 

employees on different transformation projects and their impact 
on the experience of our workforce, communities and suppliers; 

•  discussed the results of the annual employee Engagement 

and Perception Survey which covers employees’ engagement 
levels, the state of the culture and level of inclusiveness 
and development. 

The Board continues to consider additional mechanisms for 
workforce engagement.

In addition, the Terms of Reference of the Remuneration Committee 
have been updated so that the Committee will periodically review 
workforce remuneration and related policies and the alignment of 
incentives and reward with the Group’s culture and will also engage 
with the workforce to explain how executive remuneration aligns 
with the wider company pay policy. The Board is finalising its 
approach to ensure it meets the spirit of the revised UK Code 
and more details on employee engagement and the other Code 
provisions will be provided in the 2020 Annual Report. 

The Fourth Edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s 
Principles and Recommendations was released in February 2019 
and takes effect from 1 July 2020. We are currently reviewing our 
practices to determine any changes needed to align fully with the 
revised Principles and Recommendations and will adopt early to 
the extent possible.

BHP governance structure
The following diagram describes the governance framework at 
BHP. It shows the interaction between our shareholders and the 
Board, as well as the relationship between the Board and the CEO. 
It also illustrates the flow of delegation from shareholders. 

Robust processes are in place to ensure the delegation flows 
through the Board and its committees to the CEO, the Executive 
Leadership Team (ELT) and into the organisation. At the same time, 
accountability flows upwards from the Group to shareholders. 
This process helps ensure alignment with shareholders. 

Our Charter is central to the governance framework of BHP. 
It embodies our corporate purpose, strategy and values and 
defines when we are successful. We foster a culture that values 
and rewards high ethical standards, personal and corporate 
integrity and respect for others.

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108  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2 Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team 

2.2.1 Board of Directors

Andrew Mackenzie 
BSc (Geology), PhD (Chemistry), 62 

Terry Bowen
BAcct, FCPA, MAICD, 52

Ken MacKenzie
BEng, FIEA, FAICD, 55

Chairman and Independent 
Non-executive Director

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since September 2016. 

Chairman of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc from 1 September 2017.

Skills and experience: 
Mr MacKenzie has extensive global and 
executive experience and a deeply strategic 
approach, with a focus on capital discipline 
and the creation of long-term value. He 
has insight and understanding in relation 
to organisational culture, the external 
environment, the diverse interests of our 
stakeholders and emerging issues related 
to the creation of social value. 

Mr MacKenzie was the Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer of Amcor Limited, 
a global packaging company with operations 
in over 40 countries, from 2005 until 2015. 
During his 23-year career with Amcor, 
Mr MacKenzie gained extensive experience 
across all of Amcor’s major business segments 
in developed and emerging markets in the 
Americas, Australia, Asia and Europe.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent):
•  Advisory Board member of American 

Securities Capital Partners LLC 
(since January 2016) 

•  Former Advisory Board member of 

Adamantem Capital (from September 
2016 to May 2019)

Non-independent 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since May 2013. 

Mr Mackenzie was appointed Chief Executive 
Officer on 10 May 2013. 

Skills and experience: 
Mr Mackenzie has over 30 years’ experience, 
including in oil and gas, minerals, strategy 
and capital discipline over long-term cycles, 
technology, global markets, public policy 
and commodity value chains. He also has 
non-executive director experience.

Mr Mackenzie joined BHP in November 2008 
as Chief Executive Non-Ferrous, with 
responsibility for over half of BHP’s 100,000 
strong workforce across four continents. 
He was appointed Chief Executive Officer 
in May 2013. Prior to BHP, Mr Mackenzie held 
various executive roles at Rio Tinto, including 
as Chief Executive of Diamonds and Minerals, 
and at BP, where he held a number of senior 
roles, including as Group Vice President for 
Technology and Engineering, and Group 
Vice President for Chemicals. Mr Mackenzie 
was previously a non-executive director of 
Centrica plc.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Fellow of the Royal Society of London 

(since May 2014) 

•  Director (since May 2013) and Deputy Chair 
(since November 2017) of the International 
Council on Mining and Metals

•  Former Senior Adviser to McKinsey & 

•  Former Director of the Grattan Institute 

Company (from January 2016 to June 2017)

(from May 2013 to November 2017)

•  Former Managing Director and Chief 

Executive Officer of Amcor Limited (from 
July 2005 to April 2015)

Board Committee membership:
•  Chairman of the Nomination 
and Governance Committee

•  Former Non-executive Director of Centrica 
plc (from September 2005 to May 2013)

Independent Non-executive Director 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since October 2017. 

Skills and experience: 
Mr Bowen has significant executive experience 
across a range of diversified industries. He 
has deep financial expertise, and extensive 
experience in capital allocation discipline, 
commodity value chains and strategy. 

He served as an Executive Director and Finance 
Director of Wesfarmers Limited from 2009 
to 2017, which included chairing a number of 
Wesfarmers’ operating divisions. Wesfarmers 
is a conglomerate with interests predominantly 
in Australian and New Zealand retail, chemicals, 
fertilisers, coal mining and industrial and safety 
products. Prior to this, Mr Bowen held various 
senior executive roles within Wesfarmers, 
including as Finance Director of Coles, Managing 
Director of Industrial and Safety and Finance 
Director of Wesfarmers Landmark. He also 
served as the inaugural Chief Financial Officer 
of Jetstar Airways Limited from 2003 to 2005 
and before this, held senior finance roles over 
an 11-year career with Tubemakers of Australia 
Limited. Mr Bowen is a former Director of 
Gresham Partners and past President of the 
National Executive of the Group of 100 Inc. 
He is also currently the Head of the Operations 
Group at BGH Capital.

The Board is satisfied that Mr Bowen meets the 
criteria for financial experience as outlined in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, competence 
in accounting and auditing as required by the 
UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Corporate 
Governance Rules and the audit committee 
financial expert requirements under the US 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rules.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent):
•  Head of the Operations Group at BGH Capital 

(since 2018)

•  Director of West Coast Eagles Football Club 

(since 2017)

•  Director of Navitas (since 2019)
•  Former Executive Director and Finance Director 

of Wesfarmers Limited (from 2009 to 2017)
•  Former Chairman of West Australian Opera 
Company Incorporated (from 2014 to 2017)
•  Former Director of Gresham Partners Holdings 
Limited and Gresham Partners Group Limited 
(from 2009 to 2017)

•  Former Director of the Harry Perkins 

Institute of Medical Research Incorporated 
(from 2010 to 2013)

•  Former Chief Financial Officer of Jetstar 
Airways Limited (from 2003 to 2005)

Board Committee membership:
•  Member of the Risk and Audit Committee

BHP Annual Report 2019  109

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2.2.1 Board of Directors continued

Malcolm Broomhead 
MBA, BE, FAICD, 67

Independent Non-executive Director 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since March 2010. 

Skills and experience: 
Mr Broomhead has extensive experience 
as a non-executive director of global 
organisations, and as a chief executive of 
large global industrial and mining companies. 
Mr Broomhead has a broad strategic 
perspective and understanding of the 
long-term cyclical nature of the resources 
industry and commodity value chains, with 
proven health, safety and environment, and 
capital allocation performance. 

Mr Broomhead was Managing Director and 
Chief Executive Officer of Orica Limited from 
2001 until September 2005. Prior to joining 
Orica, he held a number of senior positions 
at North Limited, including Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer and, prior to 
that, held senior management positions with 
Halcrow (UK), MIM Holdings, Peko Wallsend 
and Industrial Equity. 

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Chairman of Orica Limited (since January 

Ian Cockerill
MSc (Mineral Production Management), 
BSc (Hons.) (Geology), AMP – Oxford 
Templeton College, 65

Independent Non-executive Director

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since April 2019.

Skills and experience:
Mr Cockerill has extensive global mining 
operational, project and executive experience 
having initially trained as a geologist. He was 
formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Anglo 
American Coal and Chief Executive Officer 
and President of Gold Fields Limited, and a 
senior executive with AngloGold Ashanti and 
Anglo American Group. Mr Cockerill is the 
Chairman of Polymetal International plc. 

Mr Cockerill is the former Chairman of 
BlackRock World Mining Trust, the former Lead 
Independent Director of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd 
and former Director of Orica Limited and 
Endeavour Mining Corporation. 

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Chairman of Polymetal International plc 

(since April 2019)

•  Former Director of Orica Limited 

(from 2010 to 2019) 

Anita Frew
BA (Hons), MRes, Hon. D.Sc, 62

Independent Non-executive Director

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since September 2015.

Skills and experience: 
Ms Frew has an extensive breadth of non-
executive experience in diverse industries, 
including chemicals, engineering, industrial 
and finance. In particular, Ms Frew has 
valuable insight and experience in the 
creation of shareholder value, organisational 
change, mergers and acquisitions, financial 
and non-financial risk, and health, safety 
and environment.

Ms Frew is the Chairman of Croda International 
Plc (a British speciality chemicals company) 
and Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent 
Director of Lloyds Banking Group Plc. Prior 
to this, she was the Chairman of Victrex Plc, 
Senior Independent Director of Aberdeen 
Asset Management Plc and IMI Plc and a 
Non-executive Director of Northumbrian Water.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent):
•  Director (since March 2015) and Chairman 

(since September 2015) of Croda 
International Plc 

2016) and a Director (since December 2015) 

•  Former Director (from 2013 to 2019) and 

•  Director (since 2010), Deputy Chairman 

•  Former Chairman of Asciano Limited 
(from October 2009 to August 2016) 

•  Former Director of Coates Group Holdings 
Pty Ltd (from January 2008 to July 2013) 
•  Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute 

of Medical Research (since July 2014) 
•  Former Chairman of the Australia China 

One Belt One Road Advisory Board 
(from August 2016 to February 2019)

Board Committee membership: 
•  Chairman of the Sustainability Committee 
•  Member of the Nomination 
and Governance Committee

Chairman (from 2016 to 2019) of BlackRock 
World Mining Trust plc

•  Former Director (from 2011 to June 2019) 

and Lead Independent Director (from 2012 
to June 2019) of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd
•  Former Director of Endeavour Mining 

Corporation (from 2013 to 2019) 

•  Former Executive Director and executive 
Chairman (from 2010 to 2013) and Non-
executive Chairman (from 2013 to 2017) 
of Petmin Limited 

•  Former Chairman of Hummingbird 
Resources plc (from 2009 to 2014)

Board Committee membership: 
•  Member of the Risk and Audit Committee 
•  Member of the Sustainability Committee 

(since December 2014) and Senior 
Independent Director (since May 2017) 
of Lloyds Banking Group Plc 

•  Former Senior Independent Director 
of Aberdeen Asset Management Plc 
(from October 2004 to September 2014) 

•  Former Senior Independent Director of 
IMI Plc (from March 2006 to May 2015)

•  Former Chairman of Victrex Plc 
(from 2008 to October 2014)

Board Committee membership:
•  Member of the Remuneration Committee
•  Member of the Risk and Audit Committee

110  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
i

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Carolyn Hewson 
AO, BEc (Hons), MA, FAICD, 64

Susan Kilsby
MBA, BA, 60

Lindsay Maxsted
DipBus (Gordon), FCA, FAICD, 65 

Independent Non-executive Director 

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since March 2010. 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since April 2019.

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since March 2011.

Skills and experience: 
Ms Hewson has extensive non-executive 
experience in a number of sectors, as well as 
executive experience in financial markets, risk 
management and investment management. 
Through her non-executive roles, Ms Hewson 
brings a breadth of experience and insight on 
strategy and portfolio optimisation through 
cycles, financial and non-financial risk, social 
value, organisational culture and the changing 
external environment. 

Ms Hewson is a former investment banker with 
over 35 years’ experience in the finance sector. 
She was previously an Executive Director of 
Schroders Australia Limited and has extensive 
financial markets, risk management and 
investment management expertise. Ms Hewson 
is a former Director of Stockland Group, BT 
Investment Management Limited, Westpac 
Banking Corporation, AMP Limited, CSR 
Limited, AGL Energy Limited, the Australian Gas 
Light Company, South Australian Water and the 
Economic Development Board of South Australia.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Member of Federal Government 

Growth Centres Advisory Committee 
(since January 2015) 

•  Director of Infrastructure SA (since 

January 2019)

•  Former Director of Stockland Group 

(from March 2009 to September 2018) 

•  Former Trustee Westpac Foundation 

(from May 2015 to 2019) 

•  Former Member of Australian Federal 

Government Financial Systems Inquiry 
(from January 2014 to December 2014) 
•  Former Member of the Advisory Board 
of Nanosonics Limited (from June 2007 
to August 2015) 

•  Former Director of BT Investment 

Management Limited (from December 2007 
to December 2013) 

•  Former Director of Australian Charities 

Fund Operations Limited (from June 2000 
to February 2014) 

•  Former Director and Patron of the 

Neurosurgical Research Foundation 
(from April 1993 to December 2013) 

•  Former Trustee and Chairman of Westpac 

Buckland Fund (from January 2011 to 
December 2013) and Chairman of Westpac 
Matching Gifts Limited (from August 2011 
to December 2013), together known as 
the Westpac Foundation 

•  Former Director of Westpac Banking 

Corporation (from February 2003 to June 2012) 

Board Committee membership: 
•  Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
•  Member of the Nomination and 

Governance Committee

Skills and experience: 
Ms Kilsby has extensive experience in mergers 
and acquisitions, and finance and strategy, 
having held several roles in global investment 
banking. From 1996 to 2014, she held senior 
executive roles at Credit Suisse, including 
as a Senior Adviser, and Chairman of EMEA 
Mergers and Acquisitions. Ms Kilsby also 
has non-executive experience across multiple 
industries. Until recently, she was the 
Chairman of Shire plc and the Senior 
Independent Director at BBA Aviation plc. 
Ms Kilsby is currently a Non-executive Director 
of Unilever N.V and Unilever plc, Diageo plc 
and Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Director of Diageo plc (since 2018) 
•  Director of Fortune Brands Home & Security 

Inc. (since 2015) 

•  Director of Unilever N.V and Unilever plc 

(since August 2019)

•  Member of the UK Takeover Panel
•  Former Director (from 2011 to 2019) and 

Chairman (from 2014 to 2019) of Shire plc 

•  Former Director (from 2012 to 2019) and 
Senior Independent Director (from 2016 
to 2019) of BBA Aviation Plc

•  Former Director of Goldman Sachs 
International (from 2016 to 2018)

•  Former Director of Keurig Green Mountain 

(from 2013 to 2016)

•  Former Director of Coca-Cola HBC 

(from 2013 to 2015)

Skills and experience: 
Mr Maxsted has extensive experience in 
non-executive roles, including as chairman 
of two global companies. Mr Maxsted is also 
a corporate recovery specialist who has 
managed a number of Australia’s largest 
corporate insolvency and restructuring 
engagements and, until 2011, continued 
to undertake consultancy work in the 
restructuring advisory field. He was the 
Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Australia 
between 2001 and 2007.

Mr Maxsted has a breadth of understanding 
and insight in relation to the creation of 
long-term value through cycles, financial and 
non-financial risk, capital allocation discipline 
and the external environment.

The Board is satisfied that Mr Maxsted meets 
the criteria for recent and relevant financial 
experience as outlined in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, competence in accounting 
and auditing as required by the UK Financial 
Conduct Authority’s Corporate Governance 
Rules. In addition, he is the Board’s nominated 
‘audit committee financial expert’ for the 
purposes of the SEC Rules.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent):
•  Chairman of Westpac Banking Corporation 

(since December 2011) and a Director 
(since March 2008) 

•  Chairman of Transurban Group 

(since August 2010) and a Director 
(since March 2008) 

•  Former Director of L’Occitane International 

•  Director and Honorary Treasurer 

(from 2010 to 2012)

Board Committee membership: 
•  Member of the Remuneration Committee 

of Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute 
(since June 2005)

Board Committee membership:
•  Chairman of the Risk and Audit Committee

BHP Annual Report 2019  111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2.1 Board of Directors continued

Caroline Cox 
BA (Hons), MA, LLB, BCL, 49

Group General Counsel & Company 
Secretary and Chairman of the 
Disclosure Committee

Ms Cox was appointed Group Company 
Secretary of BHP effective March 2019. 
Ms Cox joined BHP in 2015 as Vice President 
Legal and was appointed Group General 
Counsel in March 2016, a role she continues 
to hold. Prior to BHP, Ms Cox was a Partner 
at Herbert Smith Freehills, a firm she was 
with for 11 years, specialising in cross-border 
regulatory investigations, inquiries and 
disputes. Earlier in her career, Ms Cox was 
a solicitor at the Canadian law firm, Osler 
Hoskin & Harcourt and clerked for Judges 
at the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court 
of Queen’s Bench.

John Mogford
BEng, 66

Shriti Vadera 
MA, 57 

Independent Non-executive Director 

Senior Independent Director, BHP Group Plc 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since October 2017. 

Director of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc since January 2011. 

Skills and experience: 
Mr Mogford has significant global executive 
experience, including in oil and gas, capital 
allocation discipline, commodity value 
chains and health, safety and environment. 
Mr Mogford has also held roles as a non-
executive director on a number of boards.

Mr Mogford spent the majority of his career in 
various leadership, technical and operational 
roles at BP Plc. He was the Managing Director 
and an Operating Partner of First Reserve, 
a large global energy focused private equity 
firm, from 2009 until 2015, during which he 
served on the boards of First Reserve’s 
investee companies, including as Chairman 
of Amromco Energy LLC and White Rose 
Energy Ventures LLP. Mr Mogford retired from 
the boards of Weir Group Plc, and one of First 
Reserve’s portfolio companies, DOF Subsea AS, 
in 2018, and is a Non-executive Director 
of ERM Worldwide Group Limited.

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent):
•  Non-executive Director of ERM Worldwide 

Group Limited (since 2015) 

•  Former Non-executive Director of Network 

Rail Limited (from 2016 to 2017)

•  Former Managing Director (from 2012 to 
2015) and Operating Partner (from 2009 
to 2012) of First Reserve Corporation

•  Former Non-executive Director of Midstates 
Petroleum Company Inc. (from 2011 to 2016)

•  Former Non-executive Director of CHC 
Group Limited (from 2014 to 2015) and 
CHC Helicopters SA (from 2012 to 2015)
•  Former Non-executive Director of DOF 

Subsea AS (from 2009 to 2018)

•  Former Non-executive Director of Weir 

Group Plc (from 2008 to 2018)

Board Committee membership:
•  Member of the Sustainability Committee

Skills and experience: 
Ms Vadera brings wide-ranging and global 
experience in economics, public policy 
and strategy, as well as deep understanding 
and insight in relation to global and emerging 
markets and the macro-political and 
economic environment. 

Ms Vadera has held executive roles and has 
broad non-executive experience. She is 
Chairman of Santander UK Group Holdings Plc 
and Santander UK Plc, and was a Director of 
AstraZeneca Plc from 2011 to 2018. She was 
an investment banker with S G Warburg/UBS 
from 1984 to 1999, on the Council of Economic 
Advisers, HM Treasury from 1999 to 2007, 
Minister in the UK Department of International 
Development in 2007, Minister in the Cabinet 
Office and Business Department from 2008 
to 2009 with responsibility for dealing with the 
financial crisis and G20 Adviser from 2009 to 
2010. Ms Vadera advised governments, banks 
and investors on the Eurozone crisis, banking 
sector, debt restructuring and markets from 
2010 to 2014. 

Other directorships and offices 
(current and recent): 
•  Chairman of Santander UK Group Holdings 

Plc and Santander UK Plc (since March 2015) 

•  Former Director of AstraZeneca Plc 

(from January 2011 to December 2018)
•  Former Trustee of Oxfam (from 2000 

to 2005) 

Board Committee membership: 
•  Member of the Nomination and 

Governance Committee

•  Member of the Remuneration Committee

112  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.2.2 Executive Leadership Team

Andrew Mackenzie 
BSc (Geology), PhD (Chemistry), 62
Chief Executive Officer
(See section 2.2.1 for biography)

Peter Beaven 
BAcc, CA, 52
Chief Financial Officer 

Geoff Healy 
BEc, LLB, 53
Chief External Affairs Officer

Mr Beaven was appointed Chief Financial 
Officer in October 2014. Previously he was 
the President of Copper and prior to that 
appointment in May 2013, President of 
Base Metals, President of BHP’s Manganese 
Business, and Vice President and Chief 
Development Officer for Carbon Steel 
Materials. He has wide experience across 
a range of regions and businesses in BHP, 
UBS Warburg, Kleinwort Benson and 
PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr Healy joined BHP as Chief Legal Counsel 
in June 2013 and was appointed Chief External 
Affairs Officer in February 2016. Prior to 
joining BHP, Mr Healy was a partner at Herbert 
Smith Freehills for 16 years and a member 
of its Global Partnership Council, working 
widely across its network of Australian 
and international offices. 

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Mike Henry 
BSc (Chemistry), 53
President Operations, Minerals Australia

Diane Jurgens 
BSEE, MSEE, MBA, 57
Chief Technology Officer

Mr Henry joined BHP in 2003. He served as 
President, Coal from January 2015 to February 
2016 when he was appointed President 
Operations, Minerals Australia. Prior to January 
2015, he was President, HSE, Marketing & 
Technology. His earlier career with BHP 
included a number of commercial roles 
covering Minerals and Petroleum, including 
the role of Chief Marketing Officer.

Ms Jurgens joined BHP in 2015 and was 
appointed Chief Technology Officer in February 
2016. Prior to joining BHP, Ms Jurgens was based 
in China for nearly 10 years, serving as Board 
Member and Managing Director of Shanghai 
OnStar Telematics Company, in addition to prior 
roles as Chief Information Officer and Strategy 
Board member for General Motors’ International 
and China Operations. Ms Jurgens’ early career 
was with the Boeing Company where she 
worked for 12 years in engineering, information 
technology and business development 
leadership roles.

Daniel Malchuk 
BEng, MBA, 53
President Operations, Minerals Americas

Mr Malchuk was appointed President 
Operations, Minerals Americas in February 2016 
based in Santiago, Chile. Previously he was 
President of the Copper Business. Mr Malchuk 
has held a number of roles in BHP, including 
President Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel, 
President of Minerals Exploration, and Vice 
President Strategy and Development Base 
Metals. He has worked in four countries with 
BHP, since joining the Company in April 2002.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2.2 Executive Leadership Team continued

Vandita Pant
BCom (Hons), MBA, Business Administration, 49
Chief Commercial Officer

Ms Pant joined BHP in 2016 and was appointed 
Chief Commercial Officer in July 2019, with 
global accountabilities for Marketing, 
Procurement, Maritime and Logistics and for 
developing the Company’s views on global 
commodities markets. Prior to this role she 
was Group Treasurer and Head of Europe. 
Before joining BHP, she held roles with ABN 
Amro and Royal Bank of Scotland and has 
lived and worked in Singapore, India, Japan 
and the UK.

Jonathan Price 
MEng (Hons), Metallurgy & Materials Science, 
MBA, Business Administration, 43
Chief Transformation Officer

Mr Price joined BHP in 2006 and was appointed 
Chief Transformation Officer in March 2019. 
Prior to this, he was Transformation Director, 
and held senior roles in Nickel, Marketing, 
Iron Ore, and Finance, where he has worked 
with governments, joint venture partners, 
customers, industry peers, investors and 
advisors. Before joining BHP, he held roles 
at ABN AMRO investment bank in London, 
servicing metals and mining clients through 
a period of industry consolidation.

Geraldine Slattery 
BSc, Physics, MSc, International Management 
(Oil & Gas), 50
President Operations, Petroleum

Ms Slattery joined BHP in 1994 and was 
appointed President Operations, Petroleum 
in March 2019. Ms Slattery has 25 years’ of 
experience with BHP, most recently as Asset 
President Conventional, and prior to that 
in several senior operational and business 
leadership roles across the Petroleum 
business in the United Kingdom, Australia 
and the United States.

Laura Tyler 
BSc (Geology (Hons)), MSc (Mining Engineering), 52
Chief Geoscientist

Athalie Williams 
BA (Hons), FAHRI, 49
Chief People Officer 

Ms Tyler joined BHP in 2004 and was appointed 
Chief Geoscientist in 2019 in addition to her 
role as Asset President of Olympic Dam. 
Previously, Ms Tyler was Chief of Staff to the 
CEO, Asset President of the Cannington Mine, 
and held technical and operational roles at the 
EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada and corporate 
HSEC in London. Prior to joining BHP, Ms Tyler 
worked for Western Mining Corporation, 
Newcrest Mining and Mount Isa Mines in 
various technical and operational roles.

Ms Williams joined BHP in 2007 and was 
appointed to the role of President, Human 
Resources in January 2015. Ms Williams’ 
title changed to Chief People Officer effective 
1 July 2015. She has previously held senior 
Human Resources positions, including Vice 
President Human Resources Marketing, Vice 
President Human Resources for the Uranium 
business and Group HR Manager, Executive 
Resourcing & Development. Prior to BHP, 
Ms Williams was an organisation strategy 
adviser with Accenture (formerly Andersen 
Consulting) and National Australia Bank. 
Ms Williams is a member of Chief Executive 
Women and a Director of the BHP Foundation.

114  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.3 Shareholder engagement
Part of the Board’s commitment to high-quality governance is 
expressed through the approach BHP takes to engaging and 
communicating with its shareholders. We encourage shareholders 
to make their views known to us. 

Our shareholders are based around the globe. As well as the two 
AGMs, which are an important part of the governance and investor 
engagement process, the Board uses a range of formal and 
informal communication channels to understand the views of 
shareholders. This ensures the Board represents shareholders in 
governing BHP. We regularly engage with institutional shareholders 
and investor representative organisations in Australia, South Africa, 
Europe and the United States. The purpose of these meetings is 
to discuss governance and strategy of BHP. The meetings are an 
important opportunity to build relationships and to engage directly 

with governance managers, fund managers and governance 
advisers. The Chairman and the CEO also meet regularly with 
retail shareholder representatives and their members, such as 
the Australian Shareholders’ Association, the UK Shareholders’ 
Association and ShareSoc.

We take a coordinated approach to engagement on corporate 
governance and during FY2019, we responded to a wide range 
of shareholders, their representatives and non-governmental 
organisations. Issues covered included tailings dams, Samarco, 
non-operated joint ventures, industry associations, tax and 
transparency, corporate purpose, remuneration, human rights, 
climate change, social value and workforce relations. Engagement 
with other stakeholder groups, including non-governmental 
organisations, is outlined in section 1.10. 

Investor engagement in FY2019

Topic

Strategy, governance 
and remuneration

Led by

Chairman

Remuneration

Chairman of the 
Remuneration 
Committee

Strategy, finance 
and operating 
performance

CEO, CFO, senior 
management and 
Investor Relations

Purpose

FY2019 activity

Discuss Board priorities and seek 
shareholder feedback.

Remuneration policy consultation

  Meetings held in July 2018 in Australia and 
in May 2019 in the US. The Chairman also 
participated in the Remuneration meetings 
in Australia and the UK referenced below.

  Retail shareholder event, held in conjunction with 
the Australian Shareholders’ Association in July 
2018, in line with our intention to make this annual. 
Event in June 2019 with UK Shareholders’ 
Association and Sharesoc.

  Meetings held in Australia in April 2019 and the 
UK in May 2019.

Update shareholders on results or other key 
announcements. We also engage with other 
capital providers; for example, through 
meetings with bondholders. 

 Live webcasts of important announcements.

  Face-to-face investor meetings held in Australia, 
Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, 
Spain, UK and the US.

Health, Safety, 
Environment and 
Community (HSEC)

Head of Health, Safety 
and Environment

Update investors on key HSEC issues.

Governance strategy 
and briefings

Group Governance

Provides a conduit to enable the Board and 
its committees to remain abreast of evolving 
investor expectations and to continuously 
enhance the governance processes of BHP.

  Debt investor meetings held in London 
in September.

  Debt investor teleconferences held in August 
2018 and February 2019 were attended by 
investors in Australia, France, Singapore, 
Switzerland, the UK and the US.

  Meetings held in Australia in September and 
in the UK and Europe in October to re-align 
with the release of the Sustainability Report 
and in June 2019 following the appointment 
of a new Group Head of HSE.

  Meetings held in Australia and the UK throughout 
the year and the US in March. Multiple briefings 
on Samarco and an update in June in Australia 
and the UK covering BHP’s approach to tailings 
dams. Conversations relating to remuneration 
were also held with the Vice President Reward 
in August 2018 in advance of the broader 
consultation about the remuneration policy.

Climate change

Vice President, 
Sustainability and 
Climate Change

Update investors on our strategy 
on climate change. 

  Ad hoc meetings held in Australia, 
Europe and the US throughout the year.

Shareholder communications
Shareholders can communicate with BHP and our registrar 
electronically. Shareholders can contact us at any time through 
our Investor Relations team, with contact details available online 
at bhp.com. Shareholder and analyst feedback is shared with the 
Board through the Chairman, the Senior Independent Director, 
the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, other Directors, 
the CEO, the CFO and the Group Company Secretary. In addition, 
Investor Relations and Group Governance provide regular reports 
to the Board on shareholder and governance manager feedback 
and analysis. This approach provides a robust mechanism to 
ensure that Directors are aware of issues raised and have a good 
understanding of current shareholder views.

Annual General Meetings
The AGMs provide a forum to facilitate the sharing of shareholder 
views and are important events in the BHP calendar. These meetings 
provide an update for shareholders on our performance and offer 
an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions and vote. 

Key members of management, including the CEO and CFO, are 
present and available to answer questions. The External Auditor 
attends the AGMs and is also available to answer questions. 

Proceedings at shareholder meetings are webcast live from our 
website. Copies of the speeches delivered by the Chairman and 
CEO to the AGMs are released to the relevant stock exchanges and 
posted on our website. A summary of proceedings and the outcome 
of voting on the items of business are released to the relevant stock 
exchanges and posted on our website as soon as they are available 
following completion of the BHP Group Limited AGM.

Information relating to our AGMs is available online 
at bhp.com/meetings.

BHP Annual Report 2019  115

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Understanding shareholder views

Sell side analysts
Research providers

Retail investors

Institutional investors

Portfolio managers

Environmental, Social
& Governance managers

Proxy advisers
ESG advisers
ESG ratings 
agencies

Investor Relations
(meetings and correspondence)
CEO/CFO/Senior Management

Group Governance
(meetings and correspondence)
Chairman/Senior Independent Director/
Remuneration Committee Chairman

Board
(Annual General Meetings)

2.4 Role and responsibilities of the Board
The Board’s role is to represent the shareholders. It is accountable 
to shareholders for creating and delivering value through the 
effective governance of BHP. This role requires a high-performing 
Board, with all Directors contributing to the Board’s collective 
decision-making processes.

The Board Governance Document is a statement of the practices 
and processes the Board has adopted to discharge its 
responsibilities. It includes the processes the Board has 
implemented to undertake its own tasks and activities; the matters 
it has reserved for its own consideration and decision-making; 
the authority it has delegated to the CEO, including the limits 
on the way in which the CEO can execute that authority; and 
guidance on the relationship between the Board and the CEO. 

The Board Governance Document specifies the role of the 
Chairman, the membership of the Board and the role and conduct 

Matters reserved for Board decision 

Topic

Matter

of Non-executive Directors. It also provides that the Group 
Company Secretary is accountable to the Board and advises the 
Chairman and, through the Chairman, the Board and individual 
Directors on all matters of governance process. 

The CEO is required to report regularly to the Board in a spirit of 
openness and trust on the progress being made by BHP. Open 
dialogue between individual members of the Board and the CEO 
and other members of the management team is encouraged to 
enable Directors to gain a better understanding of the Group.

For more information, 
refer to sections 2.5 to 2.8.

The Board Governance Document is available 
online at bhp.com/governance.

Succession

  Appointment of the CEO and determination of the terms of the appointment.

  Succession planning for direct reports to the CEO.

  Approval of the appointment of executives reporting to the CEO and membership of the ELT, and material changes 
to the organisational structure involving direct reports to the CEO.

Strategic 
matters

  Strategy, annual budgets, balance sheet management and funding strategy.

  Determination of commitments, capital and non-capital items, acquisitions and divestments above specified thresholds.

  Setting dividend policy and determining dividends.

  Market risk management strategy and limits.

Monitoring

  Performance assessment of the CEO and the Group and the remuneration of the CEO.

  Management of Board composition processes and performance.

  Review and monitoring systems of risk management and internal control. 

  Establishment and assessment of measurable diversity objectives.

Reporting 
and regulation

  Determination and adoption of documents (including the publication of reports and statements to shareholders) 
that are required by the Group’s constitutional documents, statute or by other external regulation.

  Determination and approval of matters that are required by the Group’s constitutional documents, 
statute or by other external regulation to be determined or approved by the Board.

116  BHP Annual Report 2019

Key Board activities during FY2019
The Board considered a range of matters during FY2019, as outlined below. 

Strategic matters

Capital allocation 
(Capital Allocation Framework, capital prioritisation 
and development outcomes) 

Funding 
(annual budgets, balance sheet management, 
liquidity management) 

Portfolio 
(Group scenarios, commodity and asset review, 
growth options, approving commitments, capital 
and non-capital items and acquisitions and divestments 
above a specified threshold, and geopolitical and 
macro-environmental impacts) 

Monitoring and assurance matters

Includes matters and/or documents required 
by the Group’s constitutional documents, 
statute or by other external regulation

Chairman’s matters 

Board composition, succession planning, 
performance and culture

  Dividend policy and dividend recommendations

  Capital prioritisation and portfolio development options

  Capital execution watchlist 

 Sale of Onshore US distribution options and considerations

 Two-year budget, including transformation

 Funding updates

 Euro medium-term note renewal

 Distribution of sale of Onshore US proceeds

  Portfolio review – options and alternatives

  Transformation overview and initiatives

  Risk appetite statement

  Group scenarios – signposts update

  Commodity price protocols

  Transaction updates

  Climate change

  Samarco strategy update and funding

  Energy Coal review 

  Nickel West review

  Nickel commodity attractiveness

  Petroleum exploration

  Atlantis project overview and execution

  Appraisal well funding – Trion Mexico

  Jansen

  Autonomous haulage

  Saraji fatality ICAM

  Tailings dams

  BHP purpose

  Investor relations reports

  CEO reports 

  HSEC reports

  Risk and Audit Committee report-outs

  Sustainability Committee report-outs including Site Visit report-outs

  Nomination and Governance Committee report-outs

  Remuneration Committee report-outs

  Approval of the CEO’s remuneration

  Reviewing and approving the Annual Report suite

  Site visits and Board meetings held outside of Melbourne and London

  Committee succession

  Board composition and succession

  Board evaluation

  Inclusion and diversity update and FY2019 targets

  Reviewing the ELT succession and talent pipeline

  Corporate Governance updates

  Board culture framework

BHP Annual Report 2019  117

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2.5 Board membership
The Board currently has 11 members. The Non-executive Directors 
are considered by the Board to be independent of management 
and free from any business relationship or other circumstance that 
could materially interfere with the exercise of objective, unfettered 
or independent judgement. For more information on the process 
for assessing independence, refer to section 2.10. 

The Nomination and Governance Committee retains the services 
of external recruitment specialists to assist in the identification 
of potential candidates for the Board. 

The Board believes there is an appropriate balance between 
Executive and Non-executive Directors to promote shareholder 
interests and govern BHP effectively. While the Board includes 
a smaller number of Executive Directors than is common for 
UK-listed companies, its composition is appropriate for the Dual 
Listed Company structure and is in line with Australian-listed 
company practice. In addition, the Board has extensive access 
to members of senior management who frequently attend Board 
meetings, where they make presentations and engage in 
discussions with Directors, answer questions and provide input 
and perspective on their areas of responsibility. The CFO attends 
all Board meetings. The Board, led by the Chairman, also holds 
discussions in the absence of management at each Board meeting.

The Directors of BHP, along with their biographical details, 
are listed in section 2.2.1.

Inclusion and diversity
Our Charter and the Our Requirements for Human Resources 
standard guide management on all aspects of human resource 
management, including inclusion and diversity. Underpinning 
the Our Requirements standards and supporting the achievement 
of diversity across BHP are principles and measurable objectives 
that define our approach to diversity and our focus on creating 
an inclusive work environment. 

The Board considers that many facets of diversity are required for 
the Board, as set out in section 2.8, in order to meet the corporate 
purpose. Diversity is a core consideration in ensuring the Board 
and its committees have the right blend of perspectives so that 
the Board oversees BHP effectively for shareholders.

Part of the Board’s role is to consider and approve measurable 
objectives for workforce diversity each financial year and to assess 
annually both the objectives and our progress in achieving those 
objectives. This progress will continue to be disclosed in the 
Annual Report, along with the proportion of women in our 
workforce, in senior management positions and on the Board, 
with our aspirational goal being to achieve gender balance across 
the business and the Board by CY2025. For more information on 
inclusion and diversity at BHP, including our progress against our 
measurable objectives and our employee profile more generally, 
refer to section 1.9.

2.6 Chairman
Mr MacKenzie was considered by the Board to be independent 
on his appointment as Chairman and was an independent 
Non-executive Director from his appointment to the Board 
effective 22 September 2016. The Board considered that none 
of Mr MacKenzie’s other commitments (set out in section 2.2.1) 
interfered with the discharge of his responsibilities to BHP during 
the year under review. The Board is satisfied that as Chairman, 
Mr MacKenzie made sufficient time available to serve BHP effectively. 

2.7 Renewal and re-election
Renewal 
BHP adopts a structured and rigorous approach to Board succession 
planning. We consider Board size, tenure and the skills, experience 
and attributes required to effectively govern and manage risk 
within BHP. This process is continuous and planning is based on 
a nine-year tenure, allowing the Board to ensure we have the right 
balance on the Board between experience and fresh perspectives, 
noting the value of non-executive and executive experience. It also 
ensures the Board continues to be fit-for-purpose and evolves to 
take account of the rapidly changing external environment and 
BHP’s circumstances. Further information is set out in section 2.13.3 
Nomination and Governance Committee Report.

When considering new appointments to the Board, the Nomination 
and Governance Committee oversees the preparation of a role 
description, which includes the criteria and attributes set out in 
the Board Governance Document and section 2.8, which is provided 
to an external search firm retained to conduct a global search. 

Once a candidate is identified, the Board, with the assistance 
of external consultants, conducts appropriate background and 
reference checks. The candidate is also interviewed by each 
Board member ahead of the Board deciding whether to appoint 
the candidate to the Board. 

The Board has adopted a letter of appointment that contains 
the terms on which Non-executive Directors will be appointed, 
including the basis upon which they will be indemnified by 
the Group. The letter of appointment clearly defines the role of 
Directors, including the expectations in terms of independence, 
participation, time commitment and continuous improvement. 

A copy of the terms of appointment for Non-executive Directors 
is available online at bhp.com/governance.

Director re-election 
The Board adopted a policy in 2011, consistent with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, under which all Directors must seek 
re-election by shareholders annually if they wish to remain on 
the Board. The Board believes annual re-election promotes and 
supports accountability to shareholders. The combined voting 
outcome of the BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Limited 2018 
AGMs was that each Director received more than 96.9 per cent 
in support of their re-election.

Board support for re-election is not automatic. Directors who 
are seeking re-election are subject to a performance appraisal 
overseen by the Nomination and Governance Committee. 
Annual re-election effectively means all Directors are subject 
to a performance appraisal annually. The Board, on the 
recommendation of the Nomination and Governance Committee, 
makes a determination as to whether it will endorse a retiring 
Director for re-election. The Board will not endorse a Director for 
re-election if his or her performance is not considered satisfactory. 
The Notice of Meeting provides information that is material to 
a shareholder’s decision whether or not to re-elect a Director, 
including whether or not re-election is supported by the Board. 

118  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.8 Director skills, experience 
and attributes
Skills, experience and attributes required
The Board and its Nomination and Governance Committee work 
to ensure that the Board continues to have the right balance 
necessary to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with 
the highest standards of governance. The requirements for 
Board composition are articulated in an overarching statement, 
with the desired skills and experience included in the skills and 
experience matrix. 

The overarching statement, skills, experience and attributes 
take into account, and respond to, the external environment 
and BHP’s core business characteristics, including: 

•  BHP’s strategy and the long-term cyclical nature of the business;
•  that BHP is a global natural resources company operating 

in global markets; 

•  the continued need to focus on financial and non-financial risk 

(including HSEC risks); 

•  the increasing challenge related to social value and the many 
stakeholders that are impacted by BHP, including civil society, 
communities, investors, government, regulators, customers 
and employees; 

•  the increasing importance of technology and innovation 

to the sustainability of BHP; 

•  ongoing and continued focus on capital allocation, and 

improving shareholder and capital returns.

Overarching statement of Board requirements 
The BHP Board will be diverse in terms of gender, background, 
nationality, skills, expertise and geographic location. The Board 
will comprise Directors who have proven past performance and 
the level of business, executive and non-executive experience 
required to: 

•  provide the breadth and depth of understanding necessary 

to effectively create long-term shareholder value; 

•  protect and promote the interests of BHP and its social licence 

to operate; 

•  ensure the talent, capability and culture of the Group to support 

the long-term delivery of BHP’s strategy. 

Attributes 
The Board considers that each of the Non-executive Directors 
has the following attributes: sufficient time to undertake the 
responsibilities of the role; honesty and integrity; and a 
preparedness to question, challenge and critique. The Executive 
Director brings additional perspectives to the Board through a 
deeper understanding of BHP’s business and day-to-day operations. 

Skills matrix 
During FY2018, the Nomination and Governance Committee and 
the Board conducted a review of the Board skills matrix, which 
took into account the skills and experience the Board requires 
for the next period of BHP’s development, having regard to 
BHP’s circumstances and the changing external environment. 

Fewer Directors meet each of the skills and experience contained in 
the updated matrix than was the case previously. This is intentional, 
but all Directors satisfy both the overarching statement and the key 
attributes. Further information about the skills and attributes of each 
Director is set out in their biographies. 

Board skills and experience: Climate change
The strategic issues facing the Board change over time. It is 
important the Board is able to identify these issues and access 
the best possible advice. 

Climate change is a multi-faceted issue that affects investment 
decisions, our portfolio, oversight of the sustainability of our 
operations and engagement with government, investors, suppliers 
and customers. The Board includes an appropriate mix of skills 
and experience to understand the implications of climate change 
on our operations, market and society.

Climate change is treated as a Board-level governance issue and 
is discussed regularly, including during Board strategy discussions, 
portfolio review and investment decisions, and in the context of 
scenario triggers and signposts. The Sustainability Committee 
spends a significant amount of time considering systemic climate 
change matters relating to the resilience of, and opportunities for, 
BHP’s portfolio.

As a Board-level governance issue requiring experience of managing 
in the context of uncertainty and an understanding of the risk 
environment of the Group, the Non-executive Directors bring 
relevant experience to our climate change discussions.

Board members bring significant sectoral experience, which equips 
them to consider potential implications of climate change on the 
Group and its operational capacity. Board members also possess 
extensive experience in energy, governance and sustainability. 
There is also wide-ranging experience in finance, economics and 
public policy, which helps BHP understand the nature of the debate 
and the international policy response as it develops. In addition, 
there is a deep understanding of systemic risk and the potential 
impacts on our portfolio. 

Collectively, this means the Board has the experience and skills to 
assist the Group in the optimal allocation of financial, capital and 
human resources for the creation of long-term shareholder value. 
It also means the Board understands the importance of meeting 
the expectations of stakeholders, including in respect of the 
natural environment.

To enhance that experience, the Board has taken a number of 
measures to ensure that its decisions are appropriately informed 
by climate change science and expert advisers.

The Board seeks the input of management (including Dr Fiona Wild, 
our Vice President Sustainability and Climate Change), our Forum on 
Corporate Responsibility (which advises the Board on sustainability 
issues and includes Don Henry, former CEO of the Australian 
Conservation Foundation and Changhua Wu, former Greater China 
Director, the Climate Group) and other independent advisers.

During the year the Board received an update relating to the 
Group’s climate change strategy and approved a range of actions 
to support ongoing delivery, including strengthening the link 
between emissions performance and executive remuneration, 
establishing a new medium-term, science-based target for scope 
one and two emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, and the 
framework for a Climate Investment Program, which includes an 
amount of US$400 million as set out by the CEO in July 2019.

BHP Annual Report 2019  119

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Skills and experience

Total Directors

Mining 
Senior Executive who has deep operating or technical mining experience with a large company operating in multiple countries; 
successfully optimised and led a suite of large, global, complex operating assets that have delivered consistent and sustaining
levels of high performance (related to cost, returns and throughput); successfully led exploration projects with proven results 
and performance; delivered large capital projects that have been successful in terms of performance and returns; and a proven 
record in terms of health, safety and environmental performance and results.

Oil and gas 
Senior executive who has deep technical and operational oil and gas experience with a large company operating in multiple 
countries; successfully led production operations that have delivered consistent and sustaining levels of high performance 
(related to cost, returns and throughput); successfully led exploration projects with proven results and performance; delivered 
large capital projects that have been successful in terms of performance and returns; and a proven record in terms of health, 
safety and environmental performance and results.

Global experience 
Global experience working in multiple geographies over an extended period of time, including a deep understanding 
of and experience with global markets, and the macro-political and economic environment.

Strategy 
Experience in enterprise-wide strategy development and implementation in industries with long cycles, and developing 
and leading business transformation strategies.

Risk 
Experience and deep understanding of systemic risk and monitoring risk management frameworks and controls, and the ability 
to identify key emerging and existing risks to the organisation.

Commodity value chain expertise 
End-to-end value or commodity chain experience – understanding of consumers, marketing demand drivers (including specific 
geographic markets) and other aspects of commodity chain development.

Board

11

3

2

7

9

11

6

Financial expertise 
Extensive relevant experience in financial regulation and the capability to evaluate financial statements and understand key financial 
drivers of the business, bringing a deep understanding of corporate finance, internal financial controls and experience probing the 
adequacy of financial and risk controls.

11/2 (1)

Relevant public policy expertise 
Extensive experience specifically and explicitly focused on public policy or regulatory matters, including ESG 
(in particular climate change) and community issues, social responsibility and transformation, and economic issues.

Health, safety, environment and community 
Extensive experience with complex workplace health, safety, environmental and community risks and frameworks.

Technology 
Recent experience and expertise with the development, selection and implementation of leading and business transforming 
technology and innovation, and responding to digital disruption.

Capital allocation and cost efficiency 
Extensive direct experience gained through a senior executive role in capital allocation discipline, cost efficiency and cash flow, 
with proven long-term performance.

3

7

2

7

(1)  Eleven Directors meet the criteria of financial expertise outlined above. Two of these Directors also meet the criteria for recent and relevant financial experience as 

outlined in the UK Corporate Governance Code, competence in accounting and auditing as required by the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Corporate Governance 
Rules in DTR7 and the audit committee financial expert requirements under the US Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Board tenure and diversity (as at 30 June 2019)

Location

Australia
Europe
US

9%

36%

55%

Gender

36%
Female

Female
Male

64%

36%

Tenure

0–3 years

46%

6–9 years

27%

3–6 years

9%

9+ years

18%

120  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
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2.9 Director induction, training and development
The development of industry and Group knowledge is a continuous 
and ongoing process. The Board’s development activity reflects 
the diversification of the portfolio through the provision of regular 
updates to Directors on BHP’s assets, commodities, geographies 
and markets, and on the changing external environment, to enable 
the Board to remain up-to-date. 

Upon appointment, each new Non-executive Director undertakes 
an induction program specifically tailored to his or her needs. 

A copy of an indicative induction program is available online 
at bhp.com/governance.

Following the induction program, Non-executive Directors 
participate in continuous improvement activities (Training and 
Development Program), which are overseen by the Nomination 
and Governance Committee. The Training and Development 
Program covers a range of matters of a business nature, including 
environmental, social and governance matters. Programs are 
designed to maximise the effectiveness of the Directors throughout 
their tenure and reflect their individual performance evaluations.

Training and development in FY2019

Area

Purpose

FY2019 activity

Briefings and 
development 
sessions

Provide each Director with a deeper 
understanding of the activities, environment, 
key issues and direction of the assets along 
with HSEC and public policy considerations.

Site visits

Briefings on the assets, operations and 
other relevant issues and meetings 
with key personnel.

  Transformation initiatives
  BHP and China 2035
  Climate change
  Market overviews
  HSEC Awards
  Virtual reality underground mine walkthrough
  Integrated Remote Operations Centre tour

  Western Australia Iron Ore, Iron Ore, Australia 
  Escondida, Copper, Chile
  Spence, Copper, Chile 
  BMA (Hay Point, Broadmeadow, Goonyella, Peak Downs), 
Metallurgical Coal, Australia
  Integrated Remote Operated Centre, Metallurgical Coal, Australia 

These sessions and site visits also allow an opportunity to discuss 
in detail the changing risk environment and the potential for 
impacts on the achievement of our corporate purpose and 
strategy. For information on the management of principal risks, 
refer to section 1.6.4. 

This approach also ensures a coordinated process in relation to 
succession planning, Board renewal, training and development 
and committee composition, which are all relevant to the 
Nomination and Governance Committee’s role in identifying 
appropriate Non-executive Director candidates.

The Chairman throughout the year discusses development areas 
with each Director. Board committees in turn review and agree 
their training needs. The benefit of this approach is that induction 
and learning opportunities can be tailored to Directors’ committee 
memberships, as well as the Board’s specific areas of focus. 

Each Board committee provides a standing invitation for any 
Non-executive Director to attend committee meetings (rather 
than just limiting attendance to committee members). Committee 
agendas and papers are provided to all Directors to ensure 
Directors are aware of matters to be considered by the committees 
and any Director can elect to attend meetings where appropriate.

2.10 Independence
The Board is committed to ensuring a majority of Directors is 
independent. The Board considers that all of the current Non-
executive Directors, including the Chairman, are independent. 

Process to determine independence
The Board has adopted a policy which it uses to determine the 
independence of its Directors. This determination is carried out 
upon appointment, annually and at any other time where the 
changed circumstances of a Director warrant reconsideration.

A copy of the policy on Independence of Directors is available 
online at bhp.com/governance.

Under the policy, an ‘independent’ Director is one who is: 
‘independent of management and any business or other relationship 
that could materially interfere with the exercise of objective, 
unfettered or independent judgement by the Director or the 
Director’s ability to act in the best interests of the BHP Group’.

Where a Director is considered by the Board to be independent 
but is affected by circumstances that appear relevant to the 
Board’s assessment of independence, the Board has undertaken 
to explain the reasons why it reached its conclusion. In applying 
the independence test, the Board considers relationships with 
management, major shareholders, subsidiary and associated 
companies and other parties with whom BHP transacts business 
against pre-determined materiality thresholds, all of which are 
set out in the policy. 

Tenure
As at the end of the year under review, Malcolm Broomhead and 
Carolyn Hewson, who were appointed in March 2010, had served 
on the Board for more than nine years. The Board does not believe 

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that their tenure materially interferes with their ability to act in the 
best interests of the Group. The Board believes they have retained 
independence of character and judgement and have not formed 
associations with management (or others) that might compromise 
their ability to exercise independent judgement or act in the best 
interests of the Group.

Relationships and associations
Lindsay Maxsted was the CEO of KPMG in Australia from 2001 
until 2007. The Board believes this prior relationship with KPMG 
does not materially interfere with Mr Maxsted’s exercise of 
objective, unfettered or independent judgement, or his ability 
to act in the best interests of BHP. The Board has determined, 
consistent with its policy on the independence of Directors, that 
Mr Maxsted is independent. The Board notes in particular that:

•  at the time of his appointment to the Board, more than three 
years had elapsed since Mr Maxsted’s retirement from KPMG. 
The Director independence rules and guidelines that apply 
to the Group – which are a combination of Australian, UK and 
US rules and guidelines – all use three years as the benchmark 
‘cooling off’ period for former audit firm partners;

•  Mr Maxsted has no financial (e.g. pension, retainer or advisory 

fee) or consulting arrangements with KPMG; 

•  Mr Maxsted was not part of the KPMG audit practice after 1980, 
and while at KPMG was not in any way involved in, or able to 
influence, any audit activity associated with BHP.

The Board believes Mr Maxsted’s financial acumen and extensive 
experience in the corporate restructuring field to be important 
in the discharge of the Board’s responsibilities. His membership 
of the Board and Chairmanship of the Risk and Audit Committee 
are considered by the Board to be appropriate and desirable. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  121

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Some of the Directors hold, or have previously held, positions in 
companies with which BHP has commercial relationships. Those 
positions and companies are set out in the Director profiles in 
section 2.2.1. The Board has assessed all of the relationships between 
the Group and companies in which Directors hold or held positions, 
and has concluded that in all cases the relationships do not interfere 
with the Directors’ exercise of objective, unfettered or independent 
judgement or their ability to act in the best interests of BHP. 

A specific instance is Malcolm Broomhead and Ian Cockerill who 
were both Directors of Orica Limited (a company with which BHP 
has commercial dealings) during the year under review. Orica 
provides commercial explosives, blasting systems and mineral 
processing chemicals and services to the mining and resources 
industry, among others. Mr Cockerill was appointed to the Orica 
Board in 2010 (prior to his appointment to the BHP Board) and 
Mr Broomhead was appointed to the Orica Board in 2016 (after 
his appointment to the BHP Board). At the time of Mr Broomhead’s 
appointment to the Board of Orica, and at the time of Ian Cockerill’s 
appointment to the Board of BHP, the BHP Board assessed the 
relationship between BHP and Orica and determined (and remains 
satisfied) that Mr Broomhead and Mr Cockerill are able to apply 
objective, unfettered and independent judgement and to act in 
the best interests of BHP. Ian Cockerill retired from the Board 
of Orica during August 2019.

Transactions during FY2019 that amounted to related party 
transactions with Directors or Director-related entities under 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are outlined 
in note 31 ‘Related party transactions’ in section 5.

Executive Director
The Executive Director, Andrew Mackenzie, is not considered 
independent because of his executive responsibilities. 
Mr Mackenzie does not hold directorships in any other company 
included in the ASX 100 or FTSE 100. 

2.11 Board evaluation
The Board is committed to transparency in assessing the 
performance of Directors. The Board conducts regular evaluations 
of its performance, the performance of its committees, the 

Conflicts of interest
The UK Companies Act 2006 requires that BHP Directors avoid 
a situation where they have or can have an unauthorised direct 
or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with 
the Group’s interests, unless approved by non-interested Directors. 
In accordance with the UK Companies Act 2006, BHP Group Plc’s 
Articles of Association allow the Directors to authorise conflicts 
and potential conflicts where appropriate. A procedure operates 
to ensure the disclosure of conflicts and for the consideration 
and, if appropriate, the authorisation of those conflicts by non-
conflicted Directors. The Nomination and Governance Committee 
supports the Board in this process by reviewing requests from 
Directors for authorisation of situations of actual or potential 
conflict and making recommendations to the Board, and by 
regularly reviewing any situations of actual or potential conflict 
that have previously been authorised by the Board, and making 
recommendations regarding whether the authorisation remains 
appropriate. In addition, in accordance with Australian law, if a 
situation arises for consideration in which a Director has a material 
personal interest, the affected Director takes no part in decision-
making unless authorised by non-interested Directors. Provisions 
for Directors’ interests are set out in the Constitution of BHP 
Group Limited.

In FY2019, there was one occasion where a commercial dealing 
between BHP and Orica was considered by the Board. At its 
June 2019 meeting, the Board considered a prospective explosives 
contract between BHP and Orica. On that occasion, relevant 
papers were withheld and both Mr Broomhead and Mr Cockerill 
stepped out of the meeting room. They therefore played no 
role in the decision-making, in accordance with relevant legal 
requirements and the BHP Articles of Association and Constitution.

Chairman, individual Directors and the governance processes that 
support the Board’s work. The Board evaluation process comprises 
both assessment and review, as summarised in the diagram below. 

Evaluation process

Assessment

Review

Year one:

1

Committee and 
individual Director 
assessment.*

Year two:

Whole Board 
assessment.*

2

Each year, review of:

•  Directors for re-election.
•  Board and committees for compliance with the 
Board Governance Document and committee 
terms of reference.

* May be internally or externally facilitated assessment. Our approach is to conduct an externally facilitated assessment of the Board or Directors 

and committees at least every three years.

The evaluation considers the balance of skills, experience, 
independence and knowledge of the Group and the Board, 
its overall diversity, including gender diversity, and how the 
Board works together as a unit. 

Directors provide anonymous feedback on their peers’ performance 
and individual contributions to the Board, which is passed on to 
the relevant Director via the Chairman. In respect of the Chairman’s 
performance, feedback is provided directly to the Senior 
Independent Director. External independent advisers are engaged 
to assist with these processes, as necessary. The involvement of 
an independent third party has assisted in the evaluation processes 
being rigorous and fair, and ensuring continuous improvement 
in the operation of the Board and committees, as well as the 
contributions of individual Directors. 

Director assessment
The assessment of individual Directors focuses on the contribution 
of the Director to the work of the Board and the expectations 
of Directors as specified in the Group’s governance framework. 
The performance of individual Directors is assessed against 
a range of criteria, including the ability of the Director to:

•  focus on creating long-term shareholder value; 
•  contribute to the development of strategy; 
•  understand the major risks affecting BHP; 
•  provide clear direction to management; 
•  contribute to Board effectiveness; 
•  contribute to discussions relating to organisational culture 

and behaviour;

•  commit the time required to fulfil the role and perform their 

responsibilities effectively; 

•  listen to and respect the ideas of fellow Directors and members 

of management.

122  BHP Annual Report 2019

Board effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Board as a whole and of its committees 
is assessed against the accountabilities set out in the Board 
Governance Document and each committee’s terms of reference. 
Matters considered in evaluations include the:

•  effectiveness of discussion and debate at Board 

and committee meetings;

•  effectiveness of the Board’s and committees’ processes 

and relationship with management;

•  quality and timeliness of meeting agendas, Board 
and committee papers and secretariat support;

•  composition of the Board and each committee, focusing on 

the blend of skills, experience, independence and knowledge 
of the Group and its diversity, including geographic location, 
nationality and gender.

The process is managed by the Chairman, with feedback 
on the Chairman’s performance being provided to him by 
the Senior Independent Director. 

For information on the performance review process for 
executives, refer to section 2.15.

Assessments conducted in respect of FY2019
During FY2019, the Board commenced an external evaluation 
using Consilium, which has no other connection with the Group. 
This covered Board, Committee and Chairman effectiveness, 
along with an individual assessment of the Directors. The Board 
evaluation focused on Board performance, the value of individual 
contributions, training and development, Board and committee 
succession and composition, support provided by Group 
Governance, considerations for further improvement and external 
engagement. The evaluation included seeking feedback from the 
CEO, ELT, Group Company Secretary and senior management. 
These assessments were completed in early FY2020 and have 
been discussed with the Board.

In addition, a Board committee assessment was undertaken, 
which required each committee member to consider the 
relevant committee’s compliance with its respective terms 
of reference. The Board considered its compliance with the 
Board Governance Document.

The outcomes of the assessment for each committee are set 
out in the following relevant sections.

Director review
An assessment of Directors’ performance was conducted in 
respect of FY2019. The assessments were undertaken with the 
assistance of an external service provider (Consilium), which does 
not have any other connection with the Group. The Consilium-led 
assessment of the individual Directors focused on consistently 
taking the perspective of creating shareholder value, contributing 
to Board cohesion and effective relationships with fellow Directors, 
and committing the time required to fulfil their role and effectively 
perform their responsibilities. Directors were specifically asked 
to comment on areas where their fellow directors contribute the 
greatest value and on potential areas for development. 

Consilium sought feedback and provided it to the Chairman 
and the Senior Independent Director, and this was then discussed 
with the Directors. Feedback on the performance of the Chairman 
was discussed in a closed session without the Chairman or CEO 
present. The outcomes of the review supported the Board’s 
decision to endorse all Directors standing for re-election.

Board evaluation in action
A number of improvements were agreed and implemented 
following the FY2019 Board and committee evaluation. The key 
areas of agreed focus were to further enhance agenda planning; 
include an annual strategy day between the Board and the ELT, 
in addition to the strategy sessions held at each Board meeting; 
and provide further opportunities to increase the detailed 
understanding of the operations and transformation, including 
through updates to the Board induction program and continuation 
of asset reviews at Board meetings. 

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2.12 Board meetings and attendance
The Board meets as often as is appropriate to fulfil its role. Directors 
are required to allocate sufficient time to BHP to perform their 
responsibilities effectively, including adequate time to prepare for 
Board meetings. During the reporting year, the Board met 10 times, 
with eight of those meetings held in Australia and two in the United 
Kingdom. Regularly scheduled Board meetings generally run over 
three days (including committee meetings and Director training 
and development sessions). 

Board and Board Committee attendance in FY2019

Members of the ELT and other members of senior management 
attended meetings of the Board by invitation, with the CFO 
attending each meeting. 

Attendance at Board and standing Board committee meetings 
during FY2019 is set out in the following table.

Board

Risk and Audit

Nomination and 
Governance

Remuneration

Sustainability 

Tenure as 
at 30 June 2019

Terry Bowen

Malcolm Broomhead 

Ian Cockerill

Anita Frew

Carolyn Hewson 

Susan Kilsby

Andrew Mackenzie

Ken MacKenzie

Lindsay Maxsted

John Mogford

Wayne Murdy 

Shriti Vadera 

A

10

10

2

10

10

2

10

10

10

10

5

10

B

10

10

2

9 (1)

10

2

10

10

10

10

5

10

A

11

–

2

11

–

–

–

–

11

–

5

–

B

10 (2)

–

2

11

–

–

–

–

11

–

5

–

A

–

6

–

–

6

–

–

6

–

–

–

6

B

–

6

–

–

6

–

–

6

–

–

–

6

A

–

–

–

5

5

2

–

–

–

–

2

5

B

–

–

–

5

5

2

–

–

–

–

2

5

A

–

5

2

–

–

–

–

3

–

5

–

–

B

–

5

2

–

–

–

–

3

–

5

–

–

1 year 9 months

9 years 3 months

3 months

3 years 10 months

9 years 3 months

3 months

6 years 3 months

2 years 10 months

8 years 3 months

1 year 9 months

Retired on 
2 November 2018

8 years 5 months

Column A: Scheduled indicates the number of scheduled and ad-hoc meetings held during the period the Director was a member of the Board and/or committee.
Column B: Attended indicates the number of scheduled and ad-hoc meetings attended by the Director during the period the Director was a member of the Board 
and/or committee. The following Directors were not able to attend certain meetings:

(1)  Ms Frew did not attend the meeting on 19 March due to an administrative oversight by BHP.
(2) Mr Bowen was unable to attend the RAC meeting on 12 February due to a prior engagement.

BHP Annual Report 2019  123

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2.13 Board committees
The Board has established committees to assist it in exercising 
its authority, including monitoring the performance of BHP to 
gain assurance that progress is being made towards the corporate 
purpose within the limits imposed by the Board. 

Each of the permanent committees has terms of reference under 
which authority is delegated by the Board. 

Group Governance provides secretariat services for each of the 
committees. Committee meeting agendas, papers and minutes 

2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report

Role and focus 
The role of the Risk and Audit Committee (RAC) is to assist the 
Board in monitoring the decisions and actions of the CEO and the 
Group and to gain assurance that progress is being made towards 
achieving the corporate purpose within the limits imposed by the 
Board, as set out in the Board Governance Document. 

The RAC discharges its responsibilities by overseeing: 
•  the integrity of BHP’s Financial Statements and Annual Report;
•  the appointment, performance and remuneration of the 

External Auditor and integrity of the external audit process;

•  the effectiveness of the systems of risk management and 

internal control;

•  the plans, performance, objectivity and leadership of the Internal 
Audit function and the integrity of the internal audit process;
•  capital management (capital structure and funding, and capital 

management planning and initiatives) and other matters.

Risk and Audit Committee members during the year 

are made available to all members of the Board. Subject to 
appropriate controls and the overriding scrutiny of the Board, 
Committee Chairmen are free to use whatever resources they 
consider necessary to discharge their responsibilities.

Reports from each of the committees follow.

The terms of reference for each committee are available 
online at bhp.com/governance.

For more information about our approach to risk 
management, refer to section 1.6.4. 

The RAC met 11 times during FY2019. Information on meeting 
attendance by Committee members is included in the following 
table and information on Committee members’ qualifications, 
which includes competence relevant to the mining sector, is set 
out in section 2.2.1. 

In addition to the regular business of the year, the Committee 
discussed matters including those set out in the following 
diagram. The viability statement and the Board’s confirmation 
that it has carried out a robust risk assessment are in section 
1.6.4. Statements relating to tendering of the external audit 
contract, significant matters relating to the Financial Statements 
and the process for evaluating the External Auditor are set out 
in the following diagram. 

Name

Lindsay Maxsted (Chairman) (1)
Terry Bowen (2)

Ian Cockerill

Anita Frew

Wayne Murdy

Independent

Status

Attendance

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Member for whole period

Member for whole period

Member from 1 April 2019

Member for whole period

Member until 2 November 2018

11/11

10/11

2/2

11/11

5/5

(1)  Mr Maxsted is the Committee’s financial expert nominated by the Board.
(2) Mr Bowen was unable to attend the meeting on 12 February 2019 due to a prior engagement. 

Committee activities in FY2019

Integrity of Financial Statements and funding matters

•  Accounting matters for consideration, materiality limits, 

half-year and full-year results

•  SOX compliance, reserves and resources
•  Capital Allocation Framework
•  Funding update and net debt target
•  Euro medium-term note program update
•  FY2019 portfolio valuation review
•  Cost of capital and country risk premium review
•  Business RAC meetings
•  Deed of cross guarantee 

External auditor and integrity of the audit process

•  External audit report
•  External audit letters of engagement, external audit fees 

and non-audit services

•  Management and external auditor closed sessions
•  Audit plan, review of performance and quality of service
•  EY independence and non-audit services
•  EY audit transition and preliminary audit plan

Effectiveness of systems of internal control and risk management

•  Material risk report
•  Group risk profile
•  Group risk framework including the risk appetite statement 

and priority group risk review

•  Regular reports on progress against the internal audit plan
•  Matters of note arising from internal audits
•  Internal audit reports

124  BHP Annual Report 2019

•  Internal assessments of performance of Internal Audit and Assurance
•  Fraud and misappropriation report
•  Committee and Group Assurance Officer and Chief Risk Officer 

closed sessions

•  Ethics and compliance report
•  Insurance update and Directors’ and Officers’ insurance update
•  Material disputes update

Other governance matters

•  Inter-company loans and group guarantees update
•  Tax/royalty disputes update
•  New accounting standards update
•  Management of data protection and privacy risks update
•  World Class Functions
•  Technology risks
•  Financial governance procedures

Business Risk and Audit Committees
Business Risk and Audit Committees, covering each asset group, 
assist management in providing the information necessary 
to allow the RAC to discharge its responsibilities. They are 
management committees and perform an important monitoring 
function in the overall governance of BHP. The meetings take 
place annually as part of our financial governance framework.

As management committees, the responsible member of the 
Executive Leadership Team participates, but the committee is 
chaired by a member of the RAC. Each committee also includes 
the Group Financial Controller, the Chief Risk Officer and the 
Group Assurance Officer.

Significant operational and risk matters raised at Business 
RAC meetings are reported to the RAC by management.

Activities undertaken by RAC during FY2019
Fair, balanced and understandable
Directors are required to confirm that they consider the Annual 
Report, taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess BHP’s position, performance, business model and strategy. 

BHP has a substantial governance framework in place for the 
Annual Report. This includes management representation letters, 
certifications, RAC oversight of the Financial Statements and a 
range of other financial governance procedures focused on the 
financial section of the Annual Report, together with verification 
procedures for the narrative reporting section of the Report.

The RAC advises the Board on whether the Annual Report meets 
the fair, balanced and understandable requirement. The process 
to support the giving of this confirmation involved the following:

•  ensuring all individuals involved in the preparation of any part 
of the Annual Report are briefed on the fair, balanced and 
understandable requirement through training sessions for 
each content manager that detail the key attributes of ‘fair, 
balanced and understandable’;

•  employees who have been closely involved in the preparation 
of the Financial Statements review the entire narrative for the 
fair, balanced and understandable requirement, and sign off 
an appropriate sub-certification;

•  key members of the team preparing the Annual Report 

confirm they have taken the fair, balanced and understandable 
requirement into account and they have raised, with the 
Annual Report project team, any concerns they have in 
relation to meeting this requirement; 

•  the Annual Report suite sub-certification incorporates 

a fair, balanced and understandable declaration;

•  in relation to the requirement for the auditor to review parts 

of the narrative report for consistency with the audited 
Financial Statements, asking the External Auditor to raise 
any issues of inconsistency at an early stage.

As a result of the process outlined above, the RAC, and then 
the Directors, were able to confirm their view that BHP’s 
Annual Report 2019 taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable. For the Board’s statement on the Annual 
Report, refer to the Directors’ Report in section 4.

Integrity of Financial Statements
The RAC assists the Board in assuring the integrity of the Financial 
Statements. The RAC evaluates and makes recommendations 
to the Board about the appropriateness of accounting policies 
and practices, areas of judgement, compliance with accounting 
standards, stock exchange and legal requirements and the results 
of the external audit. It reviews the half-yearly and annual 
Financial Statements and makes recommendations on specific 
actions or decisions (including formal adoption of the Financial 
Statements and reports) the Board should consider in order 
to maintain the integrity of the Financial Statements. 

For the FY2019 full-year and the half-year, the CEO and CFO 
have certified that BHP’s financial records have been properly 
maintained and that the FY2019 Financial Statements present 
a true and fair view, in all material respects, of our financial 
condition and operating results and are in accordance with 
accounting standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

Significant issues
In addition to the Group’s key judgements and estimates 
disclosed throughout the FY2019 Financial Statements, the 
Committee also considered the following significant issues 
relating to financial reporting:

Carrying value of long-term assets
The assessment of carrying values of long-term assets uses 
a number of significant judgements and estimates. 

The Committee examined management’s review of impairment 
triggers and potential impairment charges or reversals for the 
Group’s cash generating units. 

The results of impairment assessments for the Jansen potash 
assets in Canada were reviewed and the Committee concluded 
that no impairment was required.

Specific consideration was given to the most recent short, 
medium and long-term price forecasts, sanction date, expected 
production volumes and ramp up development plans, operating 
and capital costs, discount rates and other market indicators 
of fair value. 

Conclusions from these reviews are reflected in note 11 
‘Property, plant and equipment’ in section 5.

Samarco dam failure
On 5 November 2015, the Samarco Mineração S.A (Samarco) 
iron ore operation in Minas Gerais, Brazil experienced a tailings 
dam failure that resulted in a release of mine tailings, flooding 
the community of Bento Rodrigues and impacting other 
communities downstream. Samarco is jointly owned by BHP 
Billiton Brasil Limitada (BHP Billiton Brasil) and Vale S.A. (Vale). 
BHP Billiton Brasil’s 50 per cent interest in Samarco is accounted 
for as an equity accounted joint venture investment.

Samarco’s provisions and contingent liabilities 
The Committee reviewed updates to matters relating to the 
Samarco dam failure, including developments on existing and 
new legal proceedings, and changes to the estimated costs 
of remediation and provisions relating to the decommissioning 
of Samarco’s Germano tailings dam complex. 

BHP Billiton Brasil has recognised a share of additional losses 
recorded by Samarco during the year ended 30 June 2019. 

Potential direct financial impacts to BHP Billiton Brasil
The Committee considered:
•  the impact of Brazilian Government legislation requiring the 

accelerated decommissioning of upstream raised tailings dams, 
specifically for Samarco’s Germano tailings dam complex;

•  the accounting implications of funding provided to the 
Renova Foundation and Samarco to support activities 
under the Framework Agreement, carry out remediation 
and stabilisation work and support Samarco’s operations;

•  changes to the estimated cost of remediation and 

compensation Programs under the Framework Agreement;

•  developments in existing and new legal proceedings, 

on the provision related to the Samarco dam failure and 
related disclosures; 

•  the provisions recognised and contingent liabilities disclosed 

by BHP Billiton Brasil or other BHP entities. 

Based on currently available information, the Committee 
concluded that the accounting for the equity investment 
in Samarco, the provision recognised by BHP Billiton Brasil 
(including the decommissioning of the Germano tailings 
dam complex) and contingent liabilities disclosed in the 
Group’s Financial Statements are appropriate.

For further information refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – 
Samarco dam failure’ in section 5.

Onshore US divestment
The Committee considered and concurred with the accounting 
implications of the completion of the Group’s Onshore US asset 
divestment, including the allocation of revenue and costs to 
discontinuing operations and tax accounting of the divestment. 
The Committee also reviewed the disclosure of the Financial 
Statement impacts resulting from the divestment including the 
discontinued operations disclosure. 

Conclusions from these reviews are reflected in note 27 
‘Discontinued operations’ in section 5.

Impact of new accounting standards
The Committee considered and approved accounting policy 
changes resulting from the application of new standards and 
interpretations commencing 1 July 2019, including IFRS 16/AASB 
16 ‘Leases’.

BHP Annual Report 2019  125

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2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report continued

The Committee reviewed management’s analysis of the adoption 
implications for the Group, including the selection of transition 
options, and concurred with its recommendations. 

Consistent with the UK and EU requirements in regard to audit 
firm tender and rotation, the Committee conducted an audit 
tender process during FY2017 to appoint a new external auditor.

For further information, refer to note 38 ‘New and amended 
accounting standards and interpretations’ in section 5.

Tax and royalty liabilities
The Group is subject to a range of tax and royalty matters across 
many jurisdictions. The Committee considered updates on 
changes to the wider tax landscape, estimates and judgements 
supporting the measurement and disclosure of tax and royalty 
provisions and contingent liabilities including the following:
•  tax risks (including transfer pricing risks) arising from the 

Group’s cross-border operations and transactions, including 
settlement of the transfer pricing dispute with the Australian 
Taxation Office relating to the Group’s marketing operations 
in Singapore;

•  settlement of a dispute with the Western Australian 

Government in relation to a long-standing deduction made 
by the Group and its Joint Venture Partners in the calculation 
of royalties; 

•  other matters where uncertainty exists in the application 

of the law.

The Committee concluded that provisions recognised and 
contingent liabilities disclosed for these matters were 
appropriate considering the range of possible outcomes, 
currently available information and legal advice obtained.

For further information refer to notes 6 ‘Income tax expense’ 
and 33 ‘Contingent liabilities’ in section 5.

Closure and rehabilitation provisions
Determining the closure and rehabilitation provision is a 
complex area requiring significant judgement and estimates, 
particularly given the timing and quantum of future costs, the 
unique nature of each site and the long timescales involved. 

The Committee considered the various changes in estimates 
for closure and rehabilitation provisions recognised during the 
year. Consideration was given to the results of the most recently 
completed surveying data, current cost estimates and 
appropriate inclusion of contingency in cost estimates to allow 
for both known and residual risks. The Committee concluded 
that the assumptions and inputs for closure and rehabilitation 
cost estimates were reasonable and the related provisions 
recorded were appropriate. 

For further information, refer to note 14 ‘Closure and rehabilitation 
provisions’ in section 5.

External Auditor
The RAC manages the relationship with the External Auditor 
on behalf of the Board. It considers the reappointment of 
the External Auditor each year, as well as remuneration and 
other terms of engagement and makes a recommendation 
to the Board. There are no contractual obligations that restrict 
the RAC’s capacity to recommend a particular firm for 
appointment as auditor. 

The lead audit engagement partners for KPMG in Australia and 
the United Kingdom (together, (‘KPMG’)), were rotated every 
five years. The most recent Australian audit engagement 
partner was appointed at the start of FY2015, while the UK 
audit engagement partner took formal responsibility at the 
start of FY2018 following a transition period. Audit engagement 
partners have been appointed in Australia and the United 
Kingdom to represent EY for commencement from 1 July 2019.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant/Audit 
tender and transition
BHP confirms that during FY2019 it was in compliance with the 
provisions of The Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies 
Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.

In August 2017, consistent with the Committee’s recommendation, 
the Board announced that it had selected EY to be appointed as 
the Group’s auditor from the financial year beginning 1 July 2019, 
subject to shareholder approval. The Board intends to seek 
shareholder approval at the AGMs in 2019 of the appointment 
of EY as external auditor. KPMG, BHP’s current external auditor, 
did not participate in the tender due to UK and EU requirements 
which require a new external auditor to be in place by 1 July 2023. 
KPMG’s appointment as external auditor will come to an end on 
completion of its procedures on BHP’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements for the financial year ending 30 June 2019 and the 
filing of the related Form-20F.

During the financial years ended 30 June 2018 and 2019, (1) KPMG 
has not issued any reports on the financial statements of BHP 
that contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, 
nor were the auditors’ reports of BHP qualified or modified as to 
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, and (2) there 
has not been any disagreement over any matter of accounting 
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing 
scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to 
KPMG’s satisfaction would have caused it to make reference 
to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with 
its auditor’s reports for such years, or any “reportable event” 
as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. 

BHP has provided KPMG with a copy of the foregoing 
disclosure and has requested that they furnish BHP with 
a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not they 
agree with the above statements. 

During FY2018 and FY2019, BHP did not consult with EY 
regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to any 
specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type 
of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Consolidated 
Financial Statements of the Group; or (ii) any matter that 
was either the subject of a disagreement as defined in Item 
16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F or reportable event as defined 
in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F.

In FY2019, the RAC received updates from EY on the audit 
transition and preparation for commencement of its audit, 
including EY’s process in meeting all relevant independence 
criteria, audit plan for commencement from 1 July 2019 and 
reports on any non-audit services.

Evaluation of External Auditor and external audit process
The RAC evaluates the performance of the External Auditor 
during its term of appointment against specified criteria, 
including delivering value to shareholders and BHP, and also 
assesses the effectiveness of the external audit process. 
It does so through a range of means:

•  the Committee considers the External Audit Plan, in particular 

to gain assurance that it is tailored to reflect changes 
in circumstances from the prior year;

•  throughout the year, the Committee meets with the audit 
partners, particularly the lead Australian and UK audit 
engagement partners, without management present;
•  following the completion of the audit, the Committee 

considers the quality of the External Auditor’s performance 
drawing on survey results. The survey is based on a two-way 
feedback model where the BHP and KPMG teams assess each 
other against a range of criteria. The criteria against which 
the BHP team evaluates KPMG’s performance include ethics 
and integrity, insight, service quality, communication and 
reporting, and responsiveness; 

•  reviewing the terms of engagement of the External Auditor;
•  discussing with the audit engagement partners the skills 

and experience of the broader audit team; 

126  BHP Annual Report 2019

•  reviewing audit quality inspection reports on KPMG published 

by the UK Financial Reporting Council in considering the 
effectiveness of the audit; 

•  overseeing (and approving where relevant) non-audit services 

as described below.

The RAC also reviews the integrity, independence and objectivity 
of the External Auditor and assesses whether there is any element 
of the relationship that impairs, or appears to impair, the External 
Auditor’s judgement or independence. This review includes:

•  confirming the External Auditor is, in its judgement, 

independent of BHP;

•  obtaining from the External Auditor an account of all 
relationships between the External Auditor and BHP;

•  monitoring the number of former employees of the External 
Auditor currently employed in senior positions within BHP;

•  considering the various relationships between BHP and 

the External Auditor;

•  determining whether the compensation of individuals 

employed by the External Auditor who conduct the audit 
is tied to the provision of non-audit services;

•  reviewing the economic importance of BHP to the 

External Auditor.

The External Auditor also certifies its independence to the RAC.

Non-audit services
Although the External Auditor does provide some non-audit 
services, the objectivity and independence of the External Auditor 
are safeguarded through restrictions on the provision of these 
services. For example, certain types of non-audit services may 
be undertaken by the External Auditor only with the prior 
approval of the RAC (as described in this section), while other 
services may not be undertaken at all, including services where 
the External Auditor:
•  may be required to audit its own work;
•  participates in activities that would normally be 

undertaken by management;

•  is remunerated through a ‘success fee’ structure;
•  acts in an advocacy role for BHP.

The RAC has adopted a policy entitled ‘Provision of Audit and 
Other Services by the External Auditor’ covering the RAC’s 
pre-approval policies and procedures to maintain the 
independence of the External Auditor. 

Our policy on Provision of Audit and Other Services by the 
External Auditor is available online at bhp.com/governance. 

In addition to audit services, the External Auditor is permitted 
to provide other (non-audit) services that are not, and are not 
perceived to be, in conflict with the role of the External Auditor. 
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and 
guidance contained in Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (PCAOB) Release 2004-001, certain specific activities 
are listed in our detailed policy that have been ‘pre-approved’ 
by the RAC. 

The categories of ‘pre-approved’ services are as follows: 

•  Audit and audit-related services – work that constitutes the 

agreed scope of the statutory audit and includes the statutory 
audits of BHP and its entities (including interim reviews). 
This category also includes work that is reasonably related 
to the performance of an audit or review and is a logical 
extension of the audit or review scope. The RAC monitors 
the audit services engagements and if necessary, approves 
any changes in terms and conditions resulting from changes 
in audit scope, Group structure or other relevant events.

•  Other assurance services – work that is outside the required 
scope of the statutory audit but is consistent with the role 
of the external statutory auditor, is of an assurance or 
compliance nature and is work the External Auditor must 
or is best placed to undertake.

•  Other services – work of an advisory nature that does not 
compromise the independence of the External Auditor.

Activities not listed specifically are therefore not ‘pre-approved’ 
and must be approved by the RAC prior to engagement, 
regardless of the dollar value involved. Additionally, any 
engagement for other services with a value over US$100,000, 
even if listed as a ‘pre-approved’ service, requires the approval 
of the RAC. All engagements for other services whether 
‘pre-approved’ or not and regardless of the dollar value involved 
are reported quarterly to the RAC.

While not specifically prohibited by BHP’s policy, any proposed 
non-audit engagement of the External Auditor relating to internal 
control (such as a review of internal controls or assistance with 
implementing the regulatory requirements, including those of 
the Exchange Act) requires specific prior approval from the RAC. 
With the exception of the external audit of BHP’s Financial 
Statements, any engagement identified that contains an internal 
control-related element is not considered to be pre-approved. In 
addition, while the categories of ‘pre-approved’ services include 
a list of certain pre-approved services, the use of the External 
Auditor to perform such services will always be subject to our 
overriding governance practices as articulated in the policy.

An exception can be made to the policy where it is in BHP’s 
interests and appropriate arrangements are put in place to 
ensure the integrity and independence of the External Auditor. 
Any such exception requires the specific prior approval of the 
RAC and must be reported to the Board. No exceptions were 
approved during the year ended 30 June 2019.

In addition, the RAC approved no services during the year ended 
30 June 2019 pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of 
SEC Regulation S-X (provision of services other than audit).

Fees paid to BHP’s External Auditor during FY2019 for audit 
and other services were US$14.5 million, of which 64 per cent 
comprised audit fees, 32 per cent related to legislative 
requirements (including US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
as amended (SOX)) and 4 per cent was for other services. 
Details of the fees paid are set out in note 35 ‘Auditor’s 
remuneration’ in section 5. 

Based on the review by the RAC, the Board is satisfied that the 
External Auditor is independent and that the incoming auditor 
is also independent.

Risk function
The role of the Risk function is to own the Group’s end to end 
Risk Framework, to create, maintain, govern, support and report 
on the effective implementation of the risk management 
framework for all risks (including material and non-material, 
strategic, operational, reporting, compliance and emerging risks). 

The RAC assists the Board with the oversight of risk management, 
although the Board retains overall accountability for BHP’s risk 
profile. In addition, the Board specifically requires the CEO to 
implement a system of control for identifying and managing risk. 
The Directors, through the RAC, review the systems that have 
been established for this purpose, regularly review the 
effectiveness of those systems and monitor that necessary 
actions have been taken to remedy any significant failings or 
weaknesses identified from that review. The RAC regularly 
reports to the Board to enable the Board to review our Risk 
Framework. Refinements were made to BHP’s Risk Framework 
during FY2019. For more information, refer to section 1.6.4. 

Additional information about the effectiveness of risk 
management is set out as follows.

Internal Audit
The Internal Audit function is carried out by Internal Audit and 
Advisory (IAA). The role of IAA is to provide assurance as to 
whether risk management, internal control and governance 
processes are adequate and functioning. The Internal Audit 
function is independent of the External Auditor. The RAC 
evaluates and, if thought fit, approves the terms of reference 
of IAA, the staffing levels and its scope of work to ensure it 
is appropriate in light of the key risks we face. It also reviews 
and approves the annual internal audit plan and monitors and 
reviews the overall effectiveness of the internal audit activities.

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2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report continued

The RAC also approves the appointment and dismissal of the 
Group Assurance Officer and assesses his or her performance, 
independence and objectivity. The position was held until 
September 2018 by Kirsty Wallace, when Rama Devarajan 
was appointed to the role. Both Ms Wallace and Mr Devarajan 
reported directly to the RAC. During the period, functional 
oversight of IAA was provided by the Chief External Affairs Officer.

Effectiveness of systems of internal control 
and risk management (RAC and Board)
In delegating authority to the CEO, the Board has established CEO 
limits set out in the Board Governance Document. Limits on the 
CEO’s authority require the CEO to ensure there is a system 
of control in place for identifying and managing risk in BHP. 
Through the RAC, the Directors review the systems 
that have been established for this purpose and regularly 
review their effectiveness. These reviews include assessing 
whether processes continue to meet evolving external 
governance requirements.

The RAC oversees and reviews the internal controls and risk 
management systems. In undertaking this role, the RAC 
reviews the following:
•  procedures for identifying material risks and controlling 

their impact on the Group, and the operational effectiveness 
of these procedures;

•  processes and systems for managing budgeting, forecasting 

and financial reporting;

•  the Group’s strategy and standards in respect of insurance;
•  the Group’s standards and procedures in respect of reporting 

of reserves and resources;

•  the Group’s standards and procedures in respect of the 

closure and rehabilitation provision;

•  standards and practices for detecting, reporting and preventing 

fraud, serious breaches of business conduct and whistle-
blowing procedures supporting reporting to the Committee;
•  procedures for ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory 

and legal requirements;

•  arrangements for the protection of the Group’s information 

and data systems and other non-physical assets;

•  operational effectiveness of the Business RAC structures;
•  overseeing the adequacy of the internal controls and allocation 

of responsibilities for monitoring internal financial controls.

For more information on our approach to risk management, refer 
to section 1.6.4. Section 1.6.4 includes a description of 
the most significant Group risks which could materially and 
adversely affect our business, financial performance, financial 
condition, prospects or reputation, leading to a loss of long-term 
shareholder and/or investor confidence. Section 1.6.4 also 
provides an explanation of how those risks are managed.

During FY2019, management presented an assessment of the 
material business risks facing BHP and the level of effectiveness 
of risk management over the material business risks. The 
reviews were overseen by the RAC, with findings and 
recommendations reported to the Board. In addition to 
considering key risks facing BHP, the Board received an 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over key 
risks identified through the work of the Board committees. 

The Board is satisfied with the effectiveness of risk management 
and internal control systems. 

Management’s assessment of internal control over 
financial reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining 
adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined 
in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial 
reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and, even 
when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable 
assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and 
presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness 
to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree 
of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our 
management, including our CEO and CFO, the effectiveness 
of BHP’s internal control over financial reporting has been 
evaluated based on the framework and criteria established in 
Internal Controls – Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the 
Committee of the Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management 
has concluded that internal control over financial reporting 
was effective as at 30 June 2019. There were no material 
weaknesses in BHP’s internal controls over financial reporting 
identified by management as at 30 June 2019.

BHP has engaged our independent registered public accounting 
firms, KPMG and KPMG LLP, to issue an audit report on our 
internal control over financial reporting for inclusion in the 
Financial Statements section of the Annual Report and the 
Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC. 

There have been no changes in our internal control over 
financial reporting during FY2019 that have materially affected, 
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control 
over financial reporting. 

The CEO and CFO have certified to the Board that the Financial 
Statements for the full-year and half-year are founded on a 
sound system of risk management and internal control and 
the system is operating efficiently and effectively.

During FY2019, the RAC reviewed our compliance with 
the obligations imposed by SOX, including evaluating 
and documenting internal controls as required by section 
404 of SOX. 

Management’s assessment of disclosure controls 
and procedures
Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, 
performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design 
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures 
as at 30 June 2019. Disclosure controls and procedures are 
designed to provide reasonable assurance that the material 
financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed 
by BHP, including in the reports that it files or submits under 
the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarised and 
reported on a timely basis and that such information is 
accumulated and communicated to BHP’s management, 
including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely 
decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the 
evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, has 
concluded that as at 30 June 2019, our disclosure controls and 
procedures are effective in providing that reasonable assurance. 

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system 
of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility 
of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the 
controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure 
controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance 
of achieving their control objectives.

Further, in the design and evaluation of our disclosure controls 
and procedures, management was required to apply its 
judgement in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible 
controls and procedures.

Committee assessment 
Following the committee assessment, the RAC was satisfied that it 
had continued to meet its terms of reference in FY2019. 

The terms of reference for the RAC are available 
online at bhp.com/governance.

128  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.13.2 Remuneration Committee Report

Role and focus 
The role of the Remuneration Committee is to assist the Board 
in overseeing: 
•  the remuneration policy and its specific application to the 
CEO and other Key Management Personnel (those who 
have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and 
controlling the activities of the Group directly or indirectly), 
and its general application to all employees;

•  the adoption of annual and longer-term incentive plans;
•  the determination of levels of reward for the CEO and 

approval of reward for other Key Management Personnel;

•  the annual evaluation of the performance of the CEO, 

by giving guidance to the Chairman;

•  leaving entitlements;
•  the preparation of the Remuneration Report for inclusion 

in the Annual Report;

•  compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements 

associated with remuneration matters;

•  the review, at least annually, of remuneration by gender.

Remuneration Committee members during the year

The Sustainability Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee 
assist the Remuneration Committee in determining appropriate 
HSEC and financial metrics, respectively, to be included in 
senior executive scorecards and in assessing performance 
against those measures.

The Remuneration Committee met five times during FY2019 
and also considered some matters out of session. Information 
on meeting attendance by Committee members is included 
in the following table. 

Certain items the Committee discussed are set out below. 
For full details of the Committee’s work on behalf of the Board, 
refer to the Remuneration Report in section 3.

Name

Carolyn Hewson (Chairman)

Anita Frew

Susan Kilsby

Wayne Murdy

Shriti Vadera

Committee activities in FY2019

Independent

Status

Attendance

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Member for whole period

Member for whole period

Member from 1 April 2019

Member until 2 November 2018

Member for whole period

5/5

5/5

2/2

2/2

5/5

Remuneration of the KMP and the Board

Other remuneration matters

•  Remuneration policy review
•  Remuneration of CEO and other Key Management Personnel
•  KPIs, performance levels, award outcomes
•  Long-Term Incentive Plan sector peer group review
•  Chairman fees

Other

•  Induction, training and development program
•  Board committee procedures, including closed sessions

•  Shareplus enrolment update
•  Remuneration by gender
•  Director travel expenses policy
•  Shareholder engagement
•  Share plan rule update
•  UK BEIS Committee report
•  Corporate Governance code provisions
•  Proxy adviser consultation 

Committee assessment 
Following the committee assessment, the Remuneration Committee was satisfied that it had continued to meet its terms 
of reference in FY2019. Subsequent to year end, updates were made to the terms of reference, to reflect the latest version 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The terms of reference for the Remuneration Committee 
are available online at bhp.com/governance.

BHP Annual Report 2019  129

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2.13.3 Nomination and Governance Committee Report

Role and focus
The role of the Nomination and Governance Committee is to 
assist the Board in ensuring that the Board comprises individuals 
who are best able to discharge the responsibilities of a Director, 
having regard to the highest standards of governance, the 
strategic direction of BHP and the diversity aspirations of the 
Board. It does so by focusing on: 
•  the succession planning process for the Board and its 

committees, including the identification of suitable candidates
for appointment to the Board taking into account the skills,
experience, independence and knowledge required on the 
Board, as well as the attributes required of potential Directors;

•  the succession planning process for the Chairman;
•  the succession planning process for the CEO and periodic 

evaluation of the process;

•  Board and Director performance evaluation, including

evaluation of Directors seeking re-election prior to their
endorsement by the Board as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.11;

•  the provision of appropriate training and development

opportunities for Directors;

•  the independence of Non-executive Directors;
•  the time required from Non-executive Directors;
•  the assessment and, if appropriate, authorisation of situations

of actual and potential conflict notified by Directors; 

•  BHP’s corporate governance practices. 

For details on the Board succession planning process, 
refer to section 2.8.

The Nomination and Governance Committee met six times 
during FY2019. Information on meeting attendance by Committee 
members is included in the following table. In addition to the 
regular business of the year, the Committee considered the 
appointments of Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby as Non-executive 
Directors and the retirement of Wayne Murdy. The Committee 
also oversaw several other targeted searches for Non-executive 
Director candidates in FY2019 which are continuing. 

Board changes
Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby joined the Board on 1 April 2019. 
As set out in the 2018 Annual Report, Wayne Murdy retired with 
effect from 2 November 2018. Our search for a new Non-
executive Director with mining experience commenced 
in FY2017 and the appointment of Ian Cockerill satisfies that 
requirement as he has extensive mining experience, including 
in chief executive, operational, strategic and technical roles. 

Susan Kilsby has extensive experience in finance and strategy, 
having held several roles in global investment banking. Both 
new Directors also bring extensive Non-executive Director 
experience. Ian Cockerill was appointed to the Risk and Audit 
Committee and the Sustainability Committee, and Susan Kilsby 
was appointed to the Remuneration Committee. 

Carolyn Hewson will retire from the Board after 2019 BHP Group 
Limited Annual General Meeting.

Board policy on inclusion and diversity
Our Charter and the Our Requirements for Human Resources 
standard guide management on all aspects of human resource 
management, including inclusion and diversity. Underpinning 
the Our Requirements standards and supporting the 
achievement of diversity across BHP are principles and 
measurable objectives that define our approach to diversity 
and our focus on creating an inclusive work environment. 

The Board and management believe that many facets of diversity 
are required in order to meet the corporate purpose as set out 
in section 2.8. Diversity is a core consideration in ensuring the 
Board and its committees have the right blend of perspectives 
so that the Board oversees BHP effectively for shareholders. 

The Board believes that critical mass is important for diversity 
and diversity of all types remains a priority as the Board 
continues to be refreshed and renewed, as set out in section 2.8. 
We also have an aspirational goal to achieve gender balance 
across our workforce – and on our Board – by FY2025. We 
believe this will help create a more diverse, inclusive, empowered 
and connected workforce, underpinned by Our Charter values.

Part of the Board’s role is to consider and approve BHP’s 
measurable objectives for workforce diversity each financial 
year and to oversee our progress in achieving those objectives. 
BHP’s progress will continue to be disclosed in the Annual 
Report, along with the proportion of women in our workforce, 
in senior management positions and on the Board. For more 
information on inclusion and diversity at BHP, including our 
progress against our FY2019 measurable objectives and our 
employee profile more generally, refer to sections 1.9.1 and 1.9.2.

External recruitment specialists
The Committee retained the services of external recruitment 
specialists. Heidrick and Struggles, Russell Reynolds and 
MWM Consulting assisted with Non-executive Director 
candidate searches throughout the year. 

Nomination and Governance Committee members during the year

Name

Independent

Status

Attendance

Ken MacKenzie (Chairman)

Chairman of the Board

Malcolm Broomhead

Carolyn Hewson

Shriti Vadera

Yes

Yes

Yes

Committee activities in FY2019

Member for whole period

Member for whole period

Member for whole period

Member for whole period

6/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

Succession planning processes

Corporate governance practices

•  Implementation of the new skills and experience matrix
•  Identification of suitable Non-executive Director candidates
•  Board and committee succession
•  Partnering with new search firms regarding candidate searches

•  Independence of Non-executive Directors
•  Authorisation of situations of actual or potential conflict
•  Corporate Governance Statement
•  Update on UK governance reforms
•  Implementing new UK Corporate Governance Code provisions

Evaluation and training

Other governance matters

•  Board evaluation approach for FY2019
•  Board and Director performance evaluation
•  Provision of appropriate training and development opportunities
• Induction
• Committee assessment

•  Board and management advisory committees framework

Committee assessment 
Following the committee assessment, the Nomination and Governance Committee 
was satisfied that it had continued to meet its terms of reference in FY2019.

The terms of reference for the Nomination 
and Governance Committee are available 
online at bhp.com/governance.

130  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.13.4 Sustainability Committee Report

Role and focus
The role of the Sustainability Committee is to assist the Board 
in its oversight of the Group’s health, safety, environment 
and community (HSEC) performance and the adequacy of 
the Group’s HSEC framework, and in relation to various other 
governance responsibilities related to HSE and Community.

The Group’s HSEC framework consists of:

•  the CEO limits set out in the Board Governance Document. 

The Board Governance Document establishes the remit of the 
Board and delegates authority to the CEO, including in respect 
of the HSEC Management System, subject to CEO limits;

•  the Sustainability Committee, which is responsible for 
assisting the Board in overseeing the adequacy of the 
Group’s HSEC Framework and HSEC Management System 
(among other things); 

•  the HSEC Management System, established by management 
in accordance with the CEO’s delegated authority. The HSEC 
Management System provides the processes, resources, 
structures and performance standards for the identification, 
management and reporting of HSEC risks and the 
investigation of any HSEC incidents;

•  a robust and independent internal audit process overseen 
by the RAC, in accordance with its terms of reference; 
•  independent advice on HSEC matters, which may be 

requested by the Board and its committees where deemed 
necessary in order to meet their respective obligations.

Our approach to sustainability is reflected in Our Charter, which 
defines our values, purpose and how we measure success, and in 
our sustainability performance targets, which define our public 
commitments to safety, health, environment and community. 
HSEC considerations are also taken into account in employee 
and executive remuneration. More information is available in our 
Sustainability Report 2019 and the Remuneration Report 2019.

The Committee provides oversight of the preparation and 
presentation of the Sustainability Report by management, 
and reviewed and recommended to the Board the approval 

Sustainability Committee members during the year

of the Sustainability Report for publication. The Sustainability 
Report identifies our targets for HSEC matters and our 
performance against those targets. Our targets rely on fact-
based measurement and quality data, and reflect a desire 
to move BHP to a position of industry leadership.

A copy of the Sustainability Report is available 
online at bhp.com.

Activities of the Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee met five times during FY2019 and 
continued to assist the Board in its oversight of HSEC issues 
and performance. A summary of the main areas discussed and 
information on meeting attendance by Committee members is 
included in the following table. However, one of the major topics 
discussed by the Committee, particularly following the dam failure 
at Vale’s Brumadinho iron ore mine, was tailings storage facilities. 
These discussions included dam risk review actions, the industry 
review led by the ICMM and the Church of England Pensions 
Board led initiative. Further information about our approach 
to tailings storage facilities is set out in section 1.8. Water 
stewardship was also important as the Group worked to finalise 
the Water Stewardship report in August 2018. The Committee 
continues to monitor the work of the water stewardship project.

Members of the Sustainability Committee also visited a number 
of operated and non-operated sites during FY2019 as part 
of a formal program of committee visits. These included West 
Australian Iron Ore, Iron Ore, Australia; Escondida and Spence, 
Copper, Chile; and Broadmeadow and Goonyella, BMA, 
Metallurgical Coal, Australia. During these site visits, Committee 
members received briefings on relevant HSEC matters and 
the management of material HSEC risks, and met with key 
personnel. These visits offer access to a diverse cross-section 
of the workforce from frontline through to the leadership team, 
including, where possible, risk and control owners. This provides 
Directors with a sense of the risk management processes and 
culture at each site. 

Name

Independent

Status

Attendance

Malcolm Broomhead (Chairman)

Ian Cockerill

Ken MacKenzie

John Mogford

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Committee activities in FY2019

Member for whole period

Member from 1 April 2019

Member until 1 April 2019

Member for whole period

5/5

2/2

3/3

5/5

Assurance and adequacy of HSEC framework and HSEC 
management system

Compliance and reporting

•  Key HSEC risks, including tailings dams and a deep dive on the risk 

of blasting incidents

•  Audit planning and reporting in relation to HSEC risks and processes
•  Contractor management

•  Compliance with HSEC legal and regulatory requirements
•  Updates on key legal and regulatory changes
•  Sustainability Report, including consideration of processes 

for preparation and assurance provided by KPMG

Performance 

Other governance matters

•  Induction, training and development of Committee members 
•  HSEC emerging trends 
•  Site visits and site visit reports to Board
•  Investor approach to environmental, social and governance issues
•  Modern Slavery Act Statement

•  Performance of BHP in relation to HSEC matters
•  Considering proposed HSEC KPIs for KMP scorecard 

and considering performance against such KPIs

•  Monitoring against the FY2018–FY2022 HSEC performance targets
•  Updates on Samarco remediation and Renova Foundation
•  Tailings management industry review
•  BHP dam review and actions
•  Field leadership 
•  Saraji fatality ICAM
•  Performance and key issues on sustainable development and 
community relations, including community issues update

•  Water stewardship and position statement
•  Climate change updates
•  Social licence and social value

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2.13.4 Sustainability Committee Report continued

Sustainable development governance
Our approach to HSEC and sustainable development 
governance is characterised by:

•  the Sustainability Committee assisting the Board in its 

oversight of material HSEC matters and risks across BHP, 
including seeking continuous improvement and policy 
advocacy as applicable;

•  management having primary responsibility for the design and 
implementation of an effective HSEC Management System;
•  management having accountability for HSEC performance;
•  the HSE function and Community sub-function providing 

advice and guidance directly to the Sustainability Committee 
and the Board;

•  the Board, Sustainability Committee and management 
seeking input and insight from external experts, such 
as the BHP Forum on Corporate Responsibility; and

•  clear links between executive remuneration 

and HSEC performance.

The key areas of focus for the Committee, management and 
the HSE function and Community sub-function are outlined 
in the Sustainability Report 2019.

Climate change
Climate change is treated as a Board-level governance issue, 
with the Sustainability Committee playing a key supporting role. 
The Committee work during FY2019 included reviewing the 
proposed approach to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 
and the product stewardship project which aims to improve 
identification, assessment and management of climate change 
risks and opportunities in the value chain. For more information 
on our climate change position and how we consider the 
impacts on our portfolio, refer to section 1.10.8.

Social investment
We also continued to monitor our progress in relation to our 
social investment and met our target for investments in 
community programs. This was the equivalent of not less 
than 1 per cent of our pre-tax profit, calculated on the average 
of the previous three years’ pre-tax profit. Our social investment 
performance in FY2019 saw BHP deliver projects with a 
continued focus on good governance, human capability and 
social inclusion and environment. Our voluntary social 
investment in FY2019 totalled US$93.5 million, consisting of 
US$55.7 million in direct community development projects and 
donations, US$8.9 million equity share to non-operated joint 
venture programs, a US$16.57 million donation to the BHP 
Foundation and US$4 million to the Matched Giving and 
community small grants programs. Administrative costs 
to facilitate social investment activities at our assets totalled 
US$6.27 million and US$2 million supported the operations 
of the BHP Foundation.

HSEC matters and remuneration
In order to link HSEC matters to remuneration, 25 per cent 
of the short-term incentive opportunity for Key Management 
Personnel was based on HSEC performance during FY2019. 
The Sustainability Committee assists the Remuneration 
Committee in determining appropriate HSEC metrics to be 
included in the KMP scorecard and also assists in relation 
to assessment of performance against those measures. 
The Board believes this method of assessment is transparent, 
rigorous and balanced, and provides an appropriate, objective 
and comprehensive assessment of performance. For more 
information on the metrics and their assessment, refer 
to the Remuneration Report in section 3.

Committee assessment 
Following the committee assessment, the Sustainability Committee was satisfied that it had continued to meet its terms of reference 
in FY2019.

The terms of reference for the Sustainability Committee 
are available online at bhp.com/governance.

2.14 Risk management governance structure
We believe the identification and management of risk are central to achieving the corporate purpose. Our approach to risk and risk 
governance, including the role of the BHP Board and its committees is set out in section 1.6.4.

132  BHP Annual Report 2019

2.15 Management
Below the level of the Board, key management decisions are made 
by the CEO, the ELT, other management committees and individual 
members of management to whom authority has been delegated. 

Management committees perform roles in relation to risk and 
control. Strategic risks and opportunities arising from changes 
in our business environment are regularly reviewed by the ELT 
and discussed by the Board. The Financial Risk Management 
Committee (FRMC) reviews the effectiveness of internal controls 
relating to commodity price risk, counterparty credit risk, currency 
risk, financing risk, interest rate risk and insurance. Minutes of 
the FRMC meetings are provided to the Board through the RAC. 
The Investment Review Committee (IRC) provides oversight for 
investment processes across BHP and coordinates the investment 
toll-gating process for major investments. Reports are made 
to the Board on findings by the IRC in relation to major capital 
projects. The Disclosure Committee oversees BHP’s compliance 
with securities dealing and continuous and periodic disclosure 
requirements, including reviewing information that may require 
disclosure through stock exchanges and overseeing processes 
to ensure information disclosed is timely, accurate and complete.

The following diagram describes the responsibilities of the CEO 
and four key management committees.

CEO and management committee responsibilities

Performance evaluation for executives
The performance of executives and other senior employees is 
reviewed on an annual basis. For the members of the ELT, this 
review includes their contribution, engagement and interaction 
at Board level. The annual performance review process that we 
employ considers the performance of executives against criteria 
designed to capture both ‘what’ is achieved and ‘how’ it is 
achieved. All performance assessments of executives include 
how effective they have been in undertaking their role; what they 
have achieved against their specified key performance indicators; 
how they match up to the behaviours prescribed in our leadership 
model; and how those behaviours align with Our Charter values. 
The assessment is therefore holistic and balances absolute 
achievement with the way performance has been delivered. 
Progression within BHP is driven equally by personal leadership 
behaviours and capability to produce excellent results.

A performance evaluation as outlined was conducted for all 
members of the ELT during FY2019. For the CEO, the performance 
evaluation was led by the Chairman of the Board on behalf of 
all the Non-executive Directors, and was discussed with the 
Remuneration Committee.

Chief Executive Officer

•  Holds delegated authority from the Board to achieve the corporate purpose. 
•  Authority extends to all matters except those reserved for the Board’s decision. 
•  CEO has delegated authority to management committees and individual members of 

management – but CEO remains accountable to Board for all authority delegated to him.

Executive Leadership Team

•  Established by the CEO, the ELT has responsibility for day-to-day management of BHP.
•  Purpose is to provide leadership to BHP, determining its priorities and the way it is to operate, 

thereby assisting the CEO in pursuing the corporate purpose. 

•  Is a forum to debate high-level matters important to BHP and to ensure consistent 

development of BHP’s strategy. 

Financial Risk
Management Committee 

Group Investment 
Review Committee

Disclosure 
Committee

•  Purpose is to assist the CEO 
to monitor and oversee the 
management of the financial 
risks faced by BHP, including: 

•  commodity price risk;  
•  counterparty credit risk;  
•  currency risk;
•  financing risk;
•  interest rate risk;
•  insurance.

•  Purpose is to assist the CEO 

•  Purpose is to assist the 

in assessing investment 
decisions using a transparent 
and rigorous governance 
process, such that:

  • investments are aligned with  
  BHP’s purpose, strategy and  
  Charter values as well as the  
  Group’s capital priorities  
  and plans;

  •  key risks and opportunities  
  are identified and managed;

  •  shareholder value is  
  maximised, on a risk  
  adjusted basis.

CEO in overseeing BHP’s 
compliance with securities 
dealing and continuous 
and periodic disclosure 
requirements, including:  

•  reviewing information 

that may require disclosure 
to stock exchanges; 
•  overseeing disclosure 
processes to ensure 
information disclosed 
is timely, accurate 
and complete. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  133

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2.16 Our conduct 
Our Charter and Our Code of Conduct
Our Charter is central to our business. It articulates the values 
we uphold, our strategy and how we measure success.

Our Code of Conduct (Our Code) is based on Our Charter values. 
Our Code sets out standards of behaviour for our people when 
using BHP resources, in their dealings with governments and 
communities, third parties and each other. Our Code describes 
the behaviours expected to support a safe, respectful and a legally 
compliant working environment. 

Working with integrity is a condition of employment with BHP and 
in some cases a contractual obligation of many of our contractors 
and suppliers. All our people are required to undertake annual 
training on Our Code to promote awareness and understanding 
of the behaviours expected of them. Demonstration of the values 
described in Our Charter and Our Code is part of the annual 
employee performance review process.

Our Code is accessible to all our people and external 
stakeholders online at bhp.com.

BHP’s EthicsPoint
We have mechanisms in place for anyone to raise a report if they 
feel Our Code has been breached. Employees and contractors 
can raise reports through line leaders or Human Resources. 
Processes for the community to report potential breaches of 
Our Code are available at the asset level and these are then 
reported to a central grievances system. 

Reports can also be raised by anyone, whether they are employees, 
contractors, vendors/suppliers, customers, shareholders or 
community members, through EthicsPoint, a 24-hour, multilingual 
service for confidential reporting of potential misconduct. 
This service is accessible online or via telephone and reports 
can be raised anonymously. 

We acknowledge, investigate as appropriate and document 
all matters reported. Where matters are investigated and 
substantiated, we take appropriate remedial actions, advise 
the reporter (where possible) and document the outcome. 

BHP does not tolerate any form of retaliation against anyone 
for speaking up about potential misconduct or participating 
in an investigation.

Enhancements
With culture at the centre of key strategic priorities, we have several 
initiatives to improve our policies, procedures and practices, building 
on changes already made. They include the implementation of:
• an updated Our Requirements for Business Conduct standard, to
strengthen our investigations framework, including providing clear 
guidance how each EthicsPoint concern is assessed and triaged; 
•  an independent, dedicated Central Investigation team within our

Ethics and Compliance function that investigates the most 
serious allegations of misconduct, including, allegations of sexual
harassment, fraud, conflicts of interest, compliance related 
matters and any other Our Code of Conduct allegations raised in 
relation to senior managers. The Central Investigations Team also 
provides guidance to drive a standardised, quality investigation 
process throughout BHP;

•  an Integrity Working Group, Chaired by our Chief Compliance 

Officer and comprised of senior leaders across the Health, Safety 
and Environment; Risk; Internal Audit; Legal; and Ethics and 
Compliance functions, with accountability for oversight of the 
operational effectiveness of the Investigations Framework, 
including oversight of investigations completed by the Central 
Investigations team.

Complaints raised through EthicsPoint provide valuable insight into 
cultural issues and areas for organisational improvement. 
Complaints are reported biannually to the Board’s Risk and Audit 
Committee by the Chief Compliance Officer. In FY2019, we 
improved the EthicsPoint process, ethics reporting capability and 
the quality of investigations and investigations outcomes. These 
changes will make the reporting more holistic and permit detailed 
reporting of ethical culture issues to management and the Board.

134  BHP Annual Report 2019

Political donations
We maintain a position of impartiality with respect to party politics 
and do not make political contributions or expenditure/donations 
for political purposes to any political party, politician, elected 
official or candidate for public office. We do, however, contribute 
to the public debate of policy issues that may affect BHP in the 
countries in which we operate. As explained in the Directors’ 
Report, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) disclosure 
requirements are broad and amounts that are not political 
donations can be reportable for AEC purposes. For example, where 
a political party or organisation owns shares in BHP, the AEC filing 
requires the political party or organisation to disclose the dividend 
payments received for their shareholding.

2.17 Market disclosure
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of 
disclosure, ensuring that all investors and potential investors 
have the same access to high-quality, relevant information in 
an accessible and timely manner to assist them in making informed 
decisions. The Disclosure Committee manages our compliance with 
market disclosure obligations and is responsible for implementing 
reporting processes and controls and setting guidelines for the 
release of information. As part of our commitment to continuous 
improvement, we continue to ensure alignment with best practice 
as it develops in the jurisdictions in which BHP is listed.

Disclosure officers have been appointed in BHP’s Asset groups, 
Marketing, Procurement, Maritime and Logistics, and functions. 
These officers are responsible for identifying and providing the 
Disclosure Committee with referral information about the activities 
of the asset or functional areas using disclosure guidelines 
developed by the Committee. The Committee then makes the 
decision whether a particular piece of information is material and 
therefore needs to be disclosed to the market.

To safeguard the effective dissemination of information, we have 
developed the Our Requirements for market disclosure standard, 
which outlines how we identify and distribute information to 
shareholders and market participants. 

A copy of the market disclosure and communications 
document is available online at bhp.com/governance. 

Copies of announcements to the stock exchanges on which BHP 
is listed, investor briefings, Financial Statements, the Annual Report 
and other relevant information can be found online at bhp.com. 
Any person wishing to receive advice by email of news releases 
can subscribe at bhp.com. 

2.18 Remuneration
Details of our remuneration policies and practices, and the 
remuneration paid to the Directors (Executive and Non-executive) 
and other members of the KMP, are set out in the Remuneration 
Report in section 3. 

2.19 Directors’ share ownership
Non-executive Directors have agreed to apply at least 25 per cent of 
their remuneration (base fees plus committee fees) to the purchase 
of BHP shares until they achieve a shareholding equivalent in value 
to one year’s remuneration (base fees plus committee fees). 
Thereafter, they must maintain at least that level of shareholding 
throughout their tenure. All dealings by Directors are subject to the 
Our Requirements for Securities Dealing standard and are reported 
to the Board and to the stock exchanges.

Information on our policy governing the use of hedging 
arrangements over shares in BHP by Directors and other 
members of the KMP is set out in section 3.3.21.

Details of the shares held by Directors 
are set out in section 3.3.20.

2.20 Conformance with corporate 
governance standards
Our compliance with the governance standards in our home 
jurisdictions of Australia and the United Kingdom, and with 
the governance requirements that apply to us as a result of our 
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing and our registration with 
the SEC in the United States, is summarised in this Corporate 
Governance Statement, the Remuneration Report, the Directors’ 
Report and the Financial Statements.

The Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of 
the UK Financial Conduct Authority require companies listed in 
the United Kingdom to report how they have applied the Main 
Principles and the extent to which they have complied with 
the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (UK Code), 
and explain the reasons for any non-compliance. The UK Code 
is available online at frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Corporate-Governance-
Reporting/Corporate-governance.aspx.

The Listing Rules of the ASX require ASX-listed companies to 
report on the extent to which they meet the ASX Principles and 
Recommendations and explain the reasons for any non-compliance. 
The ASX Principles and Recommendations are available online at 
asx.com.au/regulation/corporate-governance-council.htm.

Both the UK Code and the ASX Principles and Recommendations 
require the Board to consider the application of the relevant 
corporate governance principles, while recognising that departures 
from those principles are appropriate in some circumstances. 
We have applied the Main Principles and complied with the 
provisions set out in the 2016 edition of the UK Code and with the 
ASX Principles and Recommendations during the financial period, 
with no exceptions. 

Appendix 4G, summarising our compliance with the ASX Principles 
and Recommendations is available online at bhp.com/governance.

BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc are registrants with the 
SEC in the United States. Each company is classified as a foreign 
private issuer and each has American Depositary Shares listed 
on the NYSE.

We have reviewed the governance requirements applicable to 
foreign private issuers under SOX, including the rules promulgated 
by the SEC and the rules of the NYSE, and are satisfied that we 
comply with those requirements.

Section 303A of the NYSE-Listed Company Manual contains a 
broad regime of corporate governance requirements for NYSE-
listed companies. Under the NYSE rules, foreign private issuers, 
such as BHP, are permitted to follow home country practice in lieu 
of the requirements of Section 303A, except for the rule relating 
to compliance with Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act (audit 
committee independence) and certain notification provisions 
contained in Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual. Section 
303A.11 of the Listed Company Manual, however, requires us to 
disclose any significant ways in which our corporate governance 
practices differ from those followed by US companies under the 
NYSE corporate governance standards. After a comparison of our 
corporate governance practices with the requirements of Section 
303A of the Listed Company Manual followed by US companies, 
the following significant difference was identified:

•  Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act requires NYSE-listed companies 
to ensure their audit committees are directly responsible for 
the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the 
work of the External Auditor unless the company’s governing 
law or documents or other home country legal requirements 
require or permit shareholders to ultimately vote on or approve 
these matters. While the RAC is directly responsible for 
remuneration and oversight of the External Auditor, the ultimate 
responsibility for appointment and retention of the External 
Auditor rests with our shareholders, in accordance with UK law 
and our constitutional documents. The RAC does, however, 
make recommendations to the Board on these matters, which 
are in turn reported to shareholders.

While the Board is satisfied with its level of compliance with the 
governance requirements in Australia, the United Kingdom and 
the United States, it recognises that practices and procedures can 
always be improved and there is merit in continuously reviewing 
its own standards against those in a variety of jurisdictions. The 
Board’s program of review will continue throughout the year ahead.

2.21 Additional UK disclosure
The information specified in the UK Financial Conduct Authority 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, DTR 7.2.6, is located 
elsewhere in this Annual Report. The Directors’ Report in section 4 
provides cross-references to where the information is located.

This Corporate Governance Statement was current and approved 
by the Board on 5 September 2019, and signed on its behalf by:

Ken MacKenzie
Chairman
5 September 2019

BHP Annual Report 2019  135

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136  BHP Annual Report 2019

In this section

3.1   Annual statement by the Remuneration 

Committee Chairman
3.2   Remuneration policy report

Remuneration policy for the Executive Director
Remuneration policy for Non-executive Directors

3.3   Annual report on remuneration

Remuneration for the Executive Director (the CEO)
Remuneration for other Executive KMP 
(excluding the CEO)
Remuneration for Non-executive Directors
Remuneration governance
Other statutory disclosures

Abbreviation

Item

AASB
AGM
CDP
CEO
DEP
DLC
ELT
GSTIP
HPIF
HSEC

IFRS

KMP
KPI
LTIP
MAP
MSR
ROC
STIP
TRIF
TSR
UAP

Australian Accounting Standards Board
Annual General Meeting
Cash and Deferred Plan
Chief Executive Officer
Dividend Equivalent Payment
Dual Listed Company
Executive Leadership Team
Group Short-Term Incentive Plan
High Potential Injury Frequency
Health, Safety, Environment and 
Community
International Financial Reporting 
Standards
Key Management Personnel
Key Performance Indicator
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Management Award Plan
Minimum Shareholding Requirement
Return on Capital
Short-Term Incentive Plan
Total Recordable Injury Frequency
Total Shareholder Return
Underlying Attributable Profit

Section 3

Remuneration 
Report

This Remuneration Report describes the remuneration policies, 
practices, outcomes and governance for the KMP of BHP. 

BHP’s DLC structure means that we are subject to remuneration 
disclosure requirements in both the United Kingdom and 
Australia. This results in some complexity in our disclosures, 
as there are some key differences in the requirements and the 
information that must be disclosed. For example, UK requirements 
give shareholders the right to a binding vote on the remuneration 
policy every three years, and as a result, the remuneration policy 
needs to be described in a separate section in the Remuneration 
Report. Our remuneration policy is set out in section 3.2. In 
Australia, BHP is required to make certain disclosures for KMP 
as defined by the Australian Corporations Act 2001, Australian 
Accounting Standards and IFRS. 

The UK requirements focus on the remuneration of executive 
and non-executive directors. At BHP, this is our Board, including 
the CEO, who is our sole Executive Director. In contrast, the 
Australian requirements focus on the remuneration of KMP, 
defined as those who have authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group 
directly or indirectly. KMP includes the Board, as well as certain 
members of our senior executive team. 

After due consideration, the Committee has determined the 
KMP for FY2019 comprised: all Non-executive Directors, the 
CEO, the Chief Financial Officer, the President Operations, 
Minerals Australia, the President Operations, Minerals Americas, 
and the President Operations, Petroleum.

The following individuals have held their positions and were 
KMP for the whole of FY2019, unless stated otherwise:

•  CEO and Executive Director, Andrew Mackenzie;
•  Non-executive Directors - see section 3.3.13 for details of the 
Non-executive Directors, including dates of appointment 
or cessation (where relevant);

•  Other Executive KMP, as set out in the table below.

Name

Title

Peter Beaven
Mike Henry
Daniel Malchuk
Steve Pastor
Geraldine Slattery

Chief Financial Officer
President Operations, Minerals Australia
President Operations, Minerals Americas
President Operations, Petroleum (to 17 March 2019)
President Operations, Petroleum (from 18 March 2019)

BHP Annual Report 2019  137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1 Annual statement by the Remuneration Committee Chairman

‘Our FY2019 remuneration outcomes 
are aligned with performance, and 
the proposed enhancements to our 
remuneration policy will further 
strengthen this linkage and ensure our 
remuneration arrangements continue 
to support the delivery of our strategy.’

Carolyn Hewson 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholders,

I am pleased to introduce BHP’s Remuneration Report for FY2019. 

During the past two years, the Remuneration Committee invested 
time reviewing the Company’s remuneration policy, to ensure it 
supports the attraction and motivation of talented executives and, 
at the same time, aligns business performance and remuneration 
outcomes. Based on the findings of this review, several 
enhancements to the remuneration policy are being proposed. 

Why change? 
The purpose of BHP’s remuneration arrangements is to drive 
the delivery of strategy, attract and motivate talented executives, 
and ensure long-term alignment with our shareholders’ interests. 

Shareholder support of BHP’s remuneration arrangements has 
been strong over many years, and we believe they have served 
stakeholders well. However, it is appropriate to regularly review 
opportunities to enhance the Group’s remuneration arrangements 
to deliver on their intended purpose. The LTIP is well understood, 
transparent and aligned to the interests of shareholders, yet 
the reviews conducted in recent years have identified the 
following tendencies: 
•  The LTIP rewards volatility in performance rather than 

sustained outperformance, which is an aspiration for BHP.

•  There are material time lags between key long-dated 

decisions and their LTIP outcomes, leading to a discrepancy 
between participants who are the decision-makers, and 
those who eventually experience the positive or negative 
remuneration outcomes.

•  The LTIP tends to deliver ‘all or nothing’ outcomes, often 

for extended periods.

•  When the LTIP next vests at 100 per cent (or similarly 
high levels), there is likely to be significant scrutiny by 
shareholders and other stakeholders, due to the overall 
remuneration accruing from the awards granted.

The enhancements to the remuneration policy being proposed 
mitigate these concerns, without relinquishing the well understood 
and supported benefits of the LTIP.

Consultation with shareholders
During FY2019, the Committee engaged with shareholders on the 
concerns above and discussed various possible improvements; 
then with the benefit of valuable shareholder input from those 
discussions, several proposed changes were tested with 
shareholders in a second round of discussions. While a majority 
of those consulted were comfortable with the rationale for, and 
the specifics of, the proposed changes, constructive feedback 
was also received in relation to certain aspects. Three modifications 
were made to the proposal based on this shareholder feedback 
(see ‘Before and after comparison’ on page 139). 

138  BHP Annual Report 2019

What is proposed?
The following changes to the remuneration policy are proposed 
for the CEO:
•  A change in the balance of incentive arrangements comprising:
 – A reduced LTIP grant size from 400 per cent to 200 per cent 

of base salary (on a face value basis); 

 – A CDP that has a longer-term focus than the current STIP. 

The CDP will include a cash award, plus two-year and five-year 
deferred share awards each of equivalent value to the actual 
cash award, which will align participants’ incentive remuneration 
with performance over the short, medium and long term;

In aggregate, these two changes in combination do not 
materially alter the target value or vesting profile of incentive 
remuneration, but result in a 12 per cent reduction in the 
maximum value of total annual remuneration.

•  A reduction in the pension contribution rate from 25 per cent 

of base salary down to 10 per cent of base salary (the estimated 
workforce average is approximately 11.5 per cent of base salary), 
and because of this change, overall target remuneration 
is reduced by 4 per cent.

•  The introduction of a two-year post-retirement shareholding 

requirement for the CEO.

What is the impact?
The proposed changes mitigate the leverage of the overall 
remuneration package and the likelihood of unpalatable quantum 
outcomes is reduced significantly. The chart below shows the ‘all or 
nothing’ LTIP vesting outcome pattern since 2009, projected to 2022.

LTIP vesting

%

100

80

60

40

20

0

35

100 100 100 100 65

58

70 100 100

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015
2016
Vesting year

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Actual vesting %

Discretion used %

Projected vesting % 

While no LTIP awards have vested since 2014, performance-to-date 
to 30 June 2019 for the next three LTIP awards indicates projected 
vesting of 70 per cent in FY2020, 100 per cent in FY2021 and 
100 per cent in FY2022. Such vesting would continue the ‘all or 
nothing’ pattern, potentially giving rise to significant scrutiny of overall 
remuneration outcomes by shareholders and other stakeholders. 

A comparison of actual total remuneration outcomes from 
FY2009–FY2019 against notional outcomes over the same period 
under the proposed changes, indicates the prior CEO’s total 
remuneration would have been lower by US$19 million (25 per 
cent lower) under the proposed remuneration policy. Conversely, 
the current CEO’s total remuneration would have been marginally 
higher by US$1 million (2 per cent higher). The Remuneration 
Committee consider that these remuneration outcomes would 
have been more appropriate, given the performance of the 
Group and the experience of shareholders over the period.

Comparison of actual and notional outcomes 
under the proposed changes 
US$million

Prior CEO

Current CEO

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

FY2014

FY2015

FY2016

FY2017

FY2018

FY2019

Prior CEO – Actual
Prior CEO – Notional

Current CEO – Actual
Current CEO – Notional

In addition, the de-weighting of the LTIP in the overall 
remuneration package mitigates the other concerns referred 
to above. The changes to pension arrangements and the 
introduction of post-retirement shareholding requirements 
conform to best practice governance. 

Before and after comparison
The following table details the elements of the CEO’s remuneration 
package that are changing and those that are not. 

As noted above, three changes to the proposed remuneration 
policy were made based on shareholder feedback during 
the consultation meetings. These are referred to in the table; 
however, for ease of reference, they are:
•  Increasing the weighting on financial measures from 45 per cent 

to 50 per cent in the CDP scorecard (with a commensurate 
reduction from 30 per cent to 25 per cent for individual measures).

•  Replacing the CDP absolute underlying attributable profit 

financial measure with a return on capital measure.

•  Applying a policy of pro-rata reduction to the CDP five-year 
deferred shares for leavers entitled to retain awards, instead 
of vesting in full (note that vesting is not accelerated; it will 
occur on their scheduled vesting date).

Element

Before

After

Fixed pay

Base salary

Fixed amount per annum

Fixed amount per annum

Change

No change

Pension 
contribution

25% of base salary

10% of base salary (reduced to 20% 
from 1 July 2020, 15% from 1 July 2021, 
and 10% from 1 July 2022 onwards, 
but immediate for new hires)

Reduced to below workforce average 
of approximately 11.5% of base salary

Benefits

Specified benefits up to a maximum 
of 10% of base salary

Specified benefits up to a maximum 
of 10% of base salary

No change

Variable pay

STIP / CDP

STIP – Cash award with a target of 
80% of base salary (maximum 120%) 
with an award of two-year deferred 
shares equivalent in value to the 
actual cash award
HSEC:
•  25% weighting
•  Includes circa 4% 
on climate change

CDP – Cash award with a target of 
80% of base salary (maximum 120%) 
with awards of two-year and five-year 
deferred shares each equivalent 
in value to the actual cash award
HSEC:
•  25% weighting
•  From 1 July 2020 to include increased 

weighting, specificity and 
transparency on climate change

Financial:
•  45% weighting
•  Absolute underlying attributable 

Financial:
•  50% weighting
•  Underlying return on capital metric

The CDP has an additional component 
of five-year deferred shares of equivalent 
value to the actual cash award
KPIs reweighted as shown and return 
on capital metric introduced based 
on feedback during consultations 
with shareholders
Vesting of the five-year deferred shares 
is underpinned by a five-year holistic 
review of performance 
Pro-rating for five-year deferred shares 
for good leavers introduced subsequent 
to consultations with shareholders

profit metric

Individual:
•  30% weighting

Individual:
•  25% weighting 

Vesting underpin:
•  A five-year holistic review 

of performance 

Good leavers:
•  Two-year deferred shares vest in full 
on their scheduled vesting dates

Good leavers:
•  Two-year deferred shares vest in full 
on their scheduled vesting dates

•  Five-year deferred shares vest pro-rata 

for time served, vesting on their 
scheduled vesting date

LTIP

400% of base salary on a face value 
basis (164% fair value)
Good leavers:
•  LTIP awards reduced pro-rata based 
for time served, vesting on their 
scheduled vesting date and subject 
to original performance conditions

200% of base salary on a face value 
basis (82% fair value)
Good leavers:
•  LTIP awards reduced pro-rata based 
for time served, vesting on their 
scheduled vesting date and subject to 
original performance conditions 

Grant size reduced by half
No other changes

At target

US$7.7 million

US$7.4 million

Reduced by 4%

At maximum 
(fixed share 
price)

US$13.1 million

US$11.5 million

Reduced by 12%

Remuneration 
package

Shareholding requirements

500% of salary (based on owned 
shares only)

500% of salary (based on owned shares 
only) with a requirement to hold these 
shares for a minimum of two years 
post-retirement

Introduction of a two-year 
post-retirement shareholding 
requirement

BHP Annual Report 2019  139

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Maintaining our long-term focus
One aspect of the proposal that attracted comment from a number 
of shareholders was whether a sufficiently long-term perspective 
would be retained despite a reduced weighting of five-year relative 
TSR in the overall remuneration arrangements. The Board and 
Remuneration Committee are committed to ensuring the CDP 
scorecard is a genuine combination of short-term business 
imperatives and progress towards long-term sustainable business 
outcomes that are subject to rigorous and transparent performance 
assessment. This will also be reflected in our disclosures in the 
annual remuneration report. 

The scorecard set out below is a combination of short, medium and 
long-term elements that the Board and Remuneration Committee 
view as priorities for FY2020.

Categories

Item

HSEC (25%)

Financial (50%)

Individual (25%)

•  Fatalities and other HSEC incidents
•  HPIF, TRIF and Occupational illnesses 
•  HSEC risk management (including climate change)
•  HSEC initiatives linked to five-year Public Targets 

(including climate change)

•  Return on Capital (adjusted for commodity prices, 
exchange movements and exceptional items that 
are not within management control during the 
performance year)

•  Portfolio/strategy (i.e. aligned to long-term plans)
•  Tailings dams
•  Future options and exploration (i.e. aligned 

to long-term plans)

•  Culture and capability (including quantitative employee 

survey and diversity targets)

•  Social value (including management of risk, community 
relationships and environmental performance linked to 
our long-term success)

Performance is measured on an annual basis against the scorecard, 
and CDP awards are made in the form of cash, two-year deferred 
shares and five-year deferred shares. While there are certain 
appropriate short-term components of the scorecard (e.g. financial 
performance), a number of the HSEC and Individual measures are 
long term elements which contribute to value creation in the longer 
term or will take multiple years to realise their full potential. 

The Board and Committee take the view that long-term objectives 
(including items such as our public HSEC five-year targets, portfolio/
strategy implementation, critical tailings dam work, capital projects, 
future options, exploration, culture, capability and social value) 
need to be broken down into milestones if they are to be successfully 
implemented and long-term value created. Many of these items 
in the scorecard are multi-year in nature, and while the Committee 
is measuring the milestones on an annual basis, they have been 
crafted to contribute to long-term successful implementation.

The CDP scorecard will be reviewed at the commencement of 
each performance year to ensure it captures the most important 
elements for the coming year. For example, the link between 
executive remuneration and climate change will be reviewed 
over FY2020, with a view to strengthening that link for the 
financial year that commences on 1 July 2020.

The first CDP awards will be made in late CY2020 in respect 
of FY2020. Awards to be made in late CY2019 in respect of 
FY2019 will be made under the existing STIP arrangements.

Vesting will also be subject to an underpin through 
a holistic performance review
To ensure the vesting of five-year deferred shares under the CDP 
is underpinned by ongoing performance post-grant, the vesting will 
also be subject to an underpin. This will take the form of a holistic 
review of performance at the end of the five-year vesting period, 
including a five-year view on HSEC performance, profitability, 
cash flow, balance sheet health, returns to shareholders, corporate 
governance and conduct.

If this holistic review determined that the scheduled vesting outcome 
would not be appropriate, the Committee has discretion to reduce 
vesting. The exercise of discretion – to adjust variable pay outcomes 
downwards – has been a feature of BHP’s approach over many years 
where the status quo or a formulaic outcome does not align with 
the overall shareholder experience. For example, under the LTIP, this 
holistic review resulted in discretion being applied in 2013 when the 
LTIP vesting was reduced from 100 per cent to 65 per cent.

140  BHP Annual Report 2019

LTIP
The only change to the LTIP is a reduction in the size of the grant. 
The comparator groups, relative TSR condition, five-year 
performance term, vesting scale, leaver conditions, availability 
of discretion (downwards), malus and clawback are unchanged. 
While the LTIP is de-weighted in the overall remuneration package, 
it does focus executive effort on sustainable long-term value creation, 
and is seen as a successful program by many shareholders where 
remuneration outcomes and the shareholder experience are aligned.

In order to ensure there is a fair transitional outcome for participants, 
the LTIP grant to be made in late CY2019 will be made on the 
current 400 per cent of base salary (face value), with potential 
vesting five years later in mid-CY2024. The first five-year deferred 
shares that result from performance under the CDP will be granted 
in late CY2020 and will first vest five years later in mid-CY2025. 
The LTIP grant to be made in late CY2020 will be made on the 
reduced 200 per cent of base salary (face value), with potential 
vesting five years later also in mid-CY2025.

CEO remuneration outcomes
Since his appointment as CEO in 2013, Andrew Mackenzie has 
not received a base salary increase and, after review in 2019, 
the Committee has again determined his salary will remain 
unchanged at US$1.700 million per annum. In addition, prior to 
the changes being proposed this year, the other components 
of his total target remuneration (pension contributions, benefits 
and short-term and long-term incentive targets) have also 
remain unchanged since 2013. Mr Mackenzie is BHP’s only 
Executive Director.

From a performance perspective, while shareholders have 
benefited during FY2019 from positive share price growth 
and significant shareholder returns, the year was a challenging 
one operationally for BHP, and the remuneration outcomes 
for FY2019 for our senior executives reflect this. 

The scorecard against which Mr Mackenzie’s performance 
is assessed comprises both short-term business imperatives 
and progress towards long-term sustainable business outcomes, 
including HSEC, financial and individual performance elements, 
which have stretching performance measures subject to 
rigorous and transparent performance assessment. For FY2019, 
the Remuneration Committee has assessed Mr Mackenzie’s 
performance and determined an STIP outcome of 48 per cent 
against the target of 100 per cent (which represents an outcome 
of 32 per cent against the maximum STIP opportunity available 
to him or 77 per cent of base salary). 

This outcome took into account HSEC performance, which primarily 
reflected the tragic fatality that occurred at the Saraji coal mine 
in Queensland, Australia in December 2018. The Committee took 
advice from the Sustainability Committee, giving the Group’s safety 
performance the greatest weighting in the HSEC category. 

Controllable financial performance was below the threshold 
financial target set at the commencement of the year, mainly 
due to operational issues leading to below target production 
performance across the Group.

The Committee considered the CEO’s performance against 
individual objectives to be ahead of target, including improved 
returns of major capital projects in development, progressing 
BHP’s rigorous Capital Allocation Framework, positive outcomes 
from exploration, and the successful completion of the Onshore 
US divestment, with the proceeds distributed in a value accretive 
manner, contributing to the positive shareholder experience 
during the year.

In relation to the LTIP awards granted in 2014, BHP’s TSR performance 
was positive 6.0 per cent over the five-year period from 1 July 2014 
to 30 June 2019. This is below the weighted median TSR of peer 
companies of positive 15.3 per cent and below the TSR of the MSCI 
World index of positive 41.3 per cent. This level of performance 
results in zero vesting for the 2014 LTIP awards, and accordingly 
the awards have lapsed.

Overall, Mr Mackenzie’s actual total remuneration for FY2019 was 
US$3.531 million, compared with US$4.657 million for FY2018, 
with the decrease due to a lower STIP outcome this year compared 
with FY2018. The LTIP outcome was zero in both years. 

In line with the approach for Mr Mackenzie, after review in 2019, the 
base salaries for all other Executive KMP will also remain unchanged.

FY2019 CEO remuneration

FY2019 actual

63%

37%

3,531

Minimum

100%

2,225

Target

29%

35%

36%

7,733

Maximum

17%

31%

52%

13,105

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

13,000

14,000

Fixed remuneration

STI P

LTIP

Total remuneration (US$’000)

FY2020 CEO remuneration

Fixed remuneration 

CDP 

LTIP

•  Base salary US$1.700 million per annum.
•  No change to base salary. 
•  Pension contribution 25% of base salary, 

reducing thereafter as follows: 
to 20% from 1 July 2020, to 15% 
from 1 July 2021, and to 10% from 
1 July 2022 onwards.  

•  Target cash award of 80% of base salary 

•  The LTIP grant is to be based on a face 

(maximum 120%).

value of 200%* of base salary.

•  Plus two awards of deferred shares each 
of equivalent value to the cash award, 
vesting in two and five years, respectively.

•  Our LTIP awards have rigorous relative 
TSR performance hurdles measured 
over five years.

•  Three categories:
 – HSEC – 25%
 – Financial – 50%
 – Individual – 25%.

* 400% of base salary for the late 2019 LTIP grant with 
the late 2020 LTIP grant to be made under the new 
remuneration policy.

To that end, I have been working closely with the BHP Chairman 
and Committee members on an effective and seamless transition. 
I am confident that my colleagues on the Board will appoint 
a Chairman of BHP’s Remuneration Committee who, with the 
undoubted continuing support from the BHP Chairman and 
Committee members, will be very successful and effective.

Summary
The remuneration outcomes for FY2019 reflect an appropriate 
alignment between pay and performance during the year, and we 
are confident that shareholders will recognise this as a continuation 
of our long-held approach.

In late 2019, our remuneration policy enhancements will be put 
before shareholders at the UK and Australian AGMs for approval. 
BHP’s Board and Remuneration Committee believe the proposed 
changes improve our senior executive remuneration arrangements 
and they will continue to promote long-term value creation. 
We look forward to your support.

As always, we look forward to ongoing dialogue with our 
shareholders, and welcome your feedback and comments 
on any aspect of this Report.

Carolyn Hewson
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
5 September 2019

Chairman and Non-executive Director fees 
Fee levels for the Chairman and Non-executive Directors are 
reviewed annually, including benchmarking against peer 
companies. No changes to the Chairman’s fee will be made 
for FY2020. This follows a review in 2017, where a decision 
was made to reduce the Chairman’s annual fee by approximately 
8 per cent from US$0.960 million to US$0.880 million with 
effect from 1 July 2017, which followed an earlier reduction, 
effective 1 July 2015, of approximately 13 per cent from 
US$1.100 million to US$0.960 million. 

Base fee levels for Non-executive Directors will also remain 
unchanged, after they were also reduced effective 1 July 2015 
by approximately 6 per cent, from US$0.170 million to 
US$0.160 million per annum. Prior to the above reductions 
in fee levels for the Chairman and Non-executive Directors, 
their fees had remained unchanged since 2011.

Transition of the Remuneration Committee Chairman role
As you would be aware, this will be my last statement to shareholders 
as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, as I will be retiring 
from the Board and the Committee after the Australian AGM later 
this year. A key focus during my tenure as Chairman of the 
Committee has been to arrive at pay outcomes that are fair to all 
stakeholders. That is, fair to executives reflecting the outcomes 
they have achieved, fair to shareholders in terms of the outcomes 
they have experienced, and fair to other stakeholders in terms 
of what is regarded as reasonable compensation for the complex 
and global roles our executives perform. Of course, sometimes 
this has not been straightforward, and it has involved careful 
consideration and balanced decisions on some occasions 
to achieve the right outcome.

I was fortunate when I assumed the role to have the wisdom and 
experience of my predecessors to lean on and to learn from, 
particularly Sir John Buchanan whom I succeeded as Chairman 
of the Committee. Sir John left a very strong legacy at BHP on 
remuneration matters for my fellow Committee members and me 
to build upon. I have taken that responsibility very seriously during 
my tenure and I am also committed to seeing this work continue. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  141

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Common questions and answers on the remuneration policy changes

Why are changes being 
made now?

Is this a shift from the 
long-term to the short term? 

What is the change to 
target and maximum 
remuneration outcomes?

What reduction in quantum 
will apply for the switch 
from five-year LTIP 
to five-year CDP 
deferred shares?

Having invested time reviewing the Group’s remuneration policy, to ensure it supports the attraction 
and motivation of talented executives and, at the same time, aligns business performance and 
remuneration outcomes, the Remuneration Committee concluded that the time was right to make 
changes to mitigate concerns with our current arrangements, particularly regarding the LTIP.

In addition, other changes are proposed to conform with best practice governance, namely 
reducing our pension contribution rate to 10 per cent of base salary, which is below the workforce 
average, and introducing two-year post-retirement shareholding requirements for the CEO.

No, the current high level of focus on the long-term business performance is maintained. While the 
current five-year TSR-based LTIP is de-weighted, the CDP scorecard is a genuine combination of 
short-term business imperatives and progress towards long-term sustainable business outcomes 
that are subject to rigorous and transparent performance assessment. Disclosures in the annual 
remuneration report will reflect that. 

In addition, awards under the CDP (being rights to receive ordinary BHP shares at the end of the 
relevant deferral periods) will include five-year deferred shares, which provide ongoing share price 
exposure over the long-term. At the time of vesting, the five-year deferred shares will be subject 
to a holistic review of business performance over the prior five years since grant to ensure vesting 
is appropriate.

Total target remuneration will reduce by 4 per cent from the current arrangements, and maximum 
total remuneration (at a fixed share price) will reduce by 12 per cent.

The size of the discount in award numbers varies depending on the assumed CDP scorecard 
outcome. For example, when comparing the current LTIP awards at face value to the future 
CDP awards:
•  At a target CDP outcome, the proposal incorporates a 60 per cent discount.
•  At a maximum CDP outcome, the proposal incorporates a 40 per cent discount 

(albeit, a maximum outcome under the scorecard has never been achieved previously).

In reviewing these discounts, the following has been considered:
•  The quantum of the CDP grant is directly related to the scorecard performance condition 

outcomes (i.e. it is not a grant of deferred shares without performance conditions).

•  Achieving a maximum outcome under the CDP is highly unlikely, whereas LTIP maximum 

outcomes have occurred in the past.

•  The average short-term incentive outcome over the past 11 years has been 53 per cent of 

maximum (or 79 per cent of target) and a maximum outcome has never been achieved, whereas 
LTIP maximum outcomes against the performance conditions have been achieved in five of the 
past 11 years.

•  An underpin review will apply to the vesting of the five-year deferred shares, and BHP has a strong 

track record of applying discretion which ensures appropriate remuneration outcomes.

Why weren’t other 
measures introduced 
for the LTIP?

Our current relative TSR approach in the LTIP is well understood, transparent and simple, and is 
demonstrably aligned to the interests of shareholders, particularly through its five-year duration, 
longer than most other LTIPs in the market. 

Why is this year’s LTIP 
grant being made at 
400 per cent of base 
salary (face value)?

Through this and prior reviews, the Committee has concluded that it is difficult to identify 
substantive long-term KPIs as other measures for the LTIP that are an improvement on the current 
approach. Such KPIs do not generally have the transparency and rigour preferred by both 
shareholders and participants, or their nature can make it difficult to set new targets for each 
successive five-year performance period, or are derived from accounting results that can be volatile 
over the long-term due to movements in commodity prices and are challenging to measure against 
peer companies on a relative basis.

This is to ensure the proposed changes align the equity award grant and vesting timings between 
the current and proposed arrangements so as not to inadvertently create a benefit or a penalty 
for the CEO because of the changes.

The LTIP grant to be made in late CY2019 will be made on the current 400 per cent of base salary 
(face value), with potential vesting five years later in mid-CY2024. The first five-year deferred shares 
that result from performance under the CDP will be granted in late CY2020 and will first vest five 
years later in mid-CY2025. The LTIP grant to be made in late CY2020 will be made on the reduced 
200 per cent of base salary (face value), with potential vesting five years later also in mid-CY2025.

Why will the five-year 
deferred shares be 
pro-rated under the CDP 
for leavers entitled 
to retain them?

The five-year LTIP has pro-rating applied for time served for leavers who are entitled to retain their 
awards. As the CDP five-year deferred shares are also long-term in nature, the same approach has 
been applied.

As with the five-year LTIP, any retained CDP five-year deferred shares will only vest on the originally 
scheduled vesting date.

142  BHP Annual Report 2019

Will there be greater scope 
for payment for failure? 

The Board and Committee consider it is important to ensure that remuneration outcomes align 
to business performance over the long term. This is achieved by the use of long-term equity awards, 
which are only granted and vested after satisfying stretching performance targets, and which 
provide long-term share price exposure. 

To ensure the vesting of five-year equity awards is underpinned by ongoing performance, any 
vesting, whether deferred shares under the CDP or performance shares under the LTIP, will be 
subject to a holistic review of performance as referred to above.

This review of business performance is an important safeguard against inappropriate remuneration 
outcomes. This process is also consistent with BHP’s past exercise of appropriate downward 
discretion where the status quo or a formulaic outcome does not align with the overall shareholder 
experience. Other examples in recent years include reducing the CEO’s remuneration package by 
25 per cent in 2013, zero STI outcomes for the CEO (and Chief Executive Petroleum) in 2012 as a 
result of shale impairments, the reduction in Chairman fees in 2015 and 2017 and in Non-executive 
Director fees in 2015, and the zero STI outcome for the CEO in 2016 as a result of the dam failure 
at Samarco, and the ongoing decline in commodity markets and the associated negative impact 
on our performance.

Are the HSEC and Individual 
measures all qualitative?

No, many of the targets in the HSEC and Individual measure categories have quantitative targets. 
For example, in the HSEC measures, many of the targets are directly linked to the quantified 
five-year HSEC targets that BHP has published externally in its Sustainability Report. Additionally, 
under the Individual measures, many of the targets are expressed as quantified outcomes over 
which rigorous assessment can be applied. 

Are the arrangements 
sufficiently linked and 
aligned to business 
performance?

Are the targets under the 
CDP scorecard sufficiently 
stretching and robust? 
Will outcomes be easier 
to achieve?

Why is the pension 
contribution rate changing? 
Will it change immediately?

The proposed variable pay arrangements have strong links to performance and the shareholder 
experience as outlined below:
•  Determining the size of CDP award outcomes – a balanced scorecard with a mix of short, medium 

and long-term elements.

•  Direct link to the share price – deferred shares under the CDP and performance shares under the 

LTIP vesting over the medium and long-term.

•  A rigorous LTIP with vesting of awards determined by long-term relative performance – five-year 

performance shares with vesting driven by relative TSR.

The proposed variable pay arrangements include long-term, ‘at-risk’, equity-based features, to 
ensure the ultimate remuneration and wealth outcomes are aligned with performance. Of annual 
total target remuneration, almost 40 per cent is earned over a five-year timeframe, 75 per cent is 
performance-based variable pay and ‘at risk’, and almost 60 per cent is delivered in the form of 
equity awards with long-term share price exposure.

Once shares are owned, a significant MSR applies, being five times base salary for the CEO, and 
a two-year post-retirement shareholding requirement for the CEO from 1 July 2020. Together these 
ensure long-term, material share price exposure.

The Board and Committee will ensure the CDP scorecard includes rigorous and stretching 
performance targets. Evidence of this is seen in the outcomes against the short-term incentive 
scorecard historically which have averaged 53 per cent of maximum (or 79 per cent of target) over 
the past 11 years for the CEO, and this rigorous and stretching approach will be unchanged.

When the current CEO assumed the role in 2013, the pension contribution rate was reduced 
from the former CEO’s 40 per cent of base salary to the current rate of 25 per cent of base salary. 
Our analysis indicates that the market-competitive pension contribution rates for a majority of 
employees across the Group’s global locations range from 8–20 per cent of base salary, with 
an average of approximately 11.5 per cent of base salary. Accordingly, in order to promote a more 
equitable outcome, we have decided to reduce the pension contribution rate for senior executives 
to 10 per cent of base salary, lower than the workforce average.

In order to be fair to incumbents, this will be introduced gradually over the next three years. 
The rate of 25 per cent of base salary will apply until 30 June 2020, reducing to 20 per cent from 
1 July 2020, reducing again to 15 per cent from 1 July 2021, and a rate of 10 per cent applying from 
1 July 2022 onwards. For a new appointee, the pension contribution rate of 10 per cent of base 
salary will apply immediately.

BHP Annual Report 2019  143

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3.2 Remuneration policy report
BHP has an overarching remuneration policy that guides the Remuneration Committee’s decisions. Under UK legislation, shareholders 
have the opportunity to vote on our remuneration policy every three years, with binding effect in regard to the Directors (including 
the CEO). The Committee undertook a review of the policy during the past year and determined that while the current policy remains 
appropriate in many respects and aligned to our business priorities, certain proposed enhancements to variable pay and pension 
arrangements will support the delivery of our strategic priorities.

A summary of proposed changes to the remuneration policy for the Executive Director is outlined below. No changes are proposed to the 
remuneration policy for our Non-executive Directors. This remuneration policy is subject to a binding vote by shareholders at the 2019 
AGMs, and if approved, will apply with effect from the November 2019 BHP Group Limited AGM. 

Remuneration policy for the Executive Director
This section only refers to the remuneration policy for our CEO, who is our sole Executive Director. If any other executive were 
to be appointed an Executive Director, this remuneration policy would apply to that new role. 

3.2.1 Components of remuneration 

The following table shows the components of total remuneration, the link to strategy, the applicable operation and performance 
frameworks, and the maximum opportunity for each component, including a summary of the proposed enhancements to our variable 
pay plans and changes to pension arrangements. 

In summary, the proposed remuneration policy enhancements are detailed below:
•  A CDP which has a longer term focus than the STIP and which comprises a mix of short, medium and long-term award outcomes 

to align incentive remuneration with performance:
 – Cash award of 80 per cent of base salary at target; 120 per cent of base salary at maximum.
 – An amount equivalent to the actual cash award in deferred shares restricted for two years.
 – An amount equivalent to the actual cash award in deferred shares restricted for five years.

•  Reduction of the maximum face value of the LTIP award by half, from 400 per cent of base salary to 200 per cent of base salary.

All other terms of the current LTIP remain unchanged.

•  Reduction in pension contribution rates for the existing CEO to 10 per cent of base salary from 25 per cent of base salary over 

the next three years.

Remuneration component 
and link to strategy

Base salary 
A competitive base salary is paid 
in order to attract and retain a 
high-quality and experienced 
CEO, and to provide appropriate 
remuneration for this important 
role in the Group. 

Operation and performance framework

•  Base salary, denominated in US dollars, is broadly aligned with salaries for comparable 

roles in global companies of similar global complexity, size, reach and industry, 
and reflects the CEO’s responsibilities, location, skills, performance, qualifications 
and experience.

•  Base salary is reviewed annually with effect from 1 September. Reviews are informed, 

but not led, by benchmarking to comparable roles (as above), changes in responsibility 
and general economic conditions. Substantial weight is also given to the general base 
salary increases for employees. 

•  Base salary is not subject to separate performance conditions. 

Pension contributions
Provides a market-competitive 
level of post-employment benefits 
provided to attract and retain a 
high-quality and experienced CEO.

•  Pension contributions are benchmarked to comparable roles in global companies 
and have been determined after considering the pension contributions provided 
to the wider workforce.

•  A choice of funding vehicles is offered, including a defined contribution plan, an 

unfunded retirement savings plan, an international retirement plan or a self-managed 
superannuation fund. Alternatively, a cash payment may be provided in lieu.

Benefits
Provides personal insurances, 
relocation benefits and tax 
assistance where BHP’s structure 
gives rise to tax obligations across 
multiple jurisdictions, and a 
market-competitive level of 
benefits to attract and retain a 
high-quality and experienced CEO.

•  Benefits may be provided, as determined by the Committee, and currently include 
costs of private family health insurance, death and disability insurance, car parking, 
and personal tax return preparation in the required countries where BHP has requested 
the CEO relocate internationally, or where BHP’s DLC structure requires personal tax 
returns in multiple jurisdictions.

•  Costs associated with business-related travel for the CEO’s spouse/partner, including 
for Board meetings, may be covered. Where these costs are deemed to be taxable 
benefits for the CEO, BHP may reimburse the CEO for these tax costs.
•  The CEO is eligible to participate in Shareplus, BHP’s all-employee share 

purchase plan.

•  A relocation allowance and assistance is provided only where a change of location 

is made at BHP’s request. The Group’s mobility policies generally provide for ‘one-off’ 
payments with no material trailing entitlements.

144  BHP Annual Report 2019

Maximum (1) 

8% increase per 
annum (annualised), 
or inflation if higher 
in Australia.

For the existing CEO, 
the current pension 
contribution rate of 
25% of base salary 
will reduce as follows:
•  20% of base salary 
from 1 July 2020.
•  15% of base salary 
from 1 July 2021.
•  10% of base salary 
from 1 July 2022 
onwards.
For a new 
appointment, the 
pension contribution 
rate will be 10% 
of base salary 
immediately.

Benefits as 
determined by the 
Committee but to a 
limit not exceeding 
10% of base salary 
and (if applicable) 
a one-off taxable 
relocation allowance 
up to US$700,000. 

Remuneration component 
and link to strategy

CDP (2)
The purpose of the CDP is to 
encourage and focus the CEO’s 
efforts on the delivery of the 
Group’s strategic priorities for the 
relevant financial year to deliver 
short, medium and long-term 
success, and to motivate the 
CEO to strive to achieve stretch 
performance objectives. 
The performance measures for 
each year are chosen on the basis 
that they are expected to have 
a significant short, medium and 
long-term impact on the success 
of the Group.
Delivery of two-thirds of CDP 
awards in deferred shares 
encourages a longer-term focus 
aligned to that of shareholders.

Operation and performance framework

Setting performance measures and targets
•  The Committee sets a balanced scorecard of short, medium and long-term elements 
including HSEC, financial and individual performance measures, with targets and 
relative weightings at the beginning of the financial year in order to appropriately 
motivate the CEO to achieve outperformance that contributes to the long-term 
sustainability of the Group and shareholder wealth creation.

•  Specific financial measures will constitute the largest weighting and are derived from 

the annual budget as approved by the Board for the relevant financial year. 

•  Appropriate HSEC measures that are consistent with the Company’s long-term five-year 

public HSEC targets, and their weightings, are determined by the Remuneration 
Committee with the assistance of the Sustainability Committee.

•  Individual measures are an important element of effective performance management, 
and are a combination of quantitative and qualitative targets. They are aligned with 
medium and long-term strategy aspirations that are intended to drive long-term value 
for shareholders and other stakeholders.

•  For HSEC and for individual measures the target is ordinarily expressed in narrative 
form and will be disclosed near the beginning of the performance period. However, 
the target for each financial measure will be disclosed retrospectively. In the rare 
instances where this may not be prudent on grounds of commercial sensitivity, we 
will seek to explain why and give an indication of when the target may be disclosed.
•  Should any other performance measures be added at the discretion of the Committee, 
we will determine the timing of disclosure of the relevant target with due consideration 
of commercial sensitivity.
Assessment of performance
•  At the conclusion of the financial year, the CEO’s achievement against each measure 
is assessed by the Remuneration Committee and the Board, with guidance provided 
by other relevant Board Committees in respect of HSEC and other measures, and a 
CDP award determined. If performance is below the Threshold level for any measure, 
no CDP award will be provided in respect of that portion of the CDP award opportunity.

•  The Board believes this method of assessment is transparent, rigorous and balanced, 

and provides an appropriate, objective and comprehensive assessment of performance.

•  In the event that the Remuneration Committee does not consider the outcome that 
would otherwise apply to be a true reflection of the performance of the Group or 
should it consider that individual performance or other circumstances makes this an 
inappropriate outcome, it retains the discretion to not provide all or a part of any CDP 
award. This is an important mitigation against the risk of unintended award outcomes.

Delivery of award
•  CDP awards are provided under the CDP as cash and two awards of deferred shares, 
each of equivalent value to the cash award, vesting in two and five years respectively.
•  The awards of deferred shares comprise rights to receive ordinary BHP shares in the 
future at the end of the deferral periods. Before the awards vest (or are exercised), 
these rights are not ordinary shares and do not carry entitlements to ordinary dividends 
or other shareholder rights; however, a DEP is provided on vested awards. The 
Committee also has a discretion to settle CDP awards in cash.

Underpin, malus and clawback
•  To ensure any vesting of five-year deferred shares under the CDP is underpinned by 
satisfactory performance post-grant, the vesting will be subject to an underpin. This 
will encompass a holistic review of performance at the end of the five-year vesting 
period, including a five-year view on HSEC performance, profitability, cash flow, 
balance sheet health, returns to shareholders, corporate governance and conduct.

•  Both cash and deferred share CDP awards are subject to malus and clawback as 

described on page 146. 

Maximum (1) 

Maximum award
A cash award of 
120% of base salary 
plus two awards of 
deferred shares each 
of equivalent value 
to the cash award, 
vesting in two 
and five years 
respectively. 

Target performance 
A cash award of 
80% of base salary 
plus two awards of 
deferred shares each 
of equivalent value 
to the cash award, 
vesting in two 
and five years 
respectively, for 
target performance 
on all measures. 

Threshold 
performance
A cash award of 
40% of base salary 
plus two awards of 
deferred shares each 
of equivalent value 
to the cash award, 
vesting in two 
and five years 
respectively, 
for threshold 
performance 
on all measures. 

Minimum award
Zero.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  145

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maximum (1) 

Maximum award
Face value of 200% 
of base salary. (6)

Remuneration component 
and link to strategy

LTIP
The purpose of the LTIP is to 
focus the CEO’s efforts on the 
achievement of sustainable 
long-term value creation and 
success of the Group (including 
appropriate management 
of business risks). 
It also encourages retention 
through long-term share exposure 
for the CEO over the five-year 
performance period (consistent 
with the long-term nature 
of resources), and aligns the 
long-term interests of the 
CEO and shareholders.
The LTIP aligns the CEO’s reward 
with sustained shareholder wealth 
creation in excess of that of 
relevant comparator group(s), 
through the relative TSR 
performance condition. 
Relative TSR has been chosen 
as an appropriate measure as it 
allows for an objective external 
assessment over a sustained 
period on a basis that is familiar 
to shareholders.

Operation and performance framework

Relative TSR performance condition
•  The LTIP award is conditional on achieving five-year relative TSR (3) performance 

conditions as set out below. 

•  The relevant comparator group(s) and the weighting between relevant comparator 

group(s) will be determined by the Committee in relation to each LTIP grant.

Level of performance required for vesting
•  Vesting of the award is dependent on BHP’s TSR relative to the TSR of relevant 

comparator group(s) over a five-year performance period.

•  25% of the award will vest where BHP’s TSR is equal to the median TSR of the relevant 
comparator group(s), as measured over the performance period. Where TSR is below 
the median, awards will not vest.

•  Vesting occurs on a sliding scale between the median TSR of the relevant comparator 

group(s) up to a nominated level of TSR outperformance (4) over the relevant 
comparator group(s), as determined by the Committee, above which 100% of the 
award will vest.

•  Where the TSR performance condition is not met, there is no retesting and awards will 
lapse. The Committee also retains discretion to lapse any portion or all of the award 
where it considers the vesting outcome is not appropriate given Group 
or individual performance. This is an important mitigation against the risk 
of unintended outcomes.

Further performance measures
•  The Committee may add further performance conditions, in which case the vesting 

of a portion of any LTIP award may instead be linked to performance against the new 
condition(s). However, the Committee expects that in the event of introducing an 
additional performance condition(s), the weighting on relative TSR would remain 
the majority weighting.

Delivery of award
•  LTIP awards are provided under the LTIP approved by shareholders at the 2013 AGMs. 
When considering the value of the award to be provided, the Committee primarily 
considers the face value of the award, and also considers its fair value which includes 
consideration of the performance conditions. (5)

•  LTIP awards consist of rights to receive ordinary BHP shares in the future if the 

performance and service conditions are met. Before vesting (or exercise), these rights 
are not ordinary shares and do not carry entitlements to ordinary dividends or other 
shareholder rights; however, a DEP is provided on vested awards. The Committee has 
a discretion to settle LTIP awards in cash.

Underpin, malus and clawback 
•  If the specified performance conditions are satisfied in part or in full, to ensure any 
vesting of LTIP awards is underpinned by satisfactory performance through the 
performance period, the vesting will be subject to an underpin. This will encompass 
a holistic review of performance at the end of the five-year performance period, 
including a five-year view on HSEC performance, profitability, cash flow, balance 
sheet health, returns to shareholders, corporate governance and conduct.

•  LTIP awards are subject to malus and clawback as described below. 

(1)  UK regulations require the disclosure of the maximum that may be paid in respect of each remuneration component. Where that is expressed as a maximum annual 

percentage increase which is annualised it should not be interpreted that it is BHP’s current intention to award an increase of that size in total in any one year, or in each 
year, and instead it is a maximum required to be disclosed under the regulations.

(2) Subject to shareholder approval, the CDP will operate for FY2020. The terms of CDP awards are similar to those provided under the former STIP. STIP awards approved 
by shareholders at the 2019 AGMs and provided to the CEO for performance in FY2019 will be in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders 
in 2017, and are scheduled to vest in August 2021. 

(3) BHP’s TSR is a weighted average of the TSRs of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc.
(4) Maximum vesting is determined with reference to a position against each comparator group. 
(5) Fair value is calculated by the Committee’s independent adviser and is different to fair value used for IFRS disclosures (which do not take into account forfeiture 

conditions on the awards). It reflects outcomes weighted by probability, taking into account the difficulty of achieving the performance conditions and the correlation 
between these and share price appreciation, together with other factors, including volatility and forfeiture risks. The current fair value is 41 per cent of the face value 
of an award, which may change should the Committee vary elements (such as adding a performance measure or altering the level of relative TSR outperformance). 
(6) In order to ensure there is a fair transitional outcome for participants, the LTIP grant to be made in late CY2019 will be made on the current 400 per cent face value 

basis, in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders in 2017, with potential vesting five years later in mid CY2024. The first five-year deferred 
shares that result from performance under the CDP for FY2020 will be granted in late CY2020 and will first vest five years later in mid-CY2025. The LTIP grant to be 
made in late CY2020 will be made on the reduced 200 per cent face value basis, with potential vesting five years later also in mid-CY2025.

The Remuneration Committee’s discretion in respect of each remuneration component applies up to the maximum shown in the table 
above. Any remuneration elements awarded or granted under the previous remuneration policy approved by shareholders in 2014 and 
2017, but which have not yet vested or been awarded or paid, shall continue to be capable of vesting, awarded or payment made on their 
existing terms.

3.2.2 Malus and clawback

The CDP, LTIP and STIP rule provisions allow the Committee to reduce or clawback awards in the following circumstances:

•  the participant acting fraudulently or dishonestly or being in material breach of their obligations to the Group;
•  where BHP becomes aware of a material misstatement or omission in the Financial Statements of a Group company or the Group; or
•  any circumstances occur that the Committee determines in good faith to have resulted in an unfair benefit to the participant. 

These malus and clawback provisions apply whether or not awards are made in the form of cash or equity, whether or not the equity has 
vested, and whether or not employment is ongoing.

146  BHP Annual Report 2019

3.2.3 Potential remuneration outcomes

The Remuneration Committee recognises that market forces necessarily influence remuneration practices and it strongly believes the 
fundamental driver of remuneration outcomes should be business performance. It also believes that overall remuneration should be both 
fair to the individual, such that remuneration levels accurately reflect the CEO’s responsibilities and contributions, and align with the 
expectations of our shareholders, while considering the positioning and relativities of pay and employment conditions across the wider 
BHP workforce.

The amount of remuneration actually received each year depends on the achievement of superior business and individual performance 
generating sustained shareholder value. Before deciding on the final incentive outcomes for the CEO, the Committee first considers the 
achievement against the pre-determined performance conditions. The Committee then applies its overarching discretion on the basis 
of what it considers to be a fair and commensurate remuneration level to decide if the outcome should be reduced. When the CEO 
was appointed in May 2013, the Board advised him that the Committee would exercise its discretion on the basis of what it considered 
to be a fair and commensurate remuneration level to decide if the outcome should be reduced.

In this way, the Committee believes it can set a remuneration level for the CEO that is sufficient to incentivise him and that is also fair 
to him and commensurate with shareholder expectations and prevailing market conditions. 

The diagram below provides the scenario for the potential total remuneration of the CEO at different levels of performance under 
the new remuneration policy.

Remuneration mix for the CEO

Minimum

100%

1,970

Target

Maximum

27%

17%

18%

36%

19%

7,444

18%

36%

29%

11,490

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

Fixed remuneration

CDP (cash)

CDP (deferred shares)

LTIP

Total remuneration (US$’000)

Minimum: consists of fixed remuneration, which comprises base salary (US$1.700 million), pension contributions (currently 25 per cent 
of base salary, but reducing as follows for the current CEO: 20 per cent of base salary from 1 July 2020, 15 per cent of base salary from 
1 July 2021 and 10 per cent of base salary from 1 July 2022 onwards; 10 per cent of base salary would be applied immediately for a new 
appointee) and other benefits (US$0.1 million). 

Target: consists of fixed remuneration, target CDP (a cash award of 80 per cent of base salary plus two awards of deferred shares each 
of equivalent value to the cash award, vesting in two and five years respectively) and target LTIP. The LTIP target value is based on the fair 
value of the award, which is 41 per cent of the face value of 200 per cent of base salary. The potential impact of future share price 
movements is not included in the value of deferred CDP awards or LTIP awards. 

Maximum: consists of fixed remuneration, maximum CDP (a cash award of 120 per cent of base salary plus two awards of deferred shares 
each of equivalent value to the cash award, vesting in two and five years respectively), and maximum LTIP (face value of 200 per cent 
of base salary). The potential impact of future share price movements is not included in the value of deferred CDP awards or LTIP awards. 
All other things being equal, if the share price at vesting of LTIP awards was 50 per cent higher than the share price at grant, then the total 
maximum value would be US$13.190 million.

The maximum opportunity represented above is the most that could potentially be paid of each remuneration component, as required 
by UK regulations. It does not reflect any intention by the Group to award that amount. The Remuneration Committee reviews relevant 
benchmarking data and industry practices, and believes the maximum remuneration opportunity is appropriate.

3.2.4 Approach to recruitment and promotion remuneration

The remuneration policy as set out in section 3.2 of this Report will apply to the remuneration arrangements for a newly recruited or 
promoted CEO, or for another Executive Director should one be appointed. A market-competitive level of base salary will be provided. 
The pension contributions, benefits and variable pay will be in accordance with the remuneration policy table in section 3.2.1 
of this Report.

For external appointments, the Remuneration Committee may determine that it is appropriate to provide additional cash and/or equity 
components to replace any remuneration forfeited or not received from a former employer. It is anticipated that any foregone equity 
awards would be replaced by equity. The value of the replacement remuneration would not be any greater than the fair value of the 
awards foregone or not received (as determined by the Committee’s independent adviser). The Committee would determine appropriate 
service conditions and performance conditions within BHP’s framework, taking into account the conditions attached to the foregone 
awards. The Committee is mindful of limiting such payments and not providing any more compensation than is necessary. For any internal 
CEO (or another Executive Director) appointment, any entitlements provided under former arrangements will be honoured according 
to their existing terms. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  147

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3.2.5 Service contracts and policy on loss of office

The terms of employment for the CEO are formalised in his employment contract. Key terms of the current contract and relevant payments 
on loss of office are shown below. If a new CEO or another Executive Director was appointed, similar contractual terms would apply, other 
than where the Remuneration Committee determines that different terms should apply for reasons specific to the individual or circumstances.

The CEO’s current contract has no fixed term. It can be terminated by BHP on 12 months’ notice. BHP can terminate the contract immediately 
by paying base salary plus pension contributions for the notice period. The CEO must give six months’ notice for voluntary resignation. 
The table below sets out the basis on which payments on loss of office may be made.

Voluntary resignation

Termination for cause

Leaving reason (1) (2)

Death, serious injury, illness, 
disability or total and 
permanent disablement 

Cessation of employment 
as agreed with the Board (3)

Base salary 

•  Paid as a lump sum for the 

•  No payment will be made.

•  Paid for a period of up to 

•  Paid as a lump sum for the 

notice period or progressively 
over the notice period.

six months, after which time 
employment may cease.

notice period or progressively 
over the notice period.

•  Paid as a lump sum for the 

•  No contributions will 

•  Paid for a period of up to 

•  Paid as a lump sum for the 

notice period or progressively 
over the notice period.

be provided.

six months, after which time 
employment may cease.

notice period or progressively 
over the notice period.

Pension 
contributions

Benefits

•  May continue to be provided 
during the notice period.
•  Accumulated annual leave 

entitlements and any 
statutory payments will 
be paid.

•  May pay repatriation 

expenses to the home 
location where a relocation 
was at the request of BHP.

•  Any unvested Shareplus 
Matched Shares held 
will lapse.

•  No benefits will be provided.
•  Accumulated annual leave 

entitlements and any 
statutory payments will 
be paid.

•  May pay repatriation 

expenses to the home 
location where a relocation 
was at the request of BHP. 

•  Any unvested Shareplus 
Matched Shares held 
will lapse.

CDP/STIP – cash 
and deferred 
shares
Where CEO leaves 
either during or 
after the end of 
the financial year, 
but before an 
award is provided.

•  No cash award will be paid.
•  Unvested CDP/STIP 

deferred shares will lapse.

•  No cash award will be paid.
•  Unvested CDP/STIP 

deferred shares will lapse.

•  Vested but unexercised 

•  Vested but unexercised 

CDP/STIP deferred shares 
will remain exercisable for 
the remaining exercise 
period unless the Committee 
determines they will lapse.

•  Vested but unexercised 
CDP/STIP awards remain 
subject to malus and 
clawback.

CDP/STIP deferred shares 
will remain exercisable 
for the remaining exercise 
period unless the 
Committee determines 
they will lapse.

•  Vested but unexercised 
CDP/STIP awards remain 
subject to malus 
and clawback.

LTIP – 
unvested and 
vested but 
unexercised 
awards

•  Unvested awards will lapse.
•  Vested but unexercised 

•  Unvested awards will lapse.
•  Vested but unexercised 

awards will remain 
exercisable for the remaining 
exercise period, or for 
a reduced period, or 
may lapse, as determined 
by the Committee.

awards will remain 
exercisable for the 
remaining exercise period, 
or for a reduced period, 
or may lapse, as determined 
by the Committee.

•  Vested but unexercised 
awards remain subject 
to malus and clawback.

•  Vested but unexercised 
awards remain subject 
to malus and clawback.

•  May continue to be provided 

•  May continue to be 

for a period of up to six 
months, after which time 
employment may cease.
•  Accumulated annual leave 

entitlements and any 
statutory payments will 
be paid.

•  May pay repatriation 

expenses to the home 
location where a relocation 
was at the request of BHP.

•  Any unvested Shareplus 
Matched Shares held will 
vest in full.

provided for year in which 
employment ceases.

•  Accumulated annual leave 

entitlements and any statutory 
payments will be paid.

•  May pay repatriation expenses 
to the home location where 
a relocation was at the request 
of BHP.

•  Any unvested Shareplus 
Matched Shares held will 
vest in full.

•  The Committee has discretion 

•  The Committee has discretion 

to pay and/or award an 
amount in respect of the 
CEO’s performance for 
that year.

•  Unvested CDP/STIP deferred 
shares will vest in full and, 
where applicable become 
exercisable.

•  Vested but unexercised 

CDP/STIP deferred shares will 
remain exercisable for the 
remaining exercise period.
•  Unvested and vested but 

unexercised CDP/STIP awards 
remain subject to malus 
and clawback.

to pay and/or award an amount 
in respect of the CEO’s 
performance for that year.
•  Unvested two-year CDP/STIP 

deferred shares and a pro-rata 
portion (based on the 
proportion of the vesting 
period served) of unvested 
five-year CDP deferred shares 
continue to be held on the 
existing terms for the deferral 
period before vesting (subject 
to Committee discretion to 
lapse some or all of the award).

•  Vested but unexercised 

CDP/STIP deferred shares 
remain exercisable for the 
remaining exercise period, 
or a reduced period, or may 
lapse, as determined by 
the Committee.

•  Unvested and vested but 
unexercised CDP/STIP 
awards remain subject 
to malus and clawback.

•  Unvested awards will 

•  A pro-rata portion of unvested 

vest in full.

•  Vested but unexercised 

awards will remain 
exercisable for remaining 
exercise period.

•  Unvested and vested 

but unexercised awards 
remain subject to malus 
and clawback.

awards (based on the proportion 
of the performance period 
served) will continue to be 
held subject to the LTIP rules 
and terms of grant. The balance 
will lapse. 

•  Vested but unexercised awards 

will remain exercisable for 
the remaining exercise period, 
or for a reduced period, 
or may lapse, as determined 
by the Committee.

•  Unvested and vested but 

unexercised awards remain 
subject to malus and clawback. 

(1)  If the Committee deems it necessary, BHP may enter into agreements with a CEO, which may include the settlement of liabilities in return for payment(s), 

including reimbursement of legal fees subject to appropriate conditions; or to enter into new arrangements with the departing CEO (for example, entering 
into consultancy arrangements).

(2) In the event of a change in control event (for example, takeover, compromise or arrangement, winding up of the Group) as defined in the CDP, STIP and LTIP rules:

•  base salary, pension contributions and benefits will be paid until the date of the change of control event;
•  in relation to the CDP and STIP: the Committee may determine that a cash payment be made in respect of performance during the current financial year and all 

unvested two-year deferred shares would vest in full and, in relation to the CDP, all unvested five-year deferred shares would vest pro-rata (based on the proportion 
of the vesting period served up to the date of the change of control event);

•  the Committee may determine that unvested LTIP awards will either (i) be pro-rated (based on the proportion of the performance period served up to the date 

of the change of control event) and vest to the extent the Committee determines appropriate (with reference to performance against the performance condition 
up to the date of the change of control event and expectations regarding future performance) or (ii) be lapsed if the Committee determines the holders will 
participate in an acceptable alternative employee equity plan as a term of the change of control event.

(3) Defined as occurring when a participant leaves BHP due to forced early retirement, retrenchment or redundancy, termination by mutual agreement or retirement 

with the agreement of the Group, or such other circumstances that do not constitute resignation or termination for cause.

148  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
Remuneration policy for Non-executive Directors
Our Non-executive Directors are paid in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code (2016 edition; the 2018 edition will apply from 
FY2020) and the Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance Council’s Principles and Recommendations (3rd Edition). 

3.2.6 Components of remuneration

The following table shows the components of total remuneration, the link to strategy, the applicable operation and performance 
frameworks, and the maximum opportunity for each component. 

Remuneration component 
and link to strategy

Fees 
Competitive base fees are paid 
in order to attract and retain 
high-quality individuals, and to 
provide appropriate remuneration 
for the role undertaken.
Committee fees are provided 
to recognise the additional 
responsibilities, time and 
commitment required.

Benefits 
Competitive benefits are paid 
in order to attract and retain 
high-quality individuals and 
adequately remunerate them 
for the role undertaken, including 
the considerable travel burden.

Operation and performance framework

Maximum (1)

•  The Chairman is paid a single fee for all responsibilities.
•  Non-executive Directors are paid a base fee and relevant committee 

membership fees.

•  Committee Chairmen and the Senior Independent Director are paid 

an additional fee to reflect their extra responsibilities.

•  All fee levels are reviewed annually and any changes are effective from 1 July. 
•  Fees are set at a competitive level based on benchmarks and advice 

provided by external advisers. Fee levels reflect the size and complexity 
of the Group, the multi-jurisdictional environment arising from the DLC 
structure, the multiple stock exchange listings and the geographies in 
which the Group operates. The economic environment and the financial 
performance of the Group are taken into account. Consideration is also 
given to salary reviews across the rest of the Group.

•  Where the payment of pension contributions is required by law, these 
contributions are deducted from the Director’s overall fee entitlements.

•  Travel allowances are paid on a per-trip basis reflecting the considerable 

travel burden imposed on members of the Board as a consequence of the 
global nature of the organisation and apply when a Director needs to travel 
internationally to attend a Board meeting or site visits at our multiple 
geographic locations.

•  As a consequence of the DLC structure, Non-executive Directors are 
required to prepare personal tax returns in both Australia and the UK, 
regardless of whether they reside in one or neither of those countries. 
They are accordingly reimbursed for the costs of personal tax return 
preparation in whichever of the UK and/or Australia is not their place 
of residence (including payment of the tax cost associated with the 
provision of the benefit).

8% increase per annum (annualised), 
or inflation if higher in the location in 
which duties are primarily performed, 
on a per fee basis.

8% increase per annum (annualised), 
or inflation if higher in the location in 
which duties are primarily performed, 
on a per-trip basis.

Up to a limit not exceeding 20% of fees.

Variable pay (CDP and LTIP)

•  Non-executive Directors are not eligible to participate in any CDP 

or LTIP award arrangements.

Payments on early termination

•  There are no provisions in any of the Non-executive Directors’ appointment 
arrangements for compensation payable on early termination of their directorship.

(1)  UK regulations require the disclosure of the maximum that may be paid in respect of each remuneration component. Where that is expressed as a maximum annual 
percentage increase which is annualised it should not be interpreted that it is BHP’s current intention to award an increase of that size in total in any one year, or in 
each year, and instead it is a maximum required to be disclosed under the regulations.

Approach to recruitment remuneration
The ongoing remuneration arrangements for a newly recruited Non-executive Director will reflect the remuneration policy in place 
for other Non-executive Directors, comprising fees and benefits as set out in the table above. No variable remuneration (CDP and LTIP 
award arrangements) will be provided to newly recruited Non-executive Directors.

Letters of appointment and policy on loss of office
The standard letter of appointment for Non-executive Directors is available on our website. The Board has adopted a policy consistent 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code, under which all Non-executive Directors must seek re-election by shareholders annually if they 
wish to remain on the Board. As such, no Non-executive Directors seeking re-election have an unexpired term in their letter of appointment. 
A Non-executive Director may resign on reasonable notice. No payments are made to Non-executive Directors on loss of office. 

3.2.7 How remuneration policy is set

The Remuneration Committee sets the remuneration policy for the 
CEO and other Executive KMP. The Committee is briefed on and 
considers prevailing market conditions, the competitive environment 
and the positioning and relativities of pay and employment 
conditions across the wider BHP workforce. The Committee takes 
into account the annual base salary increases for our employee 
population when determining any change in the CEO’s base salary. 
Salary increases in Australia, where the CEO is located, are 
particularly relevant, as they reflect the local economic conditions.

The principles that underpin the remuneration policy for the CEO 
are the same as those that apply to other employees, although 
the CEO’s arrangements have a greater emphasis on, and a higher 
proportion of, remuneration in the form of performance-related 
variable pay. Similarly, the performance measures used to 
determine variable pay outcomes for the CEO and all other 
employees are linked to the delivery of our strategy and behaviours 
that are aligned to the values in Our Charter.

Although BHP does not consult directly with employees on CEO 
and other Executive KMP remuneration, the Group conducts 
regular employee engagement surveys that give employees an 
opportunity to provide feedback on a wide range of employee 
matters. Further, many employees are ordinary shareholders 
through our all-employee share purchase plan, Shareplus, and 

therefore have the opportunity to vote on AGM resolutions. In 
addition, in line with changes to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the Remuneration Committee is considering additional 
means of engaging with the workforce to explain how executive 
remuneration aligns with wider Group pay policy.

As part of the Board’s commitment to good governance, the 
Committee also considers shareholder views, together with those 
of the wider community, when setting the remuneration policy for 
the CEO and other Executive KMP. We are committed to engaging 
and communicating with shareholders regularly and, as our 
shareholders are spread across the globe, we are proactive with 
our engagement on remuneration and governance matters with 
institutional shareholders and investor representative organisations. 
Feedback from shareholders and investors is shared with, and used 
as input into decision-making by, the Board and Remuneration 
Committee in respect of our remuneration policy and its 
application. The Committee considers that this approach provides 
a robust mechanism to ensure Directors are aware of matters 
raised, have a good understanding of current shareholder views, 
and can formulate policy and make decisions as appropriate. We 
encourage shareholders to always make their views known to us 
by directly contacting our Investor Relations team (contact details 
available on our website at bhp.com).

BHP Annual Report 2019  149

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3.3 Annual report on remuneration
This section of the Report shows the impact of the remuneration policy in FY2019 and how remuneration outcomes are linked 
to actual performance.

Remuneration for the Executive Director (the CEO)

3.3.1 Single total figure of remuneration

This section shows a single total figure of remuneration as prescribed under UK requirements. It is a measure of actual remuneration, 
rather than a figure calculated in accordance with IFRS (which is detailed in note 23 ‘Employee share ownership plan’ section 5). 
The components of remuneration are detailed in the remuneration policy table in section 3.2.1.

US$(’000)

Andrew Mackenzie

FY2019

FY2018

Base salary

Benefits (1)

1,700

1,700

100

84

STIP (2)

1,306

2,448

LTIP

Pension

0

0

425

425

Total

3,531

4,657

(1)  Includes private family health insurance, spouse business-related travel, car parking and personal tax return preparation in required countries. 
(2) Provided half in cash and half in deferred equity (on the terms of the STIP) as shown in the table below.

For the CEO, the single total figure of remuneration is calculated on the same basis as at his appointment in 2013. There have been no changes 
to his base salary, benefit entitlements or pension since that date. Changes from prior year outcomes of STIP and LTIP are set out below. 

FY2019

 FY2018

STIP

LTIP

STIP awarded for FY2019 performance. Half was provided in cash 
in September 2019, and half deferred in an equity award that is due 
to vest in FY2022.

STIP awarded for FY2018 performance. Half was provided in cash 
in September 2018, and half deferred in an equity award that is due 
to vest in FY2021.

Based on performance during the five-year period to 30 June 2019, 
all of Andrew Mackenzie’s 224,859 awards from the 2014 LTIP did not 
vest and have lapsed. The value of the awards is zero and no DEP has 
been paid in respect of these awards.

Based on performance during the five-year period to 30 June 2018, 
all of Andrew Mackenzie’s 213,701 awards from the 2013 LTIP did not
vest and have lapsed. The value of the awards is zero and no DEP has 
been paid in respect of these awards.

3.3.2 FY2019 STIP performance outcomes

The Board and Remuneration Committee assessed the CEO’s STIP outcome in light of the Group’s performance in FY2019, taking into 
account the CEO’s performance against the KPIs in his STIP scorecard. The Board and Committee determined that the STIP outcome 
for the CEO for FY2019 is 48 per cent against the target of 100 per cent (which represents an outcome of 32 per cent against maximum), 
and believe this outcome is appropriately aligned with the shareholder experience and the interests of the Group’s other stakeholders. 

The CEO’s STIP scorecard outcomes for FY2019 are summarised in the following tables, including a narrative description of each 
performance measure and the CEO’s level of achievement, as determined by the Remuneration Committee. The level of performance 
for each measure is determined based on a range of threshold (the minimum necessary to qualify for any reward outcome), target 
(where the performance requirements are met), and stretch (where the performance requirements are significantly exceeded).

Performance categories

Weighting for 
FY2019

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Percentage 
outcome

STI
US$(‘000)

HSEC

Financial

Individual

Total

25%

45%

30%

100%

15%

0%

33%

48%

408

–

898

1,306

HSEC
The HSEC targets for the CEO are aligned to the Group’s suite of HSEC five-year public targets as set out in BHP’s Sustainability Report. 
As it has done for several years, the Remuneration Committee seeks guidance each year from the Sustainability Committee when 
assessing HSEC performance against scorecard targets. The Remuneration Committee has taken a holistic view of Group performance 
in critical areas, including any matters outside the scorecard targets which the Sustainability Committee considers relevant. 

The performance commentary below is provided against the scorecard targets, which were set on the basis of operated assets only. 

HSEC measures Scorecard targets

Performance against scorecard targets

Fatalities, 
environmental 
and community 
incidents

Nil fatalities and nil actual significant 
environmental and community incidents 
at operated assets.

Tragically we lost our colleague Allan Houston in December 2018 
at the Saraji mine at our coal operations in Queensland, Australia. 
After undertaking an extensive investigation, consistent with our usual 
processes, we were unable to determine the cause of the fatality. This 
has not occurred for a fatality investigation for more than 15 years. Our 
investigation did identify a small number of possible causes, and those 
possible causes included both work and non-work related circumstances, 
and both reasonably preventable and non-preventable elements. 
The weighting of fatalities is 10 percentage points of the 25 percentage 
points allocated to the HSEC category, and represents the greatest 
weighting of all HSEC items. Our imperative as a Company is to continue 
to build our focus on fatality prevention and safety through leadership, 
verification and effective risk management. 
No significant environment or community incidents occurred during FY2019.

Measure 
outcome

Below 
threshold 
for fatalities. 
Target for 
environmental 
and community 
incidents.

HPIF, TRIF and 
Occupational 
illnesses

Improved performance compared 
with FY2018 results.

Our HPIF is a critical lead indicator which provides us with insight into our 
performance on preventing future fatalities, and declined significantly by 18% 
during FY2019. While our TRIF performance in FY2019 (including Onshore US) 
of 4.7 is higher than the 4.4 recorded in FY2018, this was due to an increase 
in low impact injuries. We also experienced an 8% increase in occupational 
illnesses during FY2019, again driven by an increase in low impact incidents. 

Target.

150  BHP Annual Report 2019

HSEC measures Scorecard targets

Performance against scorecard targets

Risk 
management

Health, 
environmental 
and community 
initiatives

For all material risks, operated assets 
to have all critical control execution and 
critical control verification tasks evaluated 
and recorded with controls in place as 
part of Field Leadership activities. 
Year-on-year improvement in trends for 
potential events associated with identified 
material risks.

All assets to achieve 100% of planned 
targets in respect of occupational 
exposure reduction, water and 
greenhouse gas, social investment, quality 
of life, community perceptions and 
community complaints.

All operated assets completed reviews of critical control execution 
and verification tasks for all material HSEC risks. The targets for Field 
Leadership activities were exceeded, as were targets for critical 
control execution and verification close out. Targets for critical 
control improvements were met; however, significant event close 
out and critical control improvement activities fell short of target.

Measure 
outcome

Target.

Targeted asset level improvement actions and projects were delivered 
in respect of water stewardship and greenhouse gas reduction; however, 
stretch performance, which required a reduction in both greenhouse gas 
intensity and total freshwater withdrawals, was not achieved. The assets met 
all occupational exposure reduction and community targets.

Target.

The outcome against the HSEC KPI for FY2019 was 15 per cent against the target of 25 per cent.

Financial
UAP is the profit after taxation attributable to members of the Group, excluding exceptional items (see section 1.12.4 for a more detailed 
explanation of UAP). UAP is the key financial KPI against which FY2019 STIP outcomes for our senior executives were measured and is, 
in our view, a relevant measure to assess the financial performance of the Group for this purpose. At the commencement of the financial 
year when the target is approved, attributable profit is usually equal to UAP as there are usually no exceptional items. 

During the assessment of management’s performance, adjustments to the UAP result are made to allow for changes in commodity prices, 
foreign exchange movements and other material items to ensure the assessment appropriately measures outcomes that are within the 
control and influence of the Group and its executives. Of these, changes in commodity prices has historically been the most material due 
to volatility in prices and the impact on Group revenue. The Remuneration Committee reviews each exceptional item to assess if it should 
be included in the result for the purposes of deriving the UAP STIP outcome.

Financial 
measure

UAP

Measure 
outcome

Below 
Threshold .

Scorecard targets 

Performance against scorecard targets

In respect of FY2019, the Board determined 
a Target for UAP of US$10.3 billion, with 
a Threshold of US$9.6 billion and a Stretch 
of US$10.6 billion.
The Target UAP is derived from the Group’s 
approved annual budget. It is the Group’s 
practice to build a material element of 
stretch performance into the budget. 
Achievement of this stretching UAP Target 
will result in a target STIP outcome. The 
Threshold and Stretch are a fair range of 
UAP outcomes which represent a lower limit 
of underperformance below which no STIP 
award should be made, and an upper limit 
of outperformance which would represent 
the maximum STIP award. 
For the reasons set out above, the 
performance range around Target is subject 
to a greater level of downside risk than there 
is upside opportunity, and accordingly, the 
range between Threshold and Target is 
greater than that between Target and 
Stretch. For Stretch, the Committee takes 
care not to create leveraged incentives that 
encourage executives to push for 
short-term performance that goes beyond 
our risk appetite and current operational 
capacity. Using the mid-point of the 
Threshold and Stretch range as Target 
would provide a symmetrical distribution; 
however, this would not provide sufficient 
stretch for management to achieve a target 
STIP outcome. The Committee retains, and 
has a track record of applying, downward 
discretion to ensure that the STIP outcome 
is appropriately aligned with the overall 
performance of the Group for the year, and 
is fair to management and shareholders. 

UAP of US$9.1 billion was reported by BHP for FY2019. Adjusted for the 
factors outlined below, UAP is US$8.6 billion, which is below Threshold 
as determined by the Board. The following adjustments were made 
to ensure the outcomes appropriately reflect the performance 
of management for the year: 
•  Adjustments in relation to the impacts of movements in prices of 
commodities and exchange rates reduced UAP by US$1.6 billion. 
•  An adjustment to exclude the impact of Onshore US, which was not 
included in the Target as the economic outcomes from 1 July 2018 
accrued to the buyer, increased UAP by US$0.6 billion. 

•  Adjustments for other material items ordinarily made to ensure 

the outcomes reflect the performance of management for the year 
increased UAP by US$0.5 billion, mainly due to the exclusion of the 
impacts of unusually severe cyclone weather events in Australia 
and non-cash taxation provision adjustments which are unable to 
be determined at the time of budget preparation.

Having reviewed the FY2019 exceptional items (as described in 
note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5), the Committee determined 
that they should not be considered for the purposes of determining 
the UAP STI outcome. The Committee concluded that no further 
action was appropriate.
The key drivers of the UAP performance being below Threshold at 
US$8.6 billion were lower volumes at Western Australian Iron Ore 
resulting from train derailment impacts, shutdown overruns, and 
equipment reliability issues at mines and port; at Olympic Dam caused 
by an acid plant outage; at Coal due to prime stripping shortfalls resulting 
in low raw coal production; at Escondida due to conveyor belt failures, 
lower mill performance, and unscheduled and extended maintenance; 
and at Spence due to an electrowinning plant fire; partly offset by higher 
Petroleum volumes from improved well performance across most fields. 
Notwithstanding this below Threshold outcome for the UAP KPI driven 
by operational matters, the financial shareholder experience during 
FY2019 was positive, with increases in share prices, dividends and 
share buy-backs.

The outcome against the UAP KPI for FY2019 was zero against the target of 45 per cent.

BHP Annual Report 2019  151

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Individual performance measures for the CEO
Individual measures for the CEO are determined at the commencement of the financial year. The application of personal measures 
remains an important element of effective performance management. These measures seek to provide a balance between the financial 
and non-financial performance requirements that maintain our position as a leader in our industry. The CEO’s individual measures for 
FY2019 included contribution to BHP’s overall performance and the management team, and also the delivery of projects and initiatives 
within the scope of the CEO role as specified by the Board, as set out in the table below.

Individual 
measures

Individual scorecard targets 

Performance against scorecard targets

Strategy 

•  Improve the return profile of our major 

•  The expected returns of almost all major capital projects in development 

capital projects in development. 
•  Make commercial progress from 

exploration.

have been improved, within the application of the Capital Allocation 
Framework and adhering to the risk appetite. 

•  We continued to progress and work within BHP’s rigorous Capital 

•  Complete the Onshore US divestment.

Allocation Framework.

Measure 
outcome

Between 
Target and 
Stretch; closer 
to Stretch.

•  Positive outcomes from oil and gas exploration during the year, together 

with options generated through copper exploration and acquisition.

•  The Onshore US divestment was completed ahead of schedule and in an 
efficient and transparent way, with due regard to the significant people 
impacts. The proceeds were distributed in a value accretive manner, 
contributing to the positive shareholder experience during the year.
•  BHP’s value increased consistent with the plans outlined previously, 

driven not only by commodity price appreciation, but also by 
management actions on strategic initiatives.

•  Due mainly to the operational issues noted above, the expectations on 

productivity gains and improvements and the targeted return on capital 
were not met.

Between 
Threshold 
and Target.

•  Latent capacity projects on track to meet expected milestones 

and benefits.

•  BOS continues to be rolled out in line with the expected plan, aimed 

at delivering a step change in safety, productivity and culture outcomes, 
through standardising work to increase safety and efficiency at 
operations across the Company.

•  We achieved most efficiency and effectiveness targets through our 

World Class Functions program; however, we need further design work 
and leadership engagement in FY2020 to fully embed the changes and 
realise the full benefits.

•  We completed and commenced the implementation of the strategic 
Technology five-year plan, which is integrated and embedded within 
the assets’ plans.

•  Continued strong leadership and representation on key issues such as 
indigenous representation, climate change, tailings dams, government 
policy development, taxation and inclusion. 

•  The global brand strategy execution continues to enhance BHP’s 

reputation in important markets. 

•  Close communication, regular updates and proactive relationship 

building continues to build strong engagement and relationships with 
shareholders and other stakeholders. 

•  Solid progress on the goal to increase female representation in the 

workforce globally – by 30 June 2019 gender diversity had increased 
2.1 percentage points to 24.5%, up from 22.4% at 30 June 2018, 
for a cumulative increase of 6.9 percentage points from 17.6% 
at 30 June 2016. 

•  Our progress on flexible working arrangements across BHP 

Above Target.

Marginally 
below Target.

Productivity

•  Deliver productivity initiatives.
•  Return on capital.
•  Progress key projects driving 
latent capacity increases.
•  Progress the BHP Operating 

System (BOS).

•  Transformation of global functions.
•  Technology five-year plan.

Sustainability

•  Enhanced reputation and brand 

of BHP.

•  Enhanced relationships with 

key stakeholders.

People and 
culture

•  Achievement of inclusion and 

diversity aspirations.

•  Achievement of culture initiatives, as 

measured through the Company-wide 
annual Engagement and Perception 
Survey (EPS).

•  ELT member development and succession.

has continued. 

•  Our 2019 EPS showed flat or slightly negative results across a range of 
categories, reflecting the extent of disruptive transformational change 
occurring within the Company.

•  The development of a strong long-term talent pool of candidates for 
ELT, Asset President and key functional roles has been a strong and 
deliberate focus, resulting in a robust slate of potential successors.

It was considered that the performance of the CEO against the individual measures KPI warranted an outcome for FY2019 of 33 per cent 
against the target of 30 per cent.

152  BHP Annual Report 2019

3.3.3 LTIP performance outcomes

LTIP vesting based on performance to June 2019
The five-year performance period for the 2014 LTIP ended on 
30 June 2019. The CEO’s 2014 LTIP award comprised 224,859 
awards (inclusive of an uplift of 15,980 awards due to the 
demerger of South32), subject to achievement of the relative 
TSR performance conditions and any discretion applied 
by the Remuneration Committee. 

Testing the performance condition
For the award to vest in full, TSR must exceed the Peer Group TSR 
(for 67 per cent of the award) and the Index TSR (for 33 per cent 
of the award) by an average of 5.5 per cent per year for five years, 
being 30.7 per cent in total compounded over the performance 
period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019. TSR includes returns 
to BHP shareholders in the form of share price movements along 
with dividends paid and reinvested in BHP (including cash and 
in-specie dividends).

BHP’s TSR performance was positive 6.0 per cent over the five-year 
period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019. This is below the weighted 
median Peer Group TSR of positive 15.3 per cent and below the Index 
TSR of positive 41.3 per cent over the same period. This level of 
performance results in zero vesting for the 2014 LTIP awards, and 
accordingly all of the CEO’s awards have lapsed. No compensation 
or DEP was paid in relation to the lapsed awards.

The graph below shows BHP’s performance relative to 
comparator groups.

BHP vs. Peer Group and Index TSR over the 2014 LTIP cycle

TSR since 1 July 2014 (%)

BHP

Peer Group

Index 
(MSCI)

60

40

20

0

-20

-40

-60

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Years ended 30 June

3.3.4 LTIP allocated during FY2019 

Following shareholder approval at the 2018 AGMs, an LTIP award 
(in the form of performance rights) was granted to the CEO on 
18 December 2018. The face value and fair value of the award 
are shown in the table below. 

The face value of the award is 400 per cent of the CEO’s base 
salary of US$1.700 million. The fair value of the award is ordinarily 
calculated by multiplying the face value of the award by the 
fair value factor of 41 per cent (for the current plan design, 
as determined by the independent adviser to the Committee). 
Using the average share price and US$/A$ exchange rate over 
the 12 months up to and including 30 June 2018, the number 
of LTIP awards derived from a grant of 400 per cent of base salary 
with a face value of US$6.800 million was 304,523 LTIP awards. 

Number of 
LTIP awards

Face value
US$(‘000)

Face value
% of salary

Fair value
US$(‘000)

Fair value
% of salary

% of
 max (1)

304,523

6,800

400

2,788

164

100

(1)  The allocation is 100 per cent of the maximum award that was able to be 
provided under the remuneration policy approved by shareholders at the 
2017 AGMs.

 Terms of the LTIP award 
In addition to those LTIP terms set in the remuneration policy for 
the CEO approved by shareholders in 2017, the Remuneration 
Committee has determined:

Performance 
period

Performance 
conditions

•  1 July 2018 to 30 June 2023

•  An averaging period of six months will be used in the 

TSR calculations.

•  BHP’s TSR relative to the weighted median TSR of 

sector peer companies selected by the Committee 
(Peer Group TSR) and the MSCI World index (Index TSR) 
will determine the vesting of 67% and 33% of the 
award, respectively. 

•  Each company in the peer group is weighted by market 
capitalisation. The maximum weighting for any one 
company is 25% and the minimum is set at 0.4% to 
reduce sensitivity to any single peer company.

•  For the whole of either portion of the award to vest, 
BHP’s TSR must be at or exceed the weighted 80th 
percentile of the Peer Group TSR or the Index TSR (as 
applicable). Threshold vesting (25% of each portion of 
the award) occurs where BHP’s TSR equals the weighted 
50th percentile of the Peer Group TSR or the Index TSR 
(as applicable). Vesting occurs on a sliding scale 
between the weighted 50th and 80th percentiles.

Sector Peer 
Group 
Companies (1) (2) (3)

•  Resources (85%): Anglo American, Fortescue Metals, 
Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Rio Tinto, Southern 
Copper, Teck Resources, Vale. 

•  Oil and Gas (15%): Anadarko Petroleum, Apache, 

BP, Canadian Natural Res., Chevron, ConocoPhillips, 
Devon Energy, EOG Resources, ExxonMobil, Occidental 
Petroleum, Royal Dutch Shell, Woodside Petroleum. 

(1)  From December 2015, Alcoa, Cameco and MMC Norilsk Nickel were removed 

from the sector peer group following the demerger of South32 as they are less 
relevant comparator companies.

(2) From December 2016, BG Group and Peabody Energy were removed from the 
comparator group. BG Group was acquired by Royal Dutch Shell and Peabody 
Energy has become a significantly less comparable peer.

(3) From November 2018, CONSOL Energy was removed from the comparator 
group, as due to its internal restructuring it became a less comparable peer.

3.3.5 Overarching discretion 
and vesting underpin

The rules of the CDP, LTIP and STIP and the terms and conditions of 
the awards give the Committee an overarching discretion to reduce 
the number of awards that will vest, notwithstanding the fact that 
the performance condition for partial or full vesting, as tested 
following the end of the performance period, or the relevant 
service conditions, have been met. 

This holistic, qualitative judgement, which is applied as an 
underpin test before final vesting is confirmed, is an important 
risk management aspect to ensure that vesting is not simply driven 
by a formula or the passage of time that may give unexpected 
or unintended remuneration outcomes. 

The Committee considers its discretion carefully each year. 
It considers performance holistically over the five-year period, 
including a five-year view on HSEC performance, profitability, 
cash flow, balance sheet health, returns to shareholders, 
corporate governance and conduct. 

Having undertaken this review, the Committee considered its 
discretion in respect of equity awards due to vest in August 2019. 
In respect of the STIP two-year deferred shares (granted in 
November 2017 in respect of performance in FY2017), the 
Committee chose not to exercise its discretion and allowed the 
STIP awards to vest in full. As the formulaic outcome of the 2014 
LTIP was a zero vesting, there is no discretion available to the 
Remuneration Committee, as the overarching discretion may 
only reduce the number of awards that may vest.

BHP Annual Report 2019  153

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3.3.6 CEO remuneration and returns to shareholders

Ten-year CEO remuneration
The table below shows the total remuneration earned by Andrew Mackenzie and Marius Kloppers over the last 10-years along with the 
proportion of maximum opportunity earned for each type of incentive. 

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013 (1)

FY2014

FY2015

FY2016

FY2017

FY2018

FY2019

Financial year

Andrew Mackenzie

Total single figure remuneration, US$(‘000)

STIP (% of maximum)

LTIP (% of maximum)

Marius Kloppers

Total single figure remuneration, US$(‘000)

14,789

15,755

16,092

15,991

STIP (% of maximum)

LTIP (% of maximum)

71

100

69

100

0

100

47

65

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

47

65

2,468

7,988

4,582

2,241

4,554

4,657

3,531

77

58

–

–

–

57

0

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

57

0

–

–

–

60

0

–

–

–

32

0

–

–

–

(1)  As Mr Mackenzie assumed the role of CEO in May 2013, the FY2013 total remuneration shown relates only to the period 10 May to 30 June 2013. The FY2013 total 

remuneration for Mr Kloppers relates only to the period 1 July 2012 to 10 May 2013.

10-year TSR 
The graph below shows BHP’s TSR against the performance of relevant indices over the same 10-year period. The indices shown 
in the graph were chosen as being broad market indices, which include companies of a comparable size and complexity to BHP.

Value of US$100 invested over the 10-year period to 30 June 2019 (with dividends reinvested)

Value of investment (US$)

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

FTSE 100

ASX 100

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Years ended 30 June

3.3.7 Changes in the CEO’s remuneration in FY2019

The table below sets out the CEO’s base salary, benefits and STIP amounts earned in respect of FY2019, with the percentage change from 
FY2018. The table also shows the average change in each element for current employees in Australia (being approximately 18,000 
employees) during FY2019. This has been chosen by the Committee as the most appropriate comparison, as the CEO is located in Australia.

Andrew Mackenzie 

Australian employees

Base salary

Benefits

US$(‘000)

% change

% change (average)

1,700

0.0

2.1

100

19.0

28.0

STIP

1,306

(46.7) 

(14.0)

The ratio of the total remuneration of the CEO to the median total remuneration of all BHP employees for FY2019 was 31:1 (2018: 37:1).

154  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3.8 Remuneration for the CEO in FY2020

The remuneration for the CEO in FY2020 will be in accordance with the remuneration policy to be approved by shareholders 
at the AGMs in 2019. In the event shareholders do not approve the remuneration policy at the AGMs in 2019, the remuneration 
for the CEO in FY2020 will be in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders at the AGMs in 2017. 

Base salary review
Base salary is reviewed annually and increases are applicable from 1 September. The CEO will not receive a base salary increase 
in September 2019 and it will remain unchanged at US$1.700 million per annum for FY2020.

FY2020 CDP performance measures
For FY2020, the Remuneration Committee has set the following CDP scorecard performance measures:

Performance categories

Weighting 

Target measures

HSEC 

25%

Financial

50%

Individual

25%

The following HSEC performance measures are designed to incentivise achievement of the Group’s public five-year 
HSEC targets. 
Fatalities, environmental and community incidents: Nil fatalities and nil actual significant environmental 
and community incidents. 
HPIF, TRIF and occupational illness: Improved performance compared with FY2019 results, with severity and 
trends to also be considered as a moderating influence on the overall HSEC assessment.
Risk management: Operated assets to have controls for fatal risks verified as part of Field Leadership activities 
with fatal risk control improvement plans developed and executed and increased levels of in-field coaching. 
Achieve 90% compliance for critical control verification and execution tasks.
Health, environmental and community/social value initiatives: All operated assets to achieve 100% of planned 
targets in respect of occupational exposure reduction, mental health, water and greenhouse gas, social value plans, 
quality of life, community perceptions and community complaints. 

ROC is underlying profit after taxation (excluding after-taxation finance costs and exceptional items) divided by average 
capital employed. When we are assessing management’s performance, we make adjustments to the ROC result to allow 
for changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange movements and other material items to ensure the assessment 
appropriately measures outcomes that are within the control and influence of the Group and its executives. 
For reasons of commercial sensitivity, the target for ROC will not be disclosed in advance; however, we plan 
to disclose targets and outcomes retrospectively in our next Remuneration Report, following the end of each 
performance year. In the rare instances where this may not be prudent on grounds of commercial sensitivity, 
we will explain why and give an indication of when they will be disclosed.

The CEO’s individual measures for FY2020 comprise contribution to BHP’s overall performance and the management 
team and the delivery of projects and initiatives within the scope of the CEO role as set out by the Board. These 
include strategy, productivity initiatives, transformation programs, latent capacity enhancement projects, focus 
on the returns of future major capital projects, tailings dam activities, exploration, continued enhancement of BHP’s 
global brand, culture initiatives (including improvement in Group-wide leadership capabilities, employee engagement, 
diversity and inclusion, conduct and risk management) and ELT member development and succession.
These performance measures are aligned with medium and long-term strategy aspirations that are intended to 
drive long-term value for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The strong link between BHP’s HSEC performance and executive remuneration (with HSEC performance representing 25 per cent of the 
total scorecard) is well regarded by shareholders. The Board and Committee recognise that climate change is a material governance and 
strategic issue. Increasingly, shareholders expect action to address climate change to be linked to executive remuneration. We have 
been setting operational greenhouse gas emissions targets and linking performance against them to executive remuneration through 
our HSEC scorecard for many years. However, recognising the increasing importance of this issue, we plan to clarify and strengthen this 
link. In FY2020, we will enhance our approach, including weighting and disclosure mechanisms for our performance, which will take 
effect from FY2021. 

FY2020 LTIP award
The maximum face value of the CEO’s LTIP award under the remuneration policy approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGMs is 
US$6.800 million, being 400 per cent of the CEO’s base salary. The number of LTIP awards in FY2020 has been determined using the 
share price and US$/A$ exchange rate over the 12 months up to and including 30 June 2019. Based on this, a FY2020 grant of 271,348 
LTIP awards is proposed and approval for this LTIP grant will be sought from shareholders at the 2019 AGMs. If approved, the award will 
be granted following the AGMs (i.e. in or around November/December 2019). The FY2020 LTIP award will use the same performance, 
service conditions and peer groups as the FY2019 LTIP award. 

Subject to the approval of the revised remuneration policy by shareholders at the 2019 AGMs, and in order to ensure there is a fair 
transitional outcome for participants, the LTIP grant to be made in late CY2019 will be made on the current 400 per cent of base salary 
(face value), with potential vesting five years later in mid-CY2024. The first five-year deferred shares that result from performance under 
the CDP for FY2020 will be granted in late CY2020 with potential vesting five years later in mid-CY2025, and the LTIP grant to be made 
in late CY2020 will then be made on the reduced 200 per cent of base salary (face value), with potential vesting five years later also 
in mid-CY2025.

BHP Annual Report 2019  155

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Remuneration for other Executive KMP (excluding the CEO)
The information in this section contains details of the remuneration policy that guided the Remuneration Committee’s decisions and resulted 
in the remuneration outcomes for other Executive KMP (excluding the CEO). 

The remuneration policy and structures for other Executive KMP are essentially the same as those already described for the CEO in previous 
sections of the Remuneration Report, including the treatment of remuneration on loss of office as detailed in section 3.2.5.

3.3.9 Components of remuneration

The components of remuneration for other Executive KMP are the same as for the CEO, with any differences described below.

STIP
The STIP performance measures for other Executive KMP for FY2019 are similar to those of the CEO which are outlined at section 3.3.2; 
however, the weighting of each performance measure will vary to reflect the focus required from each Executive KMP role.

Individual performance measures are determined at the start of the financial year. These include the other Executive KMP’s contribution 
to the delivery of projects and initiatives within the scope of their role and the overall performance of the Group. Individual performance 
of other Executive KMP was reviewed against these measures by the Committee and, on average, was considered above target.

The diagram below represents the FY2019 STIP outcomes against the original scorecard.

Performance categories

HSEC

Financial

Individual

Group

Region

UAP

Underlying EBITDA

Other Executive 
KMP with 
region 
responsibility

Other Executive 
KMP without 
region 
responsibility

12.5%

12.5%

22.5%

22.5%

30%

25%

0%

45%

0%

30%

Threshold

Target

Stretch

  BHP Group 

  Minerals Australia 

  Minerals Americas 

  Petroleum

LTIP
LTIP awards granted to other Executive KMP for FY2020 will have a 
maximum face value of 350 per cent of base salary, which is a fair 
value of 143.5 per cent of base salary under the current plan design 
(with a fair value of 41 per cent, taking into account the performance 
condition: 350 per cent x 41 per cent = 143.5 per cent). 

Subject to the approval of the new remuneration policy by 
shareholders at the 2019 AGMs, consistent with the CEO, the 
proposed reduction to the LTIP grant size of other Executive KMP 
awards to 200 per cent of base salary (face value) will apply to LTIP 
grants made from FY2021 onwards.

Equity awards provided for pre-KMP service
Other Executive KMP who were promoted from executive 
roles within BHP may hold GSTIP and MAP awards that were 
granted to them in respect of their service in non-KMP roles.

Shareplus
Other Executive KMP are eligible to participate in Shareplus. 
For administrative simplicity, Executive KMP, including the CEO, 
do not currently participate in Shareplus. No Executive KMP, 
including the CEO, had any holdings under the Shareplus 
program during FY2019.

3.3.10 Remuneration mix

A significant portion of other Executive KMP remuneration is at-risk, in order to provide strong alignment between remuneration outcomes 
and the interests of BHP shareholders.

The diagram below sets out the relative mix of each remuneration component for the other Executive KMP for FY2019. Each component 
is determined as a percentage of base salary (at the minimum, target and maximum levels of performance-based remuneration).

Remuneration mix for other Executive KMP
The percentage numbers in the bars represent the percentage of base salary

Minimum

Base salary

25%

10%

Target

Base salary

25%

10%

80%

80%

143%

Maximum

Base salary

25%

10%

120%

120%

350%

0

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Base salary (1)
STIP (cash) (4)

Retirement benefits (2) 
STIP (deferred shares) (4)

Other benefits (3)
LTIP (5)

% share of total remuneration

(1)  Base salary earned by each Executive KMP is set out in section 3.3.17.
(2) Retirement benefits are 25 per cent of base salary. 
(3) Other benefits is based on a notional 10 per cent of base salary.
(4) As for the CEO, the minimum STIP award is zero, with an award of 80 per cent of base salary in cash and 80 per cent of salary in deferred equity for target 

performance, and a maximum award of 120 per cent cash and 120 per cent deferred equity for exceptional performance against KPIs.

(5)  Other Executive KMP have a maximum LTIP award with a face value of 350 per cent of base salary as shown in the diagram.

156  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
3.3.11 Employment contracts

The terms of employment for other Executive KMP are formalised in employment contracts, which have no fixed term. They typically 
outline the components of remuneration paid to the individual, but do not prescribe how remuneration levels are to be modified from 
year-to-year. An Executive KMP employment contract may be terminated by BHP on up to 12 months’ notice or can be terminated 
immediately by BHP making a payment of up to 12 months’ base salary plus pension contributions for the relevant period. An Executive 
KMP must give six months’ notice for voluntary resignation.

3.3.12 Arrangements for Executive KMP leaving the Group

The arrangements for Executive KMP leaving the Group are within the approval provided by shareholders at the 2017 AGMs in regard 
to Australian termination benefits legislation, including the provision of performance-based remuneration in accordance with the rules 
of the relevant incentive plans. 

Steve Pastor stepped down from his role as President, Petroleum on 17 March 2019 and exited BHP on 31 March 2019. Mr Pastor received 
base salary, pension contributions, pro-rated STIP, statutory leave entitlements, and applicable benefits up to the date of his exit from BHP. 
Mr Pastor received a payment in lieu of notice upon exit and has been paid or will receive in the future the value of pension funds that 
he has accumulated during his service with the Group. When determining the Executive KMP STIP awards for FY2019, the Remuneration 
Committee resolved that Mr Pastor would receive a pro-rated FY2019 STIP award in the form of cash based on his performance. No deferral 
period will apply in respect of this cash STIP award. 

All unvested FY2017 and FY2018 STIP awards allocated to Mr Pastor remained on foot on termination. FY2017 STIP vested in August 2019, 
and FY2018 STIP will not vest until August 2020. MAP awards allocated to Mr Pastor prior to Executive KMP service vested upon 
termination, pro-rated to reflect the percentage of the service period to 31 March 2019. Mr Pastor’s unvested LTIP awards were pro-rated 
to reflect the percentage of the performance period to 31 March 2019. The vesting of the retained pro-rated LTIP awards will be determined 
by the Committee at the relevant time in future years, and will only vest if the performance conditions are met at the end of each five-year 
performance period, subject to the Committee’s ability to reduce vesting through its discretion under the plan rules.

Remuneration for Non-executive Directors
The remuneration outcomes described below have been provided in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders 
at the 2017 AGMs. The maximum aggregate fees payable to Non-executive Directors (including the Chairman) were approved by 
shareholders at the 2008 AGMs at US$3.800 million per annum. This sum includes base fees, Committee fees and pension contributions. 
Travel allowances and non-monetary benefits are not included in this limit.

3.3.13 Single total figure of remuneration

This section shows a single total figure of remuneration as prescribed under UK requirements. It is a measure of actual remuneration. Fees 
include the annual base fee, plus additional fees as applicable for the Senior Independent Director, Committee Chairmen and Committee 
memberships. Non-executive Directors do not have any at-risk remuneration or receive any equity awards as part of their remuneration. 
This table also meets the requirements of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 and relevant accounting standards.

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US$(‘000)

Terry Bowen (3)

Malcolm Broomhead

Ian Cockerill (4)

Anita Frew

Carolyn Hewson

Susan Kilsby (4)

Ken MacKenzie

Lindsay Maxsted

John Mogford (3)

Wayne Murdy (5)

Shriti Vadera

Financial year

Fees

Benefits (1)

Pensions (2)

Total

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

183

135

212

200

55

220

202

212

195

47

865

749

209

209

187

138

75

220

253

235

30

37

40

33

30

48

62

32

32

22

32

61

32

47

61

60

35

80

48

63

10

7

11

11

–

–

–

11

10

–

15

16

11

11

–

–

–

–

–

–

223

179

263

244

85

268

264

255

237

69

912

826

252

267

248

198

110

300

301

298

(1)  The majority of the amounts disclosed for benefits are travel allowances for each Non-executive Director: amounts of between US$22,000 and US$60,000. In addition, 
amounts of between US$ nil and US$3,000 are included in respect of tax return preparation; and amounts of between US$ nil and US$2,000 are included in respect 
of reimbursement of the tax cost associated with the provision of taxable benefits. 

(2) BHP Group Limited made minimum superannuation contributions of up to 9.5 per cent of fees for FY2019 in accordance with Australian superannuation legislation. 
(3) The FY2018 remuneration for Terry Bowen and John Mogford relates to part of the year only, as they both joined the Board on 1 October 2017.
(4) The FY2019 remuneration for Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby relates to part of the year only, as they both joined the Board on 1 April 2019.
(5) The FY2019 remuneration for Wayne Murdy relates to part of the year only as he retired from the Board on 2 November 2018. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  157

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3.3.14 Non-executive Directors’ 
remuneration in FY2020

In FY2020, the remuneration for the Non-executive Directors will 
be paid in accordance with the remuneration policy to be approved 
by shareholders at the 2019 AGMs (which is unchanged from the 
remuneration policy for Non-executive Directors approved by 
shareholders at the 2017 AGMs). Fee levels for the Non-executive 
Directors and the Chairman are reviewed annually. The review 
includes benchmarking, with the assistance of external advisers, 
against peer companies. 

From 1 July 2017, the Chairman’s annual fee was reduced 
by approximately 8 per cent from US$0.960 million to 
US$0.880 million, and will remain at that level for FY2020. This 
fee reduction was in addition to the reduction of approximately 
13 per cent from US$1.100 million to US$0.960 million effective 
1 July 2015. Base fee levels for Non-executive Directors will remain 
at the reduced levels that took effect from 1 July 2015, at which 
time they were reduced by approximately 6 per cent from 
US$0.170 million to US$0.160 million per annum. 

The below table sets out the annualised fee levels for FY2020.

Levels of fees and travel allowances for 
Non-executive Directors (in US$)

Base annual fee

Plus additional fees for:

Senior Independent Director 
of BHP Group Plc

Committee Chair:
Risk and Audit
Remuneration
Sustainability
Nomination and Governance

Committee membership:
Risk and Audit
Remuneration
Sustainability
Nomination and Governance

Travel allowance: (1)
Greater than 3 but less than 10 hours
10 hours or more

Chairman’s fee

From 1 July 
2019

160,000

48,000

60,000
45,000
45,000
No additional fee

32,500
27,500
27,500
18,000

7,000
15,000

880,000

(1) In relation to travel for Board business, the time thresholds relate to the flight 

time to travel to the meeting location (i.e. one way flight time). Only one travel 
allowance is paid per round trip. 

Remuneration governance 

3.3.15 Board oversight and the Remuneration Committee

Board
The Board is responsible for ensuring the Group’s remuneration 
arrangements are equitable and aligned with the long-term 
interests of BHP and its shareholders. In performing this function, 
it is critical that the Board is independent of management when 
making decisions affecting remuneration of the CEO, other 
Executive KMP and the Group’s employees.

The Board has therefore established a Remuneration Committee 
to assist it in making such decisions. The Committee is comprised 
solely of Non-executive Directors, all of whom are independent. 
To ensure that it is fully informed, the Committee regularly invites 
members of management to attend meetings to provide reports 
and updates. The Committee can draw on services from a range 
of external sources, including remuneration advisers.

Remuneration Committee
The activities of the Remuneration Committee are governed 
by Terms of Reference (updated version approved by the Board 
in August 2019), which are available on our website. The current 
members of the Remuneration Committee are Carolyn Hewson 
(Chairman), Anita Frew, Susan Kilsby and Shriti Vadera. The role and 
focus of the Committee and details of meeting attendances can be 
found in section 2.13.2. Other Directors and employees who 
regularly attended meetings were: Ken MacKenzie (Chairman); 
Wayne Murdy (Remuneration Committee member to 2 November 
2018); Andrew Mackenzie (CEO); Athalie Williams (Chief People 
Officer); Andrew Fitzgerald (Vice President Reward); Margaret 
Taylor (Group Company Secretary to 28 February 2019); Caroline 
Cox (Group Company Secretary from 1 March 2019) and Geof 
Stapledon (Vice President Governance). These individuals were not 
present when matters associated with their own remuneration were 
considered.

3.3.16 Statement of voting at the 2018 AGMs

Engagement of independent remuneration advisers
The Committee seeks and considers advice from independent 
remuneration advisers where appropriate. Remuneration consultants 
are engaged by, and report directly to, the Committee. Potential 
conflicts of interest are taken into account when remuneration 
consultants are selected and their terms of engagement regulate 
their level of access to, and require their independence from, 
BHP’s management. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed by the Committee 
in March 2016 to act as an independent remuneration adviser. 
The PricewaterhouseCoopers team that advises the Remuneration 
Committee does not provide any other services to the Group. 
Other parts of PricewaterhouseCoopers provide services to the 
Group in the areas of forensic and general technology, internal 
audit and international assignment solutions. Processes and 
arrangements are in place to protect independence (for example, 
ring-fencing of teams) and to manage any conflicts of interest 
that may arise.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is currently the only remuneration adviser 
appointed by the Committee. In that capacity, they may provide 
remuneration recommendations in relation to KMP; however they 
did not do so in FY2019. 

Total fees paid to the PricewaterhouseCoopers team advising the 
Committee on remuneration-related matters for FY2019 were 
£160,000. These fees are based on an agreed fee for regular items 
with additional work charged at agreed rates. Total fees paid to 
PricewaterhouseCoopers for other services rendered to the 
Group for FY2019 were approximately US$26 million.

BHP’s remuneration resolutions have attracted a high level of support by shareholders. Voting in regard to those resolutions put to 
shareholders at the 2018 AGMs is shown below. 

AGM resolution

Remuneration Report (excluding remuneration policy (2))

Remuneration Report (whole report)

Approval of grants to Executive Director

Requirement

% vote ‘for’ % vote ‘against’

UK

Australia

Australia

96.6

95.2

97.0

3.4

4.8

3.0

Votes
withheld (1)

53,711,796

44,236,128

7,029,924

(1)  The sum of votes marked ‘Vote Withheld’ at BHP Group Plc’s 2018 AGM and votes marked ‘Abstain’ at BHP Group Limited’s 2018 AGM.
(2) The UK requirement for approval of the remuneration policy was met at the 2017 AGMs, where the following outcomes were recorded: a 97.1 per cent vote 

‘for’, a 2.9 per cent vote ‘against’ with 9,658,674 votes withheld. This resolution was not required in 2018.

158  BHP Annual Report 2019

Other statutory disclosures
This section provides details of any additional statutory disclosures required by Australian or UK regulations that have not been included 
in the previous sections of the Remuneration Report.

3.3.17 Executive KMP remuneration table

 The table below has been prepared in accordance with relevant accounting standards and remuneration data for Executive KMP are for 
the periods of FY2018 and FY2019 that they were KMP. More information on the policy and operation of each element of remuneration 
is provided in prior sections of this Report.

Share-based payments
The figures included in the shaded columns of the statutory table below for share-based payments were not actually provided to the KMP during 
FY2018 or FY2019. These amounts are calculated in accordance with accounting standards and are the amortised IFRS fair values of equity and 
equity-related instruments that have been granted to the executives. For information on awards that were allocated and vested during FY2018 
and FY2019, refer to section 3.3.18.

Short-term benefits

Post-
employment 
benefits

Share-based payments

Financial 
year

Base
salary (1)

Annual 
cash

incentive (2)

Non-
monetary

benefits (3)

Other
benefits (4)

Retirement

benefits (5)

Value of STIP 

awards (2) (6)

Value of LTIP

awards (6)

Total

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

FY2018

FY2019

1,700

1,700

1,000

1,000

1,100

1,100

1,000

1,000

712

1,000

219

653

1,224

480

728

440

722

424

792

524 

720

167

100

84

5

8

10

13

30

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

14

19

49

21

–

425

425

250

250

275

275

250

250

178

250

55

990 

779

637 

549

623 

546

585 

507

1,166

493

43 

4,037 

7,905 

3,894

8,106

2,078 

4,450 

 1,792 

 4,327 

2,286 

4,734 

 1,971 

 4,627 

2,078 

4,381 

 1,751 

 4,332 

1,087

3,716

 1,076 

 3,560 

213 

697 

 US$(‘000)

Executive Director

Andrew Mackenzie

Other Executive KMP

Peter Beaven

Mike Henry

Daniel Malchuk

Steve Pastor (7)

Geraldine Slattery (7)

(1)  Base salaries shown in this table reflect the amounts paid over the 12-month period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 for each Executive KMP. There were no changes to 
Executive KMP base salaries during the year except for Geraldine Slattery who was appointed Executive KMP during the year on an annual base salary of US$0.750 million. 

(2) Annual cash incentive is the cash portion of STIP awards earned in respect of performance during each financial year for each executive. STIP is provided half in 

cash and half in deferred equity (which are included in the share-based payments columns of the table). The cash portion of STIP awards is paid to Executive KMP 
in September of the year following the relevant financial year. The minimum possible value awarded to each individual is nil and the maximum is 240 per cent of 
base salary (120 per cent in cash and 120 per cent in deferred equity). For FY2019, Executive KMP earned the following STIP awards as a percentage of the maximum 
(the remaining portion has been forfeited): Andrew Mackenzie 32 per cent, Peter Beaven 40 per cent, Mike Henry 33 per cent, Daniel Malchuk 35 per cent, Steve Pastor 
61 per cent, and Geraldine Slattery 65 per cent. Steve Pastor’s FY2019 STIP was paid in cash, pro-rated to reflect the period served until he ceased to be KMP 
on 17 March 2019, as noted in 3.3.12.

(3) Non-monetary benefits are non-pensionable and include such items as health and other insurances, fees for tax return preparation (if required in multiple jurisdictions), 

car parking and travel costs. 

(4) Other benefits are non-pensionable and for FY2019 include an international relocation benefit for Daniel Malchuk and an encashment of annual leave entitlements 

under the US Annual Leave policy and the cost of tax services for Steve Pastor. 

(5) Retirement benefits are 25 per cent of base salary for each Executive KMP.
(6) The IFRS fair value of both STIP and LTIP awards is estimated at grant date. Refer to note 23 ‘Employee share ownership plans’ in section 5 for further details.
(7)  The remuneration reported for Steve Pastor and Geraldine Slattery reflects service as Executive KMP during the year.

3.3.18 Equity awards

The interests held by Executive KMP under the Group’s employee 
equity plans are set out below. Each equity award is a right to 
acquire one ordinary share in BHP Group Limited or in BHP Group 
Plc upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions. BHP Group Limited 
share awards are shown in Australian dollars. BHP Group Plc awards 
are shown in Pounds Sterling. The Our Requirements for Securities 
Dealing standard governs and restricts dealing arrangements 
and the provision of shares on vesting or exercise of awards. 
No interests under the Group’s employee equity plans are held 
by related parties of Executive KMP.

Dividend Equivalent Payments
DEP applies to awards provided to Executive KMP under the 
CDP, STIP and LTIP as detailed in section 3.2.1. No DEP is payable 
on GSTIP awards or MAP awards.

Equity awards provided for Executive KMP service

Awards under the STIP, CDP and LTIP 
Executive KMP receive or will receive awards under the STIP, CDP 
and LTIP. The terms and conditions of STIP, CDP and LTIP awards, 
including the performance conditions, are described in sections 
3.2.1 and 3.2.5 of this Annual Report. The LTIP rules are available 
on our website.

Equity awards provided prior to Executive KMP service

Awards under the GSTIP and MAP
BHP senior management who are not KMP received awards under the 
GSTIP and receive awards under the MAP. While no GSTIP or MAP 
awards were granted to Executive KMP during FY2019, Steve Pastor 
and Geraldine Slattery held GSTIP awards and still hold MAP awards 
that were allocated to them prior to their Executive KMP service. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  159

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Award type

Date of grant

Andrew Mackenzie

STIP
STIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

Peter Beaven

STIP
STIP
STIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

Mike Henry

STIP
STIP
STIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

Daniel Malchuk

STIP
STIP
STIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP

Steve Pastor (5)

STIP
STIP
STIP
LTIP
LTIP
LTIP
MAP
MAP
MAP
GSTIP

Geraldine Slattery (6)

MAP
MAP
MAP
MAP
MAP
GSTIP

18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
4 Dec 2015
19 Dec 2014
18 Dec 2013

18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
4 Dec 2015
19 Dec 2014
18 Dec 2013

18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
4 Dec 2015
19 Dec 2014
18 Dec 2013

18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
4 Dec 2015
19 Dec 2014
18 Dec 2013

18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
18 Dec 2018
24 Nov 2017
9 Dec 2016
24 Feb 2016
24 Feb 2016
30 Oct 2015
9 Dec 2016

21 Feb 2019
21 Feb 2019
24 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2017
31 Oct 2016
25 Sep 2017

At 
1 July 
2018

–
56,217
–
385,075
339,753
339,753
224,859
213,701

–
36,145
10,958
–
198,200
174,873
174,873
115,736
109,993

–
36,376
10,663
–
218,020
192,360
192,360
127,310
120,993

–
28,070
9,694
–
198,200
174,873
174,873
115,736
93,495

–
30,659
2,697
–
198,200
139,898
21,775
21,775
21,775
5,435

–
–
–
34,349
21,775
14,951

Granted

Vested

Lapsed

At
30 June 
2019

Award 
vesting

date (1)

Market price on date of:

Grant (2)

Vesting (3)

Gain on 
awards
(‘000) (4)

DEP on 
awards 
(‘000)

52,061
–
304,523
–
–
–
–
–

30,964
–
–
156,739
–
–
–
–
–

30,692
–
–
172,413
–
–
–
–
–

33,686
–
–
156,739
–
–
–
–
–

30,624
–
–
156,739
–
–
–
–
–
–

28,527
28,527
28,527
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
10,958
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
10,663
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
9,694
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
2,697
–
–
–
–
–
21,775
5,435

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
213,701

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
109,993

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
120,993

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
93,495

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

52,061
56,217
304,523
385,075
339,753
339,753
224,859
–

30,964
36,145
–
156,739
198,200
174,873
174,873
115,736
–

30,692
36,376
–
172,413
218,020
192,360
192,360
127,310
–

33,686
28,070
–
156,739
198,200
174,873
174,873
115,736
–

30,624
30,659
–
156,739
198,200
139,898
21,775
21,775
–
–

28,527
28,527
28,527
34,349
21,775
14,951

Aug 20
Aug 19
Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18

Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18
Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18

Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18
Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18

Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18
Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18

Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18
Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
22 Aug 18
22 Aug 18

Aug 23
Aug 22
Aug 21
Aug 20
Aug 19
Aug 19

A$33.50
A$27.97
A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$17.93
A$28.98
A$35.79

A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$17.93
A$28.98
A$35.79

A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$17.93
A$28.98
A$35.79

A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$17.93
A$28.98
A$35.79

A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$33.50
A$27.97
A$25.98
A$16.18
A$16.18
A$23.02
A$25.98

A$34.83
A$34.83
A$33.83
A$25.98
A$23.07
A$25.98

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$32.08
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$32.08
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$32.08
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$32.08
–
–
–
–
–
A$32.08
A$32.08

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$352
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$342
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$311
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$87
–
–
–
–
–
A$699
A$174

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$22
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$21
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$19
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
A$5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

(1)  Where the vesting date is not yet known, the estimated vesting month is shown. Where awards lapse, the lapse date is shown. If the vesting conditions are met, awards 
will vest on, or as soon as practicable after, the first non-prohibited period date occurring after 30 June of the preceding year of vest. The year of vest is the second 
(STIP and GSTIP), third (MAP), fourth (MAP) or fifth (MAP and LTIP) financial year after grant. All awards are conditional awards and have no exercise period, exercise 
price or expiry date; instead ordinary fully paid shares are automatically delivered upon the vesting conditions being met. Where vesting conditions are not met, 
the conditional awards will immediately lapse. 

(2) The market price shown is the closing price of BHP shares on the relevant date of grant. No price is payable by the individual to receive a grant of awards. 

The IFRS fair value of the STIP and LTIP awards granted in FY2019 is at the grant date of 18 December 2018, and are as follows: STIP – A$33.50 and LTIP – A$24.13.

(3  The market price shown is the closing price of BHP shares on the relevant date of vest.
(4) The gain on awards is calculated using the market price on date of vesting or exercise (as applicable) less any exercise price payable. The amounts that vested and 

were lapsed for the awards during FY2019 are as follows: STIP – 100 per cent vested; LTIP – 100 per cent lapsed; GSTIP – 100 per cent vested; MAP – 100 per cent vested. 

(5) Awards shown as held by Steve Pastor at 30 June 2019 are his balances at the date he ceased being KMP (17 March 2019). The subsequent treatment of his awards 

is set out in section 3.3.12.

(6)  The opening balances of awards for Geraldine Slattery reflects her holdings on the date she commenced being KMP (18 March 2019).

160  BHP Annual Report 2019

3.3.19 Estimated value range of equity awards

The current face value (and estimate of the maximum possible total value) of equity awards allocated during FY2019 and yet to vest are 
the awards as set out in the previous table multiplied by the current share price of BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc as applicable. 
The minimum possible total value of the awards is nil.

The actual value that may be received by participants in the future cannot be determined as it is dependent on and therefore fluctuates 
with the share prices of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc at the date that any particular award vests or is exercised. The table below 
provides five-year share price history for BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc, history of dividends paid and the Group’s earnings.

Five-year share price, dividend and earnings history

BHP Group Limited

Share price at beginning of year

Share price at end of year

Dividends paid

BHP Group Plc

Share price at beginning of year

Share price at end of year

Dividends paid

BHP

Attributable profit /(loss) (US$M, as reported)

FY2019

A$33.60

A$41.16

A$3.08 (1)

£16.53

£20.15

£1.70 (1)

8,306

FY2018

A$23.23

A$33.91

A$1.24

£12.15

£17.06

£0.72

3,705

FY2017

A$19.09

A$23.28

A$0.72

£9.40

£11.76

£0.44

5,890

FY2016

A$26.58

A$18.65

A$1.09

£12.58

£9.43

£0.51

(6,385)

FY2015

A$36.00

A$27.05

A$3.72 (2)

£19.45

£12.49

£1.95 (2)

1,910

(1)  The FY2019 dividends paid includes A$1.41 or £0.80 in respect of the special dividend associated with the divestment of Onshore US.
(2) The FY2015 dividends paid includes A$2.25 or £1.15 in respect of the in-specie dividend associated with the demerger of South32.

The highest share prices during FY2019 were A$41.95 for BHP Group Limited shares and £20.15 for BHP Group Plc shares. The lowest share 
prices during FY2019 were A$30.43 and £14.91, respectively.

3.3.20 Ordinary share holdings and transactions

The number of ordinary shares in BHP Group Limited or in BHP Group Plc held directly, indirectly or beneficially, by each individual 
(including shares held in the name of all close members of the Director’s or Executive KMP’s family and entities over which either the 
Director or Executive KMP or the family member has, directly or indirectly, control, joint control or significant influence) are shown below. 
There have been no changes in the interests of any Directors in the period to 5 September 2019 (being not less than one month prior 
to the date of the notice of the 2019 AGMs), except as noted below. These are ordinary shares held without performance conditions 
or restrictions and are included in MSR calculations for each individual. 

The interests of Directors and Executive KMP in the ordinary shares of each of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc as at 30 June 2019 
did not exceed on an individual basis or in the aggregate 1 per cent of BHP Group Limited’s or BHP Group Plc’s issued ordinary shares.

BHP Group Limited Shares

BHP Group Plc Shares

Held at 
1 July 
2018 Purchased

Received as
remuneration (1)

Sold

Held at 
30 June 
2019

Held at 
1 July 
2018 Purchased

Received as
remuneration (1)

Sold

Held at 
30 June 
2019

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Executive Director

Andrew Mackenzie

Other Executive KMP

Peter Beaven

Mike Henry

Daniel Malchuk

Steve Pastor (2) (3)

Geraldine Slattery (2) (4)

Non-executive Directors

Terry Bowen

Malcolm Broomhead

Ian Cockerill (4) (5)

Anita Frew

Carolyn Hewson

Susan Kilsby (4) (5)

Ken MacKenzie (6)

Lindsay Maxsted

John Mogford

Wayne Murdy (2) (3)

Shriti Vadera

 93,051 

 296,690 

 91,993 

 164,054 

 52,953 

49,701

 11,000 

 19,000 

 5,259 

–

 19,000 

–

 52,351 

 18,000 

–

 8,000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

 –

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 93,051 

 266,205 

 11,644 

 68,072 

 240,262 

–

 11,331 

 5,262 

 98,062 

 196,262 

 10,301 

 –

 174,355 

 30,076 

 12,234 

 70,795 

 –

 –

49,701

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 11,000 

 19,000 

 5,259 

–

 15,000 

 19,000 

–

 52,351 

 18,000 

–

–

–

–

–

 12,000 

 8,000 

 24,000 

–

 25,000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 3,500 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–  266,205 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 196,262 

–

–

–

–

–

 3,500 

 15,000 

–

–

–

–

 12,000 

 24,000 

 25,000 

(1)  Includes DEP in the form of shares on equity awards vesting as disclosed in section 3.3.18.
(2) The following BHP Group Limited shares and BHP Group Plc shares were held in the form of American Depositary Shares: Wayne Murdy (4,000 BHP Group Limited; 

12,000 BHP Group Plc), Steve Pastor (1,574 BHP Group Limited), and Geraldine Slattery (868 BHP Group Limited).

(3) The closing balances for Steve Pastor and Wayne Murdy reflect their shareholdings on the date that each ceased being KMP, being 17 March 2019 and 

2 November 2018, respectively.

(4) The opening balances for Geraldine Slattery, Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby reflect their shareholdings on the date that each became KMP being 18 March 2019, 

1 April 2019 and 1 April 2019 respectively.

(5) Ian Cockerill acquired 3,500 shares in BHP Group Limited on 29 August 2019 and Susan Kilsby acquired 2,900 shares in BHP Group Plc on 23 August 2019.
(6) The opening balance for Ken MacKenzie has been updated to include 4,495 BHP Group Limited shares that were purchased on 25 August 2017, which were 

inadvertently not included in the 2018 report. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  161

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3.3.21 Prohibition on hedging of BHP 
shares and equity instruments

3.3.23 Payments to past Directors 
and for loss of office

The CEO and other Executive KMP may not use unvested BHP 
equity awards as collateral, or protect the value of any unvested 
BHP equity awards or the value of shares and securities held 
as part of meeting the MSR. 

Any securities that have vested and are no longer subject to 
restrictions may be subject to hedging arrangements or used 
as collateral, provided that prior consent is obtained.

3.3.22 Share ownership guidelines 
and the MSR

The share ownership guidelines and the MSR help to ensure the 
interests of Directors, executives and shareholders remain aligned. 

The CEO and other Executive KMP are expected to grow their 
holdings to the MSR from the scheduled vesting of their employee 
awards over time. The MSR is tested at the time that shares are to 
be sold. Shares may be sold to satisfy tax obligations arising from 
the granting, holding, vesting, exercise or sale of the employee 
awards or the underlying shares whether the MSR is satisfied 
at that time or not.

For FY2019:

•  the MSR for the CEO was five times annual pre-tax base salary 
and while he has met this requirement in the past, subsequent 
movements in foreign exchange rates and share prices have 
resulted in Andrew Mackenzie’s shareholding being 4.8 times 
his annual pre-tax base salary at the end of FY2019. As at the 
date of this Report, Mr Mackenzie met the MSR; 

•  the MSR for other Executive KMP was three times annual pre-tax 

base salary. At the end of FY2019, Peter Beaven, Mike Henry 
and Daniel Malchuk met the MSR, while Geraldine Slattery did 
not as she was only recently appointed as Executive KMP on 
18 March 2019. While Mr Beaven sold shares during FY2019, 
he met the MSR both before and after the sale. Other than 
Mr Beaven, no other Executive KMP sold shares during FY2019, 
other than to satisfy taxation obligations. 

Effective 1 July 2020, a two-year post-retirement shareholding 
requirement for the CEO will apply from the date of retirement, 
which will be the lower of the CEO’s MSR or the CEO’s actual 
shareholding at the date of retirement.

Subject to securities dealing constraints, Non-executive Directors 
have agreed to apply at least 25 per cent of their remuneration 
(base fees plus Committee fees) to the purchase of BHP shares until 
they achieve an MSR equivalent in value to one year’s remuneration 
(base fees plus Committee fees). Thereafter, they must maintain 
at least that level of shareholding throughout their tenure. At the 
end of FY2019, each Non-executive Director met the MSR with the 
exception of Ian Cockerill and Susan Kilsby as they only recently 
joined the Board on 1 April 2019. As at the date of this Report, 
Mr Cockerill met the MSR and Ms Kilsby met the agreed application 
of fees to purchase of BHP shares in respect of her tenure since 
1 April 2019.

UK regulations require the inclusion in the Remuneration Report 
of certain payments to past Directors and payments made for 
loss of office. There is nothing to disclose for these payments for 
FY2019. The Remuneration Committee has adopted a de minimis 
threshold of US$7,500 for disclosure of payments to past Directors 
under UK requirements.

3.3.24 Relative importance of spend on pay

The table below sets out the total spend for continuing operations 
on employee remuneration during FY2019 (and the prior year) 
compared with other significant expenditure items, and includes 
items as prescribed in the UK requirements. BHP has included tax 
payments and purchases of property, plant and equipment being 
the most significant other outgoings in monetary terms.

 US$ million

FY2019

FY2018

Aggregate employee benefits expense

Dividends paid to BHP shareholders

Share buy-backs

Income tax paid and royalty-related taxation 
paid (net of refunds)

4,117

11,395

5,220

5,940

4,072

5,220

–

4,918

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

6,250

4,979

3.3.25 Transactions with KMP

During the financial year, there were no transactions between the 
Group and its subsidiaries and KMP (including their related parties) 
(2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$ nil). There were no amounts payable at 
30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil). There were US$ nil loans (2018: US$ nil) 
with KMP (including their related parties).

A number of KMP hold or have held positions in other companies 
(i.e. personally related entities), where it is considered they control 
or significantly influence the financial or operating policies of those 
entities. There have been no transactions with those entities and 
no amounts were owed by the Group to personally related entities 
or any other related parties (2018: US$ nil).

This Remuneration Report was approved by the Board on 
5 September 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Carolyn Hewson
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
5 September 2019

162  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 4

Directors’ Report

In this section

4.1  Review of operations, principal activities and state 

of aff  airs 

Indemnities and insurance

4.2  Share capital and buy-back programs 
4.3  Results, financial instruments and going concern 
4.4  Directors 
4.5  Remuneration and share interests
4.6  Secretaries 
4.7 
4.8  Employee policies
4.9  Corporate governance 
4.10  Dividends 
4.11  Auditors 
4.12  Non-audit services 
4.13  Political donations 
4.14  Exploration, research and development 
4.15  ASIC Instrument 2016/191
4.16  Proceedings on behalf of BHP Group Limited 
4.17  Performance in relation to environmental regulation 
4.18  Share capital, restrictions on transfer of shares and 

other additional information

BHP Annual Report 2019  163

 The information presented by the Directors in this Directors’ Report 
relates to BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and their respective 
subsidiaries. Section 1 ‘Strategic Report’ (which includes the 
Chairman’s Review in section 1.1 and the Chief Executive Officer’s 
Report in section 1.2, and incorporates the operating and financial 
review), section 2 ‘Governance at BHP’, section 3 ‘Remuneration 
Report’, section 5.5 ‘Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration’ 
and section 7 ‘Shareholder information’ are each incorporated by 
reference into, and form part of, this Directors’ Report. In addition, 
for the purposes of UK law, the Strategic Report in section 1 and 
the Remuneration Report in section 3 form separate reports and 
have been separately approved by the Board for that purpose.

For the purpose of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Listing 
Rule 9.8.4C R, the applicable information required to be disclosed 
in accordance with FCA Listing Rule 9.8.4 R is set out in the 
sections below.

Applicable information required by FCA 
Listing Rule 9.8.4 R

(1) Interest capitalised by the Group

(6) Waiver of future emoluments

(12) Shareholder waivers of dividends

(13) Shareholder waivers of future dividends

Section in this 
Annual Report

Section 5, note 20

Section 3.3.1

Section 5, note 23

Section 5, note 23

Paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (14) of Listing 
Rule 9.8.4 R are not applicable. 

 The Directors confirm, on the advice of the Risk and Audit 
Committee, that they consider the Annual Report (including 
the Financial Statements), taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess BHP’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy.

4.1 Review of operations, principal 
activities and state of affairs 
A review of the operations of BHP during FY2019, the results 
of those operations during FY2019 and the expected results of 
those operations in future financial years are set out in section 1, 
in particular in 1.1 to 1.10, 1.12 and 1.13  and in other material in this 
Annual Report. Information on the development of BHP and likely 
developments in future years also appears in those sections. 
We have excluded certain information from the Strategic Report 
in section 1 (which forms part of this Directors’ Report), to the 
extent permitted by UK and Australian law, on the basis that such 
information relates to impending developments or matters in the 
course of negotiation and disclosure would be seriously prejudicial 
to the interests of BHP. This is because such disclosure could be 
misleading due to the fact it is premature or preliminary in nature, 
relates to commercially sensitive contracts, would undermine 
confidentiality between BHP and our suppliers and clients, 
or would otherwise unreasonably damage BHP. The categories 
of information omitted include forward looking estimates 
and projections prepared for internal management purposes, 
information regarding BHP’s assets and projects, which is 
developing and susceptible to change, and information relating 
to commercial contracts and pricing modules.

Our principal activities during FY2019 are disclosed in section 1. 
We are among the world’s top producers of major commodities, 
including iron ore, metallurgical coal and copper. We also have 
substantial interests in oil, gas and energy coal. No significant 
changes in the nature of BHP’s principal activities occurred 
during FY2019 other than as disclosed in section 1. 

There were no significant changes in BHP’s state of affairs that 
occurred during FY2019 and no significant post balance date 
events other than as disclosed in section 1.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since the end of 
FY2019 that has significantly affected or is expected to significantly 
affect the operations, the results of operations or state of affairs 
of BHP in future years.

164  BHP Annual Report 2019

4.2 Share capital and buy-back programs 
 At the Annual General Meetings held in 2017 and 2018, 
shareholders authorised BHP Group Plc to make on-market 
purchases of up to 211,207,180 of its ordinary shares, representing 
10 per cent of BHP Group Plc’s issued share capital at that time. 
On 17 December 2018, we announced the completion of a 
US$5.2 billion off-market tender buy-back of BHP Group Limited 
shares. Approximately 265.8 million shares (8.3 per cent of BHP 
Group Limited’s issued share capital and 5 per cent of the total 
issued share capital of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc) were 
bought back at a price of A$27.64 per share. As at the date of this 
Directors’ Report, there were no current on-market buy-backs. 

Shareholders will be asked at the 2019 Annual General Meetings 
to renew this authority. As at the date of this Directors’ Report, 
there is no intention to exercise this authority. 

Some of our executives receive rights over BHP shares as part of 
their remuneration arrangements. Entitlements may be satisfied by 
the transfer of existing shares, which are acquired on-market by the 
Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trusts or, in respect of 
some entitlements, by the issue of shares. 

The number of shares referred to in column A below were 
purchased to satisfy awards made under the various BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc employee share schemes during FY2019.

A

B

C

D

Period

1 Jul 2018 to 31 Jul 2018

1 Aug 2018 to 31 Aug 2018

1 Sep 2018 to 30 Sep 2018

1 Oct 2018 to 31 Oct 2018

1 Nov 2018 to 30 Nov 2018

1 Dec 2018 to 31 Dec 2018

1 Jan 2019 to 31 Jan 2019

1 Feb 2019 to 28 Feb 2019

1 Mar 2019 to 31 Mar 2019

1 Apr 2019 to 30 Apr 2019

1 May 2019 to 31 May 2019

1 Jun 2019 to 30 Jun 2019

Total 

Total number of 
shares purchased

Average price 
paid per share (1)

Total number 
of shares purchased 
as part of publicly 
announced plans 
or programs

86,722

2,706,718

20

424,230

–

–

–

3,852,173

24,306

–

–

–

US$

22.99

25.86

34.69

23.73

–

19.84

–

27.35

26.82

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

265,839,711

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,094,169

20.02

265,839,711

Maximum number of shares that may yet 
be purchased under the plans or programs

BHP Group Limited (2)

BHP Group Plc

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

211,207,180 (3)

(1)  The shares were purchased in the currency of the stock exchange on which the purchase took place and the sale price has been converted into US dollars at the 

exchange rate on the day of purchase.

(2) BHP Group Limited is able to buy-back and cancel BHP Group Limited shares within the ‘10/12 limit’ without shareholder approval in accordance with section 257B 

of the Australian Corporations Act 2001. Any future on-market share buy-back program would be conducted in accordance with the Australian Corporations Act 2001 
and with the ASX Listing Rules.

(3) At the Annual General Meetings held during 2017 and 2018, shareholders authorised BHP Group Plc to make on-market purchases of up to 211,207,180 of its ordinary 

shares, representing 10 per cent of BHP Group Plc’s issued capital at the time.

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4.3 Results, financial instruments 
and going concern 
 Information about the Group’s financial position and financial 
results is included in the Financial Statements in this Annual Report. 
The Consolidated Income Statement shows profit attributable to 
BHP members of US$8.3 billion in FY2019, compared with a profit 
of US$3.7 billion in FY2018. 

BHP’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance and position, are discussed 
in section 1. In addition, sections 1.3 to 1.6 and 2.14, and note 21 
‘Financial risk management’ in section 5 outline BHP’s capital 
management objectives, its approach to financial risk management 
and exposure to financial risks, liquidity and borrowing facilities.

The Directors, having made appropriate enquiries, have a 
reasonable expectation that BHP has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Therefore, they continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting in preparing the annual Financial Statements.

4.4 Directors 
The Directors who served at any time during FY2019 or up until 
the date of this Directors’ Report were Ken MacKenzie, Andrew 
Mackenzie, Terry Bowen, Malcolm Broomhead, Ian Cockerill, 
Anita Frew, Carolyn Hewson, Susan Kilsby, Lindsay Maxsted, 
John Mogford, Wayne Murdy and Shriti Vadera. Further details 

of the current Directors of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc 
are set out in section 2.2. These details include the period for which 
each Director held office up to the date of this Directors’ Report, 
their qualifications, experience and particular responsibilities, 
the directorships held in other listed companies since 1 July 2016 
and the period for which each directorship has been held. 

Wayne Murdy served as a Non-executive Director of BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc from June 2009 until his retirement 
on 2 November 2018.

Ian Cockerill was appointed as a Non-executive Director of BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc with effect from 1 April 2019. 
In accordance with the BHP Group Limited Constitution and 
BHP Group Plc Articles of Association, he will seek election 
at the 2019 Annual General Meetings.

Susan Kilsby was appointed as a Non-executive Director of BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc with effect from 1 April 2019. 
In accordance with the BHP Group Limited Constitution and 
BHP Group Plc Articles of Association, she will seek election 
at the 2019 Annual General Meetings.

Carolyn Hewson has announced that she will retire as a Non-
executive Director of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc 
at the conclusion of the BHP Group Limited Annual General 
Meeting in November 2019.

The number of meetings of the Board and its Committees held 
during the year and each Director’s attendance at those meetings 
are set out in section 2.12. 

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BHP Annual Report 2019  165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.6 Secretaries 
 Caroline Cox is the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. 
Details of her qualifications and experience are set out in section 
2.2.  The following people also act, or have acted during FY2019, as 
Company Secretaries of BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc or both 
(as indicated): Margaret Taylor, BA, LLB, GAICD FCIS (BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc), Rachel Agnew, BComm (Economics), 
LLB (Hons), GAICD (BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc), Kathryn 
Griffiths, BA, LLB (Hons), GDipACG, FCIS, FGIA, GAICD (BHP Group 
Limited), Megan Pepper, BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), GDipACG, FCIS, 
FGIA, GAICD (BHP Group Limited) and Geof Stapledon, BEc, LLB 
(Hons), DPhil, FCIS (BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc). Each 
individual has experience in a company secretariat role or other 
relevant fields arising from time spent in roles within BHP, other 
large listed companies or other relevant entities. 

  4.7 Indemnities and insurance
  Rule 146 of the BHP Group Limited Constitution and Article 146 
of the BHP Group Plc Articles of Association require each Company 
to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Officer of BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc, respectively, against liability 
incurred in, or arising out of, the conduct of the business of BHP 
or the discharge of the duties of the Officer. The Directors named 
in section 2.2,  the Company Secretaries and other Officers 
of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc have the benefit 
of this requirement, as do individuals who formerly held one 
of those positions. 

  In accordance with this requirement, BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc have entered into Deeds of Indemnity, Access 
and Insurance (Deeds of Indemnity) with each of their respective 
Directors. The Deeds of Indemnity are qualifying third party 
indemnity provisions for the purposes of the UK Companies Act 
2006 and each of these qualifying third party indemnities was 
in force as at the date of this Directors’ Report. 

We have a policy that BHP will, as a general rule, support and 
hold harmless an employee, including an employee appointed 
as a Director of a subsidiary who, while acting in good faith, 
incurs personal liability to others as a result of working for BHP. 

In addition, as part of the arrangements to effect the demerger 
of South32, we agreed to indemnify certain former Officers of BHP 
who transitioned to South32 from certain claims and liabilities 
incurred in their capacity as Directors or Officers of South32.

  From time to time, we engage our External Auditor, KPMG, to 
conduct non-statutory audit work and provide other services 
in accordance with our policy on the provision of other services 
by the External Auditor. The terms of engagement in the United 
Kingdom include that we must compensate and reimburse KPMG 
LLP for, and protect KPMG LLP against, any loss, damage, expense, 
or liability incurred by KPMG LLP in respect of third party claims 
arising from a breach by BHP of any obligation under the 
engagement terms.

 We have insured against amounts that we may be liable to pay to 
Directors, Company Secretaries or certain employees (including 
former Officers) pursuant to Rule 146 of the Constitution of BHP 
Group Limited and Article 146 of the Articles of Association of BHP 
Group Plc or that we otherwise agree to pay by way of indemnity. 
The insurance policy also insures Directors, Company Secretaries 
and some employees (including former Officers) against certain 
liabilities (including legal costs) they may incur in carrying out 
their duties.   For this Directors’ and Officers’ insurance, we paid 
premiums of US$5,449,910 net during FY2019. 

4.5 Remuneration and share interests

4.5.1 Remuneration

The policy for determining the nature and amount of emoluments 
of the Executive Key Management Personnel (KMP) (including 
the Executive Director) and the Non-executive Directors, and 
information about the relationship between that policy and 
BHP’s performance are set out in sections 3.2 and 3.3. 

The remuneration tables contained in section 3.3 set out the 
remuneration of members of the Executive KMP (including 
the Executive Director) and the Non-executive Directors.

4.5.2 Directors 

Section 3.3.20  sets out the relevant interests in shares in BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc of the Directors who held office 
during FY2019, at the beginning and end of FY2019. No rights or 
options over shares in BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc are 
held by any of the Non-executive Directors. Interests held by the 
Executive Director under employee equity plans as at 30 June 2019 
are set out in the tables showing interests in incentive plans 
contained in section 3.3.18. Except for Andrew Mackenzie, Susan 
Kilsby and Ian Cockerill, as at the date of this Directors’ Report, the 
information pertaining to shares in BHP Group Limited and BHP 
Group Plc held directly, indirectly or beneficially by Directors is the 
same as set out in the table in section 3.3.20. Where applicable, the 
information includes shares held in the name of a spouse, 
superannuation fund, nominee and/or other controlled entities.

As at the date of this Directors’ Report, Andrew Mackenzie held: 
•  (either directly, indirectly or beneficially) 266,205 shares 

in BHP Group Plc and 125,228 shares in BHP Group Limited; 

•  rights and options over nil shares in BHP Group Plc and 

1,421,165 shares in BHP Group Limited. 

As at the date of this Directors’ Report, Susan Kilsby holds 
2,900 shares in BHP Group Limited and Ian Cockerill indirectly 
holds 8,759 shares in BHP Group Limited and 3,500 shares 
in BHP Group Plc. 

We have not made available to any Director any interest 
in a registered scheme. 

4.5.3 Key Management Personnel

 Section 3.3.20  sets out the relevant interests in shares in BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc held directly, indirectly or 
beneficially at the beginning and end of FY2019 by those senior 
executives who were Executive KMP (other than the Executive 
Director) during FY2019. Where applicable, the information 
includes shares held in the name of a spouse, superannuation 
fund, nominee and/or other controlled entities. Interests held by 
members of the Executive KMP under employee equity plans as at 
30 June 2019 are set out in the tables contained in section 3.3.18. 

The table below sets out the relevant interests in shares in BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc held directly, indirectly or 
beneficially, as at the date of this Directors’ Report by those senior 
executives who were Executive KMP (other than the Executive 
Director) on that date. Where applicable, the information also 
includes shares held in the name of a spouse, superannuation 
fund, nominee and/or other controlled entities. 

Executive KMP member

BHP Group entity

As at date of 
Directors’ Report

Peter Beaven

Mike Henry 

Daniel Malchuk

Geraldine Slattery

BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Plc

BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Plc

BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Plc

BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Plc

261,287
–

120,069
196,262

194,608
–

71,520
–

166  BHP Annual Report 2019

During FY2019, BHP paid defence costs for: 
•  certain employees and former employees of BHP Billiton Brasil 
(Affected Individuals) in relation to the charges filed by the 
Federal Prosecutors’ Office against BHP Billiton Brasil and the 
Affected Individuals;

•  certain employees and former employees of BHP in relation 

to the putative class action complaint that was filed in the US 
District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf 
of purchasers of American Depositary Receipts of BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc between 25 September 2014 and 
30 November 2015;

•  certain employees and former employees of BHP in relation 

to a putative class action complaint filed in the US District Court 
for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all purchasers 
of Samarco’s 10-year bond notes due 2022–2024 between 
31 October 2012 and 30 November 2015.

Other than as set out above, no indemnity in favour of a current 
or former officer of BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc, or in 
favour of the External Auditor, was called on during FY2019.

4.8 Employee policies
Our people are fundamental to our success. We are committed 
to shaping a culture where our employees are provided with 
opportunities to develop, are valued and encouraged to 
contribute towards making work safer, simpler and more 
productive. We strongly believe that having employees who 
are engaged and connected to BHP reinforces our shared 
purpose aligned to Our Charter and will result in a more 
productive workplace.

For more information on employee engagement and employee 
policies, including communications and regarding disabilities, 
refer to section 1.9.

 4.9 Corporate governance 
 The Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules (DTR 7.2) require that certain information be included in 
a corporate governance statement.  BHP has an existing practice 
of issuing a corporate governance statement as part of our Annual 
Report that is incorporated into the Directors’ Report by reference. 
The information required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 
and the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules (LR 9.8.6) is 
located in section 2, with the exception of the information referred 
to in LR 9.8.6 (1), (3) and (4) and DTR 7.2.6, which is located in 
sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.5.2 and 4.18. 

4.10 Dividends 
 A final dividend of 78 US cents per share will be paid on 25 
September 2019, resulting in total dividends determined in respect 
of FY2019 of 235 US cents per share. Details of the dividends paid 
are set out in notes 15 ‘Share capital’ and 17 ‘Dividends’ in section 5, 
and details of the Group’s dividend policy are set out in sections 
1.4.3, 1.5.1 and 7.7. 

4.11 Auditors 
 A copy of the declaration given by our External Auditor to 
the Directors in relation to the auditors’ compliance with the 
independence requirements of the Australian Corporations Act 
2001 and the Professional Code of Conduct for External Auditors 
is set out in section 5.5. 

 During FY2019, Lindsay Maxsted was the only officer of BHP who 
previously held the role of director or partner of the Group’s External 
Auditor at a time when the Group’s External Auditor conducted an 
audit of BHP. His prior relationship with KPMG is outlined in section 
2.10. Lindsay Maxsted was not part of the KPMG audit practice after 
1980 and, while at KPMG, was not in any way involved in, or able 
to influence, any audit activity associated with BHP.

Each person who held the office of Director at the date the Board 
approved this Directors’ Report made the following statements:
•  so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which BHP’s External Auditor is unaware;

•  the Director has taken all steps that he or she ought to have taken 
as a Director to make him or herself aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that BHP’s External Auditor is aware 
of that information.

This confirmation is given pursuant to section 418 of the UK 
Companies Act 2006 and should be interpreted in accordance 
with, and subject to, those provisions.

Consistent with the UK and EU requirements in regard to audit firm 
tender and rotation, BHP conducted an audit tender during FY2017. 

KPMG, BHP’s current External Auditor, did not participate in the 
tender due to UK and EU requirements, which require a new External 
Auditor to be in place by 1 July 2023. After a comprehensive tender 
process, at a meeting held on 16 August 2017, the Board selected 
Ernst & Young as its independent registered public accounting firm 
from the financial year beginning 1 July 2019, subject to approval 
of shareholders at the Annual General Meetings in 2019. 

The law in each of Australia and the United Kingdom requires 
shareholders to approve the appointment of a new auditor. A 
resolution to appoint Ernst & Young as the auditor of BHP Group 
Limited and Ernst & Young LLP as the auditor of BHP Group Plc 
will be proposed at the 2019 Annual General Meetings.

4.12 Non-audit services 
Details of the non-audit services undertaken by BHP’s External 
Auditor, including the amounts paid for non-audit services, are set 
out in note 35 ‘Auditor’s remuneration’ in section 5. All non-audit 
services were approved in accordance with the process set out 
in the Policy on Provision of Audit and Other Services by the 
External Auditor. No non-audit services were carried out that were 
specifically excluded by the Policy on Provision of Audit and Other 
Services by the External Auditor. Based on advice provided by the 
Risk and Audit Committee, the Directors have formed the view that 
the provision of non-audit services is compatible with the general 
standard of independence for auditors, and that the nature of 
non-audit services means that auditor independence was not 
compromised. For more information about our policy in relation 
to the provision of non-audit services by the auditor, refer 
to section 2.13.1. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  167

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4.18 Share capital, restrictions 
on transfer of shares and other 
additional information 
Information relating to BHP Group Plc’s share capital structure, 
restrictions on the holding or transfer of its securities or on the 
exercise of voting rights attaching to such securities, certain 
agreements triggered on a change of control and the existence 
of branches of BHP outside of the United Kingdom, is set out 
in the following sections:
•  Section 1.4.6 (Our locations)
•  Section 4.2 (Share capital and buy-back programs)
•  Section 7.3 (Organisational structure)
•  Section 7.4 (Material contracts)
•  Section 7.5 (Constitution)
•  Section 7.6 (Share ownership)
•  Section 7.9 (Government regulations)
•  Note 15 ‘Share capital’ and note 23 ‘Employee share ownership 

plans’ in section 5.

 As at the date of this Directors’ Report, there were 17,234,372 
unvested equity awards outstanding in relation to BHP Group 
Limited ordinary shares and 417,515 unvested equity awards 
outstanding in relation to BHP Group Plc ordinary shares. The 
expiry dates of these unvested equity awards range between 
August 2020 and August 2023 and there is no exercise price. 
No options over unissued shares or unissued interests in BHP 
have been granted since the end of FY2019 and no shares or 
interests were issued as a result of the exercise of an option over 
unissued shares or interests since the end of FY2019. Further 
details are set out in note 23 ‘Employee share ownership plans’ 
in section 5.  Details of movements in share capital during and since 
the end of FY2019 are set out in note 15 ‘Share capital’ in section 5. 

The Directors’ Report is approved in accordance with a resolution 
of the Board. 

Ken MacKenzie 
Chairman 
Dated: 5 September 2019

Andrew Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer

4.13 Political donations 
No political contributions/donations for political purposes were 
made by BHP to any political party, politician, elected official 
or candidate for public office during FY2019. (1) 

4.14 Exploration, research 
and development 
Companies within the Group carry out exploration and research 
and development necessary to support their activities. Details 
are provided in sections 1.6.3, 1.11 to 1.12 and 6.3. 

4.15 ASIC Instrument 2016/191
BHP Group Limited is an entity to which Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission (ASIC) Corporations (Rounding in 
Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March 
2016 applies. Amounts in this Directors’ Report and the Financial 
Statements, except estimates of future expenditure or where 
otherwise indicated, have been rounded to the nearest million 
dollars in accordance with ASIC Instrument 2016/191. 

4.16 Proceedings on behalf 
of BHP Group Limited 
No proceedings have been brought on behalf of BHP Group 
Limited, nor has any application been made, under section 237 
of the Australian Corporations Act 2001.

4.17 Performance in relation 
to environmental regulation 
BHP seeks to be compliant with all applicable environmental laws 
and regulations relevant to its operations. We monitor compliance 
on a regular basis, including through external and internal means, 
to minimise the risk of non-compliance. For more information on 
BHP’s performance in relation to health, safety and the 
environment, refer to section 1.10.

Fines and prosecutions 
For the purposes of section 299 (1)(f) of the Australian Corporations 
Act 2001, in FY2019 BHP received five fines in relation to Australian 
environmental laws and regulations at our operated assets, the 
total amount payable being US$45,529. One fine was received 
at Peak Downs: mine affected water (US$9,143). Two fines were 
received at Blackwater: contaminated water and maintenance of 
other measures (US$17,922). One fine was received at Caval Ridge: 
mine affected water (US$9,157) and one fine at Saraji: contaminated 
water (US$9,307).

Greenhouse gas emissions
The UK Companies Act 2006 requires BHP, to the extent practicable, 
to obtain relevant information on the Group’s annual quantity of 
greenhouse gas emissions, which is reported in tonnes of carbon 
dioxide equivalent. In accordance with those UK requirements, 
information on BHP’s total FY2019 greenhouse gas emissions and 
intensity has been included in sections 1.5.2 and 1.10.8.

For more information on environmental performance, including 
environmental regulation, refer to section 1.10 and the Sustainability 
Report 2019, which is available online at bhp.com. 

(1)  Note that Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) disclosure requirements are 
broad, such that amounts that are not political donations can be reportable 
for AEC purposes. For example, where a political party or organisation owns 
shares in BHP, the AEC filing requires the political party or organisation to 
disclose the dividend payments received in respect of their shareholding. 

168  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 5

Financial 
Statements  

About these Financial Statements
Reporting entity
In 2001, BHP Billiton Limited (previously known as BHP Limited), 
an Australian-listed company, and BHP Billiton Plc (previously 
known as Billiton Plc), a UK listed company, entered into a Dual 
Listed Company (DLC) merger. In November 2018, BHP Billiton 
Limited and BHP Billiton Plc changed their names to BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc, respectively. These entities and 
their subsidiaries operate together as a single for-profit 
economic entity (referred to as ‘BHP’ or ‘the Group’) with a 
common Board of Directors, unified management structure 
and joint objectives. In effect, the DLC structure provides the 
same voting rights and dividend entitlements from BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc irrespective of whether investors 
hold shares in BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc.

Group and related party information is presented in note 31 
'Related party transactions' in section 5.1. This details 
transactions between the Group’s subsidiaries, associates, 
joint arrangements and other related parties. The nature of the 
operations and principal activities of the Group are described 
in the segment information (refer to note 1 'Segment reporting' 
in section 5.1).

Presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc Directors have 
included information in this report they deem to be material 
and relevant to the understanding of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements (the Financial Statements). Disclosure 
may be considered material and relevant if the dollar amount 
is significant due to its size or nature, or the information 
is important to understand the: 

•  Group’s current year results;
•  impact of significant changes in the Group’s business; or
• aspects of the Group’s operations that are important

to future performance.

These Financial Statements were approved by the Board 
of Directors on 5 September 2019. The Directors have the 
authority to amend the Financial Statements after issuance.

In this section

Financial Statements
5.1   Consolidated Financial Statements

5.1.1  Consolidated Income Statement
5.1.2 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
5.1.3 Consolidated Balance Sheet
5.1.4 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
5.1.5 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
5.1.6 Notes to the Financial Statements

5.2   BHP Group Plc
5.3   Directors’ declaration
5.4   Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect 
of the Annual Report and the Financial Statements

5.5   Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 

Section 307C of the Australian Corporations Act 2001
Independent Auditors’ reports

5.6  
5.7   Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited

Notes to the Financial Statements
Performance
1  
2  
3  
4  
5  
6  
7  

Segment reporting
Revenue
Exceptional items
Significant events – Samarco dam failure
Expenses and other income
Income tax expense
Earnings per share

Working capital
8  
9  
10  

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Inventories

Resource assets
Property, plant and equipment
11  
12  
Intangible assets
13   Deferred tax balances
14   Closure and rehabilitation provisions

Capital Structure
15   Share capital
16   Other equity
17   Dividends
18   Provisions for dividends and other liabilities

Financial Management
19   Net debt 
20   Net finance costs 
21  

Financial risk management 

Employee matters
22   Key management personnel
23   Employee share ownership plans
24   Employee benefits, restructuring and 

post-retirement employee benefits provisions
25   Pension and other post-retirement obligations
26   Employees

Group and related party information
27   Discontinued operations
28   Subsidiaries
Investments accounted for using the equity method
29  
30  
Interests in joint operations
31   Related party transactions

Unrecognised items and uncertain events
32   Commitments
33   Contingent liabilities
34   Subsequent events

Other items
35   Auditor’s remuneration
36   BHP Group Limited
37   Deed of Cross Guarantee
38   New and amended accounting standards 

and interpretations

BHP Annual Report 2019  169

5.1 Consolidated Financial Statements

5.1.1 Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 30 June 2019

Continuing operations
Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs
(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses

Profit from operations

Financial expenses
Financial income

Net finance costs

Profit before taxation 

Income tax expense
Royalty-related taxation (net of income tax benefit)

Total taxation expense

Profit after taxation from Continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Loss after taxation from Discontinued operations

Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)
Basic earnings from Continuing operations per ordinary share (cents)
Diluted earnings from Continuing operations per ordinary share (cents)

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

Notes

2
5
5
29

20

6

27

7
7
7
7

2019
US$M

44,288
393
(28,022)
(546)

16,113

(1,510)
446

(1,064)

15,049

(5,335)
(194)

(5,529)

9,520

(335)

9,185

879
8,306

160.3
159.9
166.9
166.5

2018
US$M
Restated

43,129
247
(27,527)
147

15,996

(1,567)
322

(1,245)

14,751

(6,879)
(128)

(7,007)

7,744

(2,921)

4,823

1,118
3,705

69.6
69.4
125.0
124.6

2017
US$M
Restated

35,740
662
(24,120)
272

12,554

(1,560)
143

(1,417)

11,137

(4,276)
(167)

(4,443)

6,694

(472)

6,222

332
5,890

110.7
110.4
119.8
119.5

5.1.2 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2019

Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations
Other comprehensive income 
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Net valuation gains/(losses) on investments taken to equity
Hedges:

(Losses)/gains taken to equity
Losses/(gains) transferred to the income statement

Exchange fluctuations on translation of foreign operations taken to equity
Exchange fluctuations on translation of foreign operations transferred to income statement
Tax recognised within other comprehensive income

Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:
Re-measurement (losses)/gains on pension and medical schemes
Equity investments held at fair value
Tax recognised within other comprehensive income

Total items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Total other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive income

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

Notes

6

6

2019
US$M

9,185

 −

(327)
299
1
(6)
8

(25)

(20)
1
19

 −

(25)

9,160

878
8,282

2018
US$M

4,823

11

82
(215)
2
 −
36

(84)

1
−
(14)

(13)

(97)

4,726

1,118
3,608

2017
US$M

6,222

(1)

351
(432)
(1)
 −
24

(59)

36
−
(26)

10

(49)

6,173

332
5,841

170  BHP Annual Report 2019

5.1.3 Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019

Notes

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Inventories
Assets held for sale
Current tax assets
Other 

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Deferred tax assets
Other

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Interest bearing liabilities
Liabilities held for sale
Other financial liabilities
Current tax payable
Provisions 
Deferred income

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Interest bearing liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Non-current tax payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Deferred income

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY
Share capital – BHP Group Limited
Share capital – BHP Group Plc
Treasury shares
Reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to BHP shareholders
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

19
8
21
10

8
21
10
11
12
29
13

9
19

21

4, 14, 18, 24

9
19
21

13
4, 14, 18, 24

16

16

15,613
3,462
87
3,840
 −
124
247

23,373

313
1,303
768
68,041
675
2,569
3,764
55

77,488

100,861

6,717
1,661
 −
127
1,546
2,175
113

15,871
3,096
200
3,764
11,939
106
154

35,130

180
999
1,141
67,182
778
2,473
4,041
69

76,863

111,993

5,977
2,736
1,222
138
1,773
2,025
118

12,339

13,989

5
23,167
896
187
3,234
8,928
281

36,698

49,037

51,824

1,111
1,057
(32)
2,285
42,819

47,240
4,584

51,824

3
24,069
1,093
137
3,472
8,223
337

37,334

51,323

60,670

1,186
1,057
(5)
2,290
51,064

55,592
5,078

60,670

The Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 5 September 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Ken MacKenzie 
Chairman 

Andrew Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer

BHP Annual Report 2019  171

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5.1.4 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 30 June 2019

Notes

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

15,049

14,751

2017
US$M

11,137

6,184
193
1,417
(272)
194

267
(687)
512
(333)

18,612
636
164
(1,148)
(140)
337
(2,585)

15,876

928

16,804

(3,697)
(966)
610
(234)
529
187
(153)

(3,724)

(437)

 −

(4,161)

1,577
36
(7,114)
(108)
 −
(2,921)
(575)

(9,105)

(28)

(9,133)

3,047
463
 −
10,276
322

14,108

5,829
264
1,064
546
308

(211)
298
406
(125)

23,428
516
443
(1,346)
296
59
(5,999)

17,397

474

17,871

(6,250)
(873)
516
(630)
145
4
(289)

(7,377)

(443)

10,427

2,607

250
(160)
(2,604)
(188)
(5,220)
(11,395)
(1,198)

(20,515)

(13)

(20,528)

(10,495)
18
10,427
15,813
(170)

15,593

6,288
333
1,245
(147)
597

(662)
(182)
719
7

22,949
709
290
(1,177)
(292)
17
(4,935)

17,561

900

18,461

(4,979)
(874)
641
204
89
 −
(141)

(5,060)

(861)

 −

(5,921)

528
(218)
(4,188)
(171)
 −
(5,220)
(1,582)

(10,851)

(40)

(10,891)

1,650
(1)
 −
14,108
56

15,813

Operating activities
Profit before taxation
Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation expense
Impairments of property, plant and equipment, financial assets and intangibles
Net finance costs
Loss/(profit) from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses
Other

Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Trade and other payables
Provisions and other assets and liabilities

Cash generated from operations
Dividends received
Interest received
Interest paid
Proceeds/(settlements) of cash management related instruments
Net income tax and royalty-related taxation refunded
Net income tax and royalty-related taxation paid

Net operating cash flows from Continuing operations

Net operating cash flows from Discontinued operations

Net operating cash flows

Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Exploration expenditure
Exploration expenditure expensed and included in operating cash flows
Net investment and funding of equity accounted investments
Proceeds from sale of assets
Proceeds from divestment of subsidiaries, operations and joint operations, net of their cash
Other investing

Net investing cash flows from Continuing operations

Net investing cash flows from Discontinued operations

Proceeds from divestment of Onshore US, net of its cash 

Net investing cash flows

Financing activities
Proceeds from interest bearing liabilities
(Settlements)/proceeds of debt related instruments
Repayment of interest bearing liabilities
Purchase of shares by Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trusts
Share buy-back – BHP Group Limited
Dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Net financing cash flows from Continuing operations

Net financing cash flows from Discontinued operations

Net financing cash flows

27

27

27

27

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents from Continuing operations
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from Discontinued operations
Proceeds from divestment of Onshore US, net of its cash 
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, at the beginning of the financial year
Foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts, at the end of the financial year

19

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

172  BHP Annual Report 2019

5.1.5 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2019

Attributable to BHP shareholders

Share capital

Treasury shares

BHP 
Group 
Limited

BHP 
Group 
Plc

(5)
 −

(5)

 −

 −
 −

–

 −

Reserves

2,290
 −

2,290

Retained
earnings

51,064
(7)

51,057

(24)

8,306

(182)

(6)

 −

 −

(61)
18

(100)
(18)

Total equity
attributable 
to BHP
shareholders

Non-
controlling 
interests

55,592
(7)

55,585

8,282

(188)

 −
 −

5,078
 −

5,078

878

 −

 −
 −

Total
equity

60,670
(7)

60,663

9,160

(188)

 −
 −

US$M

Balance as at 1 July 2018
Impact of adopting IFRS 9

Balance as at 1 July 2018

Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners:

Purchase of shares by ESOP Trusts 
Employee share awards exercised 
net of employee contributions
Employee share awards forfeited
Accrued employee entitlement for 
unexercised awards
Dividends
BHP Group Limited shares bought 
back and cancelled
Divestment of subsidiaries, 
operations and joint operations
Transfer to non-controlling interests

BHP 
Group 
Limited

1,186
 −

1,186

BHP 
Group 
Plc

1,057
 −

1,057

 −

 −

 −
 −

 −
 −

(75)

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

155
–

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

Balance as at 30 June 2019

1,111

1,057

(32)

Balance as at 1 July 2017
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners:

Purchase of shares by ESOP Trusts 
Employee share awards exercised 
net of employee contributions
Employee share awards forfeited
Accrued employee entitlement 
for unexercised awards
Distribution to non-controlling 
interests
Dividends
Transfer to non-controlling interests

1,186
 −

1,057
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

Balance as at 30 June 2018

1,186

1,057

Balance as at 1 July 2016
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners:

Purchase of shares by ESOP Trusts 
Employee share awards exercised 
net of employee contributions
Employee share awards forfeited
Accrued employee entitlement 
for unexercised awards
Distribution to non-controlling 
interests
Dividends
Divestment of subsidiaries, 
operations and joint operations

1,186
 −

1,057
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

Balance as at 30 June 2017

1,186

1,057

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

(2)
 −

(159)

156
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

(5)

(7)
 −

(105)

110
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

(2)

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6
 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

(1)
 −

(12)

13
 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

 −

(26)
 −

(3)

28
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

138
 −

 −
(11,302)

138
(11,302)

 −
(1,205)

138
(12,507)

 −

 −
(1)

(5,199)

(5,274)

 −

(5,274)

 −
 −

 −
(1)

(168)
1

(168)
 −

2,285

42,819

47,240

4,584

51,824

2,400
(87)

52,618
3,695

57,258
3,608

5,468
1,118

62,726
4,726

 −

(139)
(2)

123

 −
 −
(5)

 −

(30)
2

 −

 −
(5,221)
 −

(171)

 −
 −

123

 −

 −
 −

 −

(171)

 −
 −

123

 −
(5,221)
(5)

(14)
(1,499)
5

(14)
(6,720)
 −

2,290

51,064

55,592

5,078

60,670

2,538
(59)

49,542
5,900

54,290
5,841

5,781
332

60,071
6,173

 −

(167)
(18)

106

 −
 −

 −

 −

29
18

 −

 −
(2,871)

 −

(108)

 −
 −

106

 −
(2,871)

 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

(16)
(601)

(28)

(108)

 −
 −

106

(16)
(3,472)

(28)

(1)

2,400

52,618

57,258

5,468

62,726

BHP Annual Report 2019  173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis of preparation
The Group’s Financial Statements as at and for the year ended 
30 June 2019:
•  is a consolidated general purpose financial report;
•  has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the:

 – Australian Corporations Act 2001; 
 – UK Companies Act 2006;

•  has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and 

interpretations collectively referred to as ‘IFRS’ in this report, which 
encompass the:
 – International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations 

as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board;
 – Australian Accounting Standards, being Australian equivalents 

to International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations 
as issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB); 
 – International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations 

adopted by the European Union (EU);

•  is prepared on a going concern basis;
•  measures items on the basis of historical cost principles, except 

for the following items:
 – derivative financial instruments and certain other financial 

assets and liabilities, which are carried at fair value; 

 – non-current assets or disposal groups that are classified as 
held-for-sale or held-for-distribution, which are measured at 
the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell;

•  includes significant accounting policies in the notes to the 
Financial Statements that summarise the recognition and 
measurement basis used and are relevant to an understanding 
of the Financial Statements;

•  includes selected financial information of the BHP Group Limited 

parent entity in note 36 ‘BHP Group Limited’. Financial Statements 
of the BHP Group Plc parent entity are presented in section 5.2 
‘BHP Group Plc’;

•  applies a presentation currency of US dollars, consistent with the 

predominant functional currency of the Group’s operations. Amounts 
are rounded to the nearest million dollars, unless otherwise stated, 
in accordance with ASIC (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) 
Instrument 2016/191; 

•  presents reclassified comparative information where required for 

consistency with the current year’s presentation;

•  adopts all new and amended standards and interpretations under 

IFRS issued by the relevant bodies (listed above), that are mandatory 
for application beginning on or after 1 July 2018. The accounting 
policies have been consistently applied in all prior years presented 
with the exception of the new standards adopted from 1 July 2018. 
Refer to note 38 ‘New and amended accounting standards and 
interpretations’ for the impact on the Financial Statements; 

•  has not early adopted any standards and interpretations that have 

been issued or amended but are not yet effective.

The accounting policies are consistently applied by all entities 
included in the Financial Statements.

Principles of consolidation
In preparing the Financial Statements the effects of all intragroup 
balances and transactions have been eliminated.

A list of significant entities in the Group, including subsidiaries, joint 
arrangements and associates at year-end is contained in note 28 
‘Subsidiaries’, note 29 ‘Investments accounted for using the equity 
method’ and note 30 ‘Interests in joint operations’.

Subsidiaries: The Financial Statements of the Group include the 
consolidation of BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and their 
respective subsidiaries, being the entities controlled by the parent 
entities during the year. Control exists where the Group:
•  is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement 

with the entity; 

•  has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct 

the activities of the entity.

The ability to approve the operating and capital budget of a subsidiary 
and the ability to appoint key management personnel are decisions 
that demonstrate that the Group has the existing rights to direct the 
relevant activities of a subsidiary. Where the Group’s interest is less 
than 100 per cent, the interest attributable to outside shareholders 
is reflected in non-controlling interests. The financial statements of 
subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the Group. 
The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the 
Group’s business combinations.

Joint arrangements: The Group undertakes a number of business 
activities through joint arrangements, which exist when two or more 
parties have joint control. Joint arrangements are classified as either 
joint operations or joint ventures, based on the contractual rights 
and obligations between the parties to the arrangement:

•  Joint operations: A joint operation is an arrangement in which the 
Group shares joint control, primarily via contractual arrangements 
with other parties. In a joint operation, the Group has rights to the 
assets and obligations for the liabilities relating to the arrangement. 
This includes situations where the parties benefit from the joint 
activity through a share of the output, rather than by receiving 
a share of the results of trading. In relation to the Group’s interest 
in a joint operation, the Group recognises: its assets and liabilities, 
including its share of any assets and liabilities held or incurred 
jointly; revenue from the sale of its share of the output and its share 
of any revenue generated from the sale of the output by the joint 
operation; and its expenses including its share of expenses. All 
such amounts are measured in accordance with the terms of the 
arrangement, which is usually in proportion to the Group’s interest 
in the joint operation.

•  Joint ventures: A joint venture is a joint arrangement in which 

the parties that share joint control have rights to the net assets 
of the arrangement. A separate vehicle, not the parties, will have 
the rights to the assets and obligations to the liabilities relating 
to the arrangement. More than an insignificant share of output 
from a joint venture is sold to third parties, which indicates the 
joint venture is not dependent on the parties to the arrangement 
for funding, nor do the parties have an obligation for the liabilities 
of the arrangement. Joint ventures are accounted for using the 
equity accounting method.

Associates: The Group accounts for investments in associates using 
the equity accounting method. An entity is considered an associate 
where the Group is deemed to have significant influence but not 
control or joint control. Significant influence is presumed to exist 
where the Group:
•  has over 20 per cent but less than 50 per cent of the voting rights 
of an entity, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that this is not 
the case; or

•  holds less than 20 per cent of the voting rights of an entity; 

however, has the power to participate in the financial and operating 
policy decisions affecting the entity. 

The Group uses the term ‘equity accounted investments’ to refer 
to joint ventures and associates collectively.

174  BHP Annual Report 2019

Foreign currencies
Transactions related to the Group’s worldwide operations are 
conducted in a number of foreign currencies. The majority of the 
subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates within each of the 
operations have assessed US dollars as the functional currency, 
however, some subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates 
have functional currencies other than US dollars.

Transactions and monetary items denominated in foreign currencies 
are translated into US dollars as follows:

Foreign currency item

Applicable exchange rate

Transactions

Date of underlying transaction

Monetary assets and liabilities

Period-end rate

Critical accounting policies, judgements 
and estimates
The Group has identified a number of critical accounting 
policies under which significant judgements, estimates 
and assumptions are made. All judgements, estimates 
and assumptions are based on most current facts and 
circumstances and are reassessed on an ongoing basis. 
Actual results may differ for these estimates under different 
assumptions and conditions. This may materially affect 
financial results and the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities to be reported in the next and future periods. 

Significant judgements and key estimates and assumptions 
made in applying these critical accounting policies are 
embedded within the following notes:

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from translation are 
recognised in the income statement, except for qualifying cash 
flow hedges (which are deferred to equity) and foreign exchange 
gains or losses on foreign currency provisions for site closure and 
rehabilitation costs (which are capitalised in property, plant and 
equipment for operating sites).

Note

4 

6 

10

Significant events – Samarco dam failure

Taxation

Inventories

On consolidation, the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of 
non-US dollar denominated functional currency entities are translated 
into US dollars using the following applicable exchange rates:

Foreign currency amount

Applicable exchange rate

Income and expenses

Date of underlying transaction

Assets and liabilities

Equity

Reserves

Period-end rate

Historical rate

Historical rate

Foreign exchange differences resulting from translation are initially 
recognised in the foreign currency translation reserve and 
subsequently transferred to the income statement on disposal 
of a foreign operation.

11 and 12

Exploration and evaluation

11

11

11

Development expenditure

Overburden removal costs

Depreciation of property, plant 
and equipment

11 and 12 

Impairments of non-current assets – 
recoverable amount

14

Closure and rehabilitation provisions

Reserve estimates
Reserves are estimates of the amount of product that 
can be economically and legally extracted from the 
Group’s properties. In order to estimate reserves, estimates 
are required for a range of geological, technical and 
economic factors, including quantities, grades, production 
techniques, recovery rates, production costs, transport 
costs, commodity demand, commodity prices and 
exchange rates. 

Estimating the quantity and/or grade of reserves requires 
the size, shape and depth of ore bodies or fields to be 
determined by analysing geological data such as drilling 
samples. This process may require complex and difficult 
geological judgements to interpret the data.

Additional information on the Group’s mineral and oil 
and gas reserves and resources can be viewed within 
section 6.3. 

Section 6.3 is unaudited and does not form part of these 
Financial Statements.

Reserve impact on financial reporting
Estimates of reserves may change from period-to-period 
as the economic assumptions used to estimate reserves 
change and additional geological data is generated during 
the course of operations. Changes in reserves may affect 
the Group’s financial results and financial position in a 
number of ways, including:
•  asset carrying values may be affected due to changes 

in estimated future production levels;

•  depreciation, depletion and amortisation charged in the 
income statement may change where such charges are 
determined on the units of production basis, or where 
the useful economic lives of assets change;

•  overburden removal costs recorded on the balance 

sheet or charged to the income statement may change 
due to changes in stripping ratios or the units of 
production basis of depreciation;

•  decommissioning, site restoration and environmental 
provisions may change where changes in estimated 
reserves affect expectations about the timing or cost 
of these activities;

•  the carrying amount of deferred tax assets may change 
due to changes in estimates of the likely recovery of the 
tax benefits.

BHP Annual Report 2019  175

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5.1.6 Notes to the Financial Statements

Performance

1 Segment reporting
Reportable segments
The Group operated four reportable segments during FY2019, which are aligned with the commodities that are extracted and marketed 
and reflect the structure used by the Group’s management to assess the performance of the Group.

Reportable segment

Principal activities

Petroleum 

Exploration, development and production of oil and gas

Copper 

Iron Ore

Coal

Mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium and gold

Mining of iron ore

Mining of metallurgical coal and energy coal

Unless otherwise noted, the segment reporting information excludes Discontinued operations, being the Petroleum Onshore US operations 
comprising the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Permian and Fayetteville oil and gas assets.

Group and unallocated items includes functions and other unallocated operations, including Potash, Nickel West and consolidation adjustments. 
Revenue not attributable to reportable segments comprises the sale of freight and fuel to third parties, as well as revenues from unallocated 
operations. Exploration and technology activities are recognised within relevant segments.

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

Revenue
Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and amortisation (1)
Impairment losses (2)

Underlying EBIT

Exceptional items (3)
Net finance costs

Profit before taxation

Petroleum

5,853
77

5,930

3,801

(1,560)
(21)

2,220

 −

Copper

10,838
 −

10,838

4,550

(1,835)
(128)

2,587

 −

Iron Ore

17,251
4

17,255

11,129

(1,653)
(79)

9,397

(971)

Capital expenditure (cash basis)

645

2,735

1,611

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Total assets

Total liabilities

(2)

239

12,465

5,237

303

1,472

27,428

3,340

(945)

 −

22,592

5,106

Group and 
unallocated 
items/
eliminations

1,225
(81)

1,144

(389)

(149)
(1)

(539)

19

Group total

44,288
 −

44,288

23,158

(5,829)
(264)

17,065

(952)
(1,064)

15,049

604

6,250

(5)

5

26,252

32,904

(546)

2,569

100,861

49,037

Coal

9,121
 −

9,121

4,067

(632)
(35)

3,400

 −

655

103

853

12,124

2,450

176  BHP Annual Report 2019

1 Segment reporting continued

Year ended 30 June 2018
US$M

Revenue
Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and amortisation (1)
Impairment losses (2)

Underlying EBIT

Exceptional items (3)
Net finance costs

Profit before taxation

Capital expenditure (cash basis)

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Total assets

Total liabilities

Year ended 30 June 2017
US$M

Revenue
Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue

Underlying EBITDA

Depreciation and amortisation (1)
Impairment losses (2)

Underlying EBIT

Exceptional items (3)
Net finance costs

Profit before taxation

Capital expenditure (cash basis)

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Total assets

Total liabilities

Petroleum

Copper

Iron Ore

5,333
75

5,408

3,341

(1,719)
(76)

1,546

 −

656

(4)

249

12,938

4,886

12,781
 −

12,781

6,522

(1,920)
(213)

4,389

 −

14,797
13

14,810

8,930

(1,721)
(14)

7,195

(539)

2,428

1,074

467

1,335

26,824

3,145

(509)

 −

22,208

3,888

Petroleum

Copper

Iron Ore

4,639
83

4,722

3,117

(1,648)
(102)

1,367

 −

917

(3)

264

13,726

4,715

7,942
 −

7,942

3,545

(1,525)
(14)

2,006

(546)

1,484

295

1,306

26,743

2,643

14,606
18

14,624

9,077

(1,828)
(52)

7,197

(203)

805

(172)

 −

22,781

3,606

Group and 
unallocated 
items/

eliminations(4)

Group total

1,329
(88)

1,241

(7)

(242)
(1)

(250)

(27)

43,129
 −

43,129

23,183

(6,288)
(333)

16,562

(566)
(1,245)

14,751

412

4,979

1

6

37,766

37,000

147

2,473

111,993

51,323

Group and 
unallocated 
items/

eliminations(4)

Group total

975
(101)

874

(173)

(252)
(5)

(430)

(51)

35,740
 −

35,740

19,350

(5,972)
(188)

13,190

(636)
(1,417)

11,137

245

3,697

 −

5

41,760

41,456

272

2,448

117,006

54,280

Coal

8,889
 −

8,889

4,397

(686)
(29)

3,682

 −

409

192

883

12,257

2,404

Coal

7,578
 −

7,578

3,784

(719)
(15)

3,050

164

246

152

873

11,996

1,860

(1)  Depreciation and amortisation excludes exceptional items of US$ nil (FY2018: US$ nil; FY2017: US$212 million).
(2) Impairment losses excludes exceptional items of US$ nil (FY2018: US$ nil; FY2017: US$5 million).
(3) Exceptional items reported in Group and unallocated include Samarco dam failure costs of US$(31) million (FY2018: US$(27) million; FY2017: US$(51) million) and 

Samarco related other income of US$50 million (FY2018: US$ nil; FY2017: US$ nil). Refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ for further information. 

(4) Total assets and total liabilities include balances for the years ended 30 June 2018 and 2017 relating to Onshore US assets.

BHP Annual Report 2019  177

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1 Segment reporting continued
Geographical information

Australia
Europe
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Rest of Asia
North America
South America
Rest of world

Australia
North America (1)
South America
Rest of world
Unallocated assets (2)

Revenue by location of customer

2019
US$M

2,568
1,875
24,274
4,193
2,479
2,550
2,940
2,442
662
305

44,288

2018
US$M

2,304
1,886
22,660
4,628
2,439
2,588
2,620
2,715
1,054
235

43,129

2017
US$M

2,037
1,641
18,644
3,036
1,891
2,271
3,152
2,233
649
186

35,740

Non-current assets by location of assets 

2019
US$M

45,013
8,633
18,404
371
5,067

77,488

2018
US$M

45,157
8,246
18,267
154
5,039

76,863

2017
US$M

46,949
22,860
18,899
173
7,069

95,950

(1)  Balance for the year ended 30 June 2017 includes non-current assets relating to Onshore US assets.
(2) Unallocated assets comprise deferred tax assets and other financial assets.

Underlying EBITDA
Underlying EBITDA is earnings before net finance costs, depreciation, 
amortisation and impairments, taxation expense, Discontinued 
operations and any exceptional items. Underlying EBITDA includes 
BHP’s share of profit/(loss) from investments accounted for using the 
equity method including net finance costs, depreciation, amortisation 
and impairments and taxation expense. 

Exceptional items are excluded from Underlying EBITDA in order to 
enhance the comparability of such measures from period-to-period 
and provide investors with further clarity in order to assess the 
underlying performance of the Group’s operations. Management 
monitors exceptional items separately. Refer to note 3 ‘Exceptional 
items’ for additional detail.

Segment assets and liabilities
Total segment assets and liabilities of reportable segments represents 
operating assets and operating liabilities, including the carrying 
amount of equity accounted investments and predominantly excludes 
cash balances, loans to associates, interest bearing liabilities and 
deferred tax balances. The carrying value of investments accounted 
for using the equity method represents the balance of the Group’s 
investment in equity accounted investments, with no adjustment for 
any cash balances, interest bearing liabilities or deferred tax balances 
of the equity accounted investment.

178  BHP Annual Report 2019

2 Revenue
Revenue by segment and asset

Australia Production Unit
Bass Strait
North West Shelf
Atlantis
Shenzi
Mad Dog
Trinidad/Tobago
Algeria
Third party products 
Other

Total Petroleum (1)

Escondida
Pampa Norte
Olympic Dam
Third party products

Total Copper (2)

Western Australia Iron Ore
Third party products
Other

Total Iron Ore

Queensland Coal
New South Wales Energy Coal
Third party products
Other

Total Coal (3)

Group and unallocated items (4)
Inter-segment adjustment

Total revenue

2019
US$M

507
1,237
1,657
979
540
319
287
258
10
136

5,930

6,876
1,502
1,351
1,109

10,838

17,066
32
157

17,255

7,679
1,421
19
2

9,121

1,225
(81)

44,288

2018
US$M

568
1,285
1,400
833
576
229
161
234
12
110

5,408

8,346
1,831
1,255
1,349

12,781

14,596
54
160

14,810

7,388
1,499
2
 −

8,889

1,329
(88)

43,129

2017
US$M

601
1,096
1,190
677
509
202
110
212
9
116

4,722

4,242
1,401
1,287
1,012

7,942

14,395
81
148

14,624

6,316
1,251
 −
11

7,578

975
(101)

35,740

(1)  Total Petroleum revenue includes: crude oil US$3,171 million (2018: US$2,933 million; 2017: US$2,528 million), natural gas US$1,259 million (2018: US$1,124 million; 
2017: US$1,029 million), LNG US$1,179 million (2018: US$920 million; 2017: US$858 million), NGL US$263 million (2018: US$294 million; 2017: US$265 million) and 
other US$58 million (2018: US$137 million; 2017: US$42 million).

(2) Total Copper revenue includes: copper US$10,215 million (2018: US$12,059 million; 2017: US$7,323 million) and other US$623 million (2018: US$722 million; 2017: 

US$619 million). Other consists of silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium and gold.

(3) Total Coal revenue includes: metallurgical coal US$7,568 million (2018: US$7,331 million; 2017: US$6,266 million) and thermal coal US$1,553 million (2018: 

US$1,558 million; 2017: US$1,312 million).

(4) Group and unallocated items revenue includes: Nickel West US$1,193 million (2018: US$1,297 million; 2017: US$950 million) and other revenue US$32 million 

(2018: US$32 million; 2017: US$25 million).

Revenue consists of revenue from contracts with customers of US$44,361 million (2018: US$42,748 million; 2017: US$35,036 million) 
and other revenue of US$(73) million (2018: US$381 million; 2017: US$704 million).

Recognition and measurement
The Group generates revenue from the production and sale of 
commodities. Revenue is recognised when or as control of the 
promised goods or services passes to the customer. In most 
instances, control passes when the goods are delivered to a 
destination specified by the customer, typically on board the 
customer’s appointed vessel. Revenue from the provision of services 
is recognised over time, but does not represent a significant 
proportion of total revenue and is aggregated with the respective 
asset and product revenue for disclosure purposes. The amount of 
revenue recognised reflects the consideration to which the Group 
expects to be entitled in exchange for the goods or services. 

Where the Group’s sales are provisionally priced, the final price 
depends on future index prices. The amount of revenue initially 
recognised is based on the relevant forward market price. Adjustments 
between the provisional and final price are accounted for under 
IFRS 9/AASB 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (IFRS 9) and separately 
recorded as other revenue. The period between provisional pricing 
and final invoicing is typically between 60 and 120 days.

Revenue from concentrate is net of treatment costs and 
refining charges. 

Revenue from the sale of significant by-products is included 
within revenue. Where a by-product is not significant, revenue 
is credited against costs. 

The Group applies the practical expedient to not adjust the expected 
consideration for the effects of the time value of money if the period 
between the delivery and when the customer pays for the promised 
good or service is one year or less.

For commodity sales contracts, each individual metric unit is a 
separate performance obligation. Where the Group has contracts 
with unfulfilled performance obligations at period end, it is required 
to disclose the transaction price allocated to these performance 
obligations. The Group applies the practical expedient to not disclose 
this information for contracts with an expected duration of one year 
or less. The Group has a number of long-term contracts which are 
primarily priced on variable terms, based on quoted index prices near 
the time of delivery, and at times include fixed pricing components. 
Fixed pricing components, such as premiums and other charges, do 
not represent a significant proportion of the total price. Any estimate 
of the future transaction price would exclude estimated amounts of 
variable consideration. The amount of future consideration from fixed 
pricing components has not been disclosed, as the Group does not 
consider this relevant or useful information.

BHP Annual Report 2019  179

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3 Exceptional items
Exceptional items are those gains or losses where their nature, including the expected frequency of the events giving rise to them, and amount 
is considered material to the Financial Statements. Such items included within the Group’s profit from Continuing operations for the year are 
detailed below. Exceptional items attributable to Discontinued operations are detailed in note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’:

Year ended 30 June 2019

Exceptional items by category
Samarco dam failure
Global taxation matters

Total

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Gross
US$M

(1,060)
 −

(1,060)

 −
(1,060)

Tax
US$M

 −
242

242

 −
242

Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) dam failure
The FY2019 exceptional loss of US$1,060 million related to the Samarco dam failure in November 2015 and comprises the following:

Year ended 30 June 2019

Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs:

Costs incurred directly by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda and other BHP entities in relation to the Samarco dam failure

Loss from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses:

Share of loss relating to the Samarco dam failure
Samarco Germano dam decommissioning
Samarco dam failure provision

Net finance costs

Total (1)

(1)  Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ for further information.

Global taxation matters
Global taxation matters includes amounts released from provisions for tax matters and other claims resolved during the period.

Year ended 30 June 2018

Exceptional items by category
Samarco dam failure
US tax reform

Total

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Gross
US$M

(650)
 −

(650)

 −
(650)

Tax
US$M

 −
(2,320)

(2,320)

 −
(2,320)

Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) dam failure
The FY2018 exceptional loss of US$650 million related to the Samarco dam failure in November 2015 and comprises the following:

Year ended 30 June 2018

Expenses excluding net finance costs:

Costs incurred directly by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda and other BHP entities in relation to the Samarco dam failure

Loss from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses:

Share of loss relating to the Samarco dam failure
Samarco dam failure provision

Net finance costs

Total (1)

(1)  Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ for further information. 

Net
US$M

(1,060)
242

(818)

 −
(818)

US$M

50

(57)

(96)
(263)
(586)
(108)

(1,060)

Net
US$M

(650)
(2,320)

(2,970)

 −
(2,970)

US$M

(57)

(80)
(429)
(84)

(650)

180  BHP Annual Report 2019

3 Exceptional items continued
US tax reform
On 22 December 2017, the US President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the TCJA) into law. The TCJA (effective 1 January 2018) includes 
a broad range of tax reforms affecting the Group, including, but not limited to, a reduction in the US corporate tax rate from 35 per cent 
to 21 per cent and changes to international tax provisions. 

Following enactment of the TCJA, the Group has recognised an exceptional income tax charge of US$2,320 million, primarily relating to the 
reduced US corporate income tax rate, which resulted in re-measurement of the Group’s deferred tax position and impairment of foreign tax 
credits due to reduced forecast utilisation, together with tax charges on the deemed repatriation of accumulated earnings of non-US subsidiaries. 

Year ended 30 June 2018

Re-measurement of deferred taxes as a result of reduced US corporate income tax rate
Impairment of foreign tax credits
Net impact of tax charges on deemed repatriation of accumulated earnings of non-US subsidiaries
Recognition of Alternative Minimum Tax Credits
Other impacts

Total (1)

(1)  Refer to note 6 ‘Income tax expense’ for further information.

Year ended 30 June 2017

Exceptional items by category
Samarco dam failure
Escondida industrial action
Cancellation of the Caroona exploration licence
Withholding tax on Chilean dividends

Total

Attributable to non-controlling interests – Escondida industrial action
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Gross
US$M

Tax
US$M

(381)
(546)
164
 −

(763)

(232)
(531)

 −
179
(49)
(373)

(243)

68
(311)

Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) dam failure
The FY2017 exceptional loss of US$381 million related to the Samarco dam failure in November 2015 and comprises the following:

Year ended 30 June 2017

Expenses excluding net finance costs:

Costs incurred directly by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda and other BHP entities in relation to the Samarco dam failure

Loss from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses:

Share of loss relating to the Samarco dam failure
Samarco dam failure provision

Net finance costs

Total (1)

(1)  Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ for further information.

US$M

(1,390)
(834)
(194)
95
3

(2,320)

Net
US$M

(381)
(367)
115
(373)

(1,006)

(164)
(842)

US$M

(82)

(134)
(38)
(127)

(381)

Escondida industrial action
Our Escondida asset in Chile began negotiations with Union N°1 on a new collective agreement in December 2016, as the existing agreement 
was expiring on 31 January 2017. Negotiations, including government-led mediation, failed and the union commenced strike action on 
9 February 2017 resulting in a total shutdown of operations, including work on the expansion of key projects. On 24 March 2017, following 
a 44-day strike and a revised offer being presented to union members, Union N°1 exercised its rights under Article 369 of the Chilean Labour 
Code to extend the existing collective agreement for 18 months. 

Industrial action through this period resulted in a reduction to FY2017 copper production of 214 kt and gave rise to idle capacity charges 
of US$546 million, including depreciation of US$212 million.

Cancellation of the Caroona exploration licence
Following the Group’s agreement with the New South Wales Government in August 2016 to cancel the exploration licence of the Caroona 
Coal project, a net gain of US$115 million (after tax expense) has been recognised.

Withholding tax on Chilean dividends
BHP Billiton Chile Inversiones Limitada paid a one-off US$2.3 billion dividend to its parent in April 2017 while a concessional tax rate was 
available, resulting in withholding tax of US$373 million.

BHP Annual Report 2019  181

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4 Significant events – Samarco dam failure
On 5 November 2015, the Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) iron ore operation in Minas Gerais, Brazil, experienced a tailings dam failure 
that resulted in a release of mine tailings, flooding the communities of Bento Rodrigues, Gesteira and Paracatu and impacting other 
communities downstream (the Samarco dam failure). Refer to section 1.7 ‘Samarco’.

Samarco is jointly owned by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda (BHP Billiton Brasil) and Vale S.A. (Vale). BHP Billiton Brasil’s 50 per cent interest is 
accounted for as an equity accounted joint venture investment. BHP Billiton Brasil does not separately recognise its share of the underlying 
assets and liabilities of Samarco, but instead records the investment as one line on the balance sheet. Each period, BHP Billiton Brasil 
recognises its 50 per cent share of Samarco’s profit or loss and adjusts the carrying value of the investment in Samarco accordingly. Such 
adjustment continues until the investment carrying value is reduced to US$ nil, with any additional share of Samarco losses only recognised 
to the extent that BHP Billiton Brasil has an obligation to fund the losses, or when future investment funding is provided. After applying equity 
accounting, any remaining carrying value of the investment is tested for impairment. 

Any charges relating to the Samarco dam failure incurred directly by BHP Billiton Brasil or other BHP entities are recognised 100 per cent 
in the Group’s results.

The financial impacts of the Samarco dam failure on the Group’s income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement for the year 
ended 30 June 2019 are shown in the table below and have been treated as an exceptional item. 

Financial impacts of Samarco dam failure 

Income statement 
Other income (1)
Expenses excluding net finance costs:

Costs incurred directly by BHP Billiton Brasil and other BHP entities in relation 
to the Samarco dam failure (2)

Loss from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses:

Share of loss relating to the Samarco dam failure (3)
Samarco Germano dam decommissioning
Samarco dam failure provision (4)

Loss from operations
Net finance costs (5)

Loss before taxation
Income tax benefit

Loss after taxation

Balance sheet movement
Trade and other payables 
Provisions

Net (liabilities)/assets

Cash flow statement 
Loss before taxation
Adjustments for:
Share of loss relating to the Samarco dam failure (3)
Samarco Germano dam decommissioning
Samarco dam failure provision (4)
Net finance costs (5)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade and other payables

Net operating cash flows

Net investment and funding of equity accounted investments (6)

Net investing cash flows

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

96
263
586
108

(4)

2019
US$M

(1,060)

(11)

(424)

(424)

(435)

2019
US$M

50

(57)

(96)
(263)
(586)

(952)
(108)

(1,060)
 −

(1,060)

4
(629)

(625)

80
−
429
84

(4)

2018
US$M

 −

(57)

(80)
 −
(429)

(566)
(84)

(650)
–

(650)

4
(228)

(224)

2018
US$M

(650)

(61)

(365)

(365)

(426)

134
–
38
127

3

2017
US$M

 −

(82)

(134)
 −
(38)

(254)
(127)

(381)
–

(381)

(3)
143

140

2017
US$M

(381)

(79)

(442)

(442)

(521)

(1)  Proceeds from insurance settlements.
(2) Includes legal and advisor costs incurred.
(3) Loss from working capital funding provided during the period.
(4) US$(579) million change in estimate and US$(7) million exchange translation.
(5) Amortisation of discounting of provision.
(6) Includes US$(96) million funding provided during the period and US$(328) million utilisation of the Samarco dam failure provision, of which US$(313) million 

allowed for the continuation of reparatory and compensatory programs in relation to the Framework Agreement and a further US$(15) million for dam stabilisation 
and expert costs. 

182  BHP Annual Report 2019

4 Significant events – Samarco dam failure continued
Equity accounted investment in Samarco
BHP Billiton Brasil’s investment in Samarco remains at US$ nil. BHP Billiton Brasil provided US$96 million funding under a working capital 
facility during the period and recognised additional share of losses of US$96 million. No dividends have been received by BHP Billiton Brasil 
from Samarco during the period. Samarco currently does not have profits available for distribution and is legally prevented from paying 
previously declared and unpaid dividends.

Provisions related to the Samarco dam failure 

At the beginning of the financial year
Movement in provisions
Comprising:
Utilised
Adjustments charged to the income statement:

Change in estimate
Samarco Germano dam decommissioning
Amortisation of discounting impacting net finance costs
Exchange translation

At the end of the financial year

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

At the end of the financial year

Samarco dam failure provisions and contingencies 
As at 30 June 2019, BHP Billiton Brasil has identified provisions and 
contingent liabilities arising as a consequence of the Samarco dam 
failure as follows:

Provisions
Provision for Samarco dam failure
On 2 March 2016, BHP Billiton Brasil, Samarco and Vale, entered into 
a Framework Agreement with the Federal Government of Brazil, the 
states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais and certain other public 
authorities to establish a foundation (Fundação Renova) that will 
develop and execute environmental and socio-economic programs 
(Programs) to remediate and provide compensation for damage 
caused by the Samarco dam failure. Key Programs include those 
for financial assistance and compensation of impacted persons, 
including fisherfolk impacted by the dam failure, and those for 
remediation of impacted areas and resettlement of impacted 
communities. A committee (Interfederative Committee) comprising 
representatives from the Brazilian Federal and State Governments, 
local municipalities, environmental agencies, impacted communities 
and Public Defence Office oversees the activities of the Fundação 
Renova in order to monitor, guide and assess the progress of actions 
agreed in the Framework Agreement. 

The term of the Framework Agreement is 15 years, renewable for 
periods of one year successively until all obligations under the 
Framework Agreement have been performed. Under the Framework 
Agreement, Samarco is responsible for funding Fundação Renova’s 
annual calendar year budget for the duration of the Framework 
Agreement. The funding amounts for each calendar year will be 
dependent on the remediation and compensation projects to be 
undertaken in a particular year. Annual contributions may be 
reviewed under the Framework Agreement. To the extent that 
Samarco does not meet its funding obligations, each of BHP 
Billiton Brasil and Vale has funding obligations under the Framework 
Agreement in proportion to its 50 per cent shareholding in Samarco. 

Mining and processing operations remain suspended and Samarco 
is currently progressing plans to resume operations, however 
significant uncertainties surrounding the nature and timing of 
ongoing future operations remain. In light of these uncertainties 
and based on currently available information, BHP Billiton Brasil’s 
provision for its obligations under the Framework Agreement 
Programs is US$1.7 billion before tax and after discounting 
at 30 June 2019 (30 June 2018: US$1.3 billion).

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263
108
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US$M

1,285
629

1,914

440
1,474

1,914

(285)

560
–
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(131)

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228

1,285

313
972

1,285

Under a Governance Agreement ratified on 8 August 2018, 
BHP Billiton Brasil, Samarco and Vale will establish a process to 
renegotiate the Programs over two years to progress settlement 
of the R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) Federal Public 
Prosecution Office claim (described below).

BHP Billiton Brasil, Samarco and Vale maintain security comprising 
R$1.3 billion (approximately US$340 million) in insurance bonds, 
R$100 million (approximately US$25 million) in liquid assets and 
a charge of R$800 million (approximately US$210 million) over 
Samarco’s assets. The security is maintained for a period of 
30 months from ratification of the Governance Agreement, after 
which BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco will be required to 
provide security of an amount equal to the Fundação Renova’s annual 
budget up to a limit of R$2.2 billion (approximately US$575 million).

Samarco Germano dam decommissioning
Due to legislative changes in Brazil in the current year, Samarco 
is currently progressing plans for the accelerated decommissioning 
of its upstream tailings dams (the Germano dam complex). 

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Given the significant uncertainties surrounding the nature and timing 
of Samarco’s future operations, BHP Billiton Brasil has recognised a 
provision of US$263 million for a 50 per cent share of the expected 
Germano decommissioning cost. Plans for the decommissioning 
are at an early stage and as a result, further engineering work and 
required validation by Brazilian authorities could lead to material 
changes to estimates in future reporting periods.

If Samarco successfully restarts and generates sufficient cash flows 
during the period in which the Germano decommissioning activity 
occurs, BHP Billiton Brasil may not be required to provide funding for 
the decommissioning, resulting in a reversal of the provision in future 
reporting periods.

BHP Annual Report 2019  183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 Significant events – Samarco dam failure continued

Contingent liabilities
The following matters are disclosed as contingent liabilities and given 
the status of proceedings it is not possible to provide a range of 
possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures 
for BHP, unless otherwise stated. Ultimately, all the legal matters 
disclosed as contingent liabilities could have a material adverse 
impact on BHP’s business, competitive position, cash flows, 
prospects, liquidity and shareholder returns.

Federal Public Prosecution Off ice claim
BHP Billiton Brasil is among the defendants named in a claim 
brought by the Federal Public Prosecution Office on 3 May 2016, 
seeking R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) for reparation, 
compensation and moral damages in relation to the Samarco 
dam failure. 

The 12th Federal Court previously suspended the Federal Public 
Prosecution Office claim, including a R$7.7 billion (approximately 
US$2 billion) injunction request. Suspension of the claim continues 
for a period of two years from the date of ratification of the 
Governance Agreement on 8 August 2018.

United States class action complaint – Samarco bond holders
On 14 November 2016, a putative class action complaint (Bondholder 
Complaint) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of New York on behalf of purchasers of Samarco’s ten-year bond notes 
(Plaintiff) due 2022-2024 between 31 October 2012 and 30 November 
2015. The Bondholder Complaint was initially filed against Samarco 
and the former chief executive officer of Samarco. 

The Bondholder Complaint was subsequently amended to include 
BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc, BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda, Vale S.A. 
and officers of Samarco, including four of Vale S.A. and BHP Billiton 
Brasil Ltda’s nominees to the Samarco Board. On 5 April 2017, the 
Plaintiff discontinued its claims against the individual defendants. 

On 7 March 2018, the District Court granted a joint motion from 
the remaining corporate defendants to dismiss the Bondholder 
Complaint. A second amended Bondholder Complaint was also 
dismissed by the Court on 18 July 2019. The Plaintiff has filed a 
motion, which remains pending before the Court, for reconsideration 
of that decision or leave to file a third amended complaint. 

The amount of damages sought by the putative class is unspecified. 

Australian class action complaints
Three separate shareholder class actions were filed in the Federal 
Court of Australia on behalf of persons who acquired shares in BHP 
Group Ltd on the Australian Securities Exchange or shares in BHP 
Group Plc on the London Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock 
Exchange in periods prior to the Samarco dam failure. 

Following an appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court, two of the 
actions have been consolidated into one action and the third action 
is expected to be dismissed. The amount of damages sought in the 
consolidated action is unspecified. 

United Kingdom group action complaint
BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd are named as defendants in 
group action claims for damages that have been filed in the courts 
of England. These claims have been filed on behalf of certain 
individuals, governments, businesses and communities in Brazil 
allegedly impacted by the Samarco dam failure. 

On 7 August 2019, the BHP parties filed a preliminary application 
to strike out or stay this action on jurisdictional and other 
procedural grounds. 

The amount of damages sought in these claims is unspecified.

  Key judgements and estimates 

Judgements
The outcomes of litigation are inherently difficult to 
predict and significant judgement has been applied 
in assessing the likely outcome of legal claims and 
determining which legal claims require recognition of a 
provision or disclosure of a contingent liability. The facts 
and circumstances relating to these cases are regularly 
evaluated in determining whether a provision for any 
specific claim is required. 

Management have determined that a provision can only 
be recognised for obligations under the Framework 
Agreement and Samarco Germano dam decommissioning 
as at 30 June 2019. It is not yet possible to provide a range 
of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential 
future exposures to BHP in connection to the contingent 
liabilities noted below, given their status.

Estimates 
The provisions for Samarco dam failure and Samarco 
Germano dam decommissioning currently reflect the 
estimated remaining costs to complete Programs under 
the Framework Agreement and estimated costs to 
complete the Germano dam decommissioning and 
require the use of significant judgements, estimates and 
assumptions. Based on current estimates, it is expected 
that approximately 45 per cent of remaining costs for 
Programs under the Framework Agreement will be 
incurred by December 2020.

While the provisions have been measured based on 
information available as at 30 June 2019, likely changes 
in facts and circumstances in future reporting periods may 
lead to revisions to these estimates. However, it is currently 
not possible to determine what facts and circumstances 
may change, therefore the possible revisions in future 
reporting periods cannot be reliably measured. 

The key estimates that may have a material impact 
upon the provisions in the next and future reporting 
periods include:

•   timing of repealing the fishing ban along the Rio Doce, 

which is subject to certain regulatory approvals 
and could impact upon the length of financial 
assistance and compensation payments;

•   number of people eligible for financial assistance 

and compensation, as duration of registration periods 
and changes to geographical boundaries or eligibility 
criteria could impact estimated future costs; 

•   costs to complete resettlement of the Bento Rodrigues, 

Gesteira and Paracatu communities; 

•  costs to complete the Germano dam decommissioning.

The provision may also be affected by factors including 
but not limited to: 

•   potential changes in scope of work and funding 

amounts required under the Framework Agreement 
including the impact of the decisions of the 
Interfederative Committee along with further technical 
analysis and community participation required under 
the Governance Agreement;

•   the outcome of ongoing negotiations with State 
and Federal Prosecutors, including review of 
Fundação Renova’s Programs as provided in the 
Governance Agreement;

•  actual costs incurred; 
•  resolution of uncertainty in respect of operational restart;
•  updates to discount and foreign exchange rates;
•  resolution of existing and potential legal claims.
Given these factors, future actual expenditures may differ 
from the amounts currently provided and changes to key 
assumptions and estimates could result in a material impact 
to the provision in the next and future reporting periods.

184  BHP Annual Report 2019

4 Significant events – Samarco dam failure continued
Criminal charges
The Federal Prosecutors’ Office has filed criminal charges against 
BHP Billiton Brasil, Samarco and Vale and certain employees and 
former employees of BHP Billiton Brasil (Affected Individuals) in the 
Federal Court of Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais. On 3 March 2017, BHP 
Billiton Brasil filed its preliminary defences. The Federal Court granted 
Habeas Corpus petitions in favour of three of the Affected Individuals 
terminating the charges against those individuals. The Federal 
Prosecutors’ Office appealed two of those decisions. BHP Billiton 
Brasil rejects outright the charges against the company and the 
Affected Individuals and will defend the charges and fully support 
each of the Affected Individuals in their defence of the charges.

Other claims
The civil public actions filed by State Prosecutors in Minas Gerais 
(claiming damages of approximately R$7.5 billion, US$2 billion), State 
Prosecutors in Espírito Santo (claiming damages of approximately 
R$2 billion, US$520 million), and public defenders in Minas Gerais 
(claiming damages of approximately R$10 billion, US$2.6 billion), 
have been consolidated before the 12th Federal Court and suspended. 
The Governance Agreement provides for a process to review whether 
these civil public claims should be terminated or suspended. 

BHP Billiton Brasil is among the companies named as defendants 
in a number of legal proceedings initiated by individuals, non-
governmental organisations, corporations and governmental 
entities in Brazilian Federal and State courts following the Samarco 
dam failure. The other defendants include Vale, Samarco and 
Fundação Renova. The lawsuits include claims for compensation, 
environmental rehabilitation and violations of Brazilian environmental 
and other laws, among other matters. The lawsuits seek various 
remedies including rehabilitation costs, compensation to injured 
individuals and families of the deceased, recovery of personal and 
property losses, moral damages and injunctive relief. In addition, 
government inquiries and investigations relating to the Samarco 
dam failure have been commenced by numerous agencies of the 
Brazilian government and are ongoing.

Additional lawsuits and government investigations relating to the 
Samarco dam failure could be brought against BHP Billiton Brasil 
and possibly other BHP entities in Brazil or other jurisdictions.

BHP insurance
BHP has various third party liability insurances for claims related 
to the Samarco dam failure made directly against BHP Billiton Brasil 
or other BHP entities, their directors and officers, including class 
actions. External insurers have been notified of the Samarco dam 
failure, the third party claims and the class actions referred to above. 

In the year ended 30 June 2019, BHP recognised income of 
US$50 million relating to proceeds from insurance settlements. 
As at 30 June 2019, an insurance receivable has not been recognised 
for any potential recoveries in respect of ongoing matters.

Commitments 
Under the terms of the Samarco joint venture agreement, BHP 
Billiton Brasil does not have an existing obligation to fund Samarco. 
For the year ended 30 June 2019, BHP Billiton Brasil has provided 
US$96 million funding to support Samarco’s operations and a further 
US$15 million for dam stabilisation and prosecutor experts costs, with 
undrawn amounts of US$17 million expiring as at 30 June 2019. In 
June 2019, BHP Billiton Brasil made available a new short-term facility 
of up to US$79 million to carry out remediation and stabilisation work 
and support Samarco’s operations. Funds will be released to Samarco 
only as required and subject to the achievement of key milestones 
with amounts undrawn expiring at 31 December 2019.

Any additional requests for funding or future investment provided 
would be subject to a future decision accounted for at that time.

The following section includes disclosure required by IFRS of 
Samarco Mineração S.A.’s provisions, contingencies and other 
matters arising from the dam failure for matters in addition 
to the above-mentioned claims to which Samarco is a party. 

Samarco
Dam failure related provisions and contingencies
In addition to its obligations under the Framework Agreement 
as at 30 June 2019, Samarco has recognised provisions of 
US$0.2 billion (30 June 2018: US$0.2 billion), based on currently 
available information. The magnitude, scope and timing of these 
additional costs are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and 
Samarco has indicated that it anticipates that it will incur future 
costs beyond those provided. These uncertainties are likely to 
continue for a significant period and changes to key assumptions 
could result in a material change to the amount of the provision 
in future reporting periods. Any such unrecognised obligations 
are therefore contingent liabilities and, at present, it is not 
practicable to estimate their magnitude or possible timing 
of payment. Accordingly, it is also not possible to provide 
a range of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of total 
potential future exposures at this time.

Samarco is also named as a defendant in a number of other legal 
proceedings initiated by individuals, non-governmental 
organisations, corporations and governmental entities in Brazilian 
Federal and State courts following the Samarco dam failure. 
The lawsuits include claims for compensation, environmental 
rehabilitation and violations of Brazilian environmental and other 
laws, among other matters. The lawsuits seek various remedies 
including rehabilitation costs, compensation to injured individuals 
and families of the deceased, recovery of personal and property 
losses, moral damages and injunctive relief. In addition, 
government inquiries and investigations relating to the Samarco 
dam failure have been commenced by numerous agencies of 
the Brazilian government and are ongoing. Given the status of 
proceedings it is not possible to provide a range of possible 
outcomes or a reliable estimate of total potential future exposures 
to Samarco.

Additional lawsuits and government investigations relating 
to the Samarco dam failure could be brought against Samarco.

Samarco insurance
Samarco has standalone insurance policies in place with 
Brazilian and global insurers. In the year ended 30 June 2019, 
Samarco recognised income relating to proceeds from certain 
of its insurance policies. Insurers’ loss adjusters or claims 
representatives continue to investigate and assist with the 
claims process for matters not yet settled. As at 30 June 2019, 
an insurance receivable has not been recognised by Samarco 
in respect of ongoing matters.

Samarco commitments
At 30 June 2019, Samarco has commitments of US$0.5 billion 
(30 June 2018: US$1.1 billion). Following the dam failure 
Samarco invoked force majeure clauses in a number of long-term 
contracts with suppliers and service providers to suspend 
contractual obligations. 

Samarco non-dam failure related contingent liabilities
The following non-dam failure related contingent liabilities pre-date 
and are unrelated to the Samarco dam failure. Samarco is currently 
contesting both of these matters in the Brazilian courts. Given the 
status of these tax matters, the timing of resolution and potential 
economic outflow for Samarco is uncertain. 

Brazilian Social Contribution Levy 
Samarco has received tax assessments for the alleged non-
payment of Brazilian Social Contribution Levy for the calendar 
years 2007-2014 totalling approximately R$5.5 billion 
(approximately US$1.4 billion). 

Brazilian corporate income tax rate 
Samarco has received tax assessments for alleged incorrect 
calculation of Corporate Income Tax (IRPJ) in respect of the 
2000-2003 and 2007-2014 income years totalling approximately 
R$4.3 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion).

BHP Annual Report 2019  185

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5

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5 Expenses and other income

Employee benefits expense:

Wages, salaries and redundancies
Employee share awards
Social security costs
Pension and other post-retirement obligations
Less employee benefits expense classified as exploration and evaluation expenditure

Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress
Raw materials and consumables used
Freight and transportation
External services 
Third party commodity purchases
Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses
Government royalties paid and payable
Exploration and evaluation expenditure incurred and expensed in the current period
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Net impairments:

Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Available for sale financial assets

Operating lease rentals
All other operating expenses

Total expenses

(Gains)/losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Other income 

Total other income

2019
US$M

3,683
138
4
292
(85)
496
4,591
2,378
4,745
1,069
(147)
2,538
516
5,829

250
14
 −
405
1,306

2018
US$M

3,653
123
4
292
(82)
(142)
4,389
2,294
4,786
1,374
(93)
2,168
641
6,288

318
14
1
421
1,078

2017
US$M

3,392
105
3
273
(79)
(743)
3,830
1,786
4,037
1,060
103
1,986
610
6,184

160
33
 −
391
989

28,022

27,527

24,120

(22)
(371)

(393)

10
(257)

(247)

(286)
(376)

(662)

Other income is generally income earned from transactions outside the course of the Group’s ordinary activities and may include certain 
management fees from non-controlling interests and joint arrangements, dividend income, royalties, commission income and gains or losses 
on divestment of subsidiaries or operations.

Recognition and measurement
Income is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with a transaction will flow to the Group and they can be 
reliably measured. Dividends are recognised upon declaration. 

186  BHP Annual Report 2019

6 Income tax expense

Total taxation expense comprises:
Current tax expense
Deferred tax expense

Factors affecting income tax expense for the year
Income tax expense differs to the standard rate of corporation tax as follows:
Profit before taxation

Tax on profit at Australian prima facie tax rate of 30 per cent

Impact of US tax reform
Tax rate changes 
Non-tax effected operating losses and capital gains
Tax on remitted and unremitted foreign earnings (1)
Recognition of previously unrecognised tax assets 
Other 

Subtotal
Other items not related to US tax reform
Non-tax effected operating losses and capital gains
Tax on remitted and unremitted foreign earnings
Tax effect of (loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses (2)
Tax rate changes 
Recognition of previously unrecognised tax assets 
Amounts over provided in prior years 
Foreign exchange adjustments
Investment and development allowance
Impact of tax rates applicable outside of Australia
Other 

Income tax expense

Royalty-related taxation (net of income tax benefit) 

Total taxation expense

2019
US$M

5,408
121

5,529

2019
US$M

15,049

4,515

 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

 −

742
283
164
6
(10)
(21)
(25)
(94)
(312)
87

5,335

194

5,529

2018
US$M

5,052
1,955

7,007

2018
US$M

14,751

4,425

1,390
834
194
(95)
(3)

2,320

721
401
(44)
(79)
(170)
(51)
(152)
(180)
(484)
172

6,879

128

7,007

2017
US$M

4,412
31

4,443

2017
US$M

11,137

3,341

 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

 −

242
478
(82)
25
(21)
175
88
(53)
(136)
219

4,276

167

4,443

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(1)  Comprising US$797 million repatriation tax and US$603 million of previously unrecognised tax credits.
(2) The (loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses is net of income tax. This item removes the prima facie tax effect on such 

(loss)/profit, related impairments and expenses.

Income tax recognised in other comprehensive income is as follows:

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

5

Income tax effect of:
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement:
Available for sale investments:

Net valuation losses taken to equity

Hedges:

Gains/(losses) taken to equity
(Gains)/losses transferred to the income statement

Income tax credit relating to items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement:
Remeasurement gains/(losses) on pension and medical schemes
Employee share awards transferred to retained earnings on exercise

Income tax credit/(charge) relating to items that will not be reclassified to the income statement

Total income tax credit/(charge) relating to components of other comprehensive income (1)

 −

98
(90)

8

7
12

19

27

(3)

(25)
64

36

(22)
8

(14)

22

 −

(105)
129

24

(12)
(14)

(26)

(2)

(1)  Included within total income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income is US$15 million relating to deferred taxes and US$12 million relating to current 

taxes (2018: US$17 million and US$5 million; 2017: US$12 million and US$(14) million).

BHP Annual Report 2019  187

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6 Income tax expense continued
Recognition and measurement
Taxation on the profit/(loss) for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Taxation is recognised in the income statement except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case the tax effect is also recognised in equity.

Current tax

Deferred tax

Royalty-related taxation

Royalties and resource rent taxes are treated as taxation 
arrangements (impacting income tax expense/(benefit)) 
when they are imposed under government authority 
and the amount payable is calculated by reference 
to revenue derived (net of any allowable deductions) 
after adjustment for temporary differences. Obligations 
arising from royalty arrangements that do not satisfy 
these criteria are recognised as current provisions 
and included in expenses.

Current tax is the expected tax 
on the taxable income for the 
year, using tax rates and laws 
enacted or substantively 
enacted at the reporting 
date, and any adjustments 
to tax payable in respect 
of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided in full, on temporary differences 
arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the Financial Statements. 
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent 
that it is probable that future taxable profits will be 
available against which the temporary differences 
can be utilised.
Deferred tax is not recognised for temporary 
differences relating to:
•  initial recognition of goodwill;
•  initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a 

transaction that is not a business combination and 
that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit;
•  investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly 

controlled entities where the Group is able to control 
the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference 
and it is probable that they will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are 
expected to be applied when the asset is realised or 
the liability is settled, based on the laws that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset 
when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset 
and when the tax balances are related to taxes levied 
by the same tax authority and the Group intends to 
settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the 
liability simultaneously.

Uncertain tax and royalty matters
The Group operates across many tax jurisdictions. Application of tax law can be complex and requires judgement to assess risk and estimate 
outcomes, particularly in relation to the Group’s cross-border operations and transactions. The evaluation of tax risks considers both amended 
assessments received and potential sources of challenge from tax authorities. The status of proceedings for these matters will impact the 
ability to determine the potential exposure and in some cases, it may not be possible to determine a range of possible outcomes or a reliable 
estimate of the potential exposure.

The Group has unresolved tax and royalty matters for which the timing of resolution and potential economic outflow are uncertain. Tax and 
royalty matters with uncertain outcomes arise in the normal course of business and occur due to changes in tax law, changes in interpretation 
of tax law, periodic challenges and disagreements with tax authorities and legal proceedings. 

Tax and royalty obligations assessed as having probable future economic outflows capable of reliable measurement are provided for at 
30 June 2019. Matters with a possible economic outflow and/or presently incapable of being measured reliably are contingent liabilities 
and disclosed in note 33 ‘Contingent liabilities’. Irrespective of whether the potential economic outflow of the matter has been assessed 
as probable or possible, individually significant matters are included below, to the extent that disclosure does not prejudice the Group.

Transfer pricing – Sales of 
commodities to BHP Billiton 
Marketing AG in Singapore

Controlled Foreign 
Companies dispute

On 19 November 2018, BHP settled a long-standing transfer pricing dispute relating to its Sales and Marketing 
operations in Singapore with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The settlement fully resolved all prior years and 
provides certainty in relation to the future Australian taxation treatment of BHP’s Sales and Marketing operations. 
The settlement did not involve any admission of tax avoidance by BHP. As part of the settlement, BHP paid a total 
of approximately A$529 million (US$388 million) in additional taxes for the prior years, being 2003 to 2018 (BHP 
paid A$328 million (US$243 million) of this amount when the amended assessments were received in prior years, 
with the balance of A$201 million (US$145 million) paid in the December 2018 quarter). From the 2020 financial year, 
all profits made in Singapore in relation to the Australian assets owned by BHP Group Limited will be fully subject to 
Australian tax under the Controlled Foreign Company tax rules, due to a change in ownership of the main Sales and 
Marketing entity.

The Group is currently in dispute with the ATO regarding whether profits earned globally by the Group’s Sales and 
Marketing organisation from the sale of commodities acquired from Australian subsidiaries of BHP Group Plc are 
subject to ‘top-up tax’ in Australia under the Controlled Foreign Companies rules. In June 2011 and December 2014, 
the Group received amended assessments relating to the 2006-2010 income years. Between May 2016 and August 
2019, the Group received amended assessments relating to the 2012-2018 income years. The Group has formally 
objected or intends to formally object to all the amended assessments received. The earlier years (2006-2010) are 
the subject of litigation and the case will be heard by the High Court of Australia. It is estimated that the total primary 
tax subject to dispute for the 2006-2018 income years is US$87 million (A$125 million), of which US$30 million 
(A$43 million) relates to the 2006-2010 income years, which are being litigated. The ATO has not determined that 
the Group is liable for any penalties.

Samarco tax assessments

Details of uncertain tax and royalty matters relating to Samarco are disclosed in note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco 
dam failure’.

188  BHP Annual Report 2019

6 Income tax expense continued

Key judgements and estimates

Income tax classification
Judgements: The Group’s accounting policy for taxation, 
including royalty-related taxation, requires management’s 
judgement as to the types of arrangements considered 
to be a tax on income in contrast to an operating cost. 

Deferred tax 
Judgements: Judgement is required to determine the amount 
of deferred tax assets that are recognised based on the likely 
timing and the level of future taxable profits. Judgement is applied 
in recognising deferred tax liabilities arising from temporary 
differences in investments. These deferred tax liabilities caused 
principally by retained earnings held in foreign tax jurisdictions 
are recognised unless repatriation of retained earnings can be 
controlled and is not expected to occur in the foreseeable future. 

Estimates: The Group assesses the recoverability of recognised 
and unrecognised deferred taxes, including losses in Australia, 
the United States and Canada on a consistent basis, using 
estimates and assumptions relating to projected earnings 
and cash flows as applied in the Group impairment process 
for associated operations.

Uncertain tax matters
Judgements: Management applies judgements about the 
application of income tax legislation and its interaction with 
income tax accounting principles. These judgements are 
subject to risk and uncertainty, hence there is a possibility that 
changes in circumstances will alter expectations, which may 
impact the amount of deferred tax assets and deferred tax 
liabilities recognised on the balance sheet and the amount of 
other tax losses and temporary differences not yet recognised.

Where the final tax outcomes are different from the amounts 
that were initially recorded, these differences impact the 
current and deferred tax provisions in the period in which 
the determination is made.

Measurement of uncertain tax and royalty matters considers 
a range of possible outcomes, including assessments received 
from tax authorities. Where management is of the view that 
potential liabilities have a low probability of crystallising, or it 
is not possible to quantify them reliably, they are disclosed as 
contingent liabilities (refer to note 33 ‘Contingent liabilities’).

7 Earnings per share

Earnings attributable to BHP shareholders (US$M)

– Continuing operations
– Total

Weighted average number of shares (Million)

– Basic
– Diluted

Basic earnings per ordinary share (US cents)

– Continuing operations
– Total

Diluted earnings per ordinary share (US cents)

– Continuing operations
– Total

2019

2018

2017

8,648
8,306

5,180
5,193

166.9
160.3

166.5
159.9

6,652
3,705

5,323
5,337

125.0
69.6

124.6
69.4

6,375
5,890

5,323
5,336

119.8
110.7

119.5
110.4

Refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’ for basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for Discontinued operations.

Earnings on American Depositary Shares represent twice the earnings for BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc ordinary shares.

Recognition and measurement
Diluted earnings attributable to BHP shareholders are equal to the earnings attributable to BHP shareholders.

The calculation of the number of ordinary shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share is the aggregate of the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc outstanding during the period after deduction of the number of shares 
held by the Billiton Employee Share Ownership Trust and the BHP Billiton Limited Employee Equity Trust.

For the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the effect of 13 million dilutive shares has been taken into account for the year 
ended 30 June 2019 (2018: 14 million shares; 2017: 13 million shares). The Group’s only potential dilutive ordinary shares are share awards 
granted under the employee share ownership plans for which terms and conditions are described in note 23 ‘Employee share ownership 
plans’. Diluted earnings per share calculation excludes instruments which are considered antidilutive.

At 30 June 2019, there are no instruments which are considered antidilutive (2018: nil; 2017: nil). 

BHP Annual Report 2019  189

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Working capital

8 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Loans to equity accounted investments
Other receivables

Total 

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

2019
US$M

2,403
33
1,339

3,775

3,462
313

2018
US$M

1,857
13
1,406

3,276

3,096
180

Recognition and measurement
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less an 
allowance for impairment, except for provisionally priced receivables which are subsequently measured at fair value through the income 
statement under IFRS 9. 

The collectability of trade receivables is assessed continuously. At the reporting date, specific allowances are made for any expected credit 
losses based on a review of all outstanding amounts at reporting period-end. Individual receivables are written off when management deems 
them unrecoverable. The net carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair values. For further information on the 
changes under IFRS 9 refer to note 38 ‘New and amended accounting standards and interpretations’.

Credit risk
Trade receivables generally have terms of less than 30 days. The Group has no material concentration of credit risk with any single 
counterparty and is not dominantly exposed to any individual industry.

Credit risk can arise from the non-performance by counterparties of their contractual financial obligations towards the Group. To manage 
credit risk, the Group maintains Group-wide procedures covering the application for credit approvals, granting and renewal of counterparty 
limits, proactive monitoring of exposures against these limits and requirements triggering secured payment terms. As part of these processes, 
the credit exposures with all counterparties are regularly monitored and assessed on a timely basis. The credit quality of the Group’s customers 
is reviewed and the solvency of each debtor and their ability to pay on the receivable is considered in assessing receivables for impairment.

The 10 largest customers represented 34% (2018: 33%) of total credit risk exposures managed by the Group. 

Receivables are deemed to be past due or impaired in accordance with the Group’s terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are 
determined on a case-by-case basis with reference to the customer’s credit quality, payment performance and prevailing market conditions. 
As at 30 June 2019, trade receivables of US$14 million (2018: US$32 million) were past due but not impaired. The majority of these receivables 
were less than 30 days overdue.

At 30 June 2019, trade receivables are stated net of provisions for expected credit losses of US$3 million (2018: US$1 million). As at the 
reporting date, there are no indications that the debtors will not meet their payment obligations.

190  BHP Annual Report 2019

9 Trade and other payables

Trade creditors
Other creditors

Total

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

10 Inventories

Raw materials and consumables

Work in progress

Finished goods

Total (1)

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

2019
US$M

5,162
1,560

6,722

6,717
5

2018
US$M

4,574
1,406

5,980

5,977
3

2019
US$M

1,406

2,515

687

4,608

3,840
768

2018
US$M

1,266

2,965

674

4,905

3,764
1,141

Definitions

Spares, consumables and other supplies yet to be utilised in the production 
process or in the rendering of services.
Commodities currently in the production process that require further 
processing by the Group to a saleable form.
Commodities held-for-sale and not requiring further processing by the Group.

Inventories classified as non-current are not expected to be utilised or sold 
within 12 months after the reporting date.

(1)  Inventory write-downs of US$16 million were recognised during the year (2018: US$18 million; 2017: US$112 million). Inventory write-downs of US$21 million made 

in previous periods were reversed during the year (2018: US$2 million; 2017: US$19 million).

Recognition and measurement
Regardless of the type of inventory and its stage in the production process, inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
Cost is determined primarily on the basis of average costs. For processed inventories, cost is derived on an absorption costing basis. Cost 
comprises costs of purchasing raw materials and costs of production, including attributable mining and manufacturing overheads taking 
into consideration normal operating capacity. 

Minerals inventory quantities are assessed primarily through surveys and assays, while petroleum inventory quantities are derived through 
flow rate or tank volume measurement and the composition is derived via sample analysis.

Key estimates
Accounting for inventory involves the use of estimates, particularly related to the measurement and valuation of inventory on hand 
within the production process. Critical estimates, including expected metal recoveries and work in progress volumes, are calculated 
by engineers using available industry, engineering and scientific data. Estimates used are periodically reassessed by the Group 
taking into account technical analysis and historical performance. Changes in estimates are adjusted for on a prospective basis.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resource assets

11 Property, plant and equipment

Net book value – 30 June 2019
At the beginning of the financial year 
Additions (1) (2)
Depreciation for the year
Impairments, net of reversals (3)
Disposals
Transferred to assets held for sale
Exchange variations taken to reserve 
Transfers and other movements

At the end of the financial year

– Cost
– Accumulated depreciation and impairments

Net book value – 30 June 2018
At the beginning of the financial year 
Additions (1) (2)
Depreciation for the year
Impairments, net of reversals (3)
Disposals
Transferred to assets held for sale
Exchange variations taken to reserve 
Transfers and other movements

At the end of the financial year

– Cost
– Accumulated depreciation and impairments

Land and 
buildings
US$M

Plant and 
equipment
US$M

Other mineral 
assets
US$M

Assets under 
construction
US$M

Exploration 
and evaluation
US$M

8,152
5
(585)
(9)
(2)
 −
 −
324

7,885

12,825
(4,940)

8,547
(20)
(548)
(9)
(7)
(21)
 −
210

8,152

12,525
(4,373)

40,885
515
(4,885)
(234)
(40)
 −
(1)
1,934

38,174

92,090
(53,916)

49,427
110
(6,467)
(507)
(26)
(4,426)
1
2,773

40,885

91,037
(50,152)

8,974
1,023
(277)
 −
(5)
 −
 −
(504)

9,211

13,681
(4,470)

15,557
873
(730)
(260)
(36)
(5,563)
 −
(867)

8,974

13,212
(4,238)

7,554
5,799
 −
 −
 −
(331)
 −
(1,873)

11,149

11,149
 −

5,536
5,423
 −
 −
(1)
(662)
 −
(2,742)

7,554

7,554
 −

1,617
418
 −
(7)
 −
 −
 −
(406)

1,622

2,404
(782)

1,430
258
 −
(62)
(9)
 −
 −
 −

1,617

2,400
(783)

Total
US$M

67,182
7,760
(5,747)
(250)
(47)
(331)
(1)
(525)

68,041

132,149
(64,108)

80,497
6,644
(7,745)
(838)
(79)
(10,672)
1
(626)

67,182

126,728
(59,546)

(1)  Includes net foreign exchange gains/(losses) related to the closure and rehabilitation provisions. Refer to note 14 ‘Closure and rehabilitation provisions’.
(2) Property, plant and equipment of US$ nil (2018: US$3 million; 2017: US$593 million) was acquired under finance lease. This is a non-cash investing transaction 

that has been excluded from the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

(3) Includes impairment charges related to Onshore US assets of US$ nil (2018: US$520 million). Refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’.

In respect of petroleum activities:
•  the exploration and evaluation activity is within an area of interest 
for which it is expected that the expenditure will be recouped 
by future exploitation or sale; or

•  exploration and evaluation activity has not reached a stage that 

permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of commercially 
recoverable reserves.

A regular review of each area of interest is undertaken to determine 
the appropriateness of continuing to carry forward costs in relation 
to that area. Capitalised costs are only carried forward to the extent 
that they are expected to be recovered through the successful 
exploitation of the area of interest or alternatively by its sale. 
To the extent that capitalised expenditure is no longer expected 
to be recovered, it is charged to the income statement.

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Exploration and evaluation expenditure 
results in certain items of expenditure being capitalised 
for an area of interest where a judgement is made that 
it is likely to be recoverable by future exploitation or sale, 
or where the activities are judged not to have reached 
a stage that permits a reasonable assessment of the 
existence of reserves. 

Estimates: Management makes certain estimates and 
assumptions as to future events and circumstances, 
in particular when making quantitative assessment 
of whether an economically viable extraction operation 
can be established. These estimates and assumptions 
may change as new information becomes available. 
If, after having capitalised the expenditure under the 
policy, new information suggests that recovery of the 
expenditure is unlikely, the relevant capitalised amount 
is charged to the income statement.

Recognition and measurement
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and impairment charges. Cost is the fair value of 
consideration given to acquire the asset at the time of its acquisition 
or construction and includes the direct costs of bringing the asset 
to the location and the condition necessary for operation and the 
estimated future costs of closure and rehabilitation of the facility. 

Equipment leases
Assets held under lease, which result in the Group receiving 
substantially all of the risk and rewards of ownership are capitalised 
as property, plant and equipment at the lower of the fair value of the 
leased assets or the estimated present value of the minimum lease 
payments. Leased assets are depreciated on the same basis as 
owned assets or, where shorter, the lease term. The corresponding 
finance lease obligation is included within interest bearing liabilities. 
The interest component is charged to the income statement over the 
lease term to reflect a constant rate of interest over the remaining 
balance of the obligation.

Operating leases are not capitalised and rental payments are 
included in the income statement on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term. Ongoing contracted commitments under finance 
and operating leases are disclosed within note 32 ‘Commitments’.

From 1 July 2019, IFRS 16/AASB 16 ‘Leases’ became effective 
for the Group. Refer to note 38 ‘New and amended accounting 
standards and interpretations’.

Exploration and evaluation
Exploration costs are incurred to discover mineral and petroleum 
resources. Evaluation costs are incurred to assess the technical 
feasibility and commercial viability of resources found.

Exploration and evaluation expenditure is charged to the income 
statement as incurred, except in the following circumstances 
in which case the expenditure may be capitalised:

In respect of minerals activities:
•  the exploration and evaluation activity is within an area of interest 

that was previously acquired as an asset acquisition or in a business 
combination and measured at fair value on acquisition; or
•  the existence of a commercially viable mineral deposit has 

been established.

192  BHP Annual Report 2019

11 Property, plant and equipment continued
Development expenditure
When proven mineral reserves are determined and development 
is sanctioned, capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure 
is reclassified as assets under construction within property, plant 
and equipment. All subsequent development expenditure is 
capitalised and classified as assets under construction, provided 
commercial viability conditions continue to be satisfied.

The Group may use funds sourced from external parties to finance 
the acquisition and development of assets and operations. Finance 
costs are expensed as incurred, except where they relate to the 
financing of construction or development of qualifying assets. 
Borrowing costs directly attributable to acquiring or constructing 
a qualifying asset are capitalised during the development phase. 
Development expenditure is net of proceeds from the saleable 
material extracted during the development phase. On completion 
of development, all assets included in assets under construction 
are reclassified as either plant and equipment or other mineral 
assets and depreciation commences. 

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Development activities commence after 
project sanctioning by the appropriate level of 
management. Judgement is applied by management 
in determining when a project is economically viable. 

Estimates: In determining whether a project is economically 
viable, management is required to make certain estimates 
and assumptions as to future events and circumstances, 
including reserve estimates, existence of an accessible 
market and forecast prices and cash flows. Estimates and 
assumptions may change as new information becomes 
available. If, after having commenced the development 
activity, new information suggests that a development 
asset is impaired, the appropriate amount is charged 
to the income statement.

Other mineral assets
Other mineral assets comprise:
•  capitalised exploration, evaluation and development expenditure 

for assets in production;

•  mineral rights and petroleum interests acquired;
•  capitalised development and production stripping costs.

Overburden removal costs
The process of removing overburden and other waste materials 
to access mineral deposits is referred to as stripping. Stripping 
is necessary to obtain access to mineral deposits and occurs 
throughout the life of an open-pit mine. Development and 
production stripping costs are classified as other mineral assets 
in property, plant and equipment. 

Stripping costs are accounted for separately for individual 
components of an ore body. The determination of components 
is dependent on the mine plan and other factors, including the 
size, shape and geotechnical aspects of an ore body. The Group 
accounts for stripping activities as follows:

Development stripping costs
These are initial overburden removal costs incurred to obtain access 
to mineral deposits that will be commercially produced. These costs 
are capitalised when it is probable that future economic benefits 
(access to mineral ores) will flow to the Group and costs can be 
measured reliably. 

Once the production phase begins, capitalised development 
stripping costs are depreciated using the units of production 
method based on the proven and probable reserves of the 
relevant identified component of the ore body to which the 
initial stripping activity benefits.

Production stripping costs
These are post initial overburden removal costs incurred during 
the normal course of production activity, which commences 
after the first saleable minerals have been extracted from the 
component. Production stripping costs can give rise to two 
benefits, the accounting for which is outlined below:

Production stripping activity

Benefits of stripping activity

Extraction of ore (inventory) in current period.

Improved access to future ore extraction.

Period benefited

Current period

Future period(s)

Recognition and 
measurement criteria

When the benefits of stripping activities are realised 
in the form of inventory produced; the associated 
costs are recorded in accordance with the Group’s 
inventory accounting policy.

When the benefits of stripping activities are improved 
access to future ore; production costs are capitalised 
when all the following criteria are met:
•  the production stripping activity improves access 
to a specific component of the ore body and it 
is probable that economic benefits arising from 
the improved access to future ore production 
will be realised; 

•  the component of the ore body for which access 

has been improved can be identified; 

•  costs associated with that component can be 

measured reliably.

Allocation of costs

Production stripping costs are allocated between the inventory produced and the production stripping asset using 
a life-of-component waste-to-ore (or mineral contained) strip ratio. When the current strip ratio is greater than the 
estimated life-of-component ratio a portion of the stripping costs is capitalised to the production stripping asset.

Asset recognised from 
stripping activity

Inventory

Depreciation basis

Not applicable 

Other mineral assets within property, plant and equipment.

On a component-by-component basis using the 
units of production method based on proven 
and probable reserves.

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Judgement is applied by management in determining the components of an ore body.

Estimates: Estimates are used in the determination of stripping ratios and mineral reserves by component. Changes to estimates 
related to life-of-component waste-to-ore (or mineral contained) strip ratios and the expected ore production from identified 
components are accounted for prospectively and may affect depreciation rates and asset carrying values.

BHP Annual Report 2019  193

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11 Property, plant and equipment continued
Depreciation
Depreciation of assets, other than land, assets under construction and capitalised exploration and evaluation that are not depreciated, 
is calculated using either the straight-line (SL) method or units of production (UoP) method, net of residual values, over the estimated 
useful lives of specific assets. The depreciation method and rates applied to specific assets reflect the pattern in which the asset’s benefits 
are expected to be used by the Group. The Group’s reported reserves are used to determine UoP depreciation unless doing so results in 
depreciation charges that do not reflect the asset’s useful life. Where this occurs, alternative approaches to determining reserves are applied, 
such as using management’s expectations of future oil and gas prices rather than yearly average prices, to provide a phasing of periodic 
depreciation charges that better reflects the asset’s expected useful life. 

Where assets are dedicated to a mine or petroleum lease, the below useful lives are subject to the lesser of the asset category’s useful life 
and the life of the mine or petroleum lease, unless those assets are readily transferable to another productive mine or lease.

Key estimates
The determination of useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods involves estimates and assumptions and is reviewed 
annually. Any changes to useful lives or any other estimates or assumptions may affect prospective depreciation rates and asset 
carrying values. The table below summarises the principal depreciation methods and rates applied to major asset categories 
by the Group.

Category

Buildings

Plant and equipment

Mineral rights and 
petroleum interests

Capitalised exploration, evaluation 
and development expenditure

Typical depreciation methodology

SL

SL

UoP

UoP

Depreciation rate

25–50 years

3–30 years

Based on the rate of 
depletion of reserves

Based on the rate of depletion 
of reserves

Impairment of non-current assets
Recognition and measurement
Impairment tests for all assets are performed when there is an 
indication of impairment, although goodwill is tested at least 
annually. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable 
amount, the asset is impaired and an impairment loss is charged 
to the income statement so as to reduce the carrying amount 
in the balance sheet to its recoverable amount. 

Previously impaired assets (excluding goodwill) are reviewed for 
possible reversal of previous impairment at each reporting date. 
Impairment reversal cannot exceed the carrying amount that would 
have been determined (net of depreciation) had no impairment loss 
been recognised for the asset or cash generating units (CGUs). 
There were no reversals of impairment in the current or prior year. 

How recoverable amount is calculated
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less 
cost of disposal (FVLCD) and its value in use (VIU). For the purposes 
of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels 
for which there are separately identifiable cash flows.

Valuation methods
Fair value less cost of disposal 
FVLCD is an estimate of the amount that a market participant would 
pay for an asset or CGU, less the cost of disposal. FVLCD for mineral 
and petroleum assets is generally determined using independent 
market assumptions to calculate the present value of the estimated 
future post-tax cash flows expected to arise from the continued use 
of the asset, including the anticipated cash flow effects of any capital 
expenditure to enhance production or reduce cost, and its eventual 
disposal where a market participant may take a consistent view. Cash 
flows are discounted using an appropriate post-tax market discount 
rate to arrive at a net present value of the asset, which is compared 
against the asset’s carrying value. FVLCD may also take into 
consideration other market-based indicators of fair value.

Value in use 
VIU is determined as the present value of the estimated future 
cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset 
in its present form and its eventual disposal. VIU is determined by 
applying assumptions specific to the Group’s continued use and 
cannot take into account future development. These assumptions 
are different to those used in calculating FVLCD and consequently 
the VIU calculation is likely to give a different result (usually lower) 
to a FVLCD calculation.

194  BHP Annual Report 2019

11 Property, plant and equipment continued

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Assessment of indicators of impairment or 
impairment reversal and the determination of CGUs for 
impairment purposes require significant management judgement.

Indicators of impairment may include changes in the Group’s 
operating and economic assumptions, including those arising 
from changes in reserves or mine planning, updates to the 
Group’s commodity supply, demand and price forecasts (which 
include carbon price forecasts), or the possible additional 
impacts from emerging risks such as those related to climate 
change and the transition to a lower carbon economy. 

Additional impacts related to climate change and the transition 
to a lower carbon economy may include: 
•  a proportion of a CGU’s reserves becoming incapable 

of extraction in an economically viable fashion;

•  demand for the Group’s commodities decreasing, due to 
policy, regulatory (including carbon pricing mechanisms), 
legal, technological, market or societal responses 
to climate change;

•  physical impacts related to acute risks resulting from 

increased severity of extreme weather events, and those 
related to chronic risks resulting from longer-term changes 
in climate patterns.

Estimates: In determining the recoverable amount of assets, 
in the absence of quoted market prices, estimates are made 
regarding the present value of future post-tax cash flows. These 
estimates require significant management judgements and 
assumptions and are subject to risk and uncertainty that may 
be beyond the control of the Group; hence, there is a possibility 
that changes in circumstances will materially alter projections, 
which may impact the recoverable amount of assets at each 
reporting date. The estimates are made from the perspective 
of a market participant and include prices, future production 
volumes, operating costs, tax attributes and discount rates.

An indicator of impairment has been identified for the Jansen 
potash CGU at 30 June 2019 as the Group continues to assess 
project feasibility and the timing of project approval in 
accordance with the Group’s Capital Allocation Framework. 
Accordingly, the Group has assessed the recoverable amount 
of the Jansen CGU using FVLCD methodology including a market 
participant’s perspective of the net present value of future 
post-tax cash flows and other market-based indicators of fair 
value. The Jansen CGU carrying amount of US$3.0 billion 
as at 30 June 2019 is supported by the recoverable amount 
determination and as such, no impairment has been recognised. 

The recoverable amount estimate is most sensitive to 
assumptions regarding the long-term forecasts of potash 
prices and discount rates: 
•  Potash price: prices are based on the latest internal 

forecasts taking into account expected demand and supply 
for potash globally (which includes, amongst a range of 
factors, carbon price forecasts), benchmarked with external 
sources of information;

•  Discount rate: the discount rate is derived using the weighted 

average cost of capital methodology adjusted for any risks that 
are not reflected in the underlying cash flows, including where 
appropriate a country risk premium. A real post-tax discount 
rate of 7.5 per cent was applied to post-tax cash flows.

Changes in circumstances may affect the assumptions used 
to determine recoverable amount and could result in an 
impairment of non-current assets at future reporting dates.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 Intangible assets

Net book value
At the beginning of the financial year
Additions
Amortisation for the year
Impairments for the year (1) 
Disposals
Transferred to assets held for sale
Transfers and other movements

At the end of the financial year (2)

– Cost
– Accumulated amortisation and impairments

2019

Other 
intangibles
US$M

Goodwill
US$M

Total
US$M

Goodwill
US$M

247
 −
 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

247

247
 −

531
31
(142)
(14)
 −
 −
22

428

778
31
(142)
(14)
 −
 −
22

675

1,697
(1,269)

1,944
(1,269)

3,269
 −
 −
(2,339)
(16)
(667)
 −

247

247
 −

2018

Other 
intangibles
US$M

699
50
(197)
(14)
(7)
 −
 −

531

1,665
(1,134)

Total
US$M

3,968
50
(197)
(2,353)
(23)
(667)
 −

778

1,912
(1,134)

(1)  Includes impairment charges related to Onshore US assets of US$ nil (2018: US$2,339 million). Refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’.
(2) The Group’s aggregate net carrying value of goodwill for Continuing operations is US$247 million (2018: US$247 million), representing less than 1 per cent of net equity 

at 30 June 2019 (2018: less than 1 per cent). The goodwill is allocated across a number of CGUs.

Recognition and measurement
Goodwill
Where the fair value of the consideration paid for a business acquisition exceeds the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities acquired, the difference is treated as goodwill. Where consideration is less than the fair value of acquired net assets, the difference 
is recognised immediately in the income statement. Goodwill is not amortised and is measured at cost less any impairment losses.

Other intangibles
The Group capitalises amounts paid for the acquisition of identifiable intangible assets, such as software, licences and initial payments for the 
acquisition of mineral lease assets, where it is considered that they will contribute to future periods through revenue generation or reductions 
in cost. These assets, classified as finite life intangible assets, are carried in the balance sheet at the fair value of consideration paid less 
accumulated amortisation and impairment charges. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortised on a straight-line basis over their 
useful lives. The estimated useful lives are generally no greater than eight years.

Initial payments for the acquisition of intangible mineral lease assets are capitalised and amortised over the term of the permit. A regular review 
is undertaken of each area of interest to determine the appropriateness of continuing to carry forward costs in relation to that area. Capitalised 
costs are only carried forward to the extent that they are expected to be recovered through the successful exploitation of the area of interest or 
alternatively by its sale. To the extent that capitalised expenditure is no longer expected to be recovered, it is charged to the income statement.

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Assessment of impairment indicators requires management judgement. If a judgement is made that recovery 
of previously capitalised intangible mineral lease assets is unlikely, the relevant amount will be charged to the income statement. 

Estimates: Determining the recoverable amount requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions as to future 
events and circumstances, in particular whether an economically viable extraction operation can be established. 

Where indicators of impairment exist for intangible assets, in the absence of quoted market prices, estimates are made regarding 
the present value of future post-tax cash flows. These estimates require management judgement and assumptions and are subject 
to risk and uncertainty that may be beyond the control of the Group; hence, there is a possibility that changes in circumstances 
will materially alter projections, which may impact the recoverable amount of assets at each reporting date. The estimates are 
made from the perspective of a market participant and include prices, future production volumes, operating costs, tax attributes 
and discount rates.

13 Deferred tax balances
The movement for the year in the Group’s net deferred tax position is as follows:

Net deferred tax asset
At the beginning of the financial year
Income tax (charge)/credit recorded in the income statement (1)
Income tax credit/(charge) recorded directly in equity
Other movements

At the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

569
(81)
15
27

530

2018
US$M

2,023
(1,445)
17
(26)

569

2017
US$M

1,823
188
12
 −

2,023

(1)  Includes Discontinued operations income tax credit to the income statement of US$40 million (2018: US$510 million, 2017: US$219 million).

For recognition and measurement refer to note 6 ‘Income tax expense’.

196  BHP Annual Report 2019

13 Deferred tax balances continued
The composition of the Group’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised in the balance sheet and the deferred tax expense 
charged/(credited) to the income statement is as follows:

Type of temporary difference
Depreciation
Exploration expenditure
Employee benefits
Closure and rehabilitation
Resource rent tax 
Other provisions
Deferred income
Deferred charges
Investments, including foreign tax credits
Foreign exchange gains and losses
Tax losses
Other

Total 

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Charged/(credited) to the income statement

2019
US$M

(1,717)
449
310
1,671
431
144
24
(416)
412
(97)
2,611
(58)

3,764

2018
US$M

(2,756)
492
321
1,627
468
141
21
(374)
546
(120)
3,758
(83)

4,041

2019
US$M

1,444
 −
(6)
(203)
1,112
(1)
(5)
286
600
(6)
 −
13

3,234

2018
US$M

1,356
 −
(2)
(194)
1,328
(2)
 −
272
691
16
 −
7

3,472

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

(951)
43
14
(53)
(179)
(2)
(9)
56
70
(45)
1,147
(10)

81

(752)
51
31
218
(194)
(11)
(13)
(119)
615
(20)
1,595
44

1,445

391
(22)
(37)
(151)
(189)
14
3
(77)
(17)
(77)
(381)
355

(188)

The Group recognises the benefit of tax losses amounting to US$2,611 million (2018: US$3,758 million) only to the extent of anticipated future 
taxable income or gains in relevant jurisdictions. The amounts recognised in the Financial Statements in respect of each matter are derived 
from the Group’s best judgements and estimates as described in note 6 ‘Income tax expense’.

The composition of the Group’s unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities is as follows:

Unrecognised deferred tax assets
Tax losses and tax credits (1)
Investments in subsidiaries (2)
Deductible temporary differences relating to PRRT (3)
Mineral rights (4)
Other deductible temporary differences (5)

Total unrecognised deferred tax assets

Unrecognised deferred tax liabilities
Investments in subsidiaries (2)
Taxable temporary differences relating to unrecognised deferred tax asset for PRRT (3)

Total unrecognised deferred tax liabilities

2019
US$M

3,720
1,656
2,197
2,230
412

10,215

2,253
659

2,912

2018
US$M

3,028
1,659
2,282
2,263
437

9,669

2,216
685

2,901

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(1)  At 30 June 2019, the Group had income and capital tax losses with a tax benefit of US$2,265 million (2018: US$1,946 million) and tax credits of US$1,455 million 

(2018: US$1,082 million), which are not recognised as deferred tax assets, because it is not probable that future taxable profits or capital gains will be available against 
which the Group can utilise the benefits.

5

The gross amount of tax losses carried forward that have not been recognised is as follows:

Year of expiry

Income tax losses
Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than two years
Later than two years and not later than five years
Later than five years and not later than 10 years
Later than 10 years and not later than 20 years
Unlimited

Capital tax losses
Not later than one year
Later than two years and not later than five years
Unlimited

Gross amount of tax losses not recognised

Tax effect of total losses not recognised

Total
US$M

359
443
2,723
530
2,312
2,001

8,368

 −
 −
4,114

12,482

2,265

  Of the US$1,455 million of tax credits, US$1,449 million expires not later than 10 years and US$6 million expires later than 10 years and not later than 20 years.
(2) The Group had deferred tax assets of US$1,656 million at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$1,659 million) and deferred tax liabilities of US$2,253 million (2018: US$2,216 million) 

associated with undistributed earnings of subsidiaries that have not been recognised because the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary 
differences and it is not probable that these differences will reverse in the foreseeable future.

(3) The Group had US$2,197 million of unrecognised deferred tax assets relating to Australian Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$2,282 million 
relating to Australian PRRT), with a corresponding unrecognised deferred tax liability for income tax purposes of US$659 million (2018: US$685 million). Recognition 
of a deferred tax asset for PRRT depends on benefits expected to be obtained from the deduction against PRRT liabilities. 

(4) The Group had deductible temporary differences relating to mineral rights for which deferred tax assets of US$2,230 million at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$2,263 million) 

had not been recognised because it is not probable that future capital gains will be available, against which the Group can utilise the benefits. The deductible 
temporary differences do not expire under current tax legislation.

(5) The Group had other deductible temporary differences for which deferred tax assets of US$412 million at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$437 million) had not been 
recognised because it is not probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits. The deductible temporary 
differences do not expire under current tax legislation.

BHP Annual Report 2019  197

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14 Closure and rehabilitation provisions

At the beginning of the financial year
Capitalised amounts for operating sites:

Change in estimate
Exchange translation 

Adjustments charged/(credited) to the income statement:

Increases to existing and new provisions
Exchange translation 
Released during the year

Other adjustments to the provision:

Amortisation of discounting impacting net finance costs 
Expenditure on closure and rehabilitation activities
Exchange variations impacting foreign currency translation reserve
Divestment and demerger of subsidiaries and operations 
Transferred to liabilities held for sale
Other movements

At the end of the financial year

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

Operating sites
Closed sites

2019
US$M

6,330

494
(194)

318
(7)
(33)

353
(201)
(2)
(80)
 −
(1)

2018
US$M

6,738

35
(122)

132
(11)
(165)

352
(178)
 −
 −
(450)
(1)

6,977

6,330

361
6,616

5,535
1,442

274
6,056

5,120
1,210

The Group is required to rehabilitate sites and associated facilities at the end of, or in some cases, during the course of production, to a 
condition acceptable to the relevant authorities, as specified in licence requirements and the Group’s environmental performance requirements 
as set out within Our Charter. 

The key components of closure and rehabilitation activities are:
•  the removal of all unwanted infrastructure associated with an operation;
•  the return of disturbed areas to a safe, stable, productive and self-sustaining condition, consistent with the agreed end land use. 

Recognition and measurement
Provisions for closure and rehabilitation are recognised by the Group when:
•  it has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events;
•  it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; 
•  the amount can be reliably estimated.

Initial recognition

Subsequent remeasurement

Closure and rehabilitation provisions are initially 
recognised when an environmental disturbance 
first occurs. The individual site provisions are an 
estimate of the expected value of future cash 
flows required to rehabilitate the relevant site 
using current restoration standards and 
techniques and taking into account risks and 
uncertainties. Individual site provisions are 
discounted to their present value using country 
specific discount rates aligned to the estimated 
timing of cash outflows. 
When provisions for closure and rehabilitation 
are initially recognised, the corresponding 
cost is capitalised as an asset, representing part 
of the cost of acquiring the future economic 
benefits of the operation.

The closure and rehabilitation asset, recognised within property, plant and equipment, is depreciated 
over the life of the operations. The value of the provision is progressively increased over time as the 
effect of discounting unwinds, resulting in an expense recognised in net finance costs.
The closure and rehabilitation provision is reviewed at each reporting date to assess if the estimate 
continues to reflect the best estimate of the obligation. If necessary, the provision is remeasured 
to account for factors, including:
•  revisions to estimated reserves, resources and lives of operations;
•  developments in technology;
•  regulatory requirements and environmental management strategies;
•  changes in the estimated extent and costs of anticipated activities, including the effects 

of inflation and movements in foreign exchange rates;

•  movements in interest rates affecting the discount rate applied.
Changes to the closure and rehabilitation estimate are added to, or deducted from, the related 
asset and amortised on a prospective basis accordingly over the remaining life of the operation, 
generally applying the units of production method.
Costs arising from unforeseen circumstances, such as the contamination caused by unplanned 
discharges, are recognised as an expense and liability when the event gives rise to an obligation 
that is probable and capable of reliable estimation.

Closed sites
Where future economic benefits are no longer expected to be derived through operation, changes to the associated closure and remediation 
costs are charged/(credited) to the income statement in the period identified. This amounted to a charge of US$251 million in the year ended 
30 June 2019 (2018: credit of US$(21) million; 2017: charge of US$33 million).

198  BHP Annual Report 2019

14 Closure and rehabilitation provisions continued

Key estimates
The recognition and measurement of closure and rehabilitation provisions requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, 
including, but not limited to:
•  the extent (due to legal or constructive obligations) of potential activities required for the removal of infrastructure and 

rehabilitation activities; 

•  costs associated with future rehabilitation activities;
•  applicable real discount rates; 
•  the timing of cash flows and ultimate closure of operations.

Rehabilitation activities are generally undertaken at the end of the production life at the individual sites. Remaining production lives 
range from 1-98 years with an average for all sites, weighted by current closure provision, of approximately 32 years. A 0.5 per cent 
decrease in the real discount rates applied at 30 June 2019 would result in an increase to the closure and rehabilitation provision 
of US$618 million, an increase in property, plant and equipment of US$524 million in relation to operating sites and an income 
statement charge of US$94 million in respect of closed sites. In addition, the change would result in an increase of approximately 
US$42 million to depreciation expense and an immaterial reduction in net finance costs for the year ending 30 June 2020.
Estimates can also be impacted by the emergence of new restoration techniques, changes in regulatory requirements for 
rehabilitation, and experience at other operations. These uncertainties may result in future actual expenditure differing from 
the amounts currently provided for in the balance sheet.

Capital structure

15 Share capital

Share capital issued
Opening number of shares
Purchase of shares by ESOP Trusts
Employee share awards exercised following vesting
Movement in treasury shares under Employee Share Plans
Shares bought back and cancelled (1)

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

2019
shares

2018
shares

2017
shares

2019
shares

2018
shares

2017
shares

3,211,691,105 3,211,691,105 3,211,691,105
(6,481,292)
6,945,570
(464,278)
 −

(6,854,057)
5,902,588
951,469
(265,839,711)

(7,469,236)
7,339,522
129,714
 −

2,112,071,796
(274,069)
275,984
(1,915)
 −

2,112,071,796
(679,223)
711,705
(32,482)
 −

2,112,071,796
(225,646)
940,070
(714,424)
 −

Closing number of shares (2)

2,945,851,394 3,211,691,105 3,211,691,105

2,112,071,796

2,112,071,796

2,112,071,796

Comprising: 

Shares held by the public
Treasury shares

Other share classes
Special Voting share of no par value
Special Voting share of US$0.50 par value
5.5% Preference shares of £1 each
DLC Dividend share

2,944,703,079 3,211,494,259 3,211,623,973
67,132

1,148,315

196,846

2,112,032,077
39,719

2,112,030,162
41,634

2,111,997,680
74,116

1
 −
 −
1

1
 −
 −
1

1
 −
 −
1

 −
1
50,000
 −

 −
1
50,000
 −

 −
1
50,000
 −

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(1)  During December 2018, BHP completed an off-market buy-back program of US$5.2 billion of BHP Group Limited shares related to the disbursement of proceeds 

from the disposal of Onshore US.

(2) No fully paid ordinary shares in BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc were issued on the exercise of Group Incentive Scheme awards during the period 1 July 2019 

to 5 September 2019.

Recognition and measurement
Share capital of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc is composed of the following classes of shares:

Ordinary shares fully paid

Special Voting shares

Preference shares

BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc 
ordinary shares fully paid of US$0.50 par value 
represent 99.99 per cent of the total number 
of shares. Any profit remaining after payment 
of preferred distributions is available for 
distribution to the holders of BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc ordinary shares 
in equal amounts per share.

Each of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group 
Plc issued one Special Voting share to facilitate 
joint voting by shareholders of BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc on Joint Electorate 
Actions. There has been no movement 
in these shares.

Preference shares have the right to repayment 
of the amount paid up on the nominal value 
and any unpaid dividends in priority to the 
holders of any other class of shares in BHP 
Group Plc on a return of capital or winding up. 
The holders of preference shares have limited 
voting rights if payment of the preference 
dividends are six months or more in arrears 
or a resolution is passed changing the rights 
of the preference shareholders. There has been 
no movement in these shares, all of which are 
held by JP Morgan Limited.

DLC Dividend share

Treasury shares

The DLC Dividend share supports the Dual 
Listed Company (DLC) equalisation principles 
in place since the merger in 2001, including 
the requirement that ordinary shareholders 
of BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Limited 
are paid equal cash dividends per share. This 
share enables efficient and flexible capital 
management across the DLC and was issued 
on 23 February 2016 at par value of US$10.

Treasury shares are shares of BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc and are held by the ESOP 
Trusts for the purpose of issuing shares to 
employees under the Group’s Employee Share 
Plans. Treasury shares are recognised at cost 
and deducted from equity, net of any income 
tax effects. When the treasury shares are 
subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration 
received, net of any directly attributable costs 
and income tax effects, is recognised as an 
increase in equity. Any difference between the 
carrying amount and the consideration, if 
reissued, is recognised in retained earnings.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  199

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 Other equity

Share premium 
account

Foreign currency 
translation reserve

Employee share 
awards reserve

2019
US$M

518

37

213

2018
US$M

518

42

196

2017
US$M

518

40

214

Cash flow hedge 
reserve

114

58

153

Recognition and measurement 

The share premium account represents the premium paid on the issue of 
BHP Group Plc shares recognised in accordance with the UK Companies 
Act 2006.

The foreign currency translation reserve represents exchange differences 
arising from the translation of non-US dollar functional currency operations 
within the Group into US dollars.

The employee share awards reserve represents the accrued employee 
entitlements to share awards that have been charged to the income 
statement and have not yet been exercised. 
Once exercised, the difference between the accumulated fair value 
of the awards and their historical on-market purchase price is recognised 
in retained earnings.

The cash flow hedging reserve represents hedging gains and losses 
recognised on the effective portion of cash flow hedges. The cumulative 
deferred gain or loss on the hedge is recognised in the income statement 
when the hedged transaction impacts the income statement, or is 
recognised as an adjustment to the cost of non-financial hedged items. 
The hedging reserve records the portion of the gain or loss on a hedging 
instrument in a cash flow hedge that is determined to be an effective 
hedge relationship.

Cost of hedging 
reserve

Equity investments 
reserve

Capital redemption 
reserve

Non-controlling interest 
contribution reserve

(74)

17

 −

16

 −

10

The cost of hedging reserve represents the recognition of certain costs 
of hedging for example, basis adjustments, which have been excluded 
from the hedging relationship and deferred in other comprehensive 
income until the hedged transaction impacts the income statement. 

The financial assets reserve represents the revaluation of investments 
in shares recognised through other comprehensive income. Where 
a revalued financial asset is sold, the relevant portion of the reserve 
is transferred to retained earnings.

177

177

177

1,283

1,283

1,288

The capital redemption reserve represents the par value of BHP Group Plc 
shares that were purchased and subsequently cancelled. The cancellation 
of the shares creates a non-distributable capital redemption reserve.

The non-controlling interest contribution reserve represents the excess 
of consideration received over the book value of net assets attributable 
to equity instruments when acquired by non-controlling interests.

Total reserves

2,285

2,290

2,400

Summarised financial information relating to each of the Group’s subsidiaries with non-controlling interests (NCI) that are material to the Group 
before any intra-group eliminations is shown below:

US$M

Group share (per cent)

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Net assets attributable to NCI 

Revenue
Profit after taxation
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Profit after taxation attributable to NCI
Other comprehensive income attributable to NCI

Net operating cash flow 
Net investing cash flow 
Net financing cash flow 

Dividends paid to NCI (1)

Minera 
Escondida 
Limitada

57.5

2,456
12,538
(1,826)
(4,122)

9,046

3,845

6,876
1,360
(1)

1,359

578
 −

3,283
(1,034)
(2,517)

986

2019

Other individually 
immaterial 
subsidiaries (incl. 
intra-group 
eliminations)

Minera 
Escondida 
Limitada

Total

2018

Other individually 
immaterial 
subsidiaries (incl. 
intra-group 
eliminations)

Total

57.5

2,751
13,389
(1,781)
(4,352)

10,007

4,253

8,775
2,221
(2)

2,219

944
(1)

5,041
(997)
(3,392)

1,469

739

4,584

301
(1)

879
(1)

219

1,205

825

5,078

174
1

1,118
 −

135

1,604

(1)  Includes dividends paid to non-controlling interests related to Onshore US of US$7 million (2018: US$22 million). Refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’.

While the Group controls Minera Escondida Limitada, the non-controlling interests hold certain protective rights that restrict the Group’s ability 
to sell assets held by Minera Escondida Limitada, or use the assets in other subsidiaries and operations owned by the Group. Minera Escondida 
Limitada is also restricted from paying dividends without the approval of the non-controlling interests.

200  BHP Annual Report 2019

17 Dividends

Dividends paid during the period (1)
Prior year final dividend 
Interim dividend
Special dividend

Year ended 30 June 2019

Year ended 30 June 2018

Year ended 30 June 2017

Per share
US cents

63
55
102

220

Total
US$M

3,356
2,788
5,158

11,302

Per share
US cents

43
55
 −

98

Total
US$M

2,291
2,930
 −

5,221

Per share
US cents

14
40
 −

54

Total
US$M

746
2,125
 −

2,871

(1)  5.5 per cent dividend on 50,000 preference shares of £1 each determined and paid annually (2018: 5.5 per cent; 2017: 5.5 per cent).

Dividends paid during the period differs from the amount of dividends paid in the Cash Flow Statement as a result of foreign exchange gains 
and losses relating to the timing of equity distributions between the record date and the payment date. 

The Dual Listed Company merger terms require that ordinary shareholders of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc are paid equal cash 
dividends on a per share basis. Each American Depositary Share (ADS) represents two ordinary shares of BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc. 
Dividends determined on each ADS represent twice the dividend determined on BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc ordinary shares. 

Dividends are determined after period-end and announced with the results for the period. Interim dividends are determined in February and 
paid in March. Final dividends are determined in August and paid in September. Dividends determined are not recorded as a liability at the 
end of the period to which they relate. On 17 December 2018, BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc determined a special dividend of US$1.02 
per share (US$5.2 billion), which was paid on 30 January 2019 and related to the disbursement of proceeds from the disposal of Onshore US. 
Subsequent to year-end, on 20 August 2019, BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc determined a final dividend of 78 US cents per share 
(US$3,944 million), which will be paid on 25 September 2019 (30 June 2018: final dividend of 63 US cents per share – US$3,354 million; 
30 June 2017: final dividend of 43 US cents per share – US$2,289 million). 

BHP Group Limited dividends for all periods presented are, or will be, fully franked based on a tax rate of 30 per cent.

Franking credits as at 30 June 
Franking credits arising from the payment of current tax

Total franking credits available (1)

2019 
US$M

8,681
1,194

9,875

2018 
US$M

10,400
1,330

11,730

2017 
US$M

10,155
1,239

11,394

(1)  The payment of the final 2019 dividend determined after 30 June 2019 will reduce the franking account balance by US$984 million.

18 Provisions for dividends and other liabilities
The disclosure below excludes closure and rehabilitation provisions (refer to note 14 ‘Closure and rehabilitation provisions’), employee benefits, 
restructuring and post-retirement employee benefits provisions (refer to note 24 ‘Employee benefits, restructuring and post-retirement 
employee benefits provisions’) and provisions related to the Samarco dam failure (refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’).

Movement in provision for dividends and other liabilities
At the beginning of the financial year
Dividends determined
Charge/(credit) for the year:

Underlying
Discounting
Exchange variations
Released during the year

Utilisation
Dividends paid
Transferred to liabilities held for sale
Transfers and other movements

At the end of the financial year

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

2019
US$M

944
11,302

372
10
101
(391)
(338)
(11,395)
 −
(104)

501

220
281

2018
US$M

984
5,221

337
4
3
(78)
(150)
(5,325)
(39)
(13)

944

290
654

BHP Annual Report 2019  201

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Financial management

19 Net debt
The Group seeks to maintain a strong balance sheet and deploys its capital with reference to the Capital Allocation Framework.

The Group monitors capital using the net debt balance and the gearing ratio, being the ratio of net debt to net debt plus net assets. 

US$M

Interest bearing liabilities 
Bank loans 
Notes and debentures 
Finance leases
Bank overdraft and short-term borrowings
Other

Total interest bearing liabilities 

Less cash and cash equivalents 
Cash
Short-term deposits

Total cash and cash equivalents

Net debt 

Net assets

Gearing

2019

2018

Current

Non-current

Current

Non-current

508
1,002
65
20
66

1,661

2,210
13,403

15,613

1,990
20,527
650
 −
 −

23,167

 −
 −

 −

9,215

51,824

15.1%

308
2,228
77
58
65

2,736

1,065
14,806

15,871

2,247
21,070
725
 −
27

24,069

 −
 −

 −

10,934

60,670

15.3%

2017
US$M

14,153
(45)

14,108

Cash and short-term deposits are disclosed in the cash flow statement net of bank overdrafts and interest bearing liabilities at call.

Total cash and cash equivalents 
Bank overdrafts and short-term borrowing

Total cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts

2019
US$M

15,613
(20)

15,593

2018
US$M

15,871
(58)

15,813

Recognition and measurement
Cash and short-term deposits in the balance sheet comprise cash at bank and on hand and highly liquid cash deposits with short-term 
maturities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. The Group considers that the 
carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short term to maturity.

Cash and cash equivalents includes US$108 million (2018: US$98 million) restricted by legal or contractual arrangements. 

Interest bearing liabilities and cash and cash equivalents include balances denominated in the following currencies:

USD
EUR
GBP
AUD
CAD
Other

Total

Interest bearing liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

2019
US$M

12,485
7,680
3,118
951
594
 −

24,828

2018
US$M

12,981
9,070
3,104
1,077
573
 −

26,805

2019
US$M

9,214
6
48
3,023
3,092
230

15,613

2018
US$M

7,024
5,845
1,560
9
1,301
132

15,871

The Group enters into derivative transactions to convert the majority of its exposures above into US dollars. Further information on the Group’s 
risk management activities relating to these balances is provided in note 21 ‘Financial risk management’.

Liquidity risk 
The Group’s liquidity risk arises from the possibility that it may not be able to settle or meet its obligations as they fall due and is managed 
as part of the portfolio risk management strategy. Operational, capital and regulatory requirements are considered in the management of 
liquidity risk, in conjunction with short-term and long-term forecast information. 

Recognising the cyclical volatility of operating cash flows, the Group has defined minimum target cash and liquidity buffers to be maintained 
to mitigate liquidity risk and support operations through the cycle.

The Group’s strong credit profile, diversified funding sources, its minimum cash buffer and its committed credit facilities ensure that sufficient 
liquid funds are maintained to meet its daily cash requirements. 

Standard & Poor’s credit rating of the Group remained at the A level with stable outlook throughout FY2019. Moody’s upgraded its credit 
rating of the Group from A3 to A2 on 31 October 2018 with a stable outlook thereafter in FY2019.

There were no defaults on the Group’s liabilities during the period.

202  BHP Annual Report 2019

19 Net debt continued
Counterparty risk
The Group is exposed to credit risk from its financing activities, including short-term cash investments such as deposits with banks and 
derivative contracts. This risk is managed by Group Treasury in line with the counterparty risk framework, which aims to minimise the exposure 
to a counterparty and mitigate the risk of financial loss through counterparty failure.

Exposure to counterparties is monitored at a Group level across all products and includes exposure with derivatives and cash investments.

Investments and derivatives are only transacted with approved counterparties who have been assigned specific limits based on a quantitative 
credit risk model. These limits are updated at least bi-annually. Additionally, derivatives are subject to tenor limits and investments are subject 
to concentration limits by rating.

Derivative fair values are inclusive of valuation adjustments that take into account consideration of both the counterparty and the Group’s risk 
of default.

Standby arrangements and unused credit facilities
The Group’s committed revolving credit facility operates as a back-stop to the Group’s uncommitted commercial paper program. The combined 
amount drawn under the facility or as commercial paper will not exceed US$6.0 billion. As at 30 June 2019, US$ nil commercial paper was 
drawn (2018: US$ nil). The revolving credit facility has a five-year maturity ending 7 May 2021. A commitment fee is payable on the undrawn 
balance and an interest rate comprising an interbank rate plus a margin applies to any drawn balance. The agreed margins are typical for 
a credit facility extended to a company with the Group’s credit rating. 

Maturity profile of financial liabilities 
The maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities based on the undiscounted contractual amounts, taking into account the derivatives 
related to debt, is as follows: 

2019
US$M

Due for payment:
In one year or less or on demand
In more than one year but not more than two years
In more than two years but not more than five years
In more than five years

Total

Carrying amount

2018
US$M

Bank loans, 
debentures 
and other 
loans

Expected 
future 
interest 
payments

Derivatives 
related to 
debentures

Other 
derivatives

Obligations 
under 
finance 
leases

Trade and 
other
payables (1) 

1,587
4,107
5,513
11,662

22,869

24,113

864
775
1,864
4,896

8,399

 −

200
226
558
1,102

2,086

958

64
1
 −
 −

65

65

110
110
307
501

1,028

715

6,555
5
 −
 −

6,560

6,560

Bank loans, 
debentures 
and other 
loans

Expected 
future 
interest 
payments

Derivatives 
related to 
debentures

Other 
derivatives

Obligations 
under 
finance 
leases

Trade and 
other
payables (1) 

Due for payment:
In one year or less or on demand
In more than one year but not more than two years
In more than two years but not more than five years
In more than five years

Total

Carrying amount

2,647
1,545
8,019
13,287

25,498

26,003

682
957
2,203
5,519

9,361

 −

302
188
823
1,191

2,504

1,213

17
1
 −
 −

18

18

127
113
335
590

1,165

802

5,788
3
 −
 −

5,791

5,791

(1)  Excludes input taxes of US$162 million (2018: US$189 million) included in other payables. Refer to note 9 ‘Trade and other payables’.

Total

9,380
5,224
8,242
18,161

41,007

32,411

Total

9,563
2,807
11,380
20,587

44,337

33,827

20 Net finance costs

Financial expenses
Interest expense using the effective interest rate method:
Interest on bank loans, overdrafts and all other borrowings 
Interest capitalised at 4.96% (2018: 4.24%; 2017: 3.25%) (1)
Interest on finance leases
Discounting on provisions and other liabilities
Other gains and losses:
Fair value change on hedged loans
Fair value change on hedging derivatives
Exchange variations on net debt 
Other

Total financial expenses

Financial income
Interest income 

Net finance costs

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

1,296
(248)
47
470

729
(809)
6
19

1,510

(446)

1,064

1,168
(139)
59
414

(265)
329
(19)
20

1,567

(322)

1,245

1,130
(113)
33
450

(1,185)
1,244
(23)
24

1,560

(143)

1,417

(1)  Interest has been capitalised at the rate of interest applicable to the specific borrowings financing the assets under construction or, where financed through general 

borrowings, at a capitalisation rate representing the average interest rate on such borrowings. Tax relief for capitalised interest is approximately US$74 million 
(2018: US$42 million; 2017: US$34 million).

Recognition and measurement
Interest income is accrued using the effective interest rate method. Finance costs are expensed as incurred, except where they relate to the 
financing of construction or development of qualifying assets.

BHP Annual Report 2019  203

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21 Financial risk management
21.1 Financial risks
Financial and capital risk management strategy
The financial risks arising from the Group’s operations comprise market, liquidity and credit risk. These risks arise in the normal course of 
business and the Group manages its exposure to them in accordance with the Group’s portfolio risk management strategy. The objective 
of the strategy is to support the delivery of the Group’s financial targets, while protecting its future financial security and flexibility by taking 
advantage of the natural diversification provided by the scale, diversity and flexibility of the Group’s operations and activities. 

A Cash Flow at Risk (CFaR) framework is used to measure the aggregate and diversified impact of financial risks upon the Group’s financial 
targets. The principal measurement of risk is CFaR measured on a portfolio basis, which is defined as the worst expected loss relative 
to projected business plan cash flows over a one-year horizon under normal market conditions at a confidence level of 90 per cent. 

Market risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to market risks associated with movements in interest rates, foreign currencies and commodity prices. 
Under the strategy outlined above, the Group seeks to achieve financing costs, currency impacts, input costs and commodity prices 
on a floating or index basis. This strategy gives rise to a risk of variability in earnings, which is measured under the CFaR framework.

In executing the strategy, financial instruments are potentially employed in three distinct but related activities. The following table summarises 
these activities and the key risk management processes: 

Activity

Key risk management processes

1 Risk mitigation
On an exception basis, hedging for the purposes of mitigating risk related to specific and 
significant expenditure on investments or capital projects will be executed if necessary 
to support the Group’s strategic objectives.

2 Economic hedging of commodity sales, operating costs, short-term cash deposits and 
debt instruments
Where Group commodity production is sold to customers on pricing terms that deviate 
from the relevant index target and where a relevant derivatives market exists, financial 
instruments may be executed as an economic hedge to align the revenue price exposure 
with the index target and US dollars.
Where debt is issued in a currency other than the US dollar and/or at a fixed interest rate, 
fair value and cash flow hedges may be executed to align the debt exposure with the 
Group’s functional currency of US dollars and/or to swap to a floating interest rate.
Where short-term cash deposits are held in a currency other than US dollars, derivative 
financial instruments may be executed to align the foreign exchange exposure to the 
Group’s functional currency of US dollars.

3 Strategic financial transactions
Opportunistic transactions may be executed with financial instruments to capture value 
from perceived market over/under valuations. 

Execution of transactions within approved mandates.

Measuring and reporting the exposure in customer 
commodity contracts and issued debt instruments.

Executing hedging derivatives to align the total group 
exposure to the index target.

Execution of transactions within approved mandates.

Execution of transactions within approved mandates.

Primary responsibility for the identification and control of financial 
risks, including authorising and monitoring the use of financial 
instruments for the above activities and stipulating policy thereon, 
rests with the Financial Risk Management Committee under authority 
delegated by the Chief Executive Officer.

Interest rate risk 
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on its outstanding 
borrowings and short-term cash deposits from the possibility that 
changes in interest rates will affect future cash flows or the fair 
value of fixed interest rate financial instruments. Interest rate risk 
is managed as part of the portfolio risk management strategy. 

The majority of the Group’s debt is issued at fixed interest rates. 
The Group has entered into interest rate swaps and cross currency 
interest rate swaps to convert most of its fixed interest rate exposure 
to floating US dollar interest rate exposure. As at 30 June 2019, 
87 per cent of the Group’s borrowings were exposed to floating 
interest rates inclusive of the effect of swaps (2018: 89 per cent). 

The fair value of interest rate swaps and cross currency interest 
rate swaps in hedge relationships used to hedge both interest rate 
and foreign currency risks are shown in the valuation hierarchy 
of this note.

Based on the net debt position as at 30 June 2019, taking into 
account interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps, 
it is estimated that a one percentage point increase in the US LIBOR 
interest rate will decrease the Group’s equity and profit after taxation 
by US$39 million (2018: decrease of US$54 million). This assumes the 
change in interest rates is effective from the beginning of the 
financial year and the fixed/floating mix and balances are constant 
over the year. However, interest rates and the net debt profile of the 
Group may not remain constant over the coming financial year and 
therefore such sensitivity analysis should be used with care. 

Currency risk
The US dollar is the predominant functional currency within the 
Group and as a result, currency exposures arise from transactions 
and balances in currencies other than the US dollar. The Group’s 
potential currency exposures comprise:
•  translational exposure in respect of non-functional currency 

monetary items; 

•  transactional exposure in respect of non-functional currency 

expenditure and revenues. 

The Group’s foreign currency risk is managed as part of the portfolio 
risk management strategy. 

Translational exposure in respect of non-functional currency 
monetary items
Monetary items, including financial assets and liabilities, 
denominated in currencies other than the functional currency 
of an operation are periodically restated to US dollar equivalents 
and the associated gain or loss is taken to the income statement. 
The exception is foreign exchange gains or losses on foreign 
currency denominated provisions for closure and rehabilitation 
at operating sites, which are capitalised in property, plant 
and equipment. 

The Group has entered into cross currency interest rate swaps and 
foreign exchange forwards to convert its significant foreign currency 
exposures in respect of monetary items into US dollars. Changes in 
foreign exchange rates will therefore have an insignificant impact on 
equity and profit after tax.

The principal non-functional currencies to which the Group is 
exposed are the Australian dollar, the Euro, the Pound sterling and 
the Chilean peso; however, 82 per cent (2018: 88 per cent) of the 
Group’s net financial liabilities are denominated in US dollars. Based 
on the Group’s net financial assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2019, 
a weakening of the US dollar against these currencies (one cent 
strengthening in Australian dollar, one cent strengthening in Euro, 
one penny strengthening in Pound sterling and 10 pesos strengthening 
in Chilean peso), with all other variables held constant, would 
decrease the Group’s equity and profit after taxation by US$12 million 
(2018: decrease of US$10 million). 

204  BHP Annual Report 2019

21 Financial risk management continued
Transactional exposure in respect of non-functional currency 
expenditure and revenues
Certain operating and capital expenditure is incurred in currencies 
other than an operation’s functional currency. To a lesser extent, 
certain sales revenue is earned in currencies other than the functional 
currency of operations and certain exchange control restrictions 
may require that funds be maintained in currencies other than the 
functional currency of the operation. These currency risks are 
managed as part of the portfolio risk management strategy. The 
Group may enter into forward exchange contracts when required 
under this strategy. 

Commodity price risk 
The risk associated with commodity prices is managed as part of 
the portfolio risk management strategy. Contracts for the sale and 
physical delivery of commodities are executed whenever possible 
on a pricing basis intended to achieve a relevant index target. While 
substantially all of the Group’s commodity production is sold on 
market-based index pricing terms, derivatives may from time 
to time be used to align realised prices with the relevant index. 

Financial instruments with commodity price risk comprise forward 
commodity and other derivative contracts with a net assets fair value 
of US$199 million (2018: US$210 million). Significant commodity 
price risk instruments within other derivative balances include 
derivatives embedded in physical commodity purchase and sales 
contracts of gas in Trinidad and Tobago with a net assets fair value 
of US$202 million (2018: US$216 million). These are included within 
other derivatives.

The potential effect on these derivatives’ fair values of using 
reasonably possible alternative assumptions in these models, 
based on a change in the most significant input, such as commodity 
prices, by a 10 per cent change with all other factors held constant, 
would increase or decrease profit after taxation by US$55 million 
(2018: US$9 million).

Provisionally priced commodity sales and purchases contracts
Provisionally priced sales or purchases volumes are those for which 
price finalisation, referenced to the relevant index, is outstanding at 
the reporting date. Provisional pricing mechanisms within these sales 
and purchases arrangements have the character of a commodity 
derivative. Trade receivables or payables under these contracts are 
carried at fair value through profit and loss. The Group’s exposure 
at 30 June 2019 to the impact of movements in commodity prices 
upon provisionally invoiced sales and purchases volumes was 
predominately around copper.

The Group had 277 thousand tonnes of copper exposure as at 
30 June 2019 (2018: 356 thousand tonnes) that was provisionally 
priced. The final price of these sales and purchases volumes will 
be determined during the first half of FY2020. A 10 per cent change 
in the price of copper realised on the provisionally priced sales, with 
all other factors held constant, would increase or decrease profit after 
taxation by US$114 million (2018: US$178 million). 

The relationship between commodity prices and foreign currencies 
is complex and movements in foreign exchange rates can impact 
commodity prices. The sensitivities should therefore be used with care.

Liquidity risk
Refer to note 19 ‘Net debt’ for details on the Group’s liquidity risk. 

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations 
under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a 
financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating 
activities (primarily from customer receivables) and from its financing 
activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions, 
other short-term investments, interest rate and currency derivative 
contracts and other financial instruments.

Refer to note 8 ‘Trade and other receivables’ and note 19 ‘Net debt’ 
for details on the Group credit risk.

21.2 Recognition and measurement (following adoption of IFRS 9)
All financial assets and liabilities, other than derivatives, are initially 
recognised at the fair value of consideration paid or received, net 
of transaction costs as appropriate. 

Financial assets are subsequently carried at fair value or amortised 
cost based on:
•  the Group’s purpose, or business model, for holding the 

financial asset; 

•  whether the financial asset’s contractual terms give rise to cash 

flows that are solely payments of principal and interest.

The resulting financial statement classifications of financial assets can be summarised as follows:

Contractual cash flows

Business model

Category

Solely principal and interest

Solely principal and interest

Hold in order to collect contractual cash flows

Amortised cost

Hold in order to collect contractual cash flows 
and sell

Fair value through other comprehensive income

Solely principal and interest

Hold in order to sell

Fair value through profit or loss

Other

Any of those mentioned above

Fair value through profit or loss

Solely principal and interest refers to the Group receiving returns only 
for the time value of money and the credit risk of the counterparty 
for financial assets held. The main exceptions for the Group are 
provisionally priced receivables and derivatives.

The Group has the intention of collecting payment directly from its 
customers in most cases, however the Group also participates in 
receivables financing programs in respect of selected customers. 
Receivables in these portfolios are therefore held at fair value through 
profit or loss prior to sale to the financial institution.

With the exception of derivative contracts and provisionally priced 
trade payables, the Group’s financial liabilities are classified as 
subsequently measured at amortised cost. 

The Group may in addition elect to designate certain financial assets 
or liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or to apply hedge 
accounting where they are not mandatorily held at fair value through 
profit or loss.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date the contract 
is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value.

Fair value measurement
The carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities measured at 
fair value is principally calculated based on inputs other than quoted 
prices that are observable for these financial assets or liabilities, 
either directly (i.e. as unquoted prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived 
from prices). Where no price information is available from a quoted 
market source, alternative market mechanisms or recent comparable 
transactions, fair value is estimated based on the Group’s views on 
relevant future prices, net of valuation allowances to accommodate 
liquidity, modelling and other risks implicit in such estimates. 

The inputs used in fair value calculations are determined by the 
relevant segment or function. The functions support the assets 
and operate under a defined set of accountabilities authorised 
by the Executive Leadership Team. Movements in the fair value 
of financial assets and liabilities may be recognised through the 
income statement or in other comprehensive income. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  205

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21 Financial risk management continued
For financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value, the Group uses the following to categorise the method used based on the lowest level 
input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Fair value hierarchy

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Valuation method

Based on quoted prices (unadjusted) 
in active markets for identical 
financial assets and liabilities.

Based on inputs other than quoted prices 
included within Level 1 that are observable 
for the financial asset or liability, either 
directly (i.e. as unquoted prices) or 
indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Based on inputs not observable 
in the market using appropriate 
valuation models, including 
discounted cash flow modelling. 

21.3 Financial assets and liabilities 
The financial assets and liabilities are presented by class in the table below at their carrying amounts.

IFRS 13 
Fair value hierarchy 
Level

IFRS 9 Classification (1)

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

Fair value hierarchy (2)

Current cross currency and interest rate swaps 
Current other derivative contracts (3)
Current other investments (4)
Non-current cross currency and interest rate swaps
Non-current other derivative contracts (3)
Non-current investment in shares

Non-current investment in shares
Non-current other investments (4) (5)

Total other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables (6)
Provisionally priced trade receivables (6)
Loans to equity accounted investments

Total financial assets

Non-financial assets

Total assets

Current cross currency and interest rate swaps
Current other derivative contracts (3)
Non-current cross currency and interest rate swaps
Non-current other derivative contracts (3)

Total other financial liabilities
Trade and other payables (7)
Provisionally priced trade payables (7)
Bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings (8)
Bank loans(8)
Notes and debentures (8)
Finance leases
Other (8)

Total financial liabilities

Non-financial liabilities

Total liabilities

2
2,3
1,2
2
2,3
3

3
1,2,3

2

2
2,3
2
2,3

2

Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through other 
comprehensive income
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss

Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Fair value through profit or loss
Amortised cost

Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss
Fair value through profit or loss

Amortised cost
Fair value through profit or loss
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost

15
57
15
739
180
34

6
344

1,390
15,613
1,929
1,446
33

20,411

80,450

100,861

63
64
895
1

1,023
6,283
277
20
2,498
21,529
715
66

32,411

16,626

49,037

12
170
18
396
195
33

–
375

1,199
15,871
1,799
1,126
13

20,008

91,985

111,993

121
17
1,092
1

1,231
5,414
377
58
2,555
23,298
802
92

33,827

17,496

51,323

(1)  For classifications under IAS 39 refer to note 38 ‘New and amended accounting standards and interpretations’.
(2) All of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities recognised at fair value were valued using market observable inputs categorised as Level 2 with the exception 

of the specified items in the following footnotes.

(3) Includes other derivative contracts of US$200 million (2018: US$213 million) categorised as Level 3. Significant items are derivatives embedded in physical commodity 

purchase and sales contracts of gas in Trinidad and Tobago with net assets fair value of US$202 million (2018: US$216 million).

(4) Includes investments held by BHP Billiton Foundation which are restricted and not available for general use by the Group of US$309 million (2018: US$343 million) 

of which other investment (US Treasury Notes) of US$128 million categorised as Level 1 (2018: US$108 million). 

(5) Includes other investments of US$47 million (2018: US$47 million) categorised as Level 3.
(6) Excludes input taxes of US$367 million (2018: US$338 million) included in other receivables. Refer to note 8 ‘Trade and other receivables’.
(7)  Excludes input taxes of US$162 million (2018: US$189 million) included in other payables. Refer to note 9 ’Trade and other payables‘.
(8) All interest bearing liabilities, excluding finance leases, are unsecured.

The carrying amounts in the table above generally approximate to fair value. In the case of US$3,019 million (2018: US$3,019 million) of fixed 
rate debt not swapped to floating rate, the fair value at 30 June 2019 was US$3,757 million (2018: US$3,434 million).

For financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between 
levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorisation at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers between categories during 
the period.

For financial instruments not valued at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group uses a method that can be categorised as Level 2.

206  BHP Annual Report 2019

21 Financial risk management continued
Offsetting financial assets and liabilities
The Group enters into money market deposits and derivative 
transactions under International Swaps and Derivatives Association 
master netting agreements that do not meet the criteria for 
offsetting, but allow for the related amounts to be set-off in certain 
circumstances. The amounts set out as cross currency and interest 
rate swaps in the table above represent the derivative financial assets 
and liabilities of the Group that may be subject to the above 
arrangements and are presented on a gross basis. 

21.4 Derivatives and hedge accounting
The Group uses derivatives to hedge its exposure to certain market 
risks and may elect to apply hedge accounting. 

Hedge accounting 
Derivatives are included within financial assets or liabilities at fair 
value through profit or loss unless they are designated as effective 
hedging instruments. Financial instruments in this category are 
classified as current if they are expected to be settled within 
12 months otherwise they are classified as non-current.

The Group uses derivatives to hedge its exposure to certain market 
risks and may elect to apply hedge accounting. Where hedge 
accounting is applied, at the start of the transaction, the Group 
documents the type of hedge, the relationship between the hedging 
instrument and hedged items and its risk management objective and 
strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The documentation 
also demonstrates that the hedge is expected to be effective. 

The Group applies the following types of hedge accounting to its 
derivatives hedging the interest rate and currency risks in its notes 
and debentures:
•  Fair value hedges – the fair value gain or loss on interest rate and 
cross currency swaps relating to interest rate risk, together with 
the change in the fair value of the hedged fixed rate borrowings 
attributable to interest rate risk are recognised immediately in the 
income statement.
If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the 
fair value adjustment on the note or debenture is amortised to the 
income statement over the period to maturity using a recalculated 
effective interest rate.

•  Cash flow hedges – changes in the fair value of cross currency 

interest rate swaps which hedge foreign currency cash flows on the 
notes and debentures are recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income and accumulated in the cash flow hedging reserve. To the 
extent a hedge is ineffective, changes in fair value are recognised 
immediately in the income statement. 
When a hedging instrument expires, or is sold, terminated or 
exercised, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge 
accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that 
time remains in equity and is amortised to the income statement 
over the period to the hedged item’s maturity.

When hedged, the Group hedges the full notional value of notes 
or debentures. However, certain components of the fair value of 
derivatives are not permitted under IFRS 9 to be included in the 
hedge accounting above. Certain costs of hedging are permitted 
to be recognised in other comprehensive income. Any change in the 
fair value of a derivative that does not qualify for hedge accounting, 
or is ineffective in hedging the designated risk due to contractual 
differences between the hedged item and hedging instrument, 
is recognised immediately in the income statement.

The table below shows the carrying amounts of the Group’s notes 
and debentures by currency and the derivatives which hedge them: 
•  The carrying amount of the notes and debentures includes foreign 

exchange remeasurement to period end rates and fair value 
adjustments when included in a fair value hedge. 

•  The breakdown of the hedging derivatives includes remeasurement 
of foreign currency notional values at period end rates, fair value 
movements due to interest rate risk, foreign currency cash flows 
designated into cash flow hedges, costs of hedging recognised 
in other comprehensive income, ineffectiveness recognised in the 
income statement and accruals or prepayments. 

•  The hedged value of notes and debentures includes their carrying 

amounts adjusted for the offsetting derivative fair value movements 
due to foreign currency and interest rate risk remeasurement. 

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US$M

USD
GBP
EUR
CAD
AUD

Total

2018
US$M

Carrying 
amount of 
notes and 
debentures 

Foreign 
exchange 
notional at 
spot rates 

Interest rate 
risk

Recognised 
in cash flow 
hedging 
reserve

Recognised 
in cost of 
hedging 
reserve

Recognised 
in the 
income 
statement

Accrued 
cash flows

Total

Hedged 
value of 
notes and 
debentures

5

Fair value of derivatives

A

9,433
3,118
7,680
594
704

B

 −
678
378
175
73

C

(253)
(517)
(566)
(22)
(4)

21,529

1,304

(1,362)

D

 −
(57)
(100)
(5)
(1)

(163)

23,298

1,145

(633)

(85)

E

 −
70
33
3
 −

106

 −

F

20
(2)
54
(4)
–

68

71

G

111
62
82
1
(5)

251

307

B to G

A + B + C

(122)
234
(119)
148
63

204

9,180
3,279
7,492
747
773

21,471

805

23,810

The weighted average interest rate payable is USD LIBOR + 2.3%. Refer to note 20 ‘Net finance costs’ for details of net finance costs for the year.

Movements in reserves relating to hedge accounting
The following table shows a reconciliation of the components of equity and an analysis of the movements in reserves for all hedges. For a 
description of these reserves, refer to note 16 ‘Other equity’.

2019
US$M

At the beginning of the financial year
Impact of adoption of IFRS 9
Add: Change in fair value of hedging instrument 
recognised in OCI
Less: Reclassified from reserves to interest expense 
– recognised through OCI

At the end of the financial year

Cash flow hedging reserve 

Cost of hedging reserve

Gross

85
176

(327)

229

163

Tax

(27)
(52)

98

(68)

(49)

Net

58
124

(229)

161

114

Gross

 −
(176)

 −

70

(106)

Tax

 −
52

 −

(20)

32

Net

 −
(124)

 −

50

(74)

Total

58
 −

(229)

211

40

BHP Annual Report 2019  207

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21 Financial risk management continued
Changes in interest bearing liabilities and related derivatives resulting from financing activities
The movement in the year in the Group’s interest bearing liabilities and related derivatives are as follows:

2019
US$M

At the beginning of the financial year

Proceeds from interest bearing liabilities
Settlements of debt related instruments
Repayment of interest bearing liabilities

Change from Net financing cash flows

Other movements:

Interest rate impacts
Foreign exchange impacts 
Other interest bearing liabilities/derivative related changes

At the end of the financial year

2018
US$M

At the beginning of the financial year

Proceeds from interest bearing liabilities
Settlements of debt related instruments
Repayment of interest bearing liabilities

Change from Net financing cash flows

Other movements:

Interest rate impacts
Foreign exchange impacts 
Other interest bearing liabilities/derivative related changes
Liabilities transferred to held for sale

Interest bearing liabilities 

Bank loans 

Notes and 
debentures 

Finance 
leases

Bank 
overdraft and 
short-term 
borrowings

2,555
250
 −
(308)

23,298
 −
 −
(2,198)

(58)

(2,198)

 −
 −
1

729
(311)
11

2,498

21,529

802
 −
 −
(75)

(75)

 −
(11)
(1)

715

58
 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
(38)

20

Interest bearing liabilities 

Bank loans 

Notes and 
debentures 

Finance 
leases

Bank 
overdraft and 
short-term 
borrowings

2,281
500
 −
(221)

279

 −
 −
(5)
 −

27,041
 −
 −
(3,736)

(3,736)

(353)
245
101
 −

897
 −
 −
(81)

(81)

 −
(9)
 −
(5)

45
 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
 −
13
 −

58

Derivatives 
(assets)/
liabilities

Cross 
currency 
and interest 
rate swaps 

805
 −
(160)
 −

(160)

(809)
319
49

204

Derivatives 
(assets)/
liabilities

Cross 
currency 
and interest 
rate swaps 

740
 −
(218)
 −

(218)

329
(254)
208
 −

805

Other

92
 −
 −
(23)

(23)

 −
 −
(3)

66

Other

210
28
 −
(150)

(122)

 −
 −
4
 −

92

Total

250
(160)
(2,604)

(2,514)

Total

528
(218)
(4,188)

(3,878)

At the end of the financial year

2,555

23,298

802

Employee matters

22 Key management personnel
Key management personnel compensation comprises:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

Total

2019
US$

11,557,506
1,490,716
15,821,972

2018
US$

13,190,838
1,506,108
13,356,657

2017
US$

16,439,948
1,895,828
13,747,355

28,870,194

28,053,603

32,083,131

Following the dissolution of the Operations Management Committee (OMC) in FY2018, the Remuneration Committee re-examined the 
classification of Key Management Personnel (KMP) for FY2018 and determined that the roles which have the authority and responsibility 
for planning, directing and controlling the activities of BHP are Non-executive Directors, the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer, the President 
Operations, Minerals Australia, the President Operations, Minerals Americas, and the President Operations, Petroleum. The Remuneration 
Committee also determined that, effective 1 July 2017 the Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief People Officer roles are no longer 
considered KMP. 

Transactions and outstanding loans/amounts with key management personnel
There were no purchases by key management personnel from the Group during the financial year (2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$ nil). 

There were no amounts payable by key management personnel at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$ nil).

There were no loans receivable from or payable to key management personnel at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$ nil).

Transactions with personally related entities
A number of Directors of the Group hold or have held positions in other companies (personally related entities) where it is considered 
they control or significantly influence the financial or operating policies of those entities. There were no reportable transactions with those 
entities and no amounts were owed by the Group to personally related entities at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$ nil).

For more information on remuneration and transactions with key management personnel, refer to section 3.

208  BHP Annual Report 2019

23 Employee share ownership plans
Awards, in the form of the right to receive ordinary shares in either BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc, have been granted under the 
following employee share ownership plans: Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP), Management Award Plan (MAP), 
Group Short-Term Incentive Plan (GSTIP), Transitional Executive KMP awards and the all-employee share plan, Shareplus. 

Some awards are eligible to receive a cash payment, or the equivalent value in shares, equal to the dividend amount that would have been 
earned on the underlying shares awarded to those participants (the Dividend Equivalent Payment, or DEP). The DEP is provided to the 
participants once the underlying shares are allocated or transferred to them. Awards under the plans do not confer any rights to participate 
in a share issue; however, there is discretion under each of the plans to adjust the awards in response to a variation in the share capital 
of BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc. 

The table below provides a description of each of the plans.

Plan

Type

Overview 

Vesting 
conditions

STIP and GSTIP

LTIP and MAP

Transitional Executive KMP awards

Shareplus

All-employee share 
purchase plan

Employees may 
contribute up 
to US$5,000 to 
acquire shares 
in any plan year. 
On the third 
anniversary of the 
start of a plan year, 
the Group will 
match the number 
of acquired shares. 

Service 
conditions only.

Short-term incentive

Long-term incentive

Long-term incentive

The STIP is generally a plan 
for the Executive KMP and 
the GSTIP is a plan for BHP 
senior management who 
are not KMP.
Under both plans, half of 
the value of a participant’s 
short-term incentive amount 
is awarded as rights to 
receive BHP Group Limited 
or BHP Group Plc shares at 
the end of the vesting period.

Service conditions only.

Awards may be granted to new 
Executive KMP recruited from 
within the Group to bridge the 
gap created by the different 
timeframes of the vesting of 
MAP awards, granted in their 
non-KMP roles, and LTIP 
awards, granted to Executive 
KMP. No awards were granted 
to Executive KMP in FY2019. 

Service conditions and 
performance conditions. 
The Remuneration Committee 
has absolute discretion to 
determine if the performance 
condition has been met and 
whether any, all or part of the 
award will vest (or otherwise 
lapse), having regard to (but 
not limited to) the BHP’s TSR (1) 
over the three-or four-year 
performance period 
(respectively), the participant’s 
contribution to Group 
outcomes and the participant’s 
personal performance (with 
guidance on this assessment 
from the CEO).

The LTIP is a plan for Executive KMP 
and awards are granted annually.
The MAP is a plan for BHP senior 
management who are not KMP. 
The number of share rights awarded 
is determined by a participant’s role 
and grade.

LTIP: Service and performance conditions. 
For awards granted from December 2013 
onwards, BHP’s Total Shareholder Return 
(TSR) (1) performance relative to the Peer 
Group TSR over a five-year performance 
period determines the vesting of 
67 per cent of the awards, while 
performance relative to the Index 
TSR (being the index value where the 
comparator group is a market index) 
determines the vesting of 33 per cent 
of the awards. For the awards to vest in 
full, BHP’s TSR must exceed the Peer 
Group TSR and Index TSR (if applicable) 
by a specified percentage per year, 
determined for each grant by the 
Remuneration Committee. From the 
establishment of the LTIP in 2004 until 
the awards granted in December 2016, 
this percentage was set at 5.5 per cent 
per year.
For awards granted from December 2017 
onwards, 25 per cent of the award will vest 
where BHP’s TSR is equal to the median 
TSR of the relevant comparator group(s), 
as measured over the performance 
period. Where TSR is below the median, 
awards will not vest. Vesting occurs on a 
sliding scale when BHP’s TSR measured 
over the performance period is between 
the median TSR of the relevant 
comparator group(s) up to a nominated 
level of TSR outperformance over 
the relevant comparator group(s), as 
determined by the Committee, above 
which 100 per cent of the award will vest.
MAP: Service conditions only.

Vesting 
period

Dividend 
Equivalent 
Payment

Exercise 
period

2 years

STIP – Yes
GSTIP – No

None 

LTIP – 5 years
MAP – 1 to 5 years

LTIP – Yes
MAP – No

LTIP – None
MAP – None

(1)  BHP’s TSR is the weighted average of the TSRs of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc.

3 or 4 years

3 years

No

None

No

None

BHP Annual Report 2019  209

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a

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23 Employee share ownership plans continued
Employee share awards 

2019

BHP Group Limited
STIP awards
GSTIP awards
LTIP awards 
Transitional Executive KMP awards
MAP awards 
Shareplus

BHP Group Plc
GSTIP awards
MAP awards
Shareplus

Number of 
awards at the 
beginning of the 
financial year

Number of 
awards issued 
during the year

Number of 
awards 
vested and 
exercised

Number of 
awards 
lapsed

Number of 
awards at the 
end of the 
financial year

Number of 
awards vested 
and exercisable 
at the end of the 
financial year

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life (years)

308,028
2,008,455
5,980,975
46,840
10,379,263
4,775,079

271,355
 −
947,153
 −
4,604,638
2,025,302

65,392
780,315
 −
16,160
2,416,107
2,590,297

 −
85,656
1,197,239
7,260
1,077,449
352,939

513,991
1,142,484
5,730,889
23,420
11,490,345
3,857,145

63,868
315,451
282,159

 −
132,676
111,866

22,911
107,756
145,666

11,531
67,340
24,289

29,426
273,031
224,070

 −
15,932
 −
 −
94,921
 −

 −
 −
 −

0.7
0.2
2.1
0.2
1.3
1.2

0.2
1.3
1.2

Employee share awards expense is US$138.275 million (2018: US$123.313 million; 2017: US$106.214 million) and includes Onshore US.

Fair value and assumptions in the calculation of fair value for awards issued

2019

BHP Group Limited
STIP awards
LTIP awards 
MAP awards (1)
Shareplus 

BHP Group Plc
MAP awards
Shareplus

Weighted 
average fair 
value of awards 
granted during 
the year US$

Risk-free 
interest rate

Estimated 
life of awards

Share price at grant date

Estimated 
volatility of 
share price

Dividend 
yield

24.10
17.36
21.29
20.68

18.68
14.71

n/a
2.04%
n/a
2.13%

n/a
0.86%

3 years
5 years

A$33.50
A$33.50
1-5 years A$33.83/A$33.41/A$33.50
A$28.29

3 years

1-5 years
3 years

£16.71
£14.04

n/a
30.0%
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
5.30%
4.71%

5.80%
5.40%

(1)  Includes MAP awards granted on 24 September 2018, 12 November 2018 and 18 December 2018.

Recognition and measurement
The fair value at grant date of equity-settled share awards is charged 
to the income statement over the period for which the benefits 
of employee services are expected to be derived. The fair values 
of awards granted were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation 
methodology and Black-Scholes option pricing technique and 
consider the following factors: 

•  exercise price;
•  expected life of the award;
•  current market price of the underlying shares;
•  expected volatility using an analysis of historic volatility over 

different rolling periods. For the LTIP, it is calculated for all sector 
comparators and the published MSCI World index;

•  expected dividends;
•  risk-free interest rate, which is an applicable government bond rate; 
•  market-based performance hurdles;
•  non-vesting conditions.

Where awards are forfeited because non-market-based vesting 
conditions are not satisfied, the expense previously recognised 
is proportionately reversed. 

The tax effect of awards granted is recognised in income tax 
expense, except to the extent that the total tax deductions are 
expected to exceed the cumulative remuneration expense. In this 
situation, the excess of the associated current or deferred tax is 
recognised in other comprehensive income and forms part of the 
employee share awards reserve. The fair value of awards as presented 
in the tables above represents the fair value at grant date. 

In respect of employee share awards, the Group utilises the Billiton 
Employee Share Ownership Trust and the BHP Billiton Limited 
Employee Equity Trust. The trustees of these trusts are independent 
companies, resident in Jersey. The trusts use funds provided by 
the Group to acquire ordinary shares to enable awards to be made 
or satisfied. The ordinary shares may be acquired by purchase 
in the market or by subscription at not less than nominal value. 
The BHP Billiton Limited Employee Equity Trust has waived its 
rights to current and future dividends on shares held to meet 
future awards under the plans.

210  BHP Annual Report 2019

24 Employee benefits, restructuring and post-retirement employee benefits provisions

Employee benefits (1)
Restructuring (2)
Post-retirement employee benefits 

Total provisions 

Comprising:
Current
Non-current

2019

At the beginning of the financial year
Charge/(credit) for the year:

Underlying
Discounting
Net interest expense 
Exchange variations
Released during the year

Remeasurement gains taken to retained earnings
Utilisation

At the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

1,140
78
493

1,711

1,154
557

Employee 
benefits
US$M

Restructuring
US$M

Post-retirement 
employee

benefits (3)
US$M

1,232

1,011
 −
 −
(49)
(146)
 −
(908)

1,140

8

160
 −
 −
1
(11)
 −
(80)

78

449

55
42
(21)
(6)
 −
20
(46)

493

2018
US$M

1,232
8
449

1,689

1,148
541

Total
US$M

1,689

1,226
42
(21)
(54)
(157)
20
(1,034)

1,711

(1)  The expenditure associated with total employee benefits will occur in a pattern consistent with when employees choose to exercise their entitlement to benefits.
(2) Total restructuring provisions include provisions for terminations and office closures.
(3) Refer to note 25 ‘Pension and other post-retirement obligations’.

Recognition and measurement
Provisions are recognised by the Group when:
•  there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events;
•  it is more likely than not that a permanent outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation;
•  the amount can be reliably estimated and measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the cash outflow required 

to settle the obligation at reporting date.

Provision

Description

Employee benefits

Liabilities for annual leave and any accumulating sick leave accrued up until the reporting date that are expected to be settled 
within 12 months are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Liabilities for long service leave are measured as the present value of estimated future payments for the services provided 
by employees up to the reporting date and disclosed within employee benefits.
Liabilities that are not expected to be settled within 12 months are discounted at the reporting date using market yields 
of high-quality corporate bonds or government bonds for countries where there is no deep market for corporate bonds. 
The rates used reflect the terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future 
cash outflows.
In relation to industry-based long service leave funds, the Group’s liability, including obligations for funding shortfalls, 
is determined after deducting the fair value of dedicated assets of such funds.
Liabilities for unpaid wages and salaries are recognised in other creditors.

Restructuring

Restructuring provisions are recognised when: 
•  the Group has a detailed formal plan identifying the business or part of the business concerned, the location and 

approximate number of employees affected, a detailed estimate of the associated costs, and an appropriate timeline;

•  the restructuring has either commenced or been publicly announced and can no longer be withdrawn. 
Payments falling due greater than 12 months after the reporting date are discounted to present value.

BHP Annual Report 2019  211

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25 Pension and other post-retirement obligations
The Group operates or participates in a number of pension (including superannuation) schemes throughout the world. The funding of 
the schemes complies with local regulations. The assets of the schemes are generally held separately from those of the Group and are 
administered by trustees or management boards.

Schemes/Obligations

Description 

Defined contribution 
pension schemes and 
multi-employer 
pension schemes

For defined contribution schemes or schemes operated on an industry-wide basis where it is not possible to identify assets 
attributable to the participation by the Group’s employees, the pension charge is calculated on the basis of contributions 
payable. The Group contributed US$274 million during the financial year (2018: US$277 million; 2017: US$247 million) to 
defined contribution plans and multi-employer defined contribution plans. These contributions are expensed as incurred.

Defined benefit 
pension schemes

Defined benefit 
post-retirement 
medical schemes

Defined benefit 
post-employment 
obligations

For defined benefit pension schemes, the cost of providing pensions is charged to the income statement so as to 
recognise current and past service costs, net interest cost on the net defined benefit obligations/plan assets and the effect 
of any curtailments or settlements. Remeasurement gains and losses are recognised directly in equity. An asset or liability 
is consequently recognised in the balance sheet based on the present value of defined benefit obligations less the fair 
value of plan assets, except that any such asset cannot exceed the present value of expected refunds from and reductions 
in future contributions to the plan. Defined benefit obligations are estimated by discounting expected future payments 
using market yields at the reporting date on high-quality corporate bonds in countries that have developed corporate bond 
markets. However, where developed corporate bond markets do not exist, the discount rates are selected by reference 
to national government bonds. In both instances, the bonds are selected with terms to maturity and currency that match, 
as closely as possible, the estimated future cash flows.
The Group has closed all defined benefit pension schemes to new entrants. Defined benefit pension schemes remain 
operating in Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe for existing members. Full actuarial valuations are prepared 
and updated annually to 30 June by local actuaries for all schemes. The Group operates final salary schemes (that provide 
final salary benefits only), non-salary related schemes (that provide flat dollar benefits) and mixed benefit schemes (that 
consist of a final salary defined benefit portion and a defined contribution portion). 

The Group operates a number of post-retirement medical schemes in the United States, Canada and Europe and certain 
Group companies provide post-retirement medical benefits to qualifying retirees. In some cases, the benefits are provided 
through medical care schemes to which the Group, the employees, the retirees and covered family members contribute. 
Full actuarial valuations are prepared by local actuaries for all schemes. These schemes are recognised on the same basis 
as described for defined benefit pension schemes. All of the post-retirement medical schemes in the Group are unfunded.

The Group has a legal obligation to provide post-employment benefits to employees in Chile. The benefit is a function of 
an employee’s final salary and years of service. These obligations are recognised on the same basis as described for defined 
benefit pension schemes. 
Full actuarial valuations are prepared by local actuaries. These post-employment obligations are unfunded. 

Risk
The Group’s defined benefit schemes/obligations expose the Group to a number of risks, including asset value volatility, interest rate variations, 
inflation, longevity and medical expense inflation risk.

Recognising this, the Group has adopted an approach of moving away from providing defined benefit pensions. The majority of Group-sponsored 
defined benefit pension schemes have been closed to new entrants for many years. Existing benefit schemes and the terms of employee 
participation in these schemes are reviewed on a regular basis.

Fund assets
The Group follows a coordinated strategy for the funding and investment of its defined benefit pension schemes (subject to meeting all 
local requirements). The Group’s aim is for the value of defined benefit pension scheme assets to be maintained at close to the value of the 
corresponding benefit obligations, allowing for some short-term volatility.

Scheme assets are invested in a diversified range of asset classes, predominantly comprising bonds and equities. 

The Group’s aim is to progressively shift defined benefit pension scheme assets towards investments that match the anticipated profile of 
the benefit obligations, as funding levels improve and benefit obligations mature. Over time, this is expected to result in a further reduction 
in the total exposure of pension scheme assets to equity markets. For pension schemes that pay lifetime benefits, the Group may consider 
and support the purchase of annuities to back these benefit obligations if it is commercially sensible to do so.

Net liability recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
The net liability recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is as follows:

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation
Present value of unfunded defined benefit obligation
Fair value of defined benefit scheme assets

Scheme deficit

Unrecognised surplus
Unrecognised past service credits
Adjustment for employer contributions tax

Net liability recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Defined benefit pension schemes/ 
post-employment obligations

Post-retirement medical schemes

2019 
US$M

632
306
(648)

290

 −
 −
 −

290

2018 
US$M

616
274
(633)

257

 −
 −
 −

257

2019 
US$M

2018 
US$M

 −
203
 −

203

 −
 −
 −

203

 −
192
 −

192

 −
 −
 −

192

The Group has no legal obligation to settle these liabilities with any immediate contributions or additional one-off contributions. The Group 
intends to continue to contribute to each defined benefit pension and post-retirement medical scheme in accordance with the latest 
recommendations of each scheme actuary.

212  BHP Annual Report 2019

26 Employees

Average number of employees (1)
Australia
South America
North America
Asia
Europe

Total average number of employees from Continuing operations

Total average number of employees from Discontinued operations
Total average number of employees

2019
Number

2018
Number

2017
Number

18,146
6,979
1,999
1,743
59

28,926

 −
28,926

16,504
6,729
1,839
1,368
70

26,510

651
27,161

15,906
6,361
2,072
1,019
74

25,432

714
26,146

(1)  Average employee numbers include the Executive Director and 100 per cent of employees of subsidiary companies. Employees of equity accounted investments and 
joint operations are not included. Part-time employees are included on a full-time equivalent basis. Employees of businesses disposed of during the year are included 
for the period of ownership. Contractors are not included.

Group and related party information

27 Discontinued operations
On 28 September 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. and 
100 per cent of the membership interests in BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville) LLC, which held the Fayetteville assets, for a gross cash 
consideration of US$0.3 billion.

On 31 October 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Petrohawk Energy Corporation, the BHP subsidiary 
which held the Eagle Ford (being Black Hawk and Hawkville), Haynesville and Permian assets, for a gross cash consideration of US$10.3 billion 
(net of preliminary customary completion adjustments of US$0.2 billion).

While the effective date at which the right to economic profits transferred to the purchasers was 1 July 2018, the Group continued to control 
the Onshore US assets until the completion dates of their respective transactions. As such the Group continued to recognise its share of 
revenue, expenses, net finance costs and associated income tax expense related to the operation until the completion date. In addition, 
the Group provided transitional services to the buyer, which ceased in July 2019.

The completion adjustments included a reduction in sale proceeds, based on the operating cash generated and retained by the Group in the 
period prior to completion, in order to transfer the economic profits from 1 July 2018 to completion date to the buyers. Therefore, the pre-tax 
profit from operating the assets is largely offset by a pre-tax loss on disposal. Accordingly, the net loss from discontinued operations 
predominantly relates to incremental costs arising as a consequence of the divestment, including restructuring costs and provisions for 
surplus office accommodation, and tax expenses largely triggered by the completion of the transactions.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  213

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27 Discontinued operations continued
The contribution of Discontinued operations included within the Group’s profit and cash flows are detailed below:

Income statement – Discontinued operations

Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs

Profit/(loss) from operations

Financial expenses

Net finance costs

Profit/(loss) before taxation 

Income tax (expense)/benefit

Profit/(loss) after taxation from operating activities

Net loss on disposal 

Loss after taxation

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Basic loss per ordinary share (cents)
Diluted loss per ordinary share (cents)

2019
US$M

851
94
(729)

216

(8)

(8)

208

(33)

175

(510)

(335)

7
(342)

(6.6)
(6.6)

2018
US$M

2,171
34
(5,790)

(3,585)

(22)

(22)

(3,607)

686

(2,921)

 −

(2,921)

26
(2,947)

(55.4)
(55.4)

2017 
US$M

2,150
74
(3,025)

(801)

(14)

(14)

(815)

343

(472)

 −

(472)

13
(485)

(9.1)
(9.1)

The total comprehensive income attributable to BHP shareholders from Discontinued operations was a loss of US$342 million (2018: loss of 
US$2,943 million; 2017: loss of US$489 million).

The conversion of options and share rights would decrease the loss per share for the years ended 30 June 2019, 2018 and 2017 and therefore 
its impact has been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Cash flows from Discontinued operations

Net operating cash flows
Net investing cash flows (1)
Net financing cash flows (2)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from Discontinued operations

Net proceeds received from the sale of Onshore US
Less Cash and cash equivalents

Proceeds from divestment of Onshore US, net of its cash 

Total cash impact

2019
US$M

474
(443)
(13)

18

10,531
(104)

10,427

10,445

2018
US$M

900
(861)
(40)

(1)

 −
 −

 −

(1)

(1)  Includes purchases of property, plant and equipment of US$443 million (2018: US$900 million; 2017: US$555 million) less proceeds from sale of assets 

of US$ nil (2018: US$39 million; 2017: US$118 million).

(2) Includes net repayment of interest bearing liabilities of US$6 million (2018: US$4 million; 2017: US$6 million), distribution to non-controlling interests 

of US$ nil (2018: US$14 million; 2017: US$16 million) and dividends paid to non-controlling interests of US$7 million (2018: US$22 million; 2017: US$6 million).

Net loss on disposal of Discontinued operations
Details of the net loss on disposal is presented below: 

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Total assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions

Total liabilities

Net assets

Less non-controlling interest share of net assets disposed

BHP Share of net assets disposed

Gross consideration
Less transaction costs
Income tax expense

Net loss on disposal

214  BHP Annual Report 2019

2017 
US$M

928
(437)
(28)

463

 −
 −

 −

463

2019
US$M

104
562
31
34
10,998
667

12,396

794
491

1,285

11,111

(168)

10,943

10,555
(54)
(68)

(510)

27 Discontinued operations continued
Exceptional items – Discontinued operations
Exceptional items are those gains or losses where their nature, including the expected frequency of the events giving rise to them, and amount 
is considered material to the Financial Statements. 

There were no exceptional items related to Discontinued operations for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2017.

Items related to Discontinued operations included within profit for the year ended 30 June 2018 are detailed below.

Year ended 30 June 2018

Exceptional items by category
US tax reform
Impairment of Onshore US assets

Total

Attributable to non-controlling interests
Attributable to BHP shareholders

Gross
US$M

 −
(2,859)

(2,859)

 −
(2,859)

Tax
US$M

492
109

601

 −
601

Net
US$M

492
(2,750)

(2,258)

 −
(2,258)

US tax reform
On 22 December 2017, the US President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) into law. The TCJA (effective 1 January 2018) includes a broad 
range of tax reforms affecting the Group, including, but not limited to, a reduction in the US corporate tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent 
and changes to international tax provisions. As a result of the TCJA, the Group has recognised an exceptional income tax benefit of 
US$492 million relating to the re-measurement of the Onshore US deferred tax positions arising from temporary differences. 

Impairment of Onshore US assets
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows. 
At 30 June 2018, the Onshore US assets, including goodwill, have been allocated to two CGUs reflecting the separately identifiable cash 
flows expected from the divestment of the assets. 

The Group recognised impairment charges as follows:

Cash generating unit

Petrohawk
Fayetteville

Total impairment of non-current assets

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
US$M

–
(520)

(520)

Goodwill 
US$M

(2,253)
(86)

(2,339)

Total
US$M

(2,253)
(606)

(2,859)

The charges reflect a robust and competitive exit process with fair value based on the agreed sales consideration (Level 2 of the fair value 
hierarchy) less expected costs of disposal. 

In previous reporting periods the Group performed impairment testing of the five individual Onshore US assets as each asset had separately 
identifiable cash flows. In addition, the goodwill attributable to the Onshore US group of CGUs (2017: US$3,022 million) was tested for 
impairment after the assessment of the individual CGUs. The recoverable amount determinations for the Onshore US CGUs were based 
on FVLCD using discounted cash flow techniques. The FVLCD calculations were based primarily on Level 3 inputs and significant assumptions 
included management’s assessment of a market participant’s perspective of crude oil and natural gas prices, production volumes and 
discount rates. 

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BHP Annual Report 2019  215

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28 Subsidiaries
Significant subsidiaries of the Group are those with the most significant contribution to the Group’s net profit or net assets. The Group’s 
interest in the subsidiaries results are listed in the table below. For a complete list of the Group’s subsidiaries, refer to note 13 ‘Related 
undertakings of the Group’ in section 5.2.

Significant subsidiaries 

Coal
BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd
Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd
Copper
BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Corporation Pty Ltd
Compañia Minera Cerro Colorado Limitada
Minera Escondida Limitada (1)
Minera Spence S.A.
Iron Ore
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd
BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd
BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd (2)
BHP (Towage Service) Pty Ltd
Marketing
BHP Billiton Freight Singapore Pte Limited
BHP Billiton Marketing AG
BHP Billiton Marketing Asia Pte Ltd
Group and Unallocated
BHP Billiton Canada Inc.
BHP Billiton Finance BV
BHP Billiton Finance Limited
BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd 
BHP Group Operations Pty Ltd
BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd

WMC Finance (USA) Limited

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Australia
Australia

Australia
Chile
Chile
Chile

Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia

Coal mining
Coal mining

Copper and uranium mining
Copper mining
Copper mining
Copper mining

Service company
Iron ore and coal mining
Iron ore mining
Towing services

Singapore
Switzerland
Singapore

Freight services
Marketing and trading
Marketing support and other services

Potash development

Canada
The Netherlands Finance
Finance
Australia
Finance
Australia
Administrative services
Australia
Nickel mining, smelting, refining 
Australia
and administrative services
Finance

Australia

Group’s interest

2019 
%

2018 
%

80
100

100
100
57.5
100

100
100
85
100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100

80 
100

100 
100 
57.5
100 

100
100 
85 
100

100 
100 
100 

100
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100

(1)  As the Group has the ability to direct the relevant activities at Minera Escondida Limitada, it has control over the entity. The assessment of the most relevant activity 

in this contractual arrangement is subject to judgement. The Group establishes the mine plan and the operating budget and has the ability to appoint the key 
management personnel, demonstrating that the Group has the existing rights to direct the relevant activities of Minera Escondida Limitada.

(2) The Group has an effective interest of 92.5 per cent in BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd; however, by virtue of the shareholder agreement with ITOCHU Iron Ore 

Australia Pty Ltd and Mitsui & Co. Iron Ore Exploration & Mining Pty Ltd, the Group’s interest in the Jimblebar mining operation is 85 per cent, which is consistent with 
the other respective contractual arrangements at Western Australia Iron Ore.

216  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
29 Investments accounted for using the equity method
Significant interests in equity accounted investments of the Group are those with the most significant contribution to the Group’s net profit 
or net assets. The Group’s ownership interest in equity accounted investments results are listed in the table below. For a complete list of the 
Group’s associates and joint ventures, refer to note 13 ‘Related undertakings of the Group’ in section 5.2.

Significant associates and joint 
ventures 

Country of incorporation/ 
principal place of business

Associate or
joint venture

Principal activity

Reporting date 

Ownership interest 

2019
%

2018
%

Cerrejón
Compañía Minera Antamina 
S.A. (Antamina)
Samarco Mineração S.A. 
(Samarco)

Anguilla/Colombia/Ireland Associate

Coal mining in Colombia

31 December

33.33

33.33

Peru

Brazil

Associate

Copper and zinc mining

31 December

33.75

33.75

Joint venture

Iron ore mining

31 December

50.00

50.00

Voting in relation to relevant activities in Antamina and Cerrejón, determined to be the approval of the operating and capital budgets, does 
not require unanimous consent of all participants to the arrangement, therefore joint control does not exist. Instead, because the Group 
has the power to participate in the financial and operating policies of the investee, these investments are accounted for as associates.

Samarco is jointly owned by BHP Billiton Brasil and Vale. As the Samarco entity has the rights to the assets and obligations to the liabilities 
relating to the joint arrangement and not its owners, this investment is accounted for as a joint venture.

The Group is restricted in its ability to make dividend payments from its investments in associates and joint ventures as any such payments 
require the approval of all investors in the associates and joint ventures. The ownership interest at the Group’s and the associates’ or joint 
ventures’ reporting dates are the same. When the annual financial reporting date is different to the Group’s, financial information is obtained 
as at 30 June in order to report on an annual basis consistent with the Group’s reporting date.

The movement for the year in the Group’s investments accounted for using the equity method is as follows:

Year ended 30 June 2019
US$M

At the beginning of the financial year
(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, related impairments and expenses (1)
Investment in equity accounted investments 
Dividends received from equity accounted investments 
Other

At the end of the financial year

Investment in 
associates

Investment in 
joint ventures

Total equity 
accounted 
investments

2,473
399
207
(510)
 −

2,569

 −
(945)
96
 −
849

 −

2,473
(546)
303
(510)
849

2,569

(1)  US$(945) million represents US$(96) million share of loss from US$(96) million funding provided during the period and US$(849) million movement in provisions 
related to the Samarco dam failure including US$(579) million change in estimate, US$(7) million exchange translation and US$(263) million Samarco Germano 
dam decommissioning provision. Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ for further information.

The following table summarises the financial information relating to each of the Group’s significant equity accounted investments. 
BHP Billiton Brasil’s 50 per cent portion of Samarco’s commitments, for which BHP Billiton Brasil has no funding obligation, is US$250 million 
(2018: US$550 million).

2019
US$M

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities) – 100%

Net assets/(liabilities) – Group share 
Adjustments to net assets related to accounting policy adjustments
Impairment of the carrying value of the investment in Samarco 
Additional share of Samarco losses
Unrecognised losses

Carrying amount of investments accounted for using 
the equity method

Revenue – 100%
Profit/(loss) from Continuing operations – 100% 

Share of operating profit/(loss) of equity accounted investments 
Additional share of Samarco losses
Unrecognised losses

(Loss)/profit from equity accounted investments, 
related impairments and expenses

Comprehensive income/(loss) – 100%

Share of comprehensive income/(loss) – Group share in equity 
accounted investments

Dividends received from equity accounted investments 

Associates

Joint ventures

Antamina

Cerrejón

Individually
immaterial (1)

Samarco (2)

Individually 
immaterial 

Total

1,065
4,495
(498)
(1,076)

3,986

1,345
 −
 −
 −
 −

1,345

3,203
1,168

394
 −
 −

394

1,168

394

361

845
2,664
(344)
(801)

2,364

788
65
 −
 −
 −

853

2,094
309

103
 −
 −

103

309

103

134

290 (3)

6,103
(6,704) (4)
(5,830)

(6,141)

(3,071)

366 (5)
(525) (6)
3,145 (7)
85 (8)

371

 −

 −

2,569

24
(2,166) (9)

(1,075) 
108

22 (8)

(945)

(2,166)

(945)

 −

(98)

(98)

15

 −

 −

 −

(546)

(546)

510

BHP Annual Report 2019  217

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29 Investments accounted for using the equity method continued

2018
US$M

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities) – 100%

Net assets/(liabilities) – Group share 
Adjustments to net assets related to accounting policy adjustments
Impairment of the carrying value of the investment in Samarco 
Additional share of Samarco losses
Unrecognised losses

Carrying amount of investments accounted for using the 
equity method

Revenue – 100%
Profit/(loss) from Continuing operations – 100% 

Share of operating profit/(loss) of equity accounted investments 
Additional share of Samarco losses
Unrecognised losses

Profit/(loss) from equity accounted investments, related 
impairments and expenses

Comprehensive income/(loss) – 100%

Share of comprehensive income/(loss) – Group share in equity 
accounted investments

Dividends received from equity accounted investments 

Associates

Joint ventures

Antamina

Cerrejón

Individually
immaterial (1)

Samarco (2)

Individually 
immaterial 

Total

1,099
4,385
(532)
(1,064)

3,888

1,312
1
 −
 −
 −

1,313

3,866
1,613

544
 −
 −

544

1,613

544

496

1,187
2,485
(585)
(663)

2,424

808
75
 −
 −
 −

883

2,453
576

192
 −
 −

192

576

192

181

79 (3)

6,023
(5,811) (4)
(4,265)

(3,974)

(1,987)
357 (5)
(525) (6)
2,092 (7)
63 (8)

277

 −

 −

2,473

30 
(1,558) (9)

(823) 
251 
63 (8)

(509)

(1,558)

(509)

 −

(80)

(80)

16

 −

 −

 −

147

147

693

2017
US$M

Associates

Joint ventures

Antamina

Cerrejón

Individually 
immaterial

Samarco (2)

Individually 
immaterial 

Total

Revenue – 100%
Profit/(loss) from Continuing operations – 100% 

Share of operating profit/(loss) of equity accounted investments 
Additional share of Samarco losses

Profit/(loss) from equity accounted investments, related 
impairments and expenses

Comprehensive income/(loss) – 100%

Share of comprehensive income/(loss) – Group share in equity 
accounted investments

Dividends received from equity accounted investments 

2,905
1,010

341
 −

341

1,010

341

425

2,247
388

129
 −

129

388

129

163

28
(1,520) (9)

(760)
588

(172)

(1,520)

(172)

 −

(26)

(26)

32

 −

 −

 −

272

272

620

(1)  The unrecognised share of profit for the period was US$15 million (2018: unrecognised share of loss for the period was US$56 million), which decreased the 

cumulative losses to US$181 million (2018: increase to US$196 million).

(2) Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ for further information regarding the financial impact of the Samarco dam failure in November 2015 

on BHP Billiton Brasil’s share of Samarco’s losses. 

(3) Includes cash and cash equivalents of US$246 million (2018: US$23 million).
(4) Includes current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other payables and provisions) of US$5,510 million (2018: US$5,066 million).
(5) Relates mainly to dividends declared by Samarco that remain unpaid at balance date and which, in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, are recognised 

when received not receivable.

(6) In the year ended 30 June 2016 BHP Billiton Brasil adjusted its investment in Samarco to US$ nil (resulting from US$(655) million share of loss from Samarco and 

US$(525) million impairment).

(7)  BHP Billiton Brasil has recognised accumulated additional share of Samarco losses of US$(3,145) million resulting from US$(310) million share of loss from funding 

provided to Samarco and US$(2,835) million from provisions relating to the Samarco dam failure, including US$(319) million recognised as net finance costs.

(8) Share of Samarco’s losses for which BHP Billiton Brasil does not have an obligation to fund.
(9) Includes depreciation and amortisation of US$85 million (2018: US$73 million; 2017: US$88 million), interest income of US$22 million (2018: US$31 million; 2017: 

US$57 million), interest expense of US$342 million (2018: US$385 million; 2017: US$473 million) and income tax benefit/(expense) of US$52 million (2018: 
US$(154) million; 2017: US$(851) million).

218  BHP Annual Report 2019

30 Interests in joint operations
Significant joint operations of the Group are those with the most significant contributions to the Group’s net profit or net assets. The Group’s 
interest in the joint operations results are listed in the table below. For a complete list of the Group’s investments in joint operations, refer to 
note 13 ‘Related undertakings of the Group’ in section 5.2.

Significant joint operations 

Country of operation

Principal activity

Bass Strait
Greater Angostura
Gulf of Mexico
Macedon (1)
North West Shelf
Pyrenees (1) 
ROD Integrated Development (2)
Mt Goldsworthy (3)
Mt Newman (3)
Yandi (3)
Central Queensland Coal Associates

Australia
Trinidad and Tobago
US
Australia
Australia
Australia
Algeria
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia 

Hydrocarbons production
Hydrocarbons production
Hydrocarbons exploration and production
Hydrocarbons exploration and production
Hydrocarbons production
Hydrocarbons exploration and production
Hydrocarbons exploration and production
Iron ore mining
Iron ore mining
Iron ore mining 
Coal mining 

Group’s interest

2019
%

50
45
23.9–44
71.43
12.5–16.67
40–71.43
29.50
85
85
85
50

2018
%

50
45
23.9–44
71.43
12.5–16.67
40–71.43
29.50
85
85
85
50

(1)  While the Group may hold a greater than 50 per cent interest in these joint operations, all the participants in these joint operations approve the operating and capital 

budgets and therefore the Group has joint control over the relevant activities of these arrangements.

(2) Group interest reflects the working interest and may vary year-on-year based on the Group’s effective interest in producing wells.
(3) These contractual arrangements are controlled by the Group and do not meet the definition of joint operations. However, as they are formed by contractual 

arrangement and are not entities, the Group recognises its share of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses arising from these arrangements.

Assets held in joint operations subject to significant restrictions are as follows:

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets (1)

Group’s share

2019
US$M

1,946

35,682

37,628

2018
US$M

2,445

36,144

38,589

(1)  While the Group is unrestricted in its ability to sell a share of its interest in these joint operations, it does not have the right to sell individual assets that are used in these 
joint operations without the unanimous consent of the other participants. The assets in these joint operations are also restricted to the extent that they are only available 
to be used by the joint operation itself and not by other operations of the Group.

31 Related party transactions
The Group’s related parties are predominantly subsidiaries, joint operations, joint ventures and associates and key management personnel of 
the Group. Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 22 ‘Key management personnel’. Transactions between each 
parent company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

•  All transactions to/from related parties are made at arm’s length, i.e. at normal market prices and rates and on normal commercial terms.
•  Outstanding balances at year-end are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash. Loan amounts owing from related parties represent secured 
loans made to joint operations, associates and joint ventures under co-funding arrangements. Such loans are made on an arm’s length basis 
with interest charged at market rates and are due to be repaid by 16 August 2022.

•  No guarantees are provided or received for any related party receivables or payables. 
•  No provision for expected credit losses has been recognised in relation to any outstanding balances and no expense has been recognised 

in respect of expected credit losses due from related parties.

•  There were no other related party transactions in the year ended 30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil), other than those with post-employment 

benefit plans for the benefit of Group employees. These are shown in note 25 ‘Pension and other post-retirement obligations’.

Transactions with related parties
Further disclosures related to other related party transactions are as follows:

Sales of goods/services 
Purchases of goods/services 
Interest income
Interest expense
Dividends received
Net loans made to/(repayments from) related parties

Joint operations

Joint ventures

Associates

2019
US$M

 −
 −
1.532
 −
 −
12.539

2018
US$M

 −
 −
1.764
 −
 −
60.566

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

 −
 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

 −
 −
 −
 −
 −
 −

2019
US$M

 −
1,141.230
0.826
0.011
509.577
14.547

2018
US$M

 −
1,358.016
19.337
 −
693.105
(599.979)

Outstanding balances with related parties
Disclosures in respect of amounts owing to/from joint operations represent the amount that does not eliminate on consolidation.

Trade amounts owing to related parties 
Loan amounts owing to related parties
Trade amounts owing from related parties
Loan amounts owing from related parties

Joint operations

Joint ventures

Associates

2019
US$M

 −
40.513
 −
15.474

2018
US$M

 −
55.667
 −
18.089

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

 −
 −
 −
 −

 −
 −
 −
 −

2019
US$M

169.773
10.097
3.828
33.486

2018
US$M

210.716
4.097
3.932
12.939

BHP Annual Report 2019  219

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Unrecognised items and uncertain events

32 Commitments
The Group’s commitments for capital expenditure were US$3,308 million as at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$2,110 million). The Group’s other 
commitments are as follows:

Due not later than one year
Due later than one year and not later than five years
Due later than five years

Total 

Future financing liability

Finance lease liability

Commitments under
finance leases

Commitments under
operating leases

2019
US$M

110
417
501

1,028

(313)

715

2018
US$M

127
448
590

1,165

(363)

802

2019
US$M

440
876
589

1,905

2018
US$M

388
785
839

2,012

Finance leases include leases of power generation and transmission assets. Certain lease payments may be subject to inflation escalation 
clauses on which contingent rentals are determined. The leases contain extension and renewal options.

Operating leases include leases of property, plant and equipment. Rental payments are generally fixed, but with inflation escalation clauses 
on which contingent rentals are determined. Certain leases contain extension and renewal options. From 1 July 2019, IFRS 16/AASB 16 ‘Leases’ 
became effective for the Group. Refer to note 38 ‘New and amended accounting standards and interpretations’.

33 Contingent liabilities

Associates and joint ventures (1) 
Subsidiaries and joint operations (1)

Total

2019
US$M

1,822
1,621

3,443

2018
US$M

1,588
1,915

3,503

(1)  There are a number of matters, for which it is not possible at this time to provide a range of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures, and 

for which no amounts have been included in the table above.

A contingent liability is a possible obligation arising from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by occurrence or non-
occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Group. A contingent liability may also be a present 
obligation arising from past events but is not recognised on the basis that an outflow of economic resources to settle the obligation is not 
viewed as probable, or the amount of the obligation cannot be reliably measured. 

When the Group has a present obligation, an outflow of economic resources is assessed as probable and the Group can reliably measure 
the obligation, a provision is recognised.

The Group has entered into various counter-indemnities of bank and performance guarantees related to its own future performance, 
which are in the normal course of business. The likelihood of these guarantees being called upon is considered remote.

The Group presently has tax matters, litigation and other claims, for which the timing of resolution and potential economic outflow are 
uncertain. Obligations assessed as having probable future economic outflows capable of reliable measurement are provided at reporting 
date and matters assessed as having possible future economic outflows capable of reliable measurement are included in the total amount 
of contingent liabilities above. Individually significant matters, including narrative on potential future exposures incapable of reliable 
measurement, are disclosed below, to the extent that disclosure does not prejudice the Group.

Uncertain tax and 
royalty matters

Samarco 
contingent 
liabilities

Demerger 
of South32

The Group is subject to a range of taxes and royalties across many jurisdictions, the application of which is uncertain in some 
regards. Changes in tax law, changes in interpretation of tax law, periodic challenges and disagreements with tax authorities, 
and legal proceedings result in uncertainty of the outcome of the application of taxes and royalties to the Group’s business. 
Areas of uncertainty at reporting date include the application of taxes and royalties to the Group’s cross-border operations 
and transactions.
Details of uncertain tax and royalty matters have been disclosed in note 6 ‘Income tax expense’. To the extent uncertain tax 
and royalty matters give rise to a contingent liability, an estimate of the potential liability is included within the table above, 
where it is capable of reliable measurement.

The table above includes contingent liabilities related to the Group’s equity accounting investment in Samarco to the extent 
they are capable of reliable measurement. Details of contingent liabilities related to Samarco are disclosed in note 4 ‘Significant 
events – Samarco dam failure’.

As part of the demerger of South32 Limited (South32) in May 2015, certain indemnities were agreed under the Separation Deed. 
Subject to certain exceptions, BHP Group Limited indemnifies South32 against claims and liabilities relating to the Group Businesses 
and former Group Businesses prior to the demerger and South32 indemnifies the Group against all claims and liabilities relating 
to the South32 Businesses and former South32 Businesses. No material claims have been made pursuant to the Separation Deed 
as at 30 June 2019.

34 Subsequent events
Other than the matters outlined in the Financial Statements, no matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year that 
have significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the operations, results of operations or state of affairs of the Group in subsequent 
accounting periods.

220  BHP Annual Report 2019

Other items

35 Auditor’s remuneration

Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for assurance services 
Audit of the Group’s Annual Report
Audit of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
Audit-related assurance services
Other assurance services

Total assurance services

Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for other services
Other services relating to corporate finance
All other services

Total other services

Total fees

2019
US$M

4.033
5.275
4.089
0.594

13.991

0.055
0.482

0.537

14.528

2018
US$M

3.909
13.902
4.039
1.343

23.193

0.104
0.553

0.657

23.850

2017
US$M

3.381
7.040
3.597
1.849

15.867

0.042
0.589

0.631

16.498

All amounts were paid to KPMG or KPMG affiliated firms. Fees are determined in local currencies and are predominantly billed in US dollars 
based on the exchange rate at the beginning of the relevant financial year.

Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for assurance services 
For all periods disclosed, no fees are payable in respect of the audit of pension funds.

Audit of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates comprise audit of the Group’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates including 
additional non-recurring audit fees in FY2018 in connection with the sale of the Onshore US oil and gas assets.

Audit-related assurance services comprise review of half-year reports and audit work in relation to compliance with section 404 of the US 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Other assurance services comprise assurance in respect of the Group’s sustainability reporting. 

Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for other services 
Other services relating to corporate finance comprise services in connection with debt raising transactions. 

All other services comprise non-statutory assurance based procedures, advice on accounting matters, as well as tax compliance services 
of US$0.013 million (2018: US$ nil; 2017: US$0.027 million).

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BHP Annual Report 2019  221

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36 BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Limited does not present unconsolidated parent company financial statements. Selected financial information of the BHP Group 
Limited parent company is as follows:

Income statement information for the financial year 
Profit after taxation for the year
Total comprehensive income
Balance sheet information as at the end of the financial year
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Share capital
Treasury shares
Reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity

2019
US$M

5,820
5,830

3,804
49,111
1,724
1,854
823
(30)
203
46,261
47,257

2018
US$M

7,818
7,830

16,935
56,448
2,313
2,805
898
(5)
182
52,568
53,643

Parent company guarantees
BHP Group Limited has guaranteed certain financing arrangements available to subsidiaries of US$11,368 million at 30 June 2019 
(2018: US$13,108 million).

Under the terms of a Deed Poll Guarantee, BHP Group Limited has guaranteed certain current and future liabilities of BHP Group Plc. 
The guaranteed liabilities at 30 June 2019 amounted to US$10 million (2018: US$11 million).

BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc have severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of the principal and premium, 
if any, and interest, including certain additional amounts that may be payable in respect of the notes issued by 100 per cent owned finance 
subsidiary, BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd. BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc have guaranteed the payment of such amounts when they 
become due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at the stated maturity of the notes, by declaration or acceleration, call for 
redemption or otherwise. The guaranteed liabilities at 30 June 2019 amounted to US$8,716 million (2018: US$9,486 million). In addition, BHP 
Group Limited and BHP Group Plc have severally guaranteed a Group Revolving Credit Facility of US$6,000 million (2018: US$6,000 million), 
which remains undrawn.

37 Deed of Cross Guarantee
BHP Group Limited together with wholly owned subsidiaries identified in note 13 ‘Related undertakings of the Group’ in section 5.2 entered 
into a Deed of Cross Guarantee (Deed) on 6 June 2016. The effect of the Deed is that BHP Group Limited has guaranteed to pay any 
outstanding liabilities upon the winding up of any wholly owned subsidiary that is party to the Deed. Wholly owned subsidiaries that 
are party to the Deed have also given a similar guarantee in the event that BHP Group Limited or another party to the Deed is wound up. 

The wholly owned Australian subsidiaries identified in note 13 ‘Related undertakings of the Group’ in section 5.2 are relieved from the 
requirements to prepare and lodge audited financial reports.

A Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Retained Earnings and Consolidated Balance Sheet, comprising BHP Group 
Limited and the wholly owned subsidiaries that are party to the Deed for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are as follows:

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Retained Earnings

Revenue
Other income
Expenses excluding net finance costs
Net finance costs
Income tax expense

Profit after taxation 
Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Retained earnings at the beginning of the financial year
Net effect on retained earnings of entities added to/removed from the Deed
Profit after taxation for the year
Transfers to and from reserves
Shares bought back and cancelled
Dividends 

Retained earnings at the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

22,660
2,881
(14,610)
(414)
(2,317)

8,200
10

8,210

48,442
(34)
8,200
(31)
(5,199)
(6,655)

44,723

2018
US$M

20,434
3,188
(12,693)
(470)
(2,218)

8,241
12

8,253

45,979
48
8,241
(15)
–
(5,811)

48,442

222  BHP Annual Report 2019

37 Deed of Cross Guarantee continued

Consolidated Balance Sheet

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Loans to related parties
Inventories
Other 

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Trade and other receivables
Loans to related parties
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investments in Group companies 
Deferred tax assets
Other

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans from related parties
Interest bearing liabilities
Current tax payable
Provisions 
Deferred income

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans from related parties
Interest bearing liabilities
Non-current tax payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Deferred income

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY
Share capital – BHP Group Limited
Treasury shares
Reserves
Retained earnings

Total equity 

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

13
4,875
4,255
1,677
92

10,912

40
 −
326
31,508
362
33,123
442
59

65,860

76,772

4,790
13,682
104
694
889
6

20,165

8
7,689
143
75
542
2,136
14

10,607

30,772

46,000

1,111
(31)
197
44,723

46,000

2
3,977
16,730
1,649
90

22,448

73
151
323
31,009
444
27,354
329
68

59,751

82,199

3,425
15,719
115
1,053
952
6

21,270

3
7,870
191
–
573
2,475
18

11,130

32,400

49,799

1,186
(5)
176
48,442

49,799

BHP Annual Report 2019  223

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38 New and amended accounting standards and interpretations
The Group adopted IFRS 9/AASB 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (IFRS 9) 
and IFRS 15/AASB 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ 
(IFRS 15) in these Financial Statements from 1 July 2018. The adoption 
of other changes to IFRS applicable from 1 July 2018, including 
IFRIC 22 ‘Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration’, 
did not have a significant impact on these Financial Statements.

•  Financial assets carried at amortised cost are tested for impairment 
based on expected losses, whereas the previous policy required 
that impairments were recognised only when there was objective 
evidence that a credit loss was present. Upon adoption of IFRS 9, 
an expected credit loss provision of US$7 million against cash 
and cash equivalents and trade receivables was recognised in 
retained earnings.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
This standard replaces IAS 39/AASB 139 ‘Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and measurement’ (IAS 39). It revises the classification 
and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
introduces a forward looking ‘expected credit loss’ impairment model 
and modifies the approach to hedge accounting. Upon adoption of 
the new standard on 1 July 2018, the Group adjusted the opening 
balance sheet, with no restatement of comparatives required. 
Adoption impacts include:

•  At 1 July 2018, the Group reassessed the classification and 

measurement of financial assets and liabilities based on the 
business model by which they are managed and their cash flow 
characteristics. 
Financial assets previously classified as loans and receivables of 
US$17.7 billion were recategorised as amortised cost. The Group’s 
available for sale (AFS) shares of US$33 million were designated 
as fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), while 
investments in shares after 1 July 2018 will be designated at fair 
value through profit or loss (FVTPL) or FVOCI on an investment 
by investment basis.

Other AFS investments of US$47 million were classified as held at 
FVTPL because they are not investments in shares and their cash 
flows do not consist solely of payments of principal and interest. 
The adoption of IFRS 9 has not resulted in any changes to the 
classification of financial assets held at FVTPL or to the 
classification or measurement of financial liabilities.

•  From 1 July 2018, the Group has applied the amended rules on 
hedge accounting which enable closer alignment between the 
Group’s risk management strategy and the accounting outcomes. 
IFRS 9 broadens the scope of arrangements that may qualify 
for hedge accounting and allows for simplification of hedge 
designations. Other changes under the standard mean that 
hedge effectiveness is only considered on a prospective basis 
with no set quantitative thresholds and voluntary de-designation 
of hedges is prohibited. 

Certain of the Group’s existing derivatives hedging foreign currency 
notes and debentures, were in qualifying fair value and cash flow 
hedge relationships and have been treated as continuing hedges. 
The opportunity to apply simplified hedge designations under IFRS 9 
will continue to be assessed for future hedge relationships. Risks 
present in the derivative only, such as counterparty credit risk, are not 
part of the hedge designation and will continue to be recognised 
through the income statement.

Foreign currency basis has been separately measured as a cost 
of hedging and movements continue to be recognised in reserves, 
with US$176 million being reclassified from the cash flow hedging 
reserve into the cost of hedging reserve on transition. The hedging 
reserves at transition will continue to be transferred to the income 
statement over the life of the underlying notes and debentures.

The impact of adopting IFRS 9 on Total equity as at 1 July 2018 is as follows:

Total equity as at 30 June 2018
Impairment provision resulting from application of the Expected Credit Loss model 

Total equity as at 1 July 2018

US$M

60,670
(7)

60,663

The table below summarises the change in classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities upon adoption of IFRS 9 
on 1 July 2018.

Measurement category under 
IAS 39

Measurement category under 
IFRS 9

Financial assets

Derivative contracts
Investment in shares 
Other investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Provisionally priced trade receivables 
Loans to equity accounted investments

Financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Provisionally priced trade payables 
Bank overdrafts and short-term borrowings
Bank loans 
Notes and debentures
Finance leases
Other

FVTPL
AFS
AFS or FVTPL 
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
FVTPL
Loans and receivables

FVTPL
Amortised cost
FVTPL
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost

FVTPL
FVOCI or FVTPL
FVTPL
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
FVTPL
Amortised cost

FVTPL
Amortised cost
FVTPL
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Amortised cost

224  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
38 New and amended accounting standards and interpretations continued
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
This standard modifies the determination of when to recognise 
revenue and how much revenue to recognise. Revenue is recognised 
when control of the promised goods or services passes to the 
customer. The amount of revenue recognised should reflect the 
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange 
for those goods or services.

The Group has applied the full retrospective transition approach, 
resulting in the restatement of comparative information. Comparative 
information in the consolidated income statement has been restated 
to reflect changes in the presentation of treatment costs and refining 
charges (TCRC) included in concentrate sales contracts. 

Concentrate sales contracts require the Group to physically deliver 
concentrate with the contractual sales amount reflecting the final 
refined metal content delivered, reduced by TCRC. Revenue was 
previously recognised at the gross value of the final refined metal 
content delivered with contractually agreed TCRC recorded as an 
expense. Under IFRS 15, TCRC will instead be recognised as a 
reduction to revenue, reflecting the consideration that the Group 
expects to receive from the customer. This will have no net income 
statement impact as applying this change would have reduced 
revenue and expenses by US$522 million for the year ended 
30 June 2019, US$509 million for the year ended 30 June 2018 and 
US$395 million for the year ended 30 June 2017, with no impact on 
profit after tax. This change has no impact on the basic and diluted 
earnings per ordinary share.

Revenue includes both revenue from contracts with customers, 
which is recognised under IFRS 15 and provisional pricing adjustments, 
which are recognised under IFRS 9. Following adoption of IFRS 15 
provisional pricing adjustments will be separately disclosed in the 
notes to these Financial Statements as other revenue. The impact 
of all other measurement differences identified between IAS 18 and 
IFRS 15 was immaterial at 1 July 2018.

Issued but not yet effective
The following new accounting standards and interpretations 
will become effective for future reporting periods and may 
have a significant impact on the income statement or net assets 
of the Group.

IFRS 16 Leases
This standard provides a new model for lessee accounting under 
which all leases, with the exception of short term (under 12 months) 
and low-value leases, will be accounted for by the recognition on the 
balance sheet of a right of use asset and a corresponding lease 
liability. Lease costs will be recognised in the income statement over 
the lease term in the form of depreciation on the right of use asset 
and finance charges representing the unwind of the discount on the 
lease liability. 

The standard became effective for the Group from 1 July 2019 and the 
Group has elected to apply the modified retrospective transition 
approach, with no restatement of comparative financial information. 
For existing finance leases, the right of use asset and lease liability 
on transition will be the IAS 17/AASB 117 ‘Leases’ (IAS 17) carrying 
amounts as at 30 June 2019. 

As allowed by the standard, the Group has elected:
•  except for existing finance leases, to measure the right of use asset 
on transition at an amount equal to the lease liability (as adjusted 
for prepaid or accrued lease payments); 

•  not to recognise low-value or short term leases on the balance sheet. 
Costs for these lease arrangements will continue to be expensed;
•  to only recognise, within the lease liability, the lease component 

of contracts that include non-lease components and other services;

•  to reflect the impairment of right of use assets on transition by 
adjusting their carrying amounts for onerous lease provisions 
recognised on the Group balance sheet as at 30 June 2019.

Where the Group is the operator of an unincorporated joint operation 
and all investors are parties to a lease, the Group will recognise its 
proportionate share of the lease liability and associated right of use 
asset. Where the Group is the sole signatory to a lease, and therefore 
has the sole legal obligation to make lease payments, the lease 
liability will be recognised in full. Where the associated right of use 
asset is sub-leased (under a finance sub-lease) to a joint operation, 
for instance where it is dedicated to a single operation and the joint 
operation has the right to direct the use of the asset, the Group will 
recognise its proportionate share of the right of use asset and a net 
investment in the lease, representing amounts to be recovered from 
the other parties. If the Group is not party to the lease contract but 
sub-leases the associated right of use asset it will recognise its 
proportionate share of the right of use asset and a lease liability 
which is payable to the operator.

The application of IFRS 16 requires certain significant judgements, 
estimates and assumptions including whether the Group controls the 
right to direct the use of assets in certain contractual arrangements, 
the likelihood of extension and termination options being exercised, 
the separation and estimation of non-lease components of payments, 
the identification and valuation of in-substance fixed payments and 
the determination of the incremental borrowing rate relevant in 
calculating lease liabilities. 

The impact on transition is expected to result in an increase in lease 
liabilities of approximately US$2.3 billion, right of use assets of 
US$2.2 billion, and net adjustments to other assets and liabilities 
of US$0.1 billion. The Group is required to recognise these leases 
applying the incremental borrowing rate that takes into account the 
currency, tenor and location of each lease. The weighted average 
incremental borrowing rate applied to the Group’s additional lease 
liabilities at 1 July 2019 is 2.1 per cent. The Group will recognise 
leases entered into after 1 July 2019 using the interest rate implicit 
in the lease, where this is readily determinable.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the operating lease 
commitments disclosed in note 32 ‘Commitments’ to the expected 
total lease liability to be recognised at 1 July 2019:

Operating lease commitments as at 30 June 2019
Add: Leases which did not meet the definition 
of a lease under IAS 17
Add: Cost of reasonably certain extension options 
(undiscounted)
Less: Components excluded from lease liability 
(undiscounted)
Less: Effect of discounting

Total additional lease liabilities recognised 
on transition

US$B

1.9

0.7

0.1

(0.2)
(0.2)

2.3

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Leases recognised under IFRS 16, which did not meet the definition 
of a lease under IAS 17, relate to freight contracts known as continuous 
voyage charters (CVCs). The lease asset and liability associated with 
all index-linked freight contracts, including CVCs, will be remeasured 
at each reporting date based on the prevailing freight index (Baltic C5 
index). Freight indices, which reflect demand and supply for vessels, 
have shown historic volatility. The accounting for these contracts 
continues to evolve and the Group is monitoring industry practice.

The Group’s finance lease obligations at 30 June 2019 are currently 
included in the Group’s net debt (note 19 ‘Net debt’). From 1 July 2019, 
net debt will include the Group’s total lease liabilities. 

The Group has developed lease accounting systems, processes and 
controls which will be used to account for the Group’s lease contracts 
following transition. Practical application of the standard continues 
to develop in a number of areas and the Group will continue to 
monitor developments and assess any implications for the expected 
lease liability on transition and post transition accounting. 

Other interpretations issued but not yet effective
The adoption of other changes to IFRS applicable from 1 July 2019, 
including IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’ is not 
expected to have a significant impact on these Financial Statements. 

A number of other accounting standards and interpretations, along 
with revisions to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, 
have been issued and will be applicable in future periods. While these 
remain subject to ongoing assessment, no significant impacts have 
been identified to date. These standards have not been applied in the 
preparation of these Financial Statements.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  225

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.2 BHP Group Plc
BHP Group Plc is required to present its unconsolidated parent company balance sheet and certain notes to the balance sheet on a stand-
alone basis as at 30 June 2019 and 2018. The BHP Group Plc Balance Sheet has been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101). Refer to note 1 ‘Principal accounting policies’ for information on the principal 
accounting policies.

BHP Group Plc is exempt from presenting an unconsolidated parent company profit and loss account and statement of comprehensive 
income in accordance with section 408 of the UK Companies Act 2006. 

Parent company Financial Statements of BHP Group Plc

BHP Group Plc Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019

ASSETS
Current assets
Debtors – Amounts owed by Group undertakings 

Non-current assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Creditors – Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Pension liabilities

Total liabilities 

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 
Share premium account 
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss account 

Total equity

Notes

2

3
4

5
6

 6, 7

2019
US$M

8,258

8,258

3,131
 −

3,131

2018
US$M

11,503

11,503

3,131
 −

3,131

11,389

14,634

(38)
(2)

(40)

(9)

(9)

(49)

(4)
(1)

(5)

(9)

(9)

(14)

11,340

14,620

1,057
518
177
9,588

11,340

1,057
518
177
12,868

14,620

The accompanying notes form part of these Parent company Financial Statements.

The Parent company Financial Statements of BHP Group Plc, registration number 3196209, were approved by the Board of Directors 
on 5 September 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Ken MacKenzie 
Chairman 

Andrew Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer

226  BHP Annual Report 2019

BHP Group Plc Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2019

US$M

Balance as at 1 July 2018

Share capital 

1,057

Profit for the year after taxation
Other comprehensive income for the year:

Tax on employee entitlements taken to retained earnings
Actuarial loss on pension scheme

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners:

Purchase of shares by ESOP trusts
Employee share awards exercised net of employee 
contributions and forfeitures
Accrued employee entitlement for unexercised awards
Dividends

Balance as at 30 June 2019

Balance as at 1 July 2017

Profit for the year after taxation
Other comprehensive income for the year:

Tax on employee entitlements taken to retained earnings
Actuarial loss on pension scheme

Total comprehensive income for the year 
Transactions with owners:

Purchase of shares by ESOP trusts
Employee share awards exercised net of employee 
contributions and forfeitures
Accrued employee entitlement for unexercised awards
Dividends

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

1,057

1,057

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

Balance as at 30 June 2018

1,057

Treasury 

shares (1) 

Share 
premium 
account 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve

Profit and loss 
account 

Total equity

 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

(6)

6
 −
 −

 −

(1)

 −

 −
 −

 −

(12)

13
 −
 −

 −

518

177

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

518

518

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

177

177

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −

 −
 −
 −

518

177

12,868

1,372

 −
 −

14,620

1,372

 −
 −

1,372

1,372

 −

(6)

(6)
2
(4,648)

9,588

6,436

8,512

 −
 −

 −
2
(4,648)

11,340

8,187

8,512

 −
 −

8,512

8,512

 −

(12)

(13)
3
(2,070)

12,868

 −
3
(2,070)

14,620

(1)  Shares held by the Billiton Employee Share Ownership Trust as at 30 June 2019 were 39,719 shares with a market value of US$1 million (2018: 41,634 shares with 

a market value of US$1 million).

The accompanying notes form part of these Parent company Financial Statements.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  227

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currencies
The accounting policy is consistent with the Group’s policy on 
‘Foreign currencies’ as set out in section 5.1.

Investments in subsidiaries (Group undertakings)
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provisions for 
impairments. Investments in subsidiaries are reviewed for impairment 
where events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount of the investment may not be recoverable.

If any such indication exists, BHP Group Plc makes an assessment 
of the recoverable amount. If the asset is determined to be impaired, 
an impairment loss will be recorded and the asset written down 
based on the amount by which the asset carrying amount exceeds 
the higher of fair value less cost of disposal and value in use. An 
impairment loss is recognised immediately in the income statement. 

Taxation
The accounting policy is consistent with the Group’s policy set out 
in note 6 ‘Income tax expense’ in section 5.1.

Key judgements and estimates
Judgements: Judgement is required to determine the 
amount of deferred tax assets that are recognised based 
on the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits. 

Estimates: The Group assesses the recoverability of 
recognised and unrecognised deferred taxes on a 
consistent basis, using estimates and assumptions 
relating to projected cash flows as applied in the 
Group impairment reviews for associated operations.

Share-based payments
The accounting policy is consistent with the Group’s policy set out 
in note 23 ‘Employee share ownership plans’ in section 5.1 and is 
applied with respect to all rights and options granted over BHP 
Group Plc shares, including those granted to employees of other 
Group companies. However, the cost of rights and options granted 
is recovered from subsidiaries of the Group where the participants 
are employed.

BHP Group Plc is the Trust’s sponsoring company and so the Parent 
company Financial Statements of BHP Group Plc represent the 
combined financial statements of BHP Group Plc and the Trust.

Revenue recognition
Interest income is recognised on an accruals basis using the effective 
interest method. Dividend income is recognised when the right to 
receive payment is established, typically on declaration by subsidiaries.

Treasury shares
The consideration paid for the repurchase of BHP Group Plc shares 
that are held as treasury shares is recognised as a reduction in 
shareholders’ funds and represents a reduction in distributable 
reserves.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The accounting policy is consistent with the Group’s policy set out in 
note 25 ‘Pension and other post-retirement obligations’ in section 5.1.

Financial guarantees
Financial guarantees issued by BHP Group Plc are contracts 
that require a payment to be made to reimburse the holder 
for a loss it incurs because the specified debtor fails to comply 
with the terms of the debt instrument. Financial guarantees are 
recognised initially as a liability at fair value less transaction costs 
as appropriate. Subsequently, the liability is measured at the higher 
of the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present 
obligation at the reporting date and the amount recognised less 
cumulative amortisation.

1 Principal accounting policies
BHP Group Plc company information
BHP Group Plc is a public company limited by shares, registered 
in England and Wales and with a registered office located at Nova 
South, 160 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5LB, United Kingdom. 
BHP Group Plc has a premium listing on the UK Listing Authority’s 
Official List and its ordinary shares are admitted to trading on the 
London Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom and have a secondary 
listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa. 

Basis of preparation
BHP Group Plc meets the definition of a qualifying entity under 
Financial Reporting Standard 100 ‘Application of Financial Reporting 
Requirements’ (FRS 100) as issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 

The BHP Group Plc Parent company Financial Statements are:
•  unconsolidated Financial Statements of the stand-alone company. 
BHP Group Plc is exempt from preparing consolidated accounts 
by virtue of section 400 of the UK Companies Act 2006;

•  prepared in accordance with the provisions of the UK Companies 

Act 2006;

•  presented in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 

101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101);

•  prepared on a going concern basis;
•  using historical cost principles as modified by the revaluation 
of certain financial assets and liabilities in accordance with 
the UK Companies Act 2006;

•  presented in US dollars, which is the functional currency of 
BHP Group Plc. Amounts are rounded to the nearest million 
dollars, unless otherwise stated.

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these 
Parent company Financial Statements are set out below. These have 
been applied consistently to all periods presented. The following 
disclosure exemptions have been applied under FRS 101:

•  paragraphs 45(b) and 46-52 of IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’ (details 
of number and weighted average exercise price of share options, 
and how the fair value of goods or services received was determined);

•  the requirements of IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’;
•  paragraphs 91–99 of IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurement’ (disclosure 

of valuation techniques and inputs used for fair value measurement 
of assets and liabilities);

•  paragraph 38 of IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ 

(comparative financial information in respect of paragraph 79(a)(iv) 
of IAS 1);

•  disclosure of the following requirements of IAS 1 ‘Presentation 

of Financial Statements’:
 – 10(d) – A statement of cash flows for the period;
 – 16 – A statement that the Financial Statements are in compliance 

with all IFRSs;

 – 38A – Requirement for a minimum of two primary statements 

including cash flow statements;
 – 38 B-D – Comparative information; 
 – 111 – Cash flow statement information;
 – 134-136 – Capital management disclosures;

•  IAS 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’;
•  paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 ‘Accounting Policies and Changes 
in Accounting Estimates and Errors’ (disclosure of information 
when an entity has not applied a new IFRS that has been issued 
and is not yet effective);

•  paragraphs 17 and 18A of IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ 

(key management compensation); 

•  the requirements of IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ (disclosure 
of related party transactions entered into between two or more 
members of a group).

Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources 
of estimation uncertainties
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with FRS 101 
requires the use of critical accounting estimates, and requires the 
application of judgement in applying BHP Group Plc’s accounting 
policies. Significant judgements and estimates applied in the 
preparation of these Parent company Financial Statements have 
been identified and disclosed throughout.

228  BHP Annual Report 2019

2 Debtors – Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

Total debtors

Comprising:
Current 
Non-current 

The amounts due from Group undertakings primarily relate to unsecured receivable balances that are at call.

3 Investments in subsidiaries

Investments in subsidiaries (Group undertakings):
At the beginning and the end of the financial year

BHP Group Plc had the following principal subsidiary undertakings as at 30 June 2019:

Company

Principal activity

Country of incorporation

BHP Billiton Group Limited
BHP Billiton Finance Plc
BHP (AUS) DDS Pty Ltd

Holding company
Finance company
General finance

UK 
UK
Australia

2019
US$M

8,258

8,258

8,258
 −

2018
US$M

11,503

11,503

11,503
 −

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

3,131

3,131

Percentage 
shareholding

Carrying value 
of investment
US$M

100%
99%
100%

3,131
0.1
–

BHP Billiton Group Limited, BHP Billiton Finance Plc and BHP (AUS) DDS Pty Ltd are included in the consolidation of the Group.

During the year, BHP Group Plc received dividends of US$1,246 million (2018: US$5,947 million) from BHP Billiton Group Limited and dividends 
of US$ nil (2018: US$2,660 million) were received from BHP (AUS) DDS Pty Ltd. 

In accordance with section 409 of the UK Companies Act 2006, a full list of related undertakings is disclosed in note 13 ‘Related undertakings 
of the Group’ in this section.

4 Deferred tax assets
The movement for the year in BHP Group Plc’s deferred tax position is as follows:

Deferred tax assets
At the beginning of the financial year
Income tax charge recorded in the income statement
Income tax credit recorded directly to other comprehensive income

At the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

 −
 −
 −

 −

111
(111)
 −

 −

The composition of BHP Group Plc’s deferred tax asset recognised in the balance sheet and the deferred tax expense charged to the income 
statement is as follows:

Type of temporary difference
Tax losses
Employee benefits

Total

Deferred tax assets

Charged to the income statement

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2019
US$M

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

 −
 −

 −

2018
US$M

105
6

111

As at 30 June 2019, BHP Group Plc had unused income tax losses of US$605 million (2018: US$618 million), with income tax benefit of 
US$103 million (2018: US$105 million), and other deductible temporary differences of US$17 million (2018: US$33 million) with income 
tax benefit of US$3 million (2018: US$6 million). A deferred tax asset has not been recognised on these losses and deductible temporary 
differences, as it is not probable that future tax benefits will be available against which they can be utilised. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  229

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5 Creditors – Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Group relief payable
Amounts owed to Group undertakings

Total creditors

Comprising:
Current 
Non-current 

The amounts due to Group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

6 Provisions

Employee benefits
Pension liabilities

Total provisions

Comprising:
Current 
Non-current 

At the beginning of the financial year
Actuarial loss on pension scheme
Charge for the year
Transfers and other movements

At the end of the financial year

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

34
4

38

38
 −

 −
4

4

4
 −

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

2
9

11

2
9

Employee
benefits
US$M

Pension
liabilities
US$M

1
 −
 −
1

2

9
 −
 −
 −

9

1
9

10

1
9

Total
US$M

10
 −
 −
1

11

7 Pension liabilities
The Group operates the UK Executive fund in the United Kingdom. A full actuarial valuation is prepared by the independent actuary to the 
fund as at 30 June 2019. The Group operates final salary schemes that provide final salary benefits only, non-salary related schemes that 
provide flat dollar benefits and mixed benefit schemes that consist of a final salary defined benefit portion and a defined contribution portion.

The defined benefit pension scheme exposes BHP Group Plc to a number of risks, including asset value volatility, interest rate, inflation, longevity 
and medical expense inflation risk. 

The Group follows a coordinated strategy for the funding and investment of its defined benefit pension schemes (subject to meeting all local 
requirements). Scheme assets are predominantly invested in bonds and equities.

Amounts recognised in the BHP Group Plc balance sheet are as follows:

Present value of funded defined benefit obligation
Fair value of defined benefit scheme assets

Scheme deficit

Net liability recognised in the Balance Sheet

2019
US$M

2018
US$M

15
(6)

9

9

15
(6)

9

9

230  BHP Annual Report 2019

8 Share capital

Share capital issued (issued and fully paid)
Opening number of shares
Purchase of shares by ESOP Trusts
Employee share awards exercised following vesting
Movement in treasury shares under Employee Share Plans 

Closing number of shares (1)

Comprising: 
Shares held by the public
Treasury shares

Other share classes
Special Voting Share of US$0.50 par value
5.5% Preference shares of £1 each

BHP Group Plc

2019
Shares

2018
Shares

2,112,071,796
(274,069)
275,984
(1,915)

2,112,071,796
(679,223)
711,705
(32,482)

2,112,071,796

2,112,071,796

2,112,032,077
39,719

2,112,030,162
41,634

1
50,000

1
50,000

(1)  The total number of BHP Group Plc shares for all classes is 2,112,071,796 of which 99.99 per cent are ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.50.

Refer to note 15 ‘Share capital’ in section 5.1 for descriptions of the nature of share capital held.

9 Employee numbers

Average number of employees during the year including Executive Directors

2019
Number

1

2018
Number

1

10 Financial guarantees
Under the terms of a Deed Poll Guarantee, BHP Group Plc has guaranteed certain current and future liabilities of BHP Group Limited. 
At 30 June 2019, the guaranteed liabilities amounted to US$13,222 million (2018: US$15,908 million).

BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Limited have severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of the principal and premium, 
if any, and interest, including certain additional amounts that may be payable in respect of the notes issued by 100 per cent owned finance 
subsidiary BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Limited. BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Limited have guaranteed the payment of such amounts when 
they become due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at the stated maturity of the notes, by declaration or acceleration, 
call for redemption or otherwise. At 30 June 2019, the guaranteed liabilities amounted to US$8,716 million (2018: US$9,486 million). 
Further, BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Limited have severally guaranteed a Group Revolving Credit Facility of US$6,000 million 
(2018: US$6,000 million), which remains undrawn.

At 30 June 2019, the liability recognised for financial guarantees was US$ nil (2018: US$ nil).

11 Financing facilities
BHP Group Plc is a party to a revolving credit facility. Refer to note 19 ‘Net debt’ in section 5.1.

12 Other matters
Note 35 ‘Auditor’s remuneration’ in section 5.1 provides details of the remuneration of BHP Group Plc’s auditor on a Group basis.

The Directors are remunerated by BHP Group Plc for their services to the Group as a whole. No remuneration was paid to them specifically 
in respect of their services to BHP Group Plc. Details of the Directors’ remuneration are disclosed in section 3.3 ‘Annual report on remuneration’.

BHP Group Plc had no capital or operating/finance lease commitments as at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$ nil).

BHP Annual Report 2019  231

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13 Related undertakings of the Group
In accordance with Section 409 of the UK Companies Act 2006 the following tables disclose a full list of related undertakings, the country 
of incorporation, the registered office address and the effective percentage of equity owned as at 30 June 2019. 

Unless otherwise stated, the share capital disclosed comprises ordinary or common shares which are held by subsidiaries of the Group. 
Refer to note 28 ‘Subsidiaries’, 29 ‘Investments accounted for using the equity method’ and 30 ‘Interests in joint operations’ in section 5.1 
for undertakings that have a significant contribution to the Group‘s net profit or net assets. 
Wholly owned subsidiaries (a) 

Country of incorporation
Argentina

Registered office address
Sarmiento 580, piso 4º – 5º, Buenos Aires, C1041AAL, Argentina

Company Name
BHP Petroleum (Argentina) S.A.

Australia

125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia 

BHP (Towage Services) Pty Ltd (v) (y) 
BHP Billiton IO Pilbara Mining Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Limited (s) (v) (x) 
BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd (f) (s) (v) (x) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Australia) Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (International Exploration) Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Victoria) Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Petroleum International Pty Ltd (s) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum Investments (Great Britain) Pty Ltd 
BHP Direct Reduced Iron Pty Limited (v) (x) 
BHP IO Mining Pty Ltd 
BHP IO Workshop Pty Ltd 
BHP Iron Ore Holdings Pty Ltd (s) 
BHP Petroleum (Cambodia) Pty Ltd 
BHP Petroleum Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Boodarie) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Brolga) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Corella) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Ibis) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Kestrel) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Osprey) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Iron Whistler) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Mallina) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (Mount Florance) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Atlantis) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Darwin) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Discovery) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Eduard) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Endeavour) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Enterprise) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Force) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Inspiration) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Rotation) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Sensation) Pty Ltd 
BHP Towage Services (RT Tough) Pty Ltd 
BHP WAIO Pty Ltd (v) (y) 
Pilbara Gas Pty Limited (v) (x) 
United Iron Pty Ltd

Australia

Level 14, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia

BHP Coal Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
BHP Energy Coal Australia Pty Ltd 
BHP MetCoal Holdings Pty Ltd (s) (u) (v) 
BHP Minerals Asia Pacific Pty Ltd 
BHP Queensland Coal Investments Pty Ltd (w) 
Broadmeadow Mine Services Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
Central Queensland Services Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
Coal Mines Australia Pty Ltd 
Dampier Coal (Queensland) Proprietary Limited (v) (x) 
Hay Point Services Pty Limited (u) (v) 
Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd 
Mt Arthur Coal Pty Limited 
Mt Arthur Underground Pty Ltd 
OS ACPM Pty Ltd (v) (y) 
OS MCAP Pty Ltd (v) (z) 
Red Mountain Infrastructure Pty Ltd 
UMAL Consolidated Pty Ltd (v) (x)

Level 15, 171 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

Agnew Pastoral Company Pty Ltd 
Albion Downs Pty Limited 
BHP (AUS) DDS Pty Ltd (t) 
BHP Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd 
BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Limited (s) 
BHP Billiton Finance Limited (s) 
BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Corporation Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
BHP Billiton SSM Development Pty Ltd 
BHP Capital No. 20 Pty Limited (s) 
BHP Group Operations Pty Ltd (u) (v) 
BHP Innovation Pty Ltd (s) (u) (v) 
BHP Lonsdale Investments Pty Ltd (s) (u) (v) 
BHP Manganese Australia Pty Ltd 
BHP Marine & General Insurances Pty Ltd (s) 
BHP Minerals Holdings Proprietary Limited (s) (v) (x) 
BHP Nickel Operations Pty Ltd 
BHP Pty Ltd  
BHP Shared Business Services Pty Ltd (s) 
BHP SSM Indonesia Holdings Pty Ltd (s) 
BHP SSM International Pty Ltd 
BHP Titanium Minerals Pty Ltd (p) (s) 
BHP Western Mining Resources International Pty Ltd 
BHP Yakabindie Nickel Pty Ltd 
BHPB Freight Pty Ltd (s) (u) (v) 
Billiton Australia Finance Pty Ltd 
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Pty Ltd (s) (u) (v) 
Weebo Pastoral Company Pty Ltd 
WMC Finance (USA) Limited

232  BHP Annual Report 2019

13 Related undertakings of the Group continued

Bermuda

China

Victoria Place, 31 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM 10, Bermuda

BHP Petroleum (Tankers) Limited 

Xin Mao Mansion, South Taizhong Road, Free Trade Zone Waigaoqiao, 
Shanghai, 200131, China

BHP Billiton International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd

Brazil

Avenida Rio Branco, No. 110, room 901, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, 
20040-001, Brazil

BHP Billiton Brasil Exploração e Produção de Petróleo Limitada 
BHP Billiton Brasil Investimentos de Petróleo Ltda

Rua Paraíba, 1122, 5° andar, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-918, Brazil

Araguaia Participaçóes Ltda 
BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda 
BHP Internacional Participaçóes Ltda 
Jenipapo Recursos Naturais Ltda 
WMC Mineraçóo Ltda 

British Virgin Islands 

Trident Chambers, Wickhams Cay, Road Town, Tortola, 
British Virgin Islands

BHP Billiton UK Holdings Limited 
BHP Billiton UK Investments Limited

Suite 1209, Level 12, One Corporate Avenue, 222 Hubin Road, 
Shanghai, Huangpu, China

BHP Billiton Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd

Ecuador

Av. Patria 640 intersección Av. Amazonas, Edificio Patria Piso 10, 
Pichincha, Quito, Ecuador

Cerro-Quebrado S.A.

Av. Simon Bolivar SN, Intersección Via A Nayon, Quito, 
Pichincha, Ecuador

Cerro-Yatsur S.A.

Guernsey

Heritage Hall, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 4HY, 
Channel Islands

Stein Insurance Company Limited

Canada

India

1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 900, Halifax NS B3J 3N2, Canada

BHP Billiton Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Philippines) Corporation

12th Floor, One Horizon Centre, Golf Course Road, DLF Phase V, 
Sector 43, Gurgaon, HR, 122002, India

BHP Billiton Marketing Services India Pvt Ltd
BHP Minerals India Private Limited

2900 – 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC V6C 0A3, Canada

BHP Billiton Canada Inc.
BHP Billiton World Exploration Inc.

Indonesia

Midplaza 1 Building, Level 17, Jl.Jend.Sudirman Kav.10-11, JKT, 10220, 
Indonesia

333 Bay Street, Suite 2400, Bay Adelaide Centre, Box 20, Toronto ON 
M5H2T6, Canada

PT BHP Billiton Indonesia
PT Billiton Indonesia

Rio Algom Exploration Inc.
Rio Algom Investments (Chile) Inc.
Rio Algom Limited
WMC Resources Marketing Limited

MidPlaza 2 Building, Level 3, Jl.Jend.Sudirman Kav.10-11, JKT, 10220, 
Indonesia

PT BHP Billiton Services Indonesia

4500 Bankers Hall East, 855-2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4K7, 
Canada

Ireland

19-20 Seagrave House (1st Floor), Earlsfort Terrace, DUB 2, Ireland

BHP Billiton (Trinidad-2C) Ltd

Billiton Investments Ireland Limited

Cayman Islands

Japan

2nd Floor Building 3, Governors Square 23 Lime Three Bay Avenue, 
Grand Cayman, KY1-1205, BWI, Cayman Islands

1-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

BHP Billiton Japan Limited

Global BHP Copper Ltd
RAL Cayman Inc.

238 North Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1102, 
Cayman Islands

Jersey

31 Esplanade, St Helier, JE1 1FT, Jersey

BHP Billiton Services Jersey Limited

Riocerro Inc.
Riochile Inc.

Chile

Malaysia

Level 19-1 Menara Milenium, Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, 
50490, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Cerro El Plomo 6000, Piso 15, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

BHP Billiton Shared Services Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

BHP Billiton Chile Inversiones Limitada (i) 
BHP Explorations Chile SpA 
Compañía Minera Cerro Colorado Limitada (i) 
Kelti S.A. 
Minera Spence SA 
Tamakaya Energía SpA

BHP Annual Report 2019  233

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13 Related undertakings of the Group continued

Mexico

South Africa

Av. Ejercito Nacional #769, Torre B, Piso 3, Colonia Granada, Delegación 
Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico, 11520, Mexico

BHP Billiton Petróleo Holdings de México S. de R.L. de C.V. (k) 
BHP Billiton Petróleo Operaciones de México S. de R.L. de C.V. (k) 
BHP Billiton Petróleo Servicios Administrativos S. de R.L. de C.V. (k) 
BHP Billiton Petróleo Servicios de México S. de R.L. de C.V. (k) 
Operaciones Conjuntas S. de R.L. de C.V. (k) 

7 West Street, Houghton, 2198, South Africa 

Phoenix Mining Finance Company Proprietary Limited 

Unit G05 Century Gate Office Park, Corner Bosmansdam Road 
and Century Way, Century City, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7441, 
South Africa

Consolidated Nominees Proprietary Limited 

Netherlands

Naritaweg 165, 1043 BW, AMS, Netherlands

BHP Billiton Company B.V.
BHP Billiton International Metals B.V.
Billiton Development B.V.
Billiton Investment 3 B.V.
Billiton Investment 8 B.V.
Billiton Marketing Holding B.V.

Switzerland

Joechlerweg 2, CH-6341, Baar, Switzerland

BHP Billiton Marketing AG

Trinidad and Tobago

Invaders Bay Tower, Invaders Bay, off Audrey Jeffers Highway, 
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

BHP Billiton (Trinidad-3A) Ltd

Nova South, 160 Victoria Street, London, England, SW1E 5LB, 
United Kingdom

United Kingdom

BHP Billiton Finance B.V.
Billiton Guinea B.V.
Billiton Suriname Holdings B.V.

36 East Stockwell Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1ST, England, 
United Kingdom

Billiton Executive Pension Scheme Trustee Limited

Panama

88 Leadenhall Street, London, England, EC3A 3BP, United Kingdom

33 Central Avenue, City of Panama, Republic of Panama

The World Marine & General Insurance Plc (s)

Marcona International S.A. (g) (h)

Papua New Guinea

Level 11, MRDC Haus, Cnr Musgrave Street and Champion Parade, 
Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea 

BHP Billiton PNG Services Limited (s)

Saint Lucia

Pointe Seraphine, Castries, St Lucia

BHP Billiton (Trinidad) Holdings Ltd

Singapore

10 Marina Boulevard, #07-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 2, 
018983, Singapore

BHP Billiton Freight Singapore Pte Limited 
BHP Billiton Marketing Asia Pte Ltd 
BHP Billiton SSM Indonesia Pte Ltd

8 Marina View #09-05, Asia Square Tower 1, 018960, Singapore

Westminer Insurance Pte Ltd (l)

Nova South, 160 Victoria Street, London, England, SW1E 5LB, 
United Kingdom

BHP Aluminium Limited 
BHP Billiton (UK) DDS Limited (s) 
BHP Billiton (UK) Limited 
BHP Billiton Finance Plc (t) 
BHP Billiton Group Limited (t) 
BHP Billiton Holdings Limited 
BHP Billiton International Services Limited 
BHP Billiton Investment Holdings Limited (s) 
BHP Billiton Marketing UK Limited (g) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bimshire) Limited 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (South Africa 3B/4B) Limited (f) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Trinidad Block 23B) Limited (f) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Trinidad Block 7) Limited 
BHP Billiton Petroleum Great Britain Limited 
BHP Billiton Petroleum Limited 
BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities 
BHP BK Limited  
BHP Finance Limited 
BHP Group Holdings Limited 
BHP Holdings Limited 
BHP International Services Limited 
BHP Marketing UK Limited 
BHP Minerals Europe Limited  
BHP Petroleum (Brazil) Limited 
BHP Petroleum (Carlisle Bay) Limited 
BHP Petroleum (Mexico) Limited 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 14) Limited 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 23A) Limited (f) 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 28) Limited (f) 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 29) Limited (f) 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 3) Limited 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 5) Limited (f) 
BHP Petroleum (Trinidad Block 6) Limited (f)

234  BHP Annual Report 2019

13 Related undertakings of the Group continued

United States of America

Subsidiaries where effective interest is less than 100 per cent (b) 

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801, United States of America

Country of incorporation
Australia

BHP Billiton Boliviana de Petróleo Inc. 
BHP Billiton Marketing Inc. 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Americas) Inc. 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (GOM) Inc. 
BHP Billiton Petroleum (North America) Inc. 
BHP Billiton Petroleum Holdings (USA) Inc. (g) (h) 
BHP Billiton Petroleum Holdings LLC 
BHP Copper Inc. 
BHP Escondida Inc. 
BHP Petroleum (Arkansas Holdings) LLC 
BHP Petroleum (Foreign Exploration Holdings) LLC 
BHP Petroleum (Mexico Holdings) LLC 
BHPB Resolution Holdings LLC 
Broken Hill Proprietary (USA) Inc. 
Hamilton Brothers Petroleum Corporation 
Hamilton Oil Company Inc. 
IPS USA Inc. 
Rio Algom Mining LLC

1500 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77056-3030, 
United States of America

BHP Billiton Foundation

Suite 301, 1136 Union Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96813, 
United States of America

BHP Hawaii Inc.

Suite 500, 6100 Neil Road, Reno, NV, 89511, United States of America

Carson Hill Gold Mining Corporation

Suite B, 1675 South State Street, Dover, DE, 19901, 
United States of America

141 Union Company 
BHP Billiton New Mexico Coal Inc. 
BHP Capital Inc. 
BHP Chile Inc. 
BHP Finance (International) Inc. 
BHP Foreign Holdings Inc. 
BHP Holdings (International) Inc. 
BHP Holdings (Resources) Inc. 
BHP Holdings (USA) Inc. (m) (s) 
BHP Holdings International (Investments) Inc. 
BHP International Finance Corp 
BHP Mineral Resources Inc 
BHP Minerals Exploration Inc. 
BHP Minerals International Exploration Inc. 
BHP Minerals International LLC 
BHP Minerals Service Company 
BHP Peru Holdings Inc. 
BHP Resources Inc. 
WMC (Argentina) Inc. 
WMC Corporate Services Inc. 

202 South Minnesota Street, Carson City, NV, 89703, 
United States of America

BHP Queensland Coal Limited (s) (w)

Registered office address
125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

Company Name
BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd (85%) (n) (r)

Level 14, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd (80%) (j)

Brazil

Rua Paraíba, 1122, 5° andar, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-918, Brazil

Consórcio Santos Luz de Imóveis Ltda (90%)

Chile

Cerro El Plomo 6000, Piso 15, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

Minera Escondida Ltda (57.5%) (i)

Philippines

Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 27th Floor – 5th Ave. cor. 30th Street 
and 4th Ave. cor. 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines

BHP Shared Services Philippines Inc. (99.99%)

Pearlbank Centre, 20th Floor – 146 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 
Makati City, 1227, Philippines 

BHP Billiton (Philippines) Inc. (99.99%) 
QNI Philippines Inc. (99.99%) 

Joint operations (c)

Country of incorporation
Algeria

Registered office address
125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

Company Name
ROD Integrated Development (29.50%) (q)

Australia

125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

Bass Strait (50%) (q)
Macedon (71.43%) (q)
Minerva (90%) (q)
Mt Goldsworthy (85%) (q)
Mt Newman (85%) (q)
North West Shelf (12.5–16.67%) (q)
Posmac (65%) (q)
Pyrenees (40–71.43%) (q)
Stybarrow (50%) (q)
Yandi (85%) (q)

ESSO House, 12 Riverside Quay, Southbank, VIC 3006, Australia

Southern Natural Gas Development Pty Limited (50%)

Level 14, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

BM Alliance Coal Marketing Pty Limited (50%)
BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Limited (50%)
Central Queensland Coal Associates (50%) (q)
Gregory (50%) (q)
South Blackwater Coal Pty Limited (50%)

BHP Annual Report 2019  235

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13 Related undertakings of the Group continued

Australia continued

Joint ventures and associates (d) 

Level 16, Alluvion Building, 58 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA 6000, 
Australia

Country of incorporation
Anguilla

North West Shelf Gas Pty Limited (16.67%)
North West Shelf Liaison Company Pty Ltd (16.67%) (h)
North West Shelf Lifting Coordinator Pty Ltd (16.67%) (g)
North West Shelf Shipping Service Company Pty Ltd (16.67%)

Registered office address
Harlaw Chambers, The Valley, Anguilla

Company Name
Carbones del Cerrejón Limited (33.33%)

Canada

Australia

Suite 1500, 1874 Scarth Street, Regina, SK, S4P 4E9, Canada

30 Raven St, Kooragang, NSW 2304, Australia

BHP Billiton SaskPower Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Knowledge 
Centre Inc. (50%) (k)

NCIG Holdings Pty Ltd (35.47%)

Japan

1-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

BMA Japan KK (50%)

Liberia

80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Liberia

Blue Ocean Bulk Shipping Limited (50%)

Mexico

Av. Ejercito Nacional #769, Torre B, Piso 3, Colonia Granada, Delegación 
Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico, 11520, Mexico

Trion (60%) (q)

Singapore

Level 20, 500 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Rightship Pty Limited (33.33%)

Brazil

Rua Paraĩba, 1122, 9o andar, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

Samarco Mineração S.A. (50%)

Colombia

Calle 100, No. 19-54, Bogota, Colombia

Cerrejón Zona Norte S.A. (33.33%)

Ireland

Furnbally Square, New Street, DUB 8, Ireland

CMC-Coal Marketing DAC (33.33%)

10 Marina Boulevard, #07-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 2, 
018983, Singapore

Netherlands

BM Alliance Marketing Pte Ltd (50%)

South Africa

Herikerbergweg 238, AMS, 1101 CM, The Netherlands

Global HubCo B.V. (33.33%) (o)

Roger Dyason Road, Pretoria West, 0183, South Africa

Peru

Thakweneng Mineral Resources Pty Ltd (50%)

Trinidad and Tobago

Av El Derby N° 055 Torre 1 Of 801, Santiago del Surco, Lima, Peru

Compañía Minera Antamina S.A. (33.75%)

48-50 Sackville Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

United Kingdom

Greater Angostura (45%) (q)

United States of America

201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AB, United Kingdom

SolGold Plc (11.2%)

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801, United States of America

United States of America

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801, United States of America

Caesar Oil Pipeline Company LLC (25%) (k)
Cleopatra Gas Gathering Company LLC (22%) (k)

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington DE 19808, United States

Resolution Copper Mining LLC (45%)

9807 Katy Freeway, Suite 1200, Houston, TX, 77024, 
United States of America

Marine Well Containment Company LLC (10%) (k)

Gulf of Mexico (23.9–44%) (q)

236  BHP Annual Report 2019

13 Related undertakings of the Group continued
Minority Investments (e) 

Country of incorporation
Australia

Registered office address
125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

Company Name
Pilbara Pastoral Company Pty Limited (25%)

727 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3008, Australia

Commonwealth Steamship Insurance Company Pty Limited (29.72%)
Interstate Steamship Insurance Company Pty Ltd (24.91%)

Brazil

Rodovia do Sol, S/N, Ponta Ubu, Anchieta, ES, 29230-000, Brazil

Ponta Ubu Agropecuária Ltda. (49%)

Jersey

13 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey Channel Islands, JE4 5UT, Jersey

Euronimba Limited (45.5%)

(a)  Wholly owned 100 per cent subsidiary consolidated by the Group.
(b) Subsidiaries where the effective interest is less than 100 per cent but controlled by the Group.
(c)  Interests in joint operations. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Group’s share of the assets in joint operations, together with its share of the liabilities, 

revenues and expenses arising jointly or otherwise from those operations and its revenue derived from the sale of its share of output from the joint operation.

(d) Investments accounted for using the equity method.
(e)  Minority investments which represent a non-controlling interest held by the Group.
(f)  Ownership held in ordinary and preference shares.
(g) Ownership held in class A shares.
(h) Ownership held in class B shares.
(i)  Capital injection, no shares.
(j)  Ownership held in redeemable preference, class A and class B shares.
(k)  Ownership in Membership interest.
(l)  Ownership in ordinary redeemable preference shares.
(m) Ownership held in class A common shares.
(n) Ownership held in preference A and class B shares.
(o) Ownership in preference B shares.
(p) Ownership in ordinary and special share classes L and M.
(q) Joint operation held by a subsidiary of the Group.
(r)  The Group has an effective interest of 92.5 per cent in BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd, however by virtue of the shareholder agreement with ITOCHU Iron Ore 

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Australia Pty Ltd and Mitsui & Co. Iron Ore Exploration & Mining Pty Ltd, the Group’s interest in the Jimblebar mining operation is 85 per cent which is consistent 
with the other respective contractual arrangements at Western Australia Iron Ore.

(s)  Directly held by BHP Group Limited.
(t)  Directly held by BHP Group Plc.
(u) These companies are parties to the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee, originally entered into on 6 June 2016, and members of the Closed Group, as at 30 June 2019.
(v)  These companies are parties to the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee and are relieved from the Corporations Act 2001 requirements for preparation, audit and 

5

lodgement of financial reports and Directors’ reports.

(w) These companies were removed from the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee based on the Revocation Deed executed on 20 December 2016.
(x)  These companies were added into the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee based on the Assumption Deed executed on 29 June 2017 and are members of the Closed 

Group, as at 30 June 2017. 

(y)  These companies were added into the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee based on the Assumption Deed executed on 26 June 2018 and are members of the Closed 

Group, as at 30 June 2018.

(z)  These companies were added into the Limited Deed of Cross Guarantee based on the Assumption Deed executed on 29 June 2019 and are members of the Closed 

Group, as at 30 June 2019

BHP Annual Report 2019  237

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5.3 Directors’ declaration
In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc, the Directors declare that:
(a)   in the Directors’ opinion and to the best of their knowledge the 
Financial Statements and notes, set out in sections 5.1 and 5.2, 
are in accordance with the UK Companies Act 2006 and the 
Australian Corporations Act 2001, including:
(i) 
 complying with the applicable Accounting Standards;
(ii)   giving a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit or loss of each of BHP Group Limited, 
BHP Group Plc, the Group and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole as at 30 June 2019 
and of their performance for the year ended 30 June 2019;

(b)   the Financial Statements also comply with International Financial 

Reporting Standards, as disclosed in section 5.1;

(c)   to the best of the Directors’ knowledge, the management report 
(comprising the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) includes 
a fair review of the development and performance of the business 
and the financial position of the Group and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with 
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the 
Group faces; 

(d)   in the Directors’ opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe 

that each of BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and the Group 
will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due 
and payable;

(e)   as at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds 

to believe that BHP Group Limited and each of the Closed Group 
entities identified in note 13 in section 5.2 will be able to meet 
any liabilities to which they are or may become, subject because 
of the Deed of Cross Guarantee between BHP Group Limited 
and those group entities pursuant to ASIC Corporations 
(Wholly-owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785; and
 the Directors have been given the declarations required by 
Section 295A of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 from 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for 
the financial year ended 30 June 2019.

(f) 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Ken MacKenzie
Chairman

Andrew Mackenzie
Chief Executive Officer

Dated this 5th day of September 2019

238  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
5.4 Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report 
and the Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and Parent company Financial Statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. References to the ‘Group and Parent 
company Financial Statements’ are made in relation to the Group and 
individual Parent company Financial Statements of BHP Group Plc.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records 
that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the parent company and enable them to ensure that 
its Financial Statements comply with the UK Companies Act 2006. 
They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of Financial Statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and 
have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably 
open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent 
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that complies with that law and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Group’s website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of Financial Statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions.

UK company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Parent 
company Financial Statements for each financial year. The Directors 
are required to prepare the Group Financial Statements in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the Parent company Financial Statements 
in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law 
(UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

The Group Financial Statements must, in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the EU and applicable law, present fairly the financial 
position and performance of the Group; references in the UK 
Companies Act 2006 to such Financial Statements giving a true 
and fair view are references to their achieving a fair presentation.

The Parent company Financial Statements must, in accordance 
with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs of the parent company at the end 
of the financial year and of the profit or loss of the parent company 
for the financial year. 

In preparing each of the Group and Parent company Financial 
Statements, the Directors are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  for the Group Financial Statements, state whether they have been 

prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU;
•  for the Parent company Financial Statements, state whether 

applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the Parent 
company Financial Statements; 

•  assess the Group and parent company’s ability to continue 

as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, related matters; 
•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either 

intend to liquidate the Group or the parent company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.5 Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 
Section 307C of the Australian Corporations Act 2001
To the Directors of BHP Group Limited:

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation 
to the audit of BHP Group Limited for the financial year ended 
30 June 2019 there have been:

(i) 

 no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements 
as set out in the Australian Corporations Act 2001 in relation 
to the audit; and

(ii)   no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct 

in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of BHP Group Limited and the entities it 
controlled during the year.

KPMG

Anthony Young
Partner

Melbourne
5 September 2019

KPMG, an Australian partnership and KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership 
are member firms of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated 
with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity.

KPMG Australia’s liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional 
Standards Legislation. 

240  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
5.6 Independent Auditors’ reports
 Independent auditors’ reports of KPMG LLP (‘KPMG UK’) 
to the members of BHP Group Plc and of KPMG (‘KPMG 
Australia’) to the members of BHP Group Limited
1. Opinions
For the purpose of these reports, the terms ‘we’ and ‘our’ denote 
KPMG UK in relation to UK responsibilities and reporting obligations 
to the members of BHP Group Plc, and KPMG Australia in relation to 
Australian responsibilities and reporting obligations to the members 
of BHP Group Limited. BHP (‘the Group’) consists of BHP Group Plc, 
BHP Group Limited and the entities they controlled during the 
financial year ended 30 June 2019.

We have audited the Consolidated Financial Statements which 
comprise the:
•  Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019;
•  Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of 

Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
Equity and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year then 
ended; and

•  Notes to the Financial Statements including a summary of 

significant accounting policies.

In addition:
•  KPMG UK has audited the BHP Group Plc company Financial 

Statements for the year ended 30 June 2019, which comprise 
the unconsolidated parent company Balance Sheet and related 
notes; and 

•  KPMG Australia considers the Directors’ declaration to be part of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements when forming its opinion 
under the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.

A. KPMG UK’s opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements 
and BHP Group Plc company Financial Statements (collectively the 
‘Financial Statements’) is unmodified
In our opinion the:
•  Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and of BHP Group Plc’s affairs as at 30 June 2019 and 
of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•  Consolidated Financial Statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the European Union (‘EU’);

•  BHP Group Plc company Financial Statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including 
FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and

•  Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the 

requirements of the UK Companies Act 2006 and, as regards to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

B. KPMG UK’s additional opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) is unmodified
As explained in section 5.1 ‘Basis of preparation’ to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, the Group, in addition to complying with its 
legal obligation to apply IFRSs as adopted by the EU, has also applied 
IFRSs as issued by the IASB. In our opinion the Consolidated Financial 
Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 
issued by the IASB.

C. KPMG Australia’s opinion on the Consolidated Financial 
Statements is unmodified
In our opinion the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, 
are in accordance with the Australian Corporations Act 2001, including:
•  Giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 

30 June 2019 and of its financial performance for the year ended 
on that date; and

•  Complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the 

Corporations Regulations 2001. 

2. Basis for opinions
We conducted our audits in accordance with Australian Auditing 
Standards and International Standards on Auditing (UK) and 
applicable law. Our responsibilities under these standards are further 
described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audits of the 
Financial Statements item of our report below. We believe that the 
audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinions, and KPMG UK notes that its opinions 
are consistent with its report to the Risk and Audit Committee.

We were first appointed as auditors by the Directors on 3 May 2002. 
The period of total uninterrupted engagement is the 17 financial years 
ended 30 June 2019. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, 
and we remain independent of the Group in accordance with: the 
Australian Corporations Act 2001; the relevant ethical requirements of 
the Australian Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s 
APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants; and UK ethical 
requirements, including the UK FRC Ethical Standard as applied 
to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited 
by the UK FRC Ethical Standard were provided.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in the audits of the Financial Statements 
for the current year and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, 
including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts 
of the engagement team. We summarise below the key audit matters, in decreasing order of audit significance, in arriving at our audit opinion 
above, together with our key audit procedures to address those matters and, as required for EU public interest entities, our results from those 
procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken in the context of, and solely for the purpose 
of, our audits of the Financial Statements as a whole, and in forming our opinions thereon, and consequently are incidental to those opinions, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key Audit Matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

Samarco dam failure (Risk v 2018: 
Losses attributable to the dam failure (pre-tax and finance costs): US$1.0 billion (2018: US$0.6 billion)

)

Provision: US$1.9 billion (2018: US$1.3 billion)

Contingent liability disclosure

There are a number of complex accounting judgements 
and disclosures made by the Group resulting from the 
Samarco dam failure, including:

•  Determining the legal status of claims made against 
Samarco, the Group and BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda and 
the resulting accounting treatment;

•  Determining the extent of BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda’s 
legal obligation to provide funding to Samarco and 
the quantification of that obligation in line with the 
requirements of the Governance Agreement, 
Framework Agreement and Preliminary Agreement; and

•  Disclosure of contingent liabilities associated with the 
various claims and other circumstances that represent 
exposures to Samarco and the Group and that cannot 
be reliably estimated.

We identified the evaluation of the accounting treatment 
of the Samarco dam failure as a key audit matter due 
to the high degree of estimation uncertainty and the 
significant size of the potential claims, which required 
especially challenging auditor judgement in:
•  Assessing the status, the Group’s accounting treatment, 
and disclosure of potential and existing legal claims; and 

•  Assessing the key assumptions the Group used 

to determine the provision recorded by BHP Billiton 
Brasil Ltda in relation to its potential funding 
obligations, including:
 – Cost estimates to remediate the Samarco dam failure;
 – Nature and extent of remediation activities; and
 – Timing of cash flows.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that provisions and 
contingencies related to the Samarco dam failure have 
a high degree of estimation uncertainty with a particularly 
wide potential range of reasonable outcomes.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key audit matter 
included the following:
•  Testing certain internal controls over the Group’s accounting and disclosure 
process relating to the Samarco dam failure. This included controls over the 
Group’s review of legal claims and assessment of the accounting treatment 
and controls over the determination of key assumptions such as the cost 
estimates to remediate the Samarco dam failure, nature and extent of 
remediation activities and timing of cash flows;

•  Assessing the existence of legal and/or constructive obligations under 
the Samarco shareholders’ agreement, Brazilian law, and the Group’s 
public statements;

•  Assessing the key assumptions the Group used to determine the provision 

recorded by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda in relation to its potential funding 
obligations by:
 – Comparing the nature, timing and extent of remediation activities 

described in the Framework Agreement with those included within 
the cash flow forecasts;

 – Testing a sample of cost estimates included in the provision 
to underlying documentation, such as the Group’s external 
engineering reports; 

 – Evaluating the scope, competency and objectivity of the Group’s experts 
involved in the determination of the cost estimates by considering the 
work they were engaged to perform, their professional qualifications, 
and remuneration structure; and

 – Evaluating the historical accuracy of prior year’s forecasted cash flows 

by comparing to current year’s actual cash flows; and 

•  Assessing the status of claims and disclosures relating to contingent 

liabilities through inspection of the Group’s internal legal documentation, 
inquiry of internal and external legal personnel, Group finance and 
members of the executive leadership team, and inspection of 
documentation provided by external legal counsel. 

Results: We considered the level of provisioning and related disclosures 
to be acceptable.

Refer to note 4 ‘Significant events – Samarco dam failure’ and section 2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report (Significant issues – 
Samarco dam failure).

242  BHP Annual Report 2019

3. Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement continued

Key Audit Matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

Impairment of non-current assets (Risk v 2018: 
Property, plant and equipment: US$68.0 billion (2018: US$67.2 billion)

)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment (pre-tax): US$0.3 billion (2018: US$0.3 billion)

Fixed assets – Investments in subsidiaries of BHP Group Plc: US$3.1 billion (2018: US$3.1 billion)

The Group is required to perform impairment tests for all 
assets, including BHP Group Plc’s investment in subsidiaries, 
where there is an indication of impairment. As part of 
their assessment of indicators of impairment, the Group 
determines an estimate of future cash flows for each cash 
generating unit (‘CGU’), considering different internal and 
external factors.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key audit matter 
included the following:
•  Testing certain internal controls over the Group’s impairment assessment 
process including controls over the Group’s assessment of indicators of 
impairment and controls over the determination of key inputs such as 
future commodity prices, reserves and production volumes, discount rates, 
and future capital and operating expenditures;

The Group determined that there was an indicator of 
impairment for the Jansen CGU and therefore estimated its 
recoverable amount and compared it to its carrying value, 
and concluded that no impairment is required.

The determination of the future cash flows in the process 
for identifying impairment indicators and the Jansen CGU 
recoverable amount use forward looking estimates which 
are inherently difficult to determine with precision. There 
is also a level of judgement applied by the Group in 
determining the key inputs into these forward looking 
estimates, including:
•  Future commodity prices;
•  Reserves;
•  Future production volumes;
•  Discount rates; and
•  Future capital and operating expenditures.

We identified the assessment of possible indicators of 
impairment and the evaluation of the recoverable amount 
of the Jansen CGU as a key audit matter. This was due to 
the complex auditor judgement and level of specialised 
skills needed to evaluate the key inputs noted above. 

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the future cash 
flows and other key inputs have a high degree of 
estimation uncertainty with a wide potential range 
of reasonable outcomes.

•  Evaluating key inputs used in the Group’s assessment for indicators of 

impairment and determination of the recoverable amount of the Jansen 
CGU by:
 – Evaluating future commodity prices by comparing to published 

commodity price reports and research reports from external parties;

 – Comparing future capital and operating expenditures and future reserves 
to the latest approved mine plans and long term budgets. We assessed 
the Group’s ability to budget accurately by comparing prior years’ 
estimated cashflows to actual results;

 – Evaluating the scope, competency, and objectivity of the Group’s experts 

who produced the reserve estimates used in the valuations by 
considering the work that they were engaged to perform, their 
professional qualifications, experience, use of industry accepted 
methodology, remuneration structure, and reporting lines; and

 – Involving our valuation specialists with specialised skill and knowledge, 
who assisted in comparing key inputs such as discount rates to external 
market data; and

 – Performing sensitivity analysis on the key inputs including: future 
commodity prices, future production volumes, future capital and 
operating expenditures, and discount rates.

•  Additional procedures were performed over the evaluation 
of the recoverable amount of the Jansen CGU including:

 – Challenging estimated future capital expenditures by:

•  Comparing the capital expenditures to a report prepared 
by the Group’s external expert with specialised skills; and
•  Testing a sample of future capital expenditures to current 

third-party quotations.

•  Evaluating the scope, competency, and objectivity of the Group’s expert 

who assisted in determining the capital expenditure estimate by 
considering the work that they were engaged to perform, their professional 
qualifications, experience, and remuneration structure.

Procedures performed over the investment in subsidiaries of BHP Group Plc

•  Assessing the impact of changes in the estimated future cash flows on the 

carrying value of investments in the BHP Group’s Plc parent company 
balance sheet.

Results: We considered the carrying amount of property, plant and 
equipment and investments to be acceptable.

Refer to note 11 ‘Property, plant and equipment’ (Recognition and measurement), section 5.2 ‘BHP Group Plc’ and section 2.13.1 Risk 
and Audit Committee Report (Significant issues – Carrying value of long-term assets).

BHP Annual Report 2019  243

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Key Audit Matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

Closure and rehabilitation provisions (Risk v 2018: 
Closure and rehabilitation provisions: US$7.0 billion (2018: US$6.3 billion) 

)

The Group incurs obligations to close, restore and 
rehabilitate its sites and associated facilities. The majority 
of the Group’s assets are long-life, which increases the 
estimation uncertainty relating to future cash flows. 
The size of the closure and rehabilitation provisions 
are significant relative to the Group’s financial position. 

Closure and rehabilitation activities are governed 
by a combination of legislative requirements and the 
Group’s policies. Estimates over the life of mine and 
reserves are made by the Group in determining its 
rehabilitation provision.

We identified the evaluation of the closure and rehabilitation 
provisions as a key audit matter due to the significant 
size of the provision and the complex auditor judgement 
and specialised skills required to evaluate:
•  The life of mine including the reserves and 

production profile;

•  The interpretation of legislative requirements;
•  The costs associated with future rehabilitation; 
•  Discount rates; and 
•  The timing of future rehabilitation costs.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that closure and rehabilitation 
provisions have a high degree of estimation uncertainty 
with a wide potential range of reasonable outcomes.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key audit matter 
included the following:
•  Testing certain internal controls over the Group’s process to estimate 

closure and rehabilitation provisions including controls over the 
determination of key inputs such as life of mine reserves and production 
profile, discount rates, future rehabilitation costs, and timing of future 
cash flows. 

•  Involving our environmental specialists with specialised skills and 
knowledge, who assisted in assessing the estimates of life of mine 
and reserves used by the Group. We evaluated a sample of closure 
and rehabilitation provisions based on the known reserves and the 
expected production profile of the reserves;

•  Assessing the nature and extent of the work performed by the Group’s 

mine closure engineers in identifying future rehabilitation activities against 
our independent interpretation of the legislative requirements and the 
Group’s policies and assessing the timing and likely cost of such activities. 
We evaluated the methodology used by the mine closure engineers 
against industry practice and our understanding of the business; 

•  Evaluating the scope, competency and objectivity of the mine closure 
engineers based on the work that they were engaged to perform, their 
professional qualifications, experience, remuneration structure, and 
reporting lines; and

•  Evaluating the discount rates applied to calculate the net present value 
of the provision. The assumptions used by the Group to determine the 
discount rates were compared against market available data including 
risk free rates.

Results: We considered the level of closure and rehabilitation provisioning 
to be acceptable.

Refer to note 14 ‘Closure and rehabilitation provisions’ (Recognition and measurement) and section 2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report 
(Significant issues – Closure and rehabilitation provisions).

Key Audit Matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

Taxation (Risk v 2018:  )
Income tax expense (including royalties): US$5.5 billion (2018: US$7.0 billion)

Current tax payable: US$1.5 billion (2018: US$1.8 billion)

Non-current deferred tax assets US$3.8 billion (2018: US$4.0 billion) and non-current deferred tax liabilities: $US3.2 billion 
(2018: US$3.5 billion)

Contingent liability disclosure

Taxation risk is considered less significant in 2019 due to the settlement of some of the uncertain tax positions during the year.

The Group has operations in multiple countries, each 
with its own taxation regime. The nature of the Group’s 
activities triggers various taxation obligations including 
corporation tax, royalties, other resource and production 
based taxes, and employment related taxes. 

We identified the assessment of the Group’s uncertain 
tax matters as a key audit matter because complex 
auditor judgement and specialised skills were required in 
evaluating the Group’s interpretation of tax law in multiple 
countries, and its estimate of the associated provisions, 
tax charges and contingent liability disclosures across the 
various tax obligations.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the uncertain tax matters 
have a high degree of estimation uncertainty with a wide 
potential range of reasonable outcomes.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key audit matter 
included the following:
•  Testing certain internal controls over the Group’s uncertain tax position 

process, including controls over the Group’s assessment of tax law 
and the process to estimate the associated provisions and contingent 
liability disclosures; 

•  Involving our tax specialists with specialised skills and knowledge, 

who assisted in evaluating the Group’s tax obligations by:
 – Inquiring with the Group’s Tax team and inspecting internally and 
externally prepared documentation to evaluate current disputes 
and uncertain tax positions; and

 – Evaluating the Group’s conclusions regarding the status, possible outcomes 

and associated exposures, and the related accounting treatment.
•  Inspecting settlement documents with applicable taxation authorities. 
We compared the total amount per the settlement to the cash paid 
and the release of the provision; and

•  Assessing the Group’s disclosures in respect of tax and the associated 

contingent liabilities disclosures.

Results: We considered the level of tax provisioning and related disclosures 
to be acceptable. 

Refer to note 6 ‘Income tax expense’ (Recognition and measurement) and section 2.13.1 Risk and Audit Committee Report 
(Significant issues – Tax and royalty liabilities).

Valuation, classification and presentation of Onshore US assets is not a KAM in 2019 given that the sale of the Onshore US business was 
completed during the year.

244  BHP Annual Report 2019

•  The work on 9 of the 10 components (2018: 9 of the 10 

components) was performed by component auditors and the rest, 
including the audit of the parent company, was performed by the 
Group audit team.

•  Audit instructions set out the significant audit areas (and include 
the relevant risks detailed above), materiality thresholds which 
ranged from US$124 million to US$244 million (2018: ranged 
from US$120 million to US$220 million) and specific reporting 
requirements. The Group audit team directed the work undertaken 
by component auditors, through a combination of related 
inter-office reporting, regular interaction on audit and accounting 
matters, periodic site visits and review of specific audit work papers. 
•  The 10 reporting components cover 6 geographical locations being 
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Singapore and the United States. 
During the year the Group audit team performed visits to 5 of the 
Group’s reporting components.

5. KPMG UK have nothing to report on going concern
The Directors have prepared the Financial Statements on the going 
concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or BHP 
Group Plc or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded 
that the Group’s and BHP Group Plc’s financial position means that 
this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material 
uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over their ability 
to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of 
approval of the Financial Statements (’the going concern period‘).

Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors’ 
conclusions and, had there been a material uncertainty related to going 
concern, to make reference to that in this audit report. However, as we 
cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events 
may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were 
reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a 
material uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the 
Group and BHP Group Plc will continue in operation. 

In our evaluation of the Directors’ conclusions, we considered the 
inherent risks to the Group’s and BHP Group Plc’s business model 
including the impact of Brexit, and analysed how those risks might 
affect the Group’s and BHP Group Plc’s financial resources or ability 
to continue operations over the going concern period. We evaluated 
those risks and concluded that they were not significant enough 
to require us to perform additional procedures. 

Based on this work, we are required to report to you if:
•  we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation 

to the Directors’ statement in section 5.4 to the Financial 
Statements on the use of the going concern basis of accounting 
with no material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over 
the Group’s use of that basis for a period of at least twelve months 
from the date of approval of the Financial Statements; or
•  the related statement under the Listing Rules set out within 

section 4.3 is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these respects, and we did not identify 
going concern as a key audit matter.

4. Our application of materiality and an overview of the 
scope of our audits 
The materiality for the audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements 
was set at US$650 million (2018: US$400 million). Materiality has 
been determined with reference to a benchmark of the three year 
average Group profit before taxation and exceptional items for 
Continuing operations (i.e. normalised profit), of US$13,846 million, 
which we consider to be one of the principal considerations for users 
in assessing the financial performance of the Group.

Materiality for the Group Financial Statements

Average profit before 
taxation and exceptional 
items for continuing operations
US$13,846M (2018: US$10,537M)

Group Materiality
US$650M (2018: US$400M)

US$650M
Group Financial 
Statements
materiality
(2018: US$400M)

US$244M
Range of materiality 
at components 
US$124M – US$244M
(2018: US$120M 
to US$220M)

US$30M
Misstatements 
reported to the 
Risk and Audit 
Committee
(2018: US$20M)

Average profit before taxation 
and exceptional items for 
continuing operations
Group materiality

The use of a normalised three year average profit measure is 
consistent with the approach used last year, and this approach is 
considered to be appropriate given the cyclical nature of the industry 
and the volatility in commodity prices impacting current levels 
of profitability. Materiality represents approximately five per cent of 
the three year average Group profit before taxation and exceptional 
items for Continuing operations (exceptional items is defined in note 3 
to the Financial Statements), and one per cent of Group revenue 
(2018: four per cent and one per cent respectively). 

Materiality for BHP Group Plc parent company Financial Statements 
as a whole was set at US$113 million (2018: US$146 million), determined 
with reference to a benchmark of total assets, of which it represents 
one per cent (2018: one per cent).

We agreed to report to the Risk and Audit Committee all corrected 
and uncorrected misstatements we identified through our audit in 
excess of US$30 million (2018: US$20 million). We report other audit 
misstatements below that threshold that we believe warrant reporting 
on qualitative grounds. For those items excluded from normalised 
profit, component auditors performed procedures on items relating 
to their components. The Group audit team performed procedures 
on the remaining excluded items. 

In order to achieve appropriate audit coverage of the risks described 
above and of each individually significant component of the Group, 
including each asset, segment and group function:
•  Of the Group’s 10 (2018: 10) reporting components, we subjected 6 
(2018: 6) to full scope audits for Group purposes and 4 (2018: 4) 
to specified risk-focused audit procedures over closure and 
rehabilitation (2 components (2018: 2)), property, plant and 
equipment (3 components (2018: 3)), deferred tax assets 
(1 component (2018: 1)), cash (1 component (2018: 1)), inventory 
(1 component (2018: nil)), provisions and contingent liabilities 
(1 component (2018: 1)). The latter were not individually financially 
significant enough to require a full scope audit for Group 
purposes, but did present specific individual risks that needed 
to be addressed. 

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the 
following percentages of the Group’s measures1:

Group revenue %

Group profit before tax %

Group total assets %

8

8

1

1

99%
(2018: 99%)

91

91

5

5

3

2

97%
(2018: 98%)

93

92

15

9

1

1

99%
(2018: 99%)

90

84

(1)   Presented as a percentage of the Group’s consolidated result at 30 June 2019.

Full scope audits 2019
Audits of account balances 2019
Full scope audits 2018
Audits of account balances 2018
Out of scope

BHP Annual Report 2019  245

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10. Respective responsibilities continued
C. Irregularities – ability to detect 
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be 
expected to have a material effect on the Financial Statements from 
our sector experience, and through discussion with the Directors  
and other management (as required by auditing standards), and from 
inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal correspondence and 
discussed with Directors and other management the policies and 
procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We 
communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team 
and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout 
the audit. This included communication from the Group audit team  
to component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations identified 
at Group level.

The potential effect on laws and regulations on the Financial 
Statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect 
the Financial Statements including financial reporting (including  
the Australian Corporations Act 2001 and UK Companies Act 2006), 
distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation and we 
assessed the extent of compliance with those laws and regulations  
as part of our procedures on the related Financial Statement items. 

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations 
where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material 
effect on amounts or disclosures in the Financial Statements, for 
instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the 
Group’s license to operate. We identified the following areas as those 
most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, 
environmental and certain aspects of company legislation recognising 
the regulated nature of the Group’s mining activities and its legal 
form. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to 
identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry  
of the Directors and other management, and inspection of regulatory 
and legal correspondence. Through these procedures we became 
aware of actual or suspected non-compliance and considered the 
effect as part of our procedures on the related Financial Statement 
items. The identified actual or suspected non-compliance included 
items that were not sufficiently significant to our audit to result in  
our response being identified as a key audit matter. Further detail  
in respect of the legal claims related to the Samarco dam failure are 
set out in the key audit matter disclosures in section 3 of this report.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable 
risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements  
in the Financial Statements, even though we have properly planned 
and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards.  
For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions 
reflected in the Financial Statements, the less likely the inherently 
limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify  
it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of 
non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override  
of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-
compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance  
with all laws and regulations.

11. The purpose of our audit work, to whom we owe  
our responsibilities
KPMG UK’s report is made solely to BHP Group Plc’s members, as a 
body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the UK Companies 
Act 2006. KPMG Australia’s report is made solely to BHP Group 
Limited’s members, as a body, in accordance with the Australian 
Corporations Act 2001. Our audit work has been undertaken so that 
we might state to the members of each company those matters we 
are required to state to them in an auditor’s report, and the further 
matters we are required to state to them in accordance with the 
terms agreed with each company, and for no other purpose. 
Accordingly, each of KPMG UK and KPMG Australia makes the 
following statement: to the fullest extent permitted by law, we  
do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the 
company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit  
work, for our report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Michiel Soeting (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
London 
5 September 2019

KPMG

Anthony Young 
Partner

Melbourne 
5 September 2019

KPMG, an Australian partnership and KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership 
are member firms of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated 
with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. 

KPMG Australia’s liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional 
Standards Legislation.

BHP Annual Report 2019  247

Strategic ReportGovernance at BHPRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportAdditional informationShareholder informationFinancial Statements5 
 
 
5.7 Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited
In accordance with the requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification ‘Extractive 
Activities-Oil and Gas’ (Topic 932) and SEC requirements set out in Subpart 1200 of Regulation S-K, the Group is presenting certain disclosures 
about its oil and gas activities. These disclosures are presented below as supplementary oil and gas information, in addition to information 
disclosed in section 1.13.1 ‘Petroleum’ and section 6.3.1 ‘Petroleum reserves’.

The information set out in this section is referred to as unaudited as it is not included in the scope of the audit opinion of the independent 
auditor on the Financial Statements, refer to section 5.6 ‘Independent Auditors’ reports’.

On 28 September 2018, BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of BHP Billiton Petroleum (Arkansas) Inc. and 
100 per cent of the membership interests in BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville) LLC, which held the Fayetteville assets. On 31 October 2018, 
BHP completed the sale of 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Petrohawk Energy Corporation, the BHP subsidiary which held the Eagle 
Ford (being Black Hawk and Hawkville), Haynesville and Permian assets. The financial and non-financial impact of the Onshore US assets is 
included in the supplementary oil and gas information presented below. The financial and non-financial impact of these assets has been 
footnoted beneath each applicable table. Refer to note 27 ‘Discontinued operations’ in Section 5.1 for further information.

Reserves and production 
Proved oil and gas reserves and net crude oil and condensate, natural gas, LNG and NGL production information is included in section 6.2.2 
‘Production – Petroleum’ and section 6.3.1 ‘Petroleum reserves’.

Capitalised costs relating to oil and gas production activities
The following table shows the aggregate capitalised costs relating to oil and gas exploration and production activities and related accumulated 
depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provisions.

Capitalised cost
2019
Unproved properties 
Proved properties

Total costs 
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provisions

Net capitalised costs

2018
Unproved properties 
Proved properties

Total costs 
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provisions

Net capitalised costs

2017
Unproved properties 
Proved properties

Total costs 
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provisions

Net capitalised costs

Australia
US$M

United 
States (1)
US$M

Other (2)
US$M

Total
US$M

10
16,514

16,524
(10,867)

5,657

10
16,258

16,268
(9,984)

6,284

94
16,190

16,284
(9,085)

7,199

875
11,751

12,626
(8,339)

4,287

4,528
43,885

48,413
(33,437)

14,976

5,284
41,837

47,121
(30,969)

16,152

458
1,625

2,083
(1,302)

781

202
2,424

2,626
(2,065)

561

165
2,404

2,569
(1,984)

585

1,343
29,890

31,233
(20,508)

10,725

4,740
62,567

67,307
(45,486)

21,821

5,543
60,431

65,974
(42,038)

23,936

(1)  Net capitalised costs includes Onshore US assets of US$ nil (2018: US$10,672 million; 2017: US$11,803 million).
(2) Other is primarily comprised of Algeria, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom (divested 30 November 2018).

Costs incurred relating to oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities
The following table shows costs incurred relating to oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities (whether charged 
to expense or capitalised). Amounts shown include interest capitalised.

2019
Acquisitions of proved property
Acquisitions of unproved property
Exploration (1)
Development

Total costs (2)

2018
Acquisitions of proved property
Acquisitions of unproved property
Exploration (1)
Development

Total costs (2)

2017
Acquisitions of proved property
Acquisitions of unproved property
Exploration (1)
Development

Total costs (2)

Australia
US$M

United 
States (3)
US$M

Other (4)
US$M

 −
 −
44
132

176

 −
 −
25
195

220

 −
 −
32
360

392

 −
5
190
792

987

 −
9
418
1,548

1,975

 −
12
471
1,034

1,517

 −
 −
492
54

546

 −
 −
291
34

325

 −
62
235
18

315

Total
US$M

 −
5
726
978

1,709

 −
9
734
1,777

2,520

 −
74
738
1,412

2,224

(1)  Represents gross exploration expenditure, including capitalised exploration expenditure, geological and geophysical expenditure and development evaluation 

costs charged to income as incurred.

(2) Total costs include US$1,275 million (2018: US$1,970 million; 2017: US$1,744 million) capitalised during the year.
(3) Total costs include Onshore US assets of US$331 million (2018: US$1,081 million; 2017: US$608 million).
(4) Other is primarily comprised of Algeria, Canada, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.

248  BHP Annual Report 2019

5.7 Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited continued
Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities
The following information is similar to the disclosures in note 1 ‘Segment reporting’ in section 5.1, but differs in several respects as to the level 
of detail and geographic information. Amounts shown in the following table exclude financial income, financial expenses, and general 
corporate overheads. Further, the amounts shown below include Onshore US however the disclosures in note 1 ‘Segment reporting’ 
in Section 5.1 do not.

Income taxes were determined by applying the applicable statutory rates to pre-tax income with adjustments for permanent differences 
and tax credits. 

2019
Oil and gas revenue (1)
Production costs
Exploration expenses
Depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provision (2)
Production taxes (3)

Accretion expense (4)
Income taxes
Royalty-related taxes (5)

Results of oil and gas producing activities (6)

2018
Oil and gas revenue (1)
Production costs
Exploration expenses
Depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provision (2)
Production taxes (3)

Accretion expense (4)
Income taxes
Royalty-related taxes (5)

Results of oil and gas producing activities (6)

2017
Oil and gas revenue (1)
Production costs
Exploration expenses 
Depreciation, depletion, amortisation and valuation provision (2)
Production taxes (3)

Accretion expense (4)
Income taxes
Royalty-related taxes (5)

Results of oil and gas producing activities (6)

Australia
US$M

United 
States (7)
US$M

Other (8)
US$M

3,404
(752)
(44)
(917)
(198)

1,493
(80)
(530)
(164)

719

3,229
(701)
(25)
(1,045)
(171)

1,287
(81)
(418)
(103)

685

2,876
(533)
(32)
(814)
(158)

1,339
(56)
(361)
(104)

818

2,675
(568)
(162)
(621)
 −

1,324
(34)
(193)
 −

1,097

3,747
(1,312)
(270)
(2,842)
 −

(677)
(46)
(723)
 −

(1,446)

3,479
(1,515)
(242)
(2,592)
(4)

(874)
(32)
386
 −

(520)

610
(118)
(229)
(103)
(25)

135
(13)
(267)
 −

(145)

421
(121)
(254)
(81)
(1)

(36)
(14)
(124)
 −

(174)

356
(200)
(206)
(91)
 −

(141)
(14)
(142)
 −

(297)

Total
US$M

6,689
(1,438)
(435)
(1,641)
(223)

2,952
(127)
(990)
(164)

1,671

7,397
(2,134)
(549)
(3,968)
(172)

574
(141)
(1,265)
(103)

(935)

6,711
(2,248)
(480)
(3,497)
(162)

324
(102)
(117)
(104)

1

(1)  Includes sales to affiliated companies of US$75 million (2018: US$75 million; 2017: US$83 million).
(2) Includes valuation provision of US$21 million (2018: US$596 million; 2017: US$102 million).
(3) Includes royalties and excise duty.
(4) Represents the unwinding of the discount on the closure and rehabilitation provision. 
(5) Includes petroleum resource rent tax and petroleum revenue tax where applicable.
(6) Amounts shown exclude financial income, financial expenses and general corporate overheads and, accordingly, do not represent all of the operations 

attributable to the Petroleum segment presented in note 1 ‘Segment reporting’ in section 5.1.

(7)  Results of oil and gas producing activities includes Onshore US assets of US$431 million (2018: US$(465) million; 2017: US$(564) million).
(8) Other is primarily comprised of Algeria, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom (divested 30 November 2018).

BHP Annual Report 2019  249

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5.7 Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited continued
Standardised measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves (Standardised measure)
The following tables set out the standardised measure of discounted 
future net cash flows, and changes therein, related to the Group’s 
estimated proved reserves as presented in section 6.3.1 ‘Petroleum 
reserves’, and should be read in conjunction with that disclosure.

Certain key assumptions prescribed under Topic 932 are arbitrary 
in nature and may not prove to be accurate. The reserve estimates 
on which the Standard measure is based are subject to revision 
as further technical information becomes available or economic 
conditions change.

The analysis is prepared in compliance with FASB Oil and Gas 
Disclosure requirements, applying certain prescribed assumptions 
under Topic 932 including the use of, unweighted average 
first-day-of-the-month market prices for the previous 12-months, 
year-end cost factors, currently enacted tax rates and an annual 
discount factor of 10 per cent to year end quantities of net 
proved reserves.

Standardised measure
2019
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development costs
Future income taxes 

Future net cash flows
Discount at 10 per cent per annum

Standardised measure

2018
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development costs
Future income taxes

Future net cash flows
Discount at 10 per cent per annum

Standardised measure

2017
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development costs
Future income taxes

Future net cash flows
Discount at 10 per cent per annum

Standardised measure

Discounted future net cash flows like those shown below are not 
intended to represent estimates of fair value. An estimate of fair value 
would also take into account, among other things, the expected 
recovery of reserves in excess of proved reserves, anticipated future 
changes in commodity prices, exchange rates, development and 
production costs as well as alternative discount factors representing 
the time value of money and adjustments for risk inherent in 
producing oil and gas.

Australia
US$M

United 
States (1)
US$M

Other (2)
US$M

Total
US$M

18,292
(4,710)
(3,860)
(2,551)

7,171
(1,926)

5,245

17,398
(5,345)
(3,842)
(1,919)

6,292
(1,713)

4,579

18,407
(6,663)
(3,714)
(1,508)

6,522
(2,104)

4,418

18,076
(4,917)
(4,516)
(1,657)

6,986
(3,396)

3,590

28,012
(11,182)
(6,554)
(1,236)

9,040
(3,783)

5,257

23,537
(11,176)
(6,451)
(18)

5,892
(2,426)

3,466

1,807
(459)
(226)
(711)

411
(94)

317

2,124
(501)
(189)
(901)

533
(129)

404

1,954
(534)
(208)
(746)

466
(108)

358

38,175
(10,086)
(8,602)
(4,919)

14,568
(5,416)

9,152

47,534
(17,028)
(10,585)
(4,056)

15,865
(5,625)

10,240

43,898
(18,373)
(10,373)
(2,272)

12,880
(4,638)

8,242

(1)  Standardised measure includes Onshore US assets of US$ nil (2018: US$1,932 million; 2017: US$1,962 million).
(2) Other is primarily comprised of Algeria and Trinidad and Tobago.

250  BHP Annual Report 2019

5.7 Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited continued
Changes in the Standardised measure are presented in the following table. 

Changes in the Standardised measure 
Standardised measure at the beginning of the year
Revisions:
Prices, net of production costs
Changes in future development costs
Revisions of reserves quantity estimates (1)
Accretion of discount
Changes in production timing and other 

Sales of oil and gas, net of production costs
Acquisitions of reserves-in-place
Sales of reserves-in-place (2) 
Previously estimated development costs incurred
Extensions, discoveries, and improved recoveries, net of future costs
Changes in future income taxes

Standardised measure at the end of the year (3)

2019
US$M

10,240

3,821
(228)
1,268
1,178
(618)

15,661
(5,029)
 −
(1,489)
545
(33)
(503)

9,152

2018
US$M

8,242

5,540
(358)
(166)
1,016
946

15,220
(5,091)
 −
(26)
1,068
502
(1,433)

10,240

2017
US$M

8,987

(96)
275
2,961
1,147
(1,611)

11,663
(4,301)
–
(15)
718
(401)
578

8,242

(1)  Changes in reserves quantities are shown in the Petroleum reserves tables in section 6.3.1.
(2) Onshore US assets disposal.
(3) Standardised measure at the end of the year includes Onshore US assets of US$ nil (2018: US$1,932 million; 2017: US$1,962 million).

Accounting for suspended exploratory well costs
Refer to note 11 ‘Property, plant and equipment’ in section 5.1 for a discussion of the accounting policy applied to the cost of exploratory wells. 
Suspended wells are also reviewed in this context.

The following table provides the changes to capitalised exploratory well costs that were pending the determination of proved reserves for the 
three years ended 30 June 2019, 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017.

Movement in capitalised exploratory well costs
At the beginning of the year
Additions to capitalised exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves
Capitalised exploratory well costs charged to expense
Capitalised exploratory well costs reclassified to wells, equipment, and facilities based 
on the determination of proved reserves
Other

At the end of the year

2019
US$M

794
297
(9)

(42)
 −

1,040

2018
US$M

2017
US$M

668
186
(62)

2
 −

794

770
258
(69)

(155)
(136)

668

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The following table provides an ageing of capitalised exploratory well costs, based on the date the drilling was completed, and the number 
of projects for which exploratory well costs has been capitalised for a period greater than one year since the completion of drilling.

5

Exploration activity typically involves drilling multiple wells, over a number of years, to fully evaluate and appraise a project. The term 
‘project’ as used in this disclosure refers primarily to individual wells and associated exploratory activities.

Ageing of capitalised exploratory well costs
Exploratory well costs capitalised for a period of one year or less
Exploratory well costs capitalised for a period greater than one year 

At the end of the year

Number of projects that have been capitalised for a period greater than one year 

2019
US$M

210
830

1,040

2019

13

2018
US$M

124
670

794

2018

17

2017
US$M

120
548

668

2017

14

BHP Annual Report 2019  251

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5.7 Supplementary oil and gas information – unaudited continued
Drilling and other exploratory and development activities
The number of crude oil and natural gas wells drilled and completed for each of the last three years was as follows:

Year ended 30 June 2019
Australia
United States (1)
Other (2)

Total

Year ended 30 June 2018
Australia
United States (1)
Other (2)

Total

Year ended 30 June 2017
Australia
United States (1)
Other (2)

Total

Net exploratory wells

Net development wells

Productive

Dry

Total

Productive

Dry

Total

Total

 −
1
4

5

 −
1
 −

1

 −
 −
3

3

 −
 −
2

2

 −
1
 −

1

 −
 −
2

2

 −
1
6

7

 −
2
 −

2

 −
 −
5

5

1
33
 −

34

1
84
 −

85

 −
80
1

81

 −
 −
 −

 −

 −
1
 −

1

 −
 −
 −

 −

1
33
 −

34

1
85
 −

86

 −
80
1

81

1
34
6

41

1
87
 −

88

 −
80
6

86

(1)  Includes Onshore US assets net productive development wells of 33 (2018: 84; 2017: 79) and net dry development wells of nil (2018: 1; 2017: nil). Onshore US assets 

had nil net exploratory wells in 2019, 2018 and 2017.

(2) Other is primarily comprised of Algeria, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.

The number of wells drilled refers to the number of wells completed at any time during the respective year, regardless of when drilling was 
initiated. Completion refers to the installation of permanent equipment for production of oil or gas, or, in the case of a dry well, to reporting 
to the appropriate authority that the well has been abandoned.

An exploratory well is a well drilled to find oil or gas in a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil 
or gas in another reservoir. A development well is a well drilled within the limits of a known oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic 
horizon known to be productive. 

A productive well is an exploratory, development or extension well that is not a dry well. Productive wells include wells in which hydrocarbons 
were encountered and the drilling or completion of which, in the case of exploratory wells, has been suspended pending further drilling 
or evaluation. A dry well (hole) is an exploratory, development, or extension well that proves to be incapable of producing either oil or gas 
in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or gas well.

Oil and gas properties, wells, operations, and acreage
The following tables show the number of gross and net productive crude oil and natural gas wells and total gross and net developed and 
undeveloped oil and natural gas acreage as at 30 June 2019. A gross well or acre is one in which a working interest is owned, while a net well 
or acre exists when the sum of fractional working interests owned in gross wells or acres equals one. Productive wells are producing wells 
and wells mechanically capable of production. Developed acreage is comprised of leased acres that are within an area by or assignable 
to a productive well. Undeveloped acreage is comprised of leased acres on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that 
would permit the production of economic quantities of oil and gas, regardless of whether such acres contain proved reserves.

The number of productive crude oil and natural gas wells in which the Group held an interest at 30 June 2019 was as follows:

Australia
United States
Other (1)

Total

Crude oil wells

Natural gas wells

Total

Gross

352
60
57

469

Net

176
25
21

222

Gross

153
 −
8

161

Net

53
 −
4

57

Gross

505
60
65

630

Net

229
25
25

279

(1)  Other is primarily comprised of Algeria, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.

Of the productive crude oil and natural gas wells, 43 (net: 18) operated wells had multiple completions.

Developed and undeveloped acreage (including both leases and concessions) held at 30 June 2019 was as follows:

Thousands of acres

Australia
United States
Other (1) (2)

Total

Developed acreage

Undeveloped acreage

Gross

2,152
105
146

2,403

Net

823
39
57

919

Gross

963
828
3,526

5,317

Net

393
776
2,869

4,038

(1)  Developed acreage in Other primarily consists of Algeria and Trinidad and Tobago.
(2) Undeveloped acreage in Other primarily consists of Canada, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Approximately 126 thousand gross acres (59 thousand net acres), 1,612 thousand gross acres (932 thousand net acres) and 1,257 thousand 
gross acres (889 thousand net acres) of undeveloped acreage will expire in the years ending 30 June 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, 
if the Group does not establish production or take any other action to extend the terms of the licences and concessions.

252  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 6

Additional 
information

In this section

Information on mining operations

6.1 
6.2  Production
6.3  Resources and Reserves
6.4  Major projects
6.5  Climate change data
6.6  Legal proceedings
6.7  Glossary

BHP Annual Report 2019  253

6.1 Information on mining operations

Minerals Australia

Copper mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

BHP 100%

BHP

Olympic Dam

560 km 
northwest 
of Adelaide, 
South 
Australia

Public road
Copper 
cathode 
trucked 
to ports
Uranium oxide 
transported by 
road to ports

Underground
Large poly-metallic 
deposit of iron 
oxide-copper-
uranium-gold 
mineralisation

Electricity 
transmitted via 
(i) BHP’s 275 kV 
power line from 
Port Augusta and 
(ii) ElectraNet’s 
system upstream 
of Port Augusta
Energy 
purchased 
via Retail 
Agreement

Underground 
automated train and 
trucking network 
feeding crushing, 
storage and ore 
hoisting facilities
2 grinding circuits
Nominal milling 
capacity: 10.3 Mtpa
Flash furnace 
produces copper 
anodes, then 
refined to produce 
copper cathodes
Electrowon copper 
cathode and uranium 
oxide concentrate 
produced by leaching 
and solvent extracting 
flotation tailings

Mining lease 
granted by 
South Australian 
Government 
expires in 2036
Right of 
extension 
for 50 years 
(subject to 
remaining 
mine life)

Acquired in 
2005 as part 
of WMC 
acquisition
Copper 
production 
began in 1988
Nominal milling 
capacity raised 
to 9 Mtpa 
in 1999
Optimisation 
project 
completed 
in 2002
New copper 
solvent 
extraction plant 
commissioned 
in 2004
Major smelter 
maintenance 
campaign 
completed 
in 2018

Iron ore mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our iron ore mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the 
production table (refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Mine & 
location

WAIO

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Mt Newman joint venture

Pilbara region, 
Western 
Australia
Mt Whaleback
Orebodies 18, 
24, 25, 29, 30, 
31, 32 and 35

Private road
Ore transported 
by Mt Newman 
JV-owned 
rail to 
Port Hedland 
(427 km)

BHP 85%
Mitsui-ITOCHU 
Iron 10%
ITOCHU Minerals 
and Energy of 
Australia 5%

BHP

Yandi joint venture

Pilbara region, 
Western 
Australia

BHP

BHP 85%
ITOCHU Minerals 
and Energy 
of Australia 8%
Mitsui Iron Ore 
Corporation 7%

Private road
Ore transported 
by Mt Newman 
JV-owned rail 
to Port Hedland 
(316 km)
Yandi JV’s 
railway spur 
links Yandi hub 
to Mt Newman 
JV main line

Mineral lease 
granted and 
held under 
the Iron Ore 
(Mount Newman) 
Agreement Act 
1964 expires in 
2030 with right 
to successive 
renewals of 
21 years each

Production 
began at 
Mt Whaleback 
in 1969
Production 
from Orebodies 
18, 24, 25, 
29, 30, 31, 
32 and 35 
complements 
production 
from Mt 
Whaleback
Production 
from Orebodies 
31 and 32 
started in 2015 
and 2017 
respectively

Open-cut
Bedded ore types 
classified as per 
host Archaean 
or Proterozoic 
iron formation, 
which are 
Brockman and 
Marra Mamba

Power for all mine 
operations both 
in the Central and 
Eastern Pilbara 
is supplied by 
BHP’s natural 
gas fired Yarnima 
power station
Power consumed 
in port operations 
is supplied via 
a contract 
with Alinta

Newman Hub: 
primary crusher, 
ore handling plant, 
heavy media 
beneficiation plant, 
stockyard blending 
facility, single cell 
rotary car dumper, 
train load out 
(nominal capacity 
73 Mtpa)
Orebody 25 Ore 
processing plant 
(nominal capacity 
12 Mtpa)

Mining lease 
granted pursuant 
to the Iron Ore 
(Marillana Creek) 
Agreement Act 
1991 expires 
in 2033 with 
1 renewal right 
to a further 
21 years to 2054

Production 
began at the 
Yandi mine 
in 1992
Capacity 
of Yandi hub 
expanded 
between 
1994 and 2013

Open-cut
Channel Iron 
Deposits are 
Cainozoic fluvial 
sediments

3 primary crushers, 
3 ore handling plants, 
stockyard blending 
facility, and 2 train 
load outs (nominal 
capacity 80 Mtpa)

Power for all mine 
operations both 
in the Central and 
Eastern Pilbara 
is supplied by 
BHP’s natural 
gas fired Yarnima 
power station
Power consumed 
in port operations 
is supplied 
via a contract 
with Alinta

254  BHP Annual Report 2019

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

BHP

BHP 85%
ITOCHU Minerals 
and Energy 
of Australia 8%
Mitsui & Co. Iron 
Ore Exploration 
& Mining 7%

*Jimblebar is an 
‘incorporated’ 
venture, with the 
above companies 
holding A Class 
Shares in Mining 
Lease 266SA 
Section 1 and 
Section 3 held 
by BHP Iron Ore 
Jimblebar Pty Ltd 
(BHPIOJ)
BHP holds 100% 
of the B Class 
Shares, which has 
rights to all other 
BHPIOJ assets

BHP

BHP 85%
Mitsui Iron Ore 
Corporation 7%
ITOCHU Minerals 
and Energy of 
Australia 8%

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

Jimblebar operation*

Pilbara region, 
Western 
Australia

Private road
Ore is 
transported 
via overland 
conveyor 
(12.4 km)

Mt Goldsworthy joint venture

Pilbara region, 
Western 
Australia
Yarrie
Nimingarra
Mining Area C

Private road
Yarrie and 
Nimingarra 
iron ore 
transported by 
Mt Goldsworthy 
JV-owned rail 
to Port Hedland 
(218 km)
Mining Area C 
iron ore 
transported 
by Mt Newman 
JV-owned rail 
to Port Hedland 
(360 km)
Mt Goldsworthy 
JV railway spur 
links Mining 
Area C to Yandi 
railway spur

POSMAC joint venture

Pilbara 
Region, 
Western 
Australia

BHP

Private road
POSMAC JV 
sells ore to 
Mt Goldsworthy 
JV at Mining 
Area C

BHP 65%
ITOCHU Minerals 
and Energy of 
Australia 8%, 
Mitsui Iron Ore 
Corporation 7%
POS-Ore 20%

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Mining lease 
granted pursuant 
to the Iron Ore 
(McCamey’s 
Monster) 
Agreement 
Authorisation 
Act 1972 expires 
in 2030 with 
rights to 
successive 
renewals of 
21 years each

1 mineral lease 
and 1 mining 
lease both 
granted pursuant 
to the Iron Ore 
(Goldsworthy 
– Nimingarra) 
Agreement Act 
1972, expire 
2035, with rights 
to successive 
renewals of 
21 years
A number of 
smaller mining 
leases granted 
under the Mining 
Act 1978 expire in 
2026 with rights 
to successive 
renewals of 
21 years
3 mineral leases 
granted under 
the Iron Ore 
(Mount 
Goldsworthy) 
Agreement Act 
1964, which 
expire 2028 
with rights 
to successive 
renewals of 
21 years each

Sublease over 
part of Mt 
Goldsworthy 
Mining Area C 
mineral lease 
that expires 
on the earlier 
of termination 
of the mineral 
lease or the 
end of the 
POSMAC JV

Open-cut
Bedded ore types 
classified as per 
host Archaean or 
Proterozoic banded 
iron formation, 
which are Brockman 
and Marra Mamba

3 primary crushers, 
ore handling plant, 
train loadout, 
stockyard blending 
facility and 
supporting mining 
hub infrastructure 
(nominal capacity 
65 Mtpa)

Power for all 
mine operations 
both in the 
Central and 
Eastern Pilbara 
is supplied by 
BHP’s natural 
gas fired Yarnima 
power station
Power consumed 
in port operations 
is supplied 
via a contract 
with Alinta

2 primary crushers, 
2 ore handling plants, 
stockyard blending 
facility and train load 
out (nominal capacity 
60 Mtpa)

Mining Area C, 
Yarrie and 
Nimingarra 
all open-cut
Bedded ore types 
classified as per 
host Archaean 
or Proterozoic iron 
formation, which 
are Brockman, 
Marra Mamba 
and Nimingarra

Power for Yarrie 
and Shay Gap 
is supplied by 
their own small 
diesel generating 
stations
Power for all 
remaining mine 
operations both 
in the Central and 
Eastern Pilbara 
is supplied by 
BHP’s natural 
gas fired Yarnima 
power station
Power consumed 
in port operations 
is supplied 
via a contract 
with Alinta

Production 
began in 
March 1989
From 2004, 
production was 
transferred to 
Wheelarra JV 
as part of the 
Wheelarra 
sublease 
agreement. 
This sublease 
agreement 
expired in 
March 2018
Ore was first 
produced from 
the newly 
commissioned 
Jimblebar hub 
in late 2013
Jimblebar 
sells ore to the 
Newman JV 
proximate to 
the Jimblebar 
hub

Operations 
commenced at 
Mt Goldsworthy 
in 1966 and 
at Shay Gap 
in 1973
Original 
Goldsworthy 
mine closed 
in 1982
Associated 
Shay Gap mine 
closed in 1993
Mining at 
Nimingarra 
mine ceased 
in 2007, then 
continued 
from adjacent 
Yarrie area
Production 
commenced 
at Mining Area 
C mine in 2003
Yarrie mine 
operations were 
suspended in 
February 2014

Production 
commenced in 
October 2003
POSMAC JV 
sells all ore to 
Mt Goldsworthy 
JV at Mining 
Area C

Open-cut
Bedded ore types 
classified as per 
host Archaean or 
Proterozoic iron 
formation, which 
is Marra Mamba

POSMAC sells all 
ore to Mt Goldsworthy 
JV, which is then 
processed at Mining 
Area C

Power for all mine 
operations both 
in the Central and 
Eastern Pilbara 
is supplied by 
BHP’s natural 
gas fired Yarnima 
power station
Power consumed 
in port operations 
is supplied 
via a contract 
with Alinta

BHP Annual Report 2019  255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

Queensland Coal

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

On-site beneficiation 
processing facilities
Combined nominal 
capacity: in excess 
of 67 Mtpa

Queensland 
electricity grid 
connection 
is under 
long-term 
contracts 
and energy 
purchased 
via Retail 
Agreements

All open-cut except 
Broadmeadow: 
longwall 
underground
Bituminous coal 
is mined from the 
Permian Moranbah 
and Rangal 
Coal measures
Products range from 
premium quality, 
low volatile, high 
vitrinite, hard coking 
coal to medium 
volatile hard coking 
coal, to weak 
coking coal, some 
pulverised coal 
injection (PCI) coal 
and medium ash 
thermal coal as a 
secondary product

On-site beneficiation 
processing facility
Facilities under care 
and maintenance

Gregory: open-cut
Crinum: longwall 
underground
Bituminous coal 
is mined from 
the Permian 
German Creek 
Coal measures
Product is a high 
volatile, low ash 
hard coking coal

Queensland 
electricity grid 
connection 
is under 
long-term 
contracts 
and energy 
purchased 
via Retail 
Agreements

Open-cut
Bituminous coal 
is mined from the 
Permian Rangal 
Coal measures
Produces a range 
of coking coal and 
pulverised coal 
injection (PCI) coal

Queensland 
electricity grid 
connection 
is under 
long-term 
contracts 
and energy 
purchased 
via Retail 
Agreements

South Walker Creek 
coal beneficiated 
on-site
Nominal capacity: 
in excess of 6 Mtpa
Poitrel mine utilises 
Red Mountain for 
processing and rail 
loading facilities
Nominal capacity: 
in excess of 4 Mtpa

Goonyella mine 
commenced in 
1971, merged with 
adjoining Riverside 
mine in 1989
Operates as 
Goonyella 
Riverside
Production 
commenced at:
Peak Downs 
in 1972
Saraji in 1974
Norwich Park 
in 1979
Blackwater 
in 1967
Broadmeadow 
(longwall 
operations) 
in 2005
Daunia in 
2013 and 
Caval Ridge 
in 2014
Production at 
Norwich Park 
ceased in 
May 2012

Production 
commenced at:
Gregory in 1979
Crinum mine 
(longwall) 
commenced 
in 1997
Production at 
Gregory open-cut 
mine ceased in 
October 2012
Production 
at Crinum 
underground 
mine ceased in 
November 2015
Agreement 
entered for sale 
of our entire 
50% interest 
in Gregory 
Joint Venture
On 27 March 2019, 
BMA completed 
the sale of 
Gregory Crinum 
Mine to Sojitz 
Corporation

South 
Walker Creek 
commenced 
in 1996
Poitrel 
commenced 
in 2006
BMC purchased 
remaining 
50% share of 
Red Mountain 
processing facility 
in 2018 to secure 
100% ownership

Mining leases, 
including 
undeveloped 
tenements, 
expire in 2031, 
renewable for 
further periods 
as Queensland 
Government 
legislation allows
Mining is 
permitted to 
continue under 
the legislation 
during the 
renewal 
application 
period

Mining leases, 
including 
undeveloped 
tenements, 
expire between 
2019 and 2039, 
renewable for 
further periods 
as Queensland 
Government 
legislation allows
Mining is 
permitted to 
continue under 
the legislation 
during the 
renewal 
application 
period

Mining leases, 
including 
undeveloped 
tenements expire 
between 2020 
and 2034, and 
are renewable 
for further 
periods as 
Queensland 
Government 
legislation allows
Mining is 
permitted to 
continue under 
the legislation 
during the 
renewal 
application 
period

Central Queensland Coal Associates joint venture

BMA

BHP 50%
Mitsubishi 
Development 
50%

Bowen Basin, 
Queensland, 
Australia
Goonyella 
Riverside, 
Broadmeadow
Daunia
Caval Ridge
Peak Downs
Saraji
Blackwater 
and Norwich 
Park mines

Public road
Coal 
transported 
by rail to 
Hay Point, 
Gladstone, 
Dalrymple Bay 
and Abbot 
Point ports
Distances 
between the 
mines and port 
are between 
160 km and 
315 km

BMA

BHP 50%
Mitsubishi 
Development 
50%

Gregory joint venture

Bowen Basin, 
Queensland, 
Australia
Gregory and 
Crinum mines

Public road
Coal 
transported 
by rail to Hay 
Point and 
Gladstone ports
Distances 
between the 
mines and port 
are between 
310 km and 
370 km

BHP 80%
Mitsui and Co 
20%

BMC

BHP Mitsui Coal

Bowen Basin, 
Queensland, 
Australia
South Walker 
Creek and 
Poitrel mines

Public road
Coal 
transported 
by rail to Hay 
Point and 
Dalrymple 
Bay ports
Distances 
between the 
mines and port 
are between 
135 km and 
165 km

256  BHP Annual Report 2019

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

New South Wales Energy Coal

Mt Arthur Coal

Approximately 
126 km 
northwest 
of Newcastle,
New South 
Wales, 
Australia

Public road
Domestic coal 
transported 
by conveyor 
to Bayswater 
and Liddell 
Power Stations
Export coal 
transported 
by third 
party rail to 
Newcastle port

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

BHP 100%

BHP

Open-cut
Produces a medium 
rank bituminous 
thermal coal

Beneficiation 
facilities: coal 
handling, preparation, 
washing plants
Nominal capacity: 
in excess of 23 Mtpa

NSW electricity 
grid connection 
under a 
deemed 
long-term 
contract 
and energy 
purchased 
via a Retail 
Agreement

Production 
commenced 
in 2002
Government 
approval permits 
extraction of up 
to 36 Mtpa of 
run of mine coal 
from underground 
and open-cut 
operations, 
with open-cut 
extraction limited 
to 32 Mtpa

Current 
Development 
Consent expires 
in 2026, an 
extension will 
be sought 
within the 
next few years
MAC holds 
10 mining 
leases and 
3 exploration 
licences
MAC’s primary 
exploration 
licence 
is currently 
being renewed

Nickel mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

Nickel West

Mt Keith mine and concentrator

485 km north 
of Kalgoorlie, 
Western 
Australia

Private road
Nickel 
concentrate 
transported 
by road to 
Leinster nickel 
operations for 
drying and 
on-shipping

BHP 100%

BHP

Leinster mine complex and concentrator

BHP 100%

BHP

375 km north 
of Kalgoorlie, 
Western 
Australia

Public road
Nickel 
concentrate 
shipped by 
road and rail 
to Kalgoorlie 
nickel smelter

BHP 100%

BHP

Cliffs mine

481 km north 
of Kalgoorlie, 
Western 
Australia

Private road
Nickel ore 
transported 
by road to 
Leinster nickel 
operations 
for further 
processing

Commissioned 
in 1995 by WMC
Acquired in 2005 
as part of WMC 
acquisition

Open-cut
Disseminated 
textured magmatic 
nickel-sulphide 
mineralisation 
associated with 
a metamorphosed 
ultramafic intrusion

Production 
commenced 
in 1979
Acquired in 2005 
as part of WMC 
acquisition
Perseverance 
underground 
mine ceased 
operations 
during 2013

Open-cut and 
underground
Steeply dipping 
disseminated and 
massive textured 
nickel-sulphide 
mineralisation 
associated with 
metamorphosed 
ultramafic lava 
flows and intrusions

Concentration 
plant with a 
nominal capacity:
11 Mtpa of ore

Concentration 
plant with a 
nominal capacity: 
3 Mtpa of ore

On-site third 
party gas-fired 
turbines
Contracts 
expire in 
December 
2023
Natural gas 
sourced and 
transported 
under separate 
long-term 
contracts

On-site third 
party gas-fired 
turbines
Contracts 
expire in 
December 
2023
Natural gas 
sourced and 
transported 
under separate 
long-term 
contracts

Supplied 
from Mt Keith

Mine site

Production 
commenced 
in 2008
Acquired in 2005 
as part of WMC 
acquisition

Underground
Steeply dipping 
massive textured 
nickel-sulphide 
mineralisation 
associated with 
metamorphosed 
ultramafic lava flows

Mining leases 
granted by 
Western 
Australian 
Government
Key leases expire 
between 2029 
and 2036
Renewals at 
government 
discretion

Mining leases 
granted by 
Western 
Australian 
Government
Key leases 
expire between 
2025 and 2034
Renewals 
of principal 
mineral lease in 
accordance with 
Nickel (agnew) 
Agreement

Mining leases 
granted by 
Western 
Australian 
Government
Key leases 
expire between 
2025 and 2028
Renewals at 
government 
discretion

BHP Annual Report 2019  257

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Nickel smelters, refineries and processing plants

Smelter, refinery 
or processing plant

Nickel West

Kambalda

Nickel concentrator

Kalgoorlie

Nickel smelter

Kwinana

Nickel refinery

Location

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

Product

Nominal 
production capacity

Power source

BHP 100%

BHP

56 km south 
of Kalgoorlie, 
Western 
Australia

Concentrate 
containing 
approximately 
13% nickel

1.6 Mtpa ore
Ore sourced 
through tolling 
and concentrate 
purchase 
arrangements 
with third parties 
in Kambalda region

On-site third party gas-fired 
turbines supplemented 
by access to grid power
Contracts expire 
in December 2023
Natural gas sourced and 
transported under separate 
long-term contracts

Mineral leases 
granted by 
Western 
Australian 
Government
Key leases 
expire in 2028
No further term 
possible. New 
mining lease 
will be sought

Kalgoorlie, 
Western 
Australia

BHP 100%

BHP

Freehold title 
over the property

Matte containing 
approximately 
65% nickel

110 ktpa matte

On-site third party gas-fired 
turbines supplemented 
by access to grid power
Contracts expire 
in December 2023
Natural gas sourced and 
transported under separate 
long-term contracts

30 km south 
of Perth, 
Western 
Australia

BHP 100%

BHP

Freehold title 
over the property

LME grade 
nickel briquettes, 
nickel powder
Also intermediate 
products, including 
copper sulphide, 
cobalt-nickel-sulphide, 
ammonium-sulphate

79 ktpa nickel matte

Power is sourced from the 
local grid, which is supplied 
under a retail contract

Minerals Americas

Copper mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Mine & 
location

Escondida

Atacama 
Desert 170 km 
southeast of 
Antofagasta, 
Chile

Private road 
available for 
public use
Copper 
cathode 
transported 
by privately 
owned rail 
to ports at 
Antofagasta 
and Mejillones
Copper 
concentrate 
transported 
by Escondida-
owned 
pipelines 
to its Coloso 
port facilities

BHP

BHP 57.5%
Rio Tinto 30%
JECO 
Corporation 
consortium 
comprising 
Mitsubishi, 
JX Nippon 
Mining and 
Metals 10%
JECO2 Ltd 2.5%

Mining 
concession 
from Chilean 
Government 
valid indefinitely 
(subject to 
payment of 
annual fees)

Original 
construction 
completed 
in 1990
Sulphide 
leach copper 
production 
commenced 
in 2006

2 open-cut pits: 
Escondida and 
Escondida Norte
Escondida and 
Escondida Norte 
mineral deposits 
are adjacent but 
distinct supergene 
enriched porphyry 
copper deposits

Escondida-owned 
transmission 
lines connect to 
Chile’s northern 
power grid
Electricity 
sourced from 
a combination 
of contracts with 
external vendors 
expiring in 2029 
and Tamakaya 
SpA (100% owned 
by BHP), which 
generates power 
from the recently 
commissioned 
Kelar gas-fired 
power plant

Pampa Norte Spence

Atacama 
Desert 162 km 
northeast of 
Antofagasta, 
Chile

Public road
Copper 
cathode 
transported by 
rail to ports at 
Mejillones and 
Antofagasta

BHP 100%

BHP

Mining 
concession 
from Chilean 
Government 
valid indefinitely 
(subject to 
payment of 
annual fees)

Development 
cost of 
US$1.1 billion 
approved 
in 2004
First copper 
produced 
in 2006

Spence-owned 
transmission 
lines connect to 
Chile’s northern 
power grid
Electricity 
purchased 
under contract

Open-cut
Enriched and 
oxidised porphyry 
copper deposit 
containing in situ 
copper oxide 
mineralisation 
that overlies a 
near-horizontal 
sequence of 
supergene sulphides, 
transitional sulphides, 
and finally primary 
(hypogene) sulphide 
mineralisation

258  BHP Annual Report 2019

3 concentrator 
plants extract 
copper concentrate 
from sulphide 
ore by flotation 
extraction process
2 solvent extraction 
plants produce 
copper cathode
Nominal capacity: 
153.7 Mtpa (nominal 
milling capacity) 
and 350 ktpa 
copper cathode 
(nominal capacity 
of tank house)
2 x 168 km 
concentrate pipelines
167 km water pipeline
Port facilities at 
Coloso, Antofagasta
Desalinated water 
plant (Nominal 
capacity 2,500 litre 
per second)

Processing and 
crushing facilities, 
separate dynamic 
(on-off) leach 
pads, solvent 
extraction plant, 
electrowinning plant
Nominal capacity of 
tank house: 200 ktpa 
copper cathode

Mine & 
location

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Pampa Norte Cerro Colorado

Atacama 
Desert 
120 km east 
of Iquique, 
Chile

Public road
Copper 
cathode 
trucked to port 
at Iquique

BHP 100%

BHP

Mining 
concession 
from Chilean 
Government 
valid indefinitely 
(subject to 
payment of 
annual fees)

Commercial 
production 
commenced 
in 1994
Expansions in 
1996 and 1998

Antamina

Andes 
mountain 
range
270 km north 
of Lima, north 
central Peru

Public road
Copper 
and zinc 
concentrates 
transported 
by pipeline 
to port of 
Huarmey
Molybdenum 
and lead/
bismuth 
concentrates 
transported 
by truck

BHP 33.75%
Glencore 33.75%
Teck 22.5%
Mitsubishi 10%

Compañía 
Minera 
Antamina 
S.A.

Commercial 
production 
commenced 
in 2001

Mining rights 
from Peruvian 
Government 
held indefinitely, 
subject to 
payment of 
annual fees 
and supply 
of information 
on investment 
and production

Open-cut
Enriched and 
oxidised porphyry 
copper deposit 
containing in situ 
copper oxide 
mineralisation 
that overlies a 
near-horizontal 
sequence of 
supergene 
sulphides, 
transitional 
sulphides, and 
finally primary 
(hypogene) sulphide 
mineralisation

Open-cut
Zoned porphyry 
and skarn deposit 
with central copper 
dominated ores 
and an outer band 
of copper-zinc 
dominated ores

Long-term 
contracts with 
northern Chile 
power grid

2 primary, secondary 
and tertiary crushers, 
dynamic leaching 
pads, solvent 
extraction plant, 
electrowinning plant
Nominal capacity of 
tank house: 130 ktpa 
copper cathode

Long-term 
contracts 
with individual 
power producers

Primary crusher, 
concentrator, copper 
and zinc flotation 
circuits, bismuth/
moly cleaning circuit
Nominal milling 
capacity 53 Mtpa
300 km concentrate 
pipeline 
Port facilities 
at Huarmey

Iron ore mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Mine & 
location

Samarco

Southeast 
Brazil

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Samarco

BHP Billiton 
Brasil Limitada 
50% of Samarco 
Mineração S.A.
Vale S.A. 50%

The mining 
facilities are 
currently under 
administrative 
embargoes 
and judicial 
injunction given 
the Fundão 
dam failure

Public road
Conveyor 
belts were 
used to 
transport 
iron ore to 
beneficiation 
plant
3 slurry 
pipelines used 
to transport 
concentrate 
to pellet plants 
on coast
Iron pellets 
were exported 
via port 
facilities

Production 
began at 
Germano mine 
in 1977 and 
at Alegria 
complex 
in 1992
Second pellet 
plant built 
in 1997
Third pellet 
plant, second 
concentrator 
and second 
pipeline built 
in 2008
Fourth pellet 
plant, third 
concentrator 
and third 
pipeline built 
in 2014

Open-cut
Itabirites 
(metamorphic 
quartz-hematite 
rock) and friable 
hematite ores

Samarco mining 
activities are currently 
suspended after the 
failure of Fundão dam
The beneficiation 
plants, pipelines, 
pellet plants and port 
facilities are intact

Samarco holds 
interests in 
2 hydroelectric 
power plants, 
which supply 
part of its 
electricity
Power supply 
contract with 
Cemig Geração 
e Transmissão 
expires in 2022

BHP Annual Report 2019  259

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Coal mining operations
The following table contains additional details of our mining operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production table 
(refer to section 6.2.1) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.2).

Means 
of access

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases 
or options

History

Mine type & 
mineralisation style

Power source

Facilities, 
use & condition

Mine & 
location

Cerrejón

La Guajira 
province, 
Colombia

Public road
Coal exported 
by company-
owned rail to 
Puerto Bolivar 
(150 km)

Cerrejón

BHP 33.33%
Anglo American 
33.33%
Glencore 33.33%

Navajo

40 km 
southwest 
of Farmington, 
New Mexico, 
United States

Public road
Coal 
transported 
by rail to 
Four Corners 
Power Plant

BHP

BHP 0%
Navajo 
Transitional 
Energy Company 
100%

Mining leases 
expire 
progressively 
from 2028 to 
early 2034
Production not 
scheduled after 
2033

Lease held 
by Navajo 
Transitional 
Energy Company

Original 
mine began 
producing 
in 1976
BHP interest 
acquired 
in 2000

Open-cut
Produces a 
medium rank 
bituminous thermal 
coal (non-coking, 
suitable for the 
export market)

Local Colombian 
power system

Beneficiation 
facilities: crushing 
plant with capacity 
in excess of 40 Mtpa 
and washing plant
Nominal capacity 
in excess of 3 Mtpa

Four Corners 
Power Plant

Open-cut
Produces a medium 
rank bituminous 
thermal coal 
(non-coking suitable 
for the domestic 
market only)

Stackers and 
reclaimers used 
to size and blend 
coal to meet 
contract quantities 
and specification
Nominal capacity 
in excess of 4 Mtpa

Production 
commenced 
in 1963
Divested 
in FY2014
BHP continued 
to manage 
and operate 
the mine 
until the Mine 
Management 
Agreement 
with Navajo 
Transitional 
Energy 
Company 
(NTEC) 
ended on 31 
December 2016

Petroleum

Petroleum operations
The following table contains additional details of our petroleum operations. This table should be read in conjunction with the production 
table (refer to section 6.2.2) and reserves table (refer to section 6.3.1).

Operation 
& location

United States

Product

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases or options

Nominal 
production capacity

Facilities, 
use & condition

Offshore Gulf of Mexico

Neptune (Green Canyon 613)

Oil and gas

Offshore 
deepwater 
Gulf of Mexico
(1,300m)

Shenzi (Green Canyon 653)

Oil and gas

Offshore 
deepwater 
Gulf of Mexico 
(1,310m)

Atlantis (Green Canyon 743)

BHP 35%
EnVen Energy 30%
W&T Offshore 20%
31 Offshore 15%

BHP 44%
Hess 28%
Repsol 28%

Offshore 
deepwater 
Gulf of Mexico 
(2,155m)

Oil and gas

BHP 44%
BP 56%

Mad Dog (Green Canyon 782)

Oil and gas

Offshore 
deepwater 
Gulf of Mexico 
(1,310m)

BHP 23.9%
BP 60.5%
Chevron 15.6%

BHP

BHP

BP

BP

Lease from US Government 
as long as oil and gas 
produced in paying quantities

50 Mbbl/d oil
50 MMcf/d gas

Stand-alone tension 
leg platform (TLP)

Lease from US Government 
as long as oil and gas 
produced in paying quantities

100 Mbbl/d oil
50 MMcf/d gas

Stand-alone TLP
Genghis Khan field (part of 
same geological structure) 
tied back to Marco Polo TLP

Lease from US Government 
as long as oil and gas 
produced in paying quantities

200 Mbbl/d oil
180 MMcf/d gas

Moored semi-submersible 
platform

Lease from US Government 
as long as oil and gas 
produced in paying quantities

100 Mbbl/d oil
60 MMcf/d gas

Moored integrated 
truss spar, facilities for 
simultaneous production 
and drilling operations

260  BHP Annual Report 2019

Product

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases or options

Nominal 
production capacity

Facilities, 
use & condition

Operation 
& location

Australia

Bass Strait

Offshore and 
onshore Victoria

Oil and gas

Gippsland Basin joint 
venture (GBJV):
BHP 50%
Esso Australia (Exxon 
Mobil subsidiary) 50%
Kipper Unit joint 
venture (KUJV):
BHP 32.5%
Esso Australia 32.5%
MEPAU A Pty Ltd 35%

Esso Australia

20 production licences and 
2 retention leases issued 
by Australian Government
Expire between 2019 and 
end of life of field
1 production licence held 
with MEPAU A Pty Ltd

65 Mbbl/d oil
1,040 TJ/d
5,150 tpd LPG
850 tpd Ethane

Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd

14 production licences issued 
by Australian Government
Expire between 2022 and 5 
years after production ceases

Domestic gas, 
LPG, condensate, 
LNG

North West Shelf

Offshore 
and onshore
Western 
Australia
North Rankin
Goodwyn 
Perseus
Angel and 
Searipple fields

North West Shelf Project 
is an unincorporated JV
BHP:
16.67% of Incremental 
Pipeline Gas (IPG) 
domestic gas JV
16.67% of original LNG JV
12.5% of China LNG JV
16.67% of LPG JV
Other participants: 
subsidiaries of Woodside, 
Chevron, BP, Shell, 
Mitsubishi/Mitsui and 
China National Offshore 
Oil Corporation

North Rankin 
Complex: 3,010 
MMcf/d gas
53 Mbbl/d 
condensate
Goodwyn A platform:
1,746 MMcf/d gas
100 Mbbl/d 
condensate
Angel platform:
960 MMcf/d gas
51 Mbbl/d 
condensate
Withnell Bay 
gas plant:
630 MMcf/d gas
5-train LNG plant:
52,000 tpd LNG

4 offshore fields 
producing through 
offshore infrastructure, 
including 12 steel jacket 
platforms, 2 concrete 
gravity platforms and 
a subsea pipeline network
Onshore infrastructure:
•  Longford facility 

(gas conditioning/
processing and liquids 
processing facilities)

•  interconnecting pipelines
•  long Island Point 

(LPG processing and 
liquids storage/offtake)

•  heliport and onshore 

supply base

Production from North 
Rankin, Persephone 
and Perseus processed 
through the interconnected 
North Rankin A and North 
Rankin B platforms
Production from Goodwyn 
processed through 
Goodwyn A platform
Production from Perseus, 
Tidepole, Keast, Dockrell, 
Sculptor, Rankin, Lady Nora 
and Pemberton fields tied 
back via subsea wells to 
the Goodwyn A platform
Production from Angel 
field processed through 
Angel platform
Onshore gas treatment 
plant at Withnell Bay 
processes gas for 
domestic market
5-train LNG plant

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Offshore
Western 
Australia
Wanaea
Cossack
Lambert and 
Hermes fields

Pyrenees

Offshore
Western 
Australia
Crosby 
Moondyne 
Wild Bull 
Tanglehead 
Stickle and 
Ravensworth 
fields

Macedon

Offshore 
and onshore 
Western 
Australia

Minerva

Offshore 
and onshore 
Victoria

Oil

Oil

BHP 16.67%
Woodside 33.34%,
BP, Chevron, Japan 
Australia LNG (MIMI) 
16.67% each

Woodside 
Petroleum Ltd

3 production licences issued 
by Australian Government
Expire between 2033 
and 2039

Production: 
60 Mbbl/d
Storage: 1 MMbbl

FPSO unit

BHP

WA-42-L permit:
BHP 71.43%
Quadrant PVG P/L 28.57%
WA-43-L permit: 
BHP 39.999%
Quadrant PVG P/L 
31.501%
Inpex Alpha Ltd 28.5%

Production licence issued 
by Australian Government 
expires 5 years after 
production ceases

Production: 
96 Mbbl/d oil
Storage: 920 Mbbl

26 subsea well 
completions 
(21 producers, 
4 water injectors, 
1 gas injector), FPSO

Gas and 
condensate

WA-42-L permit
BHP 71.43% 
Quadrant PVG P/L 28.57%

BHP

Production licence issued 
by Australian Government 
expires 5 years after 
production ceases

Production:
213 MMcf/d gas 
20 bbl/d condensate

Gas and 
condensate

BHP 90%
Cooper Energy (MF) 
Pty Ltd 10%

BHP

Production licence issued 
by Australian Government 
expires 5 years after 
production ceases

150 TJ/d gas
600 bbl/d 
condensate

4 well completions
Single flow line transports 
gas to onshore gas 
processing facility
Gas plant located 
approximately 17 km 
southwest of Onslow

2 subsea well completions 
(2 producing wells)
Single flow line transports 
gas to onshore gas 
processing facility
Gas plant located 
approximately 4 km inland 
from Port Campbell
On 1 May 2018, BHP entered 
into an agreement for 
the sale of its interests 
in the onshore gas plant 
with subsidiaries of 
Cooper Energy and Mitsui 
E&P Australia Pty Ltd. 
Agreement is conditional 
on regulatory approval

BHP Annual Report 2019  261

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Operation 
& location

Product

Ownership

Operator

Title, leases or options

Nominal 
production capacity

Facilities, 
use & condition

Other production operations

Trinidad and Tobago

Greater Angostura

Offshore
Trinidad and 
Tobago

Oil and gas

BHP 45%
National Gas 
Company 30% 
Chaoyang 25%

BHP

Production sharing contract 
with the Trinidad and Tobago 
Government entitles us to 
operate Greater Angostura 
until 2026

100 Mbbl/d oil
340 MMcf/d gas

Algeria

ROD Integrated Development

Oil

Onshore 
Berkine Basin 
900 km 
southeast of 
Algiers, Algeria

BHP 45% interest in 
401a/402a production 
sharing contract
ENI 55%
BHP effective 29.3% 
interest in ROD unitised 
integrated development

Joint 
Sonatrach/
ENI entity

Production sharing contract 
with Sonatrach (title holder)

Approximately 
80 Mbbl/d oil

Integrated oil and gas 
development: central 
processing platform 
connected to 4 
wellhead platforms and 
a gas export platform
31 wells completed for 
production and injection 
including: 17 oil producers, 
7 gas producers (3 subsea) 
and 7 gas injectors

Development and 
production of 6 oil fields
2 largest fields (ROD 
and SF SFNE) extend into 
neighbouring blocks 
403a, 403d
Production through 
dedicated processing 
train on block 403

262  BHP Annual Report 2019

6.2 Production

6.2.1 Production – Minerals

The table below details our mineral and derivative product production for all operations (except Petroleum) for the three years ended 
30 June 2019, 2018 and 2017. Unless otherwise stated, the production numbers represent our share of production and include BHP’s 
share of production from which profit is derived from our equity accounted investments. Production information for equity accounted 
investments is included to provide insight into the operational performance of these entities. For discussion of minerals pricing during 
the past three years, refer to section 1.6.2.

BHP Group 
interest
%

BHP share of production (1)
Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

Copper (2)
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 tonnes)
Escondida, Chile (3)
Antamina, Peru (4)

Total copper concentrate

Copper cathode (‘000 tonnes)
Escondida, Chile (3)
Pampa Norte, Chile (5)
Olympic Dam, Australia

Total copper cathode

Total copper concentrate and cathode

Lead
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 tonnes)
Antamina, Peru (4)

Total lead

Zinc
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 tonnes)
Antamina, Peru (4)

Total zinc

Gold
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 ounces)
Escondida, Chile (3)
Olympic Dam, Australia (refined gold)

Total gold

Silver
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 ounces)
Escondida, Chile (3)
Antamina, Peru (4)
Olympic Dam, Australia (refined silver)

Total silver

Uranium
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Olympic Dam, Australia

Total uranium

Molybdenum
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina, Peru (4)

Total molybdenum

Iron ore
Western Australia Iron Ore
Production (‘000 tonnes) (6)
Newman, Australia
Area C Joint Venture, Australia
Yandi Joint Venture, Australia
Jimblebar, Australia (7)
Wheelarra, Australia (8)

Total Western Australia Iron Ore

Samarco, Brazil (4)

Total iron ore

57.5
33.75

57.5
100
100

33.75

33.75

57.5
100

57.5
33.75
100

100

33.75

 882.1
 147.2

 1,029.3

 253.2
 246.5
160.3

660.0

1,689.3

2.4

 2.4

98.1

 98.1

 286.0
107.0

393.0

8,830
4,758
923

14,511

3,565

3,565

1,141

1,141

 925.8
 139.5

 1,065.3

 287.5
 263.8
136.7

688.0

1,753.3

 3.4

 3.4

 119.8

 119.8

229.1
91.6

320.7

8,796
5,437
792

15,025

3,364

3,364

1,662

1,662

539.6
133.8

673.4

232.0
254.3
166.3

652.6

1,326.0

5.5

5.5

87.5

87.5

110.9
104.1

215.0

4,326
5,783
768

10,877

3,661

3,661

1,144

1,144

BHP Group 
interest
%

BHP Group share of production (1)
Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

85
85
85
85
85

50

66,622
47,440
65,197
58,546
159

237,964

–

67,071
51,517
64,048
30,627
25,158

238,421

–

 68,283
 48,744
 65,355
 21,950
 27,020

231,352

–

237,964

238,421

231,352

BHP Annual Report 2019  263

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Coal
Metallurgical coal
Production (‘000 tonnes) (9)
Blackwater, Australia
Goonyella Riverside, Australia
Peak Downs, Australia
Saraji, Australia
Daunia, Australia
Caval Ridge, Australia

Total BHP Mitsubishi Alliance

South Walker Creek, Australia (10)
Poitrel, Australia (10)

Total BHP Mitsui Coal

Total Queensland Coal

IndoMet, Haju, Indonesia (11)

Total metallurgical coal

Energy coal
Production (‘000 tonnes)
Navajo, United States (12)
San Juan, United States

Total New Mexico Coal

New South Wales Energy Coal, Australia
Cerrejón, Colombia (4)

Total energy coal

Other assets
Nickel
Saleable production (‘000 tonnes)
Nickel West, Australia (13) (14)

Total nickel

BHP Group 
interest
%

BHP Group share of production (1)
Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

50
50
50
50
50
50

 80
80

75

100
100

100
33.3

6,603
8,563
5,933
4,892
2,178
3,967

32,136

 6,194
 4,071

10,265

42,401

–

6,688
7,961
6,350
5,053
2,556
4,285

32,893

 6,029
 3,718

9,747

42,640

–

 7,296
 7,355
 6,055
 4,734
 2,560
 3,458

31,458

 5,123
 3,189

8,312

39,770

129

42,401

42,640

39,899

 –
 –

 –

18,257
9,230

27,487

 –
 –

 –

18,541
10,617

29,158

451
 –

451

18,176
10,959

29,586

BHP Group 
interest
%

BHP Group share of production (1)
Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

100

87.4

87.4

93.0

93.0

85.8

85.8

(1)  BHP share of production includes the Group’s share of production for which profit is derived from our equity accounted investments, unless otherwise stated.
(2)  Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(3)  Shown on 100 per cent basis following the application of IFRS 10. BHP interest in saleable production is 57.5 per cent.
(4)  For statutory financial reporting purposes, this is an equity accounted investment. We have included production numbers from our equity accounted investments as 
the level of production and operating performance from these operations impacts Underlying EBITDA of the Group. Our use of Underlying EBITDA is explained in 
section 1.12. Samarco operations are currently suspended following the Samarco dam failure as explained in section 1.7.

(5)  Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence.
(6)  Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(7)  Shown on 100 per cent basis. BHP interest in saleable production is 85 per cent.
(8)  All production from Wheelarra is now processed via the Jimblebar processing hub.
(9)  Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(10) Shown on 100 per cent basis. BHP interest in saleable production is 80 per cent.
(11)  Shown on 100 per cent basis. BHP interest in saleable production is 75 per cent.
(12)  BHP completed the sale of Navajo Mine on 30 December 2013. As BHP retained control of the mine until 29 July 2016, production has been reported through such date.
(13)  Production restated to include other nickel by-products.
(14)  Nickel contained in refined nickel metal, including briquette and power, matte and by-product streams.

264  BHP Annual Report 2019

6.2.2 Production – Petroleum

The table below details Petroleum‘s historical net crude oil and condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids production, primarily by 
geographic segment, for each of the three years ended 30 June 2019, 2018 and 2017. We have shown volumes of marketable production 
after deduction of applicable royalties, fuel and flare. We have included in the table average production costs per unit of production and 
average sales prices for oil and condensate and natural gas for each of those periods.

BHP Group share of production
Year ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

Production volumes
Crude oil and condensate (‘000 of barrels)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US (5)
Other (4)

Total crude oil and condensate

Natural gas (billion cubic feet)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US (5)
Other (4)

Total natural gas

Natural gas liquids (1) (‘000 of barrels)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US (5)
Other (4)

Total NGL (1)

Total production of petroleum products (million barrels of oil equivalent) (2)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US (5)
Other (4)

Total production of petroleum products

Average sales price
Crude oil and condensate (US$ per barrel)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US
Other (4)

Total crude oil and condensate

Natural gas (US$ per thousand cubic feet)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US
Other (4)

Total natural gas

Natural gas liquids (US$ per barrel)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US
Other (4)

Total NGL

Total average production cost (US$ per barrel of oil equivalent) (3)
Australia
United States – Conventional
United States – Onshore US
Other (4)

Total average production cost

14,365
28,047
6,411
4,885

53,708

310.1
10.4
96.3
76.2

493.0

6,265
1,581
3,505
42

11,392

72.3
31.4
26.0
17.6

147.3

69.50
64.65
68.02
68.86

66.73

7.00
3.22
2.90
2.87

5.50

36.54
25.73
27.74
28.66

32.17

8.98
5.29
4.93
6.41

7.18

16,545
27,476
19,464
4,616

68,101

325.0
9.5
258.5
42.5

635.5

6,955
1,725
9,560
88

18,328

77.7
30.8
72.1
11.8

192.4

63.69
58.55
59.03
61.73

60.12

5.97
3.12
2.79
3.19

4.44

35.99
27.52
22.15
25.85

27.95

8.06
7.43
6.43
9.31

7.43

18,658
29,933
22,944
4,850

76,385

345.7
10.3
275.0
36.8

667.8

7,423
1,725
11,427
119

20,694

83.7
33.4
80.2
11.1

208.4

50.59
45.45
47.91
47.96

47.61

5.06
4.39
2.82
2.72

4.00

27.76
21.29
15.14
21.10

20.37

5.78
6.62
7.87
13.55

7.14

(1)  LPG and ethane are reported as natural gas liquids (NGL).
(2) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversion is based on the following: 6,000 standard cubic feet (scf) of natural gas equals one boe.
(3) Average production costs include direct and indirect costs relating to the production of hydrocarbons and the foreign exchange effect of translating local currency 

denominated costs into US dollars, but excludes ad valorem and severance taxes, and the cost to transport our produced hydrocarbons to the point of sale.

(4) Other comprises Algeria, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom (divested 30 November 2018).
(5) Production for Onshore US assets shown through the closing date of the divestment. Production for Eagle Ford, Permian, and Haynesville assets are shown through 

31 October 2018 and production for Fayetteville is shown through 28 September 2018.

BHP Annual Report 2019  265

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6.3 Resources and Reserves
Resources are the estimated quantities of material that can 
potentially be commercially recovered from the Group’s properties. 
Reserves are a subset of resources that can be demonstrated 
to be able to be economically and legally extracted. In order 
to estimate reserves, assumptions are required about a range 
of technical and economic factors, including quantities, qualities, 
production techniques, recovery efficiency, production and 
transport costs, commodity supply and demand, commodity 
prices and exchange rates.

Estimating the quantity and/or quality of reserves requires the 
size, shape and depth of ore bodies or oil and gas reservoirs to 
be determined by analysing geological data, such as drilling samples 
and geophysical survey interpretations. Economic assumptions used 
to estimate reserves change from period-to-period as additional 
technical and operational data is generated.

6.3.1 Petroleum reserves

Estimates of oil and gas reserves involve some degree of uncertainty, 
are inherently imprecise, require the application of judgement and 
are subject to future revision. Accordingly, financial and accounting 
measures (such as the standardised measure of discounted 
cash flows, depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges, 
the assessment of impairments and the assessment of valuation 
allowances against deferred tax assets) that are based on reserve 
estimates are also subject to change.

How we estimate and report reserves
Petroleum’s reserves are estimated as of 30 June each year. 
Reported reserves include both Conventional Petroleum reserves 
and Onshore US reserves for FY2017 and FY2018. Footnotes have 
been included to identify the contribution of the discontinued 
Onshore US operations for these years. The sale of Petroleum’s 
interests in Onshore US reserves was completed in FY2019. 
Remaining reserves at the end of FY2019 reflect the continuing 
conventional operations only.

Our proved reserves are estimated and reported according 
to SEC regulations and have been determined in accordance 
with SEC Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X.

Proved oil and gas reserves
Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of crude oil, 
natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) that, by analysis 
of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with 
reasonable certainty to be economically producible from 
a given date forward from known reservoirs and under existing 
economic conditions, operating methods, operating contracts 
and government regulations. Unless evidence indicates that 
renewal of existing operating contracts is reasonably certain, 
estimates of economically producible reserves reflect only the 
period before the contracts expire. The project to extract the 
hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must 
be reasonably certain that it will commence within a reasonable 
time. As specified in SEC Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X, 
oil and gas prices are taken as the unweighted average of the 
corresponding first day of the month prices for the 12 months 
prior to the ending date of the period covered.

Proved reserves were estimated by reference to available well 
and reservoir information, including but not limited to well logs, 
well test data, core data, production and pressure data, geologic 
data, seismic data and in some cases, to similar data from 
analogous, producing reservoirs. A wide range of engineering 
and geoscience methods, including performance analysis, 
numerical simulation, well analogues and geologic studies 
were used to estimate high confidence proved developed and 
undeveloped reserves in accordance with SEC regulations.

Proved reserve estimates were attributed to future development 
projects only where there is a significant commitment to project 
funding and execution and for which applicable government 
and regulatory approvals have been secured or are reasonably 
certain to be secured. Furthermore, estimates of proved reserves 
include only volumes for which access to market is assured with 
reasonable certainty. All proved reserve estimates are subject 
to revision (either upward or downward) based on new information, 
such as from development drilling and production activities 
or from changes in economic factors, including product prices, 
contract terms or development plans.

Developed oil and gas reserves
Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can 
be expected to be recovered through:
•  existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods;
•  installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational 

at the time of the reserve estimate if the extraction is by means 
not involving a well.

Performance-derived reserve assessments for producing wells 
were primarily based in the following manner:
•  for our conventional operations, reserves were estimated using 
rate and pressure decline methods, including material balance, 
supplemented by reservoir simulation models where appropriate;

•  for our discontinued Onshore US operations reported for 

FY2017 and FY2018, rate-transient analysis and decline curve 
analysis methods;

•  for wells that lacked sufficient production history, reserves 
were estimated using performance-based type curves 
and offset location analogues with similar geologic and 
reservoir characteristics.

Proved undeveloped reserves
Proved undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves that are 
expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage 
where commitment has been made to commence development 
within five years from first reporting or from existing wells where 
a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

A combination of geologic and engineering data and where 
appropriate, statistical analysis was used to support the assignment 
of proved undeveloped reserves when assessing planned drilling 
locations. Performance data along with log and core data was 
used to delineate consistent, continuous reservoir characteristics 
in core areas of the development. Proved undeveloped locations 
were included in core areas between known data and adjacent 
to productive wells using performance-based type curves and 
offset location analogues with similar geologic and reservoir 
characteristics. Locations where a high degree of certainty 
could not be demonstrated using the above technologies and 
techniques were not categorised as proved.

Methodology used to estimate reserves
Reserve estimates have been estimated with deterministic 
methodology, with the exception of the North West Shelf gas 
operation in Australia, where probabilistic methodology has 
been used to estimate and aggregate reserves for the reservoirs 
dedicated to the gas project only. The probabilistic based portion 
of these reserves totals 16 million barrels of oil equivalent 
(MMboe) in FY2019, 23 MMboe in FY2018 and 39 MMboe in 2017. 
These amounts represent approximately 2 per cent of our total 
reported proved reserves in FY2019, 2 per cent in FY2018 and 
3 per cent in FY2017, respectively. Total boe conversion is based 
on the following: 6,000 standard cubic feet (scf) of natural gas 
equals 1 boe. Aggregation of proved reserves beyond the field/
project level has been performed by arithmetic summation. 
Due to portfolio effects, aggregates of proved reserves may be 
conservative. The custody transfer point(s) or point(s) of sale 
applicable for each field or project are the reference point for 
reserves. The reserves replacement ratio is the change in reserves 
during the year excluding production, divided by the production 
during the year and stated as a percentage.

266  BHP Annual Report 2019

Governance
The Petroleum Reserves Group (PRG) is a dedicated group that 
provides oversight of the reserves’ assessment and reporting 
processes. It is independent of the various operation teams directly 
responsible for development and production activities. The PRG 
is staffed by individuals averaging more than 30 years’ experience 
in the oil and gas industry. The manager of the PRG, Abhijit Gadgil, 
is a full-time employee of BHP and is responsible for overseeing 
the preparation of the reserve estimates and compiling the 
information for inclusion in this Annual Report. He has an advanced 
degree in engineering and more than 35 years of diversified 
industry experience in reservoir engineering, reserves assessment, 
field development and technical management. He is a 35-year 
member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). He has also 
served on the Society of Petroleum Engineers Oil and Gas Reserves 
Committee. Mr Gadgil has the qualifications and experience 
required to act as a qualified petroleum reserves evaluator under 
the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules. The estimates 
of petroleum reserves are based on and fairly represent information 
and supporting documentation prepared under the supervision 
of Mr Gadgil. He has reviewed and agrees with the information 
included in section 6.3.1 and has given his prior written consent 
for its publication. No part of the individual compensation for 
members of the PRG is dependent on reported reserves.

Reserve assessments for all Petroleum operations were 
conducted by technical staff within the operating organisation. 
These individuals meet the professional qualifications outlined 
by the SPE, are trained in the fundamentals of SEC reserves 
reporting and the reserves processes and are endorsed by the 
PRG. Each reserve assessment is reviewed annually by the PRG 
to ensure technical quality, adherence to internally published 
Petroleum guidelines and compliance with SEC reporting 
requirements. Once endorsed by the PRG, all reserves receive 
final endorsement by senior management and the Risk and 
Audit Committee prior to public reporting. Our Internal Audit 
and Assurance function provides secondary assurance of 
the oil and gas reserve reporting processes through audits 
of the key controls that have been implemented, as required 
by the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

For more information on our risk management governance, 
refer to section 2.13.1.

FY2019 reserves
Production for FY2019 totalled 147 MMboe in sales, which was 
comprised of 121 MMboe for our conventional fields and 26 MMboe 
that was produced from our US Onshore fields prior to the closure 
of the divestment agreements. In comparison, our conventional 
fields produced approximately 1 MMboe more than in FY2018. 
This increase was due to a number of factors, including start-up 
of the Greater Western Flank Phase B project in the North West 
Shelf in Australia and higher uptime in several fields, which more 
than offset natural production declines in more mature fields. 
Refer to section 6.2.2 for more information. There was also an 
additional 5 MMboe in non-sales production, primarily for fuel 
consumed in our Petroleum operations. The combined sales and 
non-sales production totalled 152 MMboe for FY2019. For our 
conventional fields, additions and revisions to reserves added 
57 MMboe, which replaced 45 per cent of the production in FY2019. 
As of 30 June 2019, our proved reserves totalled 841 MMboe.

Reserves have been calculated using the economic interest method 
and represent net interest volumes after deduction of applicable 
royalty. Reserves of 64 MMboe are in two production and risk-sharing 
arrangements where BHP has a revenue interest in production 
without transfer of ownership of the products. At 30 June 2019, 
approximately 8 per cent of the proved reserves were attributable 
to such arrangements.

Discoveries and extensions
Extensions added a total of approximately 2 MMboe to proved 
reserves, of which 1 MMboe was added for the Atlantis field in the 
US Gulf of Mexico with the balance being added in the Snapper 
field in Bass Strait in Australia.

Improved recovery revisions
There were no improved recovery revisions during the year.

Revisions
Revisions for FY2019 added a total of 56 MMboe. The largest 
addition was in the Atlantis field where 28 MMboe was added for 
performance and approval of Phase 3 infill drilling. Other revisions, 
primarily in the Mad Dog field, brought the total revisions for our 
US Gulf of Mexico assets to 29 MMboe. Additions through revisions 
in Australia totalled 22 MMboe, with the North West Shelf project 
adding 11 MMboe. The Goodwyn field was the largest component 
of this change adding 10 MMboe for strong performance. In Bass 
Strait, 11 MMboe was added with the largest changes occurring 
in the Snapper and Turrum fields, which added 5 MMboe and 
2 MMboe, respectively. In other geographic areas, 4 MMboe was 
added for better performance in the Offshore Angostura project 
in Trinidad and Tobago, while 1 MMboe was added for improved 
performance in the ROD Integrated Development in Algeria.

Sales
The sale of Petroleum’s interests in the US Onshore Permian, 
Eagle Ford, Haynesville and Fayetteville fields accounted for 
reported sales of approximately 464 MMboe. There were 
no purchases during FY2019.

FY2018 reserves
Production for FY2018 totalled 192 MMboe in sales, which is a 
decrease of 16 MMboe from FY2017. Refer to section 6.2.2 for 
more information. There was an additional 5 MMboe in non-sales 
production, primarily for fuel consumed in our Petroleum operations. 
The combined sales and non-sales production totalled 198 MMboe. 
The natural decline of production in our Onshore US fields and 
mature fields in other locations was the primary reason for the 
lower amount produced.

As of 30 June 2018, our proved reserves totalled 1400 MMboe 
and reflected a net increase of 62 MMboe and production 
of 198 MMboe from the 1535 MMboe reported at FY2017. 
This increase was primarily the result of continued strong 
performance in our Offshore US fields in the Gulf of Mexico and 
Offshore Trinidad and Tobago along with better performance 
and improved liquid product prices for our North American 
shale operations. These increases were partially offset by 
reductions in the North West Shelf (Australia) and reduced gas 
prices received for production from our Onshore US fields. 
Net additions to reserves resulted in a reserves replacement 
of 32 per cent overall, (Conventional: 25 per cent reserves 
replacement, Onshore US: 43 per cent reserves replacement). 
As of 30 June 2018, approximately 65 per cent of our proved 
reserves were in conventional fields, while about 35 per cent 
of our proved reserves were in unconventional fields.

Discoveries and extensions
Discoveries and extensions added 75 MMboe to proved reserves 
during FY2018. This was comprised of 69 MMboe of extensions 
related to planned drilling in new locations in our Onshore 
US operations within the next five years and an additional 
4 MMboe in the Mad Dog field and 2 MMboe in the Shenzi field, 
both of which are in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Improved recovery revisions
There were no improved recovery revisions during the year.

BHP Annual Report 2019  267

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Improved recovery revisions
There were no improved recovery revisions during the year.

Revisions
Overall, net revisions increased proved reserves by 274 MMboe 
during FY2017. Of this, the impact of commodity prices using the 
required SEC price-basis represented an increase of 271 MMboe. 
Well performance, interest changes and other revisions resulted 
in a net increase of 3 MMboe. Virtually all of the price-related 
increase occurred in our Onshore US fields.

In our US operations, the overall increase in proved reserves 
through revisions totalled 258 MMboe. This included price related 
additions of 269 MMboe, 32 MMboe for additional drilling locations 
planned in our Onshore US fields and a reduction of 51 MMboe 
related to performance and other revisions in our Onshore US 
operations. There were also additions of 8 MMboe for better 
than expected performance and increased prices in the Shenzi, 
Atlantis and Mad Dog fields in our Gulf of Mexico operations.

In our Australian operations, continued strong performance of the 
North West Shelf and Minerva fields added a total of 7 MMboe 
through revisions. This was partially offset by performance 
and other related reductions of 3 MMboe in Bass Strait fields. 
Overall, revisions for Australian fields totalled about 4 MMboe.

Operations outside of Australia and the United States also added 
approximately 12 MMboe through revisions. In the Angostura 
area fields in Trinidad and Tobago, 6 MMboe was added for better 
than expected performance. The ROD Integrated Development 
in Algeria also added 4 MMboe primarily for better than expected 
performance. Our fields in the United Kingdom also added 
1 MMboe offsetting production during the year.

Sales
The sale of acreage in our Eagle Ford and Permian fields accounted 
for our reported sales of approximately 1 MMboe. There were no 
purchases during FY2017.

These results are summarised in the following tables, which 
detail estimated oil, condensate, NGL and natural gas reserves at 
30 June 2019, 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017, with a reconciliation 
of the changes in each year.

Revisions
Overall, net revisions decreased proved reserves by 7 MMboe 
during FY2018. In our Australian operations, reductions of 21 MMboe 
occurred, primarily in the North West Shelf, due to revisions related 
to updated technical assessments. In the United States, net revisions 
increased reserves by approximately 4 MMboe. This was a result 
of additions of 35 MMboe, primarily for strong performance 
in the Atlantis field in the Offshore US Gulf of Mexico, and better 
performance in our Onshore US Eagle Ford and Permian assets. 
These additions were partially offset by reductions of 33 MMboe, 
mainly in our Onshore US fields as a result of lower planned drilling 
activity in light of our previously announced plan to exit our shale 
operations and the effect of lower gas prices. In other areas 
outside of Australia and the United States, revisions increased 
reserves by 10 MMboe, primarily for strong performance in the 
Angostura Phase 3 project in Offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

Of the overall decrease in proved reserves of 7 MMboe through 
revisions, the impact of commodity prices using the required 
SEC price-basis represented a decrease of 4 MMboe while well 
performance, interest changes and other revisions resulted 
in a net decrease of 3 MMboe. Virtually all of the price-related 
decrease occurred in our Onshore US fields where increases 
of 26 MMboe occurred in the Eagle Ford and Permian fields 
as a result of higher liquids prices, but these additions were 
more than offset by 31 MMboe in reductions in Haynesville 
and Fayetteville due to lower gas prices.

Sales
The sale of Petroleum’s interests in the US Onshore Eagle Ford 
field accounted for our reported sales of approximately 5 MMboe. 
There were no purchases during FY2018.

FY2017 reserves
Production for FY2017 totalled 208 MMboe in sales, which was 
a decrease of 32 MMboe from FY2016. Refer to section 6.2.2 for 
more information. There was an additional 5 MMboe in non-sales 
production, primarily for fuel consumed in our Petroleum operations. 
The combined sales and non-sales production totalled 213 MMboe. 
The natural decline of production, primarily in our Onshore US fields 
and mature fields in other locations was the primary reason for the 
lower amount produced.

As of 30 June 2017, our proved reserves totalled 1535 MMboe and 
reflected a net increase of 445 MMboe and annual production of 
213 MMboe from the 1303 MMboe reported at FY2016. This increase 
was primarily the result of higher product prices experienced during 
the reporting period, reductions in unconventional well operating 
costs and an increase in planned drilling activity which enabled the 
addition of new proved undeveloped reserves for our Onshore US 
fields. As of 30 June 2017, approximately 65 per cent of our proved 
reserves were in conventional fields, while about 35 per cent of our 
proved reserves were in unconventional fields.

Discoveries and extensions
Discoveries and extensions added 172 MMboe to proved reserves 
during FY2017. This was comprised of 105 MMboe of extensions 
related to the decision to proceed and funding of the Phase 2 
development of the Mad Dog field and 3 MMboe related to drilling 
in the Atlantis field in the US Gulf of Mexico along with 65 MMboe 
related to planned drilling in new locations in our Onshore US 
operations within the next five years.

268  BHP Annual Report 2019

Millions of barrels

Australia

United States

Other (b)

Total

Proved developed and undeveloped oil and condensate reserves (a)
Reserves at 30 June 2016

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2017 

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2018

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2019

Developed
Proved developed oil and condensate reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Developed reserves as of 30 June 2019

Undeveloped
Proved undeveloped oil and condensate reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Undeveloped reserves as of 30 June 2019

113.2

–
(5.9)
–
–
(18.7)

(24.6)

88.6

–
(1.6)
–
–
(16.5)

(18.2)

70.5

–
7.8
0.0
–
(14.4)

(6.5)

63.9

82.2
76.2
60.5
59.0

31.0
12.4
10.0
5.0

253.7 (c)

–
17.0
123.3
(0.4)
(52.9)

87.0

340.7 (c)

–
41.2
27.6
(0.7)
(46.9)

21.1

361.8 (c)

–
25.9
0.8
(79.7)
(34.5)

(87.5)

274.4

187.3
162.3
181.2
128.9

66.4
178.4
180.7
145.4

26.5

–
4.4
–
–
(4.8)

(0.5)

26.0

–
0.6
–
–
(4.6)

(4.0)

21.9

–
1.0
–
–
(4.9)

(3.9)

18.0

20.0
21.9
19.2
16.3

6.5
4.0
2.8
1.7

393.4 (c)

–
15.4
123.3
(0.4)
(76.4)

61.9

455.3 (c)

–
40.1
27.6
(0.7)
(68.1)

(1.1)

454.2 (c)

–
34.7
0.9
(79.7)
(53.7)

(97.9)

356.3

289.5
260.5
260.8
204.2

103.9
194.8
193.4
152.1

(a)  Small differences are due to rounding to first decimal place.
(b) ‘Other’ comprises Algeria,Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom.
(c)  For FY2016, FY2017, and FY2018 amounts include 62.9, 73.0 and 86.1 million barrels respectively attributable to discontinued operations of Onshore US.

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Millions of barrels

Australia

United States

Other (c)

Total

Proved developed and undeveloped NGL reserves (a)
Reserves at 30 June 2016

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2017

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2018

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2019

Developed
Proved developed NGL reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Developed reserves as of 30 June 2019

Undeveloped
Proved undeveloped NGL reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Undeveloped reserves as of 30 June 2019

71.3

–
1.2
–
–
(7.4)

(6.2)

65.2

–
(1.7)
–
–
(7.0)

(8.7)

56.5

–
4.9
0.2
–
(6.3)

(1.2)

55.2

38.0
56.6
49.8
46.5

33.3
8.6
6.6
8.7

35.6 (d) (e)

–
23.4
13.1
(0.1)
(13.2)

23.2

58.9 (d) (e)

–
12.7
13.4
(1.7)
(11.3)

13.1

72.0 (d) (e)

–
0.8
0.1
(58.7)
(5.1)

(62.9)

9.1 (d)

30.7
31.4
37.0
4.3

4.9
27.5
35.0
4.8

–

–
0.1
–
–
(0.1)

–

–

–
0.1
–
–
(0.1)

–

–

–
0.0
–
–
(0.0)

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

107.0 (d) (e)

–
24.8
13.1
(0.1)
(20.7)

17.0

124.0 (d) (e)

–
11.0
13.4
(1.7)
(18.3)

4.4

128.4 (d) (e)

–
5.7
0.2
(58.7)
(11.4)

(64.1)

64.3 (d)

68.7
88.0
86.8
50.8

38.2
36.1
41.6
13.5

(a)  Small differences are due to rounding to first decimal place.
(b) Production includes volumes consumed by operations.
(c)  ‘Other’ comprises Algeria, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom.
(d) For FY2016, FY2017 and FY2018 amounts include 0.2, 2.1 and 2.5 million barrels respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel in the United States.
(e)  For FY2016, FY2017 and FY2018 amounts include 28.3, 51.0 and 62.2 million barrels respectively attributable to discontinued operations of Onshore US.

270  BHP Annual Report 2019

Billions of cubic feet

Australia (c)

United States

Other (d)

Total

Proved developed and undeveloped natural gas reserves (a)
Reserves at 30 June 2016

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2017

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2018

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (b)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2019

Developed
Proved developed natural gas reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Developed reserves as of 30 June 2019

Undeveloped
Proved undeveloped natural gas reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Undeveloped reserves as of 30 June 2019

3,192.0 (e)

1,311.1 (f) (i)

310.8 (g)

4,813.8 (h) (i)

–
49.9
–
–
(372.1)

(322.3)

–
1,307.4
216.5
(0.7)
(287.9)

1,235.3

–
43.5
–
–
(38.3)

5.1

–
1,400.7
216.5
(0.7)
(698.4)

918.1

2,869.7 (e)

2,546.3 (f) (i)

315.9 (g)

5,731.9 (h) (i)

–
(105.3)
–
–
(351.9)

(457.2)

–
(302.0)
204.1
(17.8)
(270.7)

(386.3)

–
57.0
–
–
(44.3)

12.7

–
(350.2)
204.1
(17.8)
(666.9)

(830.7)

2,412.5 (e)

2,160.1 (f) (i)

328.6 (g)

4,901.2 (h) (i)

–
53.7
2.5
–
(336.8)

(280.6)

–
14.0
0.4
(1,952.8)
(109.4)

(2,047.8)

–
24.7
–
–
(77.8)

(53.1)

–
92.4
3.0
(1,952.8)
(524.1)

(2,381.5)

2,131.9 (e)

112.3 (f) (i)

275.5 (g)

2,519.7 (h) (i)

2,204.6
2,346.3
1,975.9
1,856.4

987.4
523.4
436.6
275.5

1,268.1
1,556.4
1,479.4
65.5

43.0
989.9
680.7
46.8

182.9
315.9
328.6
275.5

127.8
–
–
–

3,655.6
4,218.5
3,783.8
2,197.3

1,158.2
1,513.3
1,117.3
322.3

(a)  Small differences are due to rounding to first decimal place.
(b) Production includes volumes consumed by operations.
(c)  Production for Australia includes gas sold as LNG.
(d) ‘Other’ comprises Algeria, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom.
(e)  For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 321, 295, 295 and 268 billion cubic feet respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel in operations 

in Australia.

(f)  For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 75, 155, 160 and 64 billion cubic feet respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel in operations 

in the United States.

(g) For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 17, 17, 16 and 14 billion cubic feet respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel in operations 

in Other areas.

(h) For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and 2019 amounts include 413, 467, 472 and 346 billion cubic feet respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel in operations.
(i)  For FY2016, FY2017 and FY2018 amounts include 1238, 2444 and 2049 billion cubic feet respectively attributable to discontinued operations of Onshore US.

BHP Annual Report 2019  271

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Millions of barrels of oil equivalent (a)

Australia

United States

Other (d)

Total

Proved developed and undeveloped oil, condensate, natural gas and NGL reserves (b)
Reserves at 30 June 2016

716.5 (e)

507.9 (f) (i)

78.2 (g)

1,302.7 (h) (i)

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (c)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2017

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (c)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2018

Improved recovery
Revisions of previous estimates
Extensions and discoveries
Purchase/sales of reserves
Production (c)

Total changes

Reserves at 30 June 2019

Developed
Proved developed oil, condensate, natural gas and NGL reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Developed reserves as of 30 June 2019

Undeveloped
Proved undeveloped oil, condensate, natural gas and NGL reserves
as of 30 June 2016
as of 30 June 2017
as of 30 June 2018
Undeveloped reserves as of 30 June 2019

–
3.6
–
–
(88.1)

(84.5)

632.1 (e)

–
(20.9)
–
–
(82.2)

(103.1)

529.0 (e)

–
21.6
0.6
–
(76.8)

(54.5)

–
258.3
172.4
(0.6)
(114.0)

316.1

–
11.7
–
–
(11.4)

0.4

–
273.6
172.4
(0.6)
(213.5)

232.0

824.0 (f) (i)

78.6 (g)

1,534.6 (h) (i)

–
3.5
75.0
(5.3)
(103.3)

(30.1)

–
10.2
–
–
(12.1)

(1.9)

–
(7.3)
75.0
(5.3)
(197.6)

(135.1)

793.8 (f) (i)

76.7 (g)

1,399.5 (h) (i)

–
29.1
0.9
(463.9)
(57.8)

(491.7)

–
5.1
–
–
(17.9)

(12.8)

–
55.8
1.6
(463.9)
(152.4)

(558.9)

474.5 (e)

302.2 (f) (i)

63.9 (g)

840.6 (h) (i)

487.6
523.8
439.6
414.9

228.9
108.2
89.4
59.6

429.4
453.1
464.7
144.1

78.5
370.8
329.2
158.1

50.5
74.6
73.9
62.2

27.8
4.0
2.8
1.7

967.5
1,051.6
978.2
621.2

335.2
483.1
421.3
219.4

(a)  Barrel oil equivalent conversion based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.
(b) Small differences are due to rounding to first decimal place.
(c)  Production includes volumes consumed by operations.
(d) ‘Other’ comprises Algeria, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom.
(e)  For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 53, 49, 49 and 45 million barrels equivalent respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel 

in operations in Australia.

(f)  For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 13, 28, 29 and 11 million barrels equivalent respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel 

in operations in the United States.

(g) For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 3, 3, 3 and 2 million barrels equivalent respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel 

in operations in Other areas.

(h) For FY2016, FY2017, FY2018 and FY2019 amounts include 69, 80, 81 and 58 million barrels equivalent respectively, which are anticipated to be consumed as fuel 

in operations.

(i)  For FY2016, FY2017 and FY2018 amounts include 298, 531 and 490 million barrels equivalent respectively attributable to discontinued operations of Onshore US.

272  BHP Annual Report 2019

FY2019 proved undeveloped reserves
At 30 June 2019, Petroleum had 219 MMboe of proved undeveloped 
reserves, which corresponds to 26 per cent of the reported proved 
reserves of 841 MMboe. This represents a reduction in proved 
undeveloped reserves of 202 MMboe from the 421 MMboe at 
30 June 2018. The largest element of this reduction was 185 MMboe, 
which occurred with the divestment of unconventional Onshore 
US assets. A reclassification from proved undeveloped to proved 
developed status of approximately 40 MMboe that occurred in the 
North West Shelf, Australia, with the completion of development 
and the start of production from the Greater Western Flank Phase B 
project, also contributed to the reduction. An additional 1 MMboe 
was also reclassified from proved undeveloped to proved developed 
status with the completion of an infill well in the ROD Integrated 
Development in Algeria. Partially offsetting these reductions were 
revisions for technical studies of 10 MMboe for the Kipper field in 
the Bass Strait, Australia. Additions following the approval of the 
Atlantis Phase 3 project in the Offshore US Gulf of Mexico added 
8 MMboe for development plan changes, 7 MMboe for performance 
and 1 MMboe as an extension. A performance reduction of 2 MMboe 
in the Mad Dog field partially offset the Atlantis performance addition.

Over the past three years, the conversion of proved undeveloped 
reserves to developed has totalled 267MMboe, averaging 89 
MMboe per year. At 30 June 2019, a total of 69 MMboe proved 
undeveloped reserves have been reported for five or more years. 
These reserves are in our currently producing fields and will be 
developed and brought on stream in a phased manner to best 
optimise the use of production facilities and to meet sales 
commitments. During FY2019, Petroleum spent US$1.0 billion 
on development activities worldwide. Of this amount:
•  US$0.5 billion was spent progressing the conversion of previously 
reported proved undeveloped reserves for conventional projects 
where developed status was achieved in FY2019 or, will be 
achieved when development is completed in the future;

•  US$0.3 billion related to development expenditures occurring 

in divested Onshore US fields; and

•  US$0.2 billion represented other development expenditures, 

including compliance and infrastructure improvements.

FY2018 proved undeveloped reserves
At 30 June 2018, Petroleum had 421 MMboe of proved 
undeveloped reserves, which represented 30 per cent of year-end 
2018 proved reserves of 1400 MMboe. Approximately 237 MMboe 
or 56 per cent of the proved undeveloped reserves resided in our 
conventional offshore fields in Australia, the Gulf of Mexico and 
Algeria, while 185 MMboe or 44 per cent resided in our Onshore 
US fields. The proved undeveloped reserves at 30 June 2018 reflect 
a net decrease of 62 MMboe from the 483 MMboe reported at 
30 June 2017. This decrease was in large part the result of changes 
to development plans and reduced pace of drilling which resulted 
in a reduction of 67 MMboe, the majority of which occurred 
in our Onshore US fields. This was partially offset by extensions 
of 50 MMboe for new drilling locations in our Onshore US fields. 

The conversion of 48 MMboe from proved undeveloped to proved 
developed through drilling and development activities also 
contributed to the decrease. The largest component of this 
conversion occurred in our Onshore US fields where 26 MMboe 
was moved to proved developed status. An additional 11 MMboe 
was converted in the North West Shelf Persephone development 
in Australia, while 10 MMboe was converted in the Atlantis field 
in the Offshore US Gulf of Mexico. An additional 1 MMboe was 
also converted as a result of drilling in the ROD Integrated 
Development in Algeria. Improved liquids prices but reduced gas 
prices led to a net reduction due to price in Onshore US proved 
undeveloped reserves of 4 MMboe. Performance revisions overall 
totalled 9 MMboe, with an increase of 11 MMboe in Onshore US 
fields, primarily in Eagle Ford and Permian, and a net reduction 
of 2 MMboe in Australia.

FY2017 proved undeveloped reserves
At 30 June 2017, Petroleum had 483 MMboe of proved undeveloped 
reserves, which represented 31 per cent of year-end 2017 proved 
reserves of 1535 MMboe. Approximately 263 MMboe or 54 per cent 
of the proved undeveloped reserves resided in our conventional 
offshore fields in Australia, the Gulf of Mexico and Trinidad and 
Tobago, while 220 MMboe or 46 per cent resided in our Onshore 
US fields. The proved undeveloped reserves at 30 June 2017 
reflected a net increase of 148 MMboe from the 335 MMboe 
reported at 30 June 2016. This increase was primarily the result 
of adding 202 MMboe of new proved undeveloped reserves for 
drilling planned over the next five years in our Onshore US fields. 
In the Gulf of Mexico, 105 MMboe was also added for the Mad Dog 
Phase 2 project approval and 3 MMboe was added in the Atlantis 
field as a result of drilling and reservoir assessments. The portion 
of these additions reported as extensions totalled 161 MMboe 
with the balance being reported as revisions. The additions from 
revisions were offset by development activities that converted 
177 MMboe of proved undeveloped to proved developed reserves. 
The largest of these conversions occurred in Australia where 
111 MMboe were converted to proved developed in the Kipper, 
Tuna and Turrum fields in Bass Strait with the start-up of the 
Longford gas conditioning plant. The start-up and first gas from 
the Tidepole field in the Greater Western Flank A project in the 
North West Shelf also converted 10 MMboe to proved developed. 
In Trinidad and Tobago, 23 MMboe was converted to proved 
developed for the completion of Angostura Phase 3 development. 
In the United States, drilling and completion activities resulted 
in the conversion of 15 MMboe to proved developed in the Eagle 
Ford field, 9 MMboe in the Atlantis and 8 MMboe in the Mad Dog 
(Spar A) fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Price related additions 
in our Onshore US fields added 163 MMboe due to improved 
product prices.

The changes in proved undeveloped reserves in FY2019, FY2018 
and FY2017 are summarised by change category in the table below. 
Additional information detailing the effect of price, performance, 
changes in capital development plans and technical studies are 
also provided for Revisions.

Proved Undeveloped Reserves (PUD) Reconciliation (MMboe)

PUD Opening Balance

  Revisions of Previous Estimates
  Reclassifications to developed
  Price
  Performance
  Development Plan Changes
  Technical Studies and Other

  Extensions/Discoveries
  Acqusitions/Sales

Total Change

PUD Closing Balance

Year Ended 30 June

2019

421
(18)
(42)
–
5
8
10

1
(185)

(202)

219

2018

483
(111)
(48)
(4)
9
(67)
(1)

50
–

(62)

421

2017

335
(13)
(177)
163
–
1
–

161
–

148

483

BHP Annual Report 2019  273

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These include:
•  standard BHP procedures for public reporting aligned with 

current regulatory requirements;

•  independent audits of new and materially changed estimates;
•  annual reconciliation performance metrics to validate reserves 

estimates for operating mines;

•  internal technical assessments of resources and reserves 

estimates for each asset scheduled every two years.

The Geoscience and Resource Engineering Centres of Excellence 
manage assurance and functional leadership for Mineral Resources 
and Ore Reserves. The Geoscience Centre of Excellence coordinates 
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves reporting to support the 
above controls.

Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are presented in the 
accompanying tables.

6.3.2 Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves

The statement of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves presented 
in this Annual Report has been produced in accordance with the 
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Listing Rules Chapter 5 2014 
and the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, 
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, December 2012 (JORC Code).

The JORC Code requires the use of reasonable investment 
assumptions when reporting reserves. As a result, management 
predicts sales prices, based on supply and demand forecast and 
current and long-term historical average price trends.

The Ore Reserves tabulated are held within existing, permitted 
mining tenements. BHP’s mineral leases are of sufficient duration 
(or convey a legal right to renew for sufficient duration) to enable 
all reserves on the leased properties to be mined in accordance 
with current production schedules. Our Ore Reserves may include 
areas where some additional approvals remain outstanding, but 
where, based on the technical investigations we carry out as part 
of our planning process and our knowledge and experience of the 
approvals process, we expect that such approvals will be obtained 
as part of the normal course of business and within the time frame 
required by the current life of mine schedule.

The information in this Annual Report relating to Mineral Resources 
and Ore Reserves is based on and fairly represents information 
and supporting documentation compiled by Competent Persons 
(as defined in the JORC Code). All Competent Persons have, at 
the time of reporting, sufficient experience relevant to the style 
of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to 
the activity they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person. 
At the reporting date, each Competent Person listed in this Annual 
Report is a full-time employee of BHP or a company in which BHP 
has a controlling interest (unless otherwise noted) and is a Member 
or Fellow of the AusIMM or AIG or a Recognised Professional 
Organisation. Each Competent Person consents to the inclusion 
in this Annual Report of the matters based on his or her information 
in the form and context in which it appears.

All Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves presented are reported 
in 100 per cent terms (unless otherwise stated) and represent 
estimates at 30 June 2019. Tonnes are reported as dry metric 
tonnes (unless otherwise stated). All tonnes and grade/quality 
information have been rounded, hence small differences may 
be present in the totals. The Measured and Indicated Mineral 
Resources are inclusive of those Mineral Resources modified 
to produce the Ore Reserves. The information contained in this 
document differs in certain respects from that reported to the SEC. 
Reserve reporting requirements for SEC filings in the United States 
are specified in Industry Guide 7, with economic assumptions 
based on current economic conditions that may differ to the JORC 
Code’s reasonable investment assumptions. Accordingly, a SEC 
pricing assumptions test is performed with reserve estimates 
derived under the JORC Code compared to those derived 
assuming ‘current economic conditions’. Reserves disclosed 
in the United States will differ if the SEC pricing assumption test 
indicates reserves lower than those reported under the JORC 
Code in Australia and the United Kingdom and/or Inferred Mineral 
Resources are included in the mine plan. BHP applies assurance 
arrangements and internal controls to verify the estimates and 
estimation process for Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. 

274  BHP Annual Report 2019

Competent Persons
Copper
Mineral Resources
Escondida, Pampa Escondida, Pinta Verde and Chimborazo: 
R Maureira (MAusIMM) employed by Minera Escondida Limitada
Cerro Colorado: G Merello (MAusIMM)
Spence: R Ferrer (MAusIMM)
Pinto Valley Miami unit: M Williams (MAusIMM)
Olympic Dam: K Ehrig (FAusIMM), D Clarke (MAusIMM)
Antamina: L Canchis (MAusIMM) employed by Minera Antamina S.A.

Ore Reserves
Escondida: F Barrera (MAusIMM) employed by Minera 
Escondida Limitada
Cerro Colorado and Spence: C González (MAusIMM)
Olympic Dam: M Hamilton (MAusIMM)
Antamina: L Mamani (MAusIMM) employed by Minera Antamina S.A. 

Iron Ore 
Mineral Resources 
WAIO: C Allison (MAusIMM), S Whittaker (MAusIMM), A Williamson 
(MAIG), P Androszczuk (MAusIMM), W Patton (MAusIMM) 
Samarco: L Bonfioli (MAusIMM) employed by 
Samarco Mineração S.A. 

Ore Reserves 
WAIO: P Kumar Chhajer (MAusIMM), A Greaves (MAusIMM), 
A McLean (MAusIMM), C Burke (MAusIMM) 

Coal 
Coal Resources 
Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Blackwater, Gregory, Crinum, 
Liskeard, Red Hill, Nebo West, Bee Creek, Wards Well and Togara 
South: R Macpherson (MAIG) 
Peak Downs and Caval Ridge: S Martinez (MAusIMM) 
Saraji, Norwich Park, South Walker Creek and Saraji East: 
R Saha (MAusIMM) 
Daunia and Poitrel: S Cutler (MAusIMM) 
Mt Arthur Coal: B Wesley (MAusIMM) 
Cerrejón: G Hernandez (MGSSA) employed by Cerrejón Limited, 
D Lawrence (MAusIMM) employed by DJL Geological 
Consulting Limited 

Coal Reserves 
Goonyella Riverside: J Holdt (MAusIMM) 
Broadmeadow: R Sharma (MAusIMM) 
Peak Downs: P Gupta (MAusIMM) 
Caval Ridge : H Mirabediny (MAusIMM) 
Saraji: G Clarete (MAusIMM) 
Norwich Park: S de la Cruz (MAusIMM) 
Blackwater: A Hardy (MAusIMM) 
Daunia: R Lumbanradja (MAusIMM) 
Gregory: R Macpherson (MAIG) 
South Walker Creek: N Wilson (MAusIMM) 
Poitrel: G Bustos (MAusIMM) 
Mt Arthur Coal: G Foster (MAusIMM) 
Cerrejón: S Chaudari (MAusIMM) employed by Cerrejón Limited, 
D Lawrence (MAusIMM) employed by DJL Geological 
Consulting Limited 

Potash 
Mineral Resources 
Jansen: B Németh (MAusIMM), O Turkekul (APEGS) 

Nickel 
Mineral Resources 
Leinster, Mt Keith, Cliffs, Yakabindie, Venus and Jericho: 
M Menicheli (MAusIMM) 

Ore Reserves 
Leinster: C Barclay (MAusIMM), S Gadi (MAusIMM) 
Mt Keith and Yakabindie: S Gadi (MAusIMM), D Brosztl (MAusIMM) 
Cliffs: A Hadzhiev (MAusIMM) 
Venus: C Barclay (MAusIMM), P Cunningham (MAusIMM) employed 
by AMC Consultants Pty Limited 

BHP Annual Report 2019  275

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Measured Resources

Indicated Resources

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

g/tAu

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

g/tAu

139

89

5,500

67

42

68
–

37

1.0

125

21

585

294

109

–

–

174

Mt

3,160

328

Mt

230

104

–

–

0.67

0.55

0.62

0.61

0.61

0.46
–

0.64

0.23

0.66

0.68

0.45

0.53

0.60

–

–

0.31

–

–

–

0.42

0.11

–
–

0.43

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

190

–

–

–

–

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.21
0.67

1.74

%Cu

0.84

0.86

–

–

0.50

%Zn

0.13

1.77

–

–

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.34

0.66

1

4

g/tAg

ppmMo

7

17

–

–

300

90

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

41

64

3,490

131

100

111
–

1.5

34

12

0.6

762

0.07

1,150

–

–

–

–

64

23

139

40

Mt

3,110

525

Mt

439

260

–

–

0.52

0.48

0.50

0.63

0.61

0.42
–

0.60

0.20

0.46

0.56

0.45

0.55

0.53

0.50

0.50

0.32

–

–

–

0.44

0.11

–
–

0.38

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

130

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

0.10

–

–

–

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.20
0.61

1.67

%Cu

0.84

0.92

–

–

0.48

%Zn

0.14

1.81

–

–

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.26

0.63

1

3

g/tAg

ppmMo

9

16

–

–

260

80

–

–

Ore Reserves

≥ 0.20%SCu

−

≥ 0.30%TCu and greater than variable cut-off 
(V_COG) of concentrator. Sulphide ore is processed 
in the concentrator plants as a result of the 
optimised mine plan with consideration of technical 
and economical parameters in order to maximise 
Net Present Value. 

 ≥ 0.30%TCu and lower than V_COG. Sulphide 
Leach ore is processed by dump leaching 
as an alternative to the concentrator process.

≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.30%TCu
−

≥ 0.30%TCu

−

≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.20%TCu

≥ 0.20%TCu

≥ 0.20%TCu

≥ 0.10%TCu
−

−

−

−

Copper 

Mineral Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1)

Copper Operations
Escondida (2)

Cerro Colorado (3)

Ore Type

Oxide

Mixed

Sulphide

Oxide

Supergene Sulphide

Transitional Sulphide
Hypogene Sulphide

Spence (4)

Oxide

Low-grade Oxide

Supergene Sulphide

Transitional Sulphide

Hypogene Sulphide

Copper Projects

Pampa Escondida

Pinta Verde

Chimborazo

Sulphide

Oxide

Sulphide

Sulphide

Pinto Valley Miami unit

In situ Leach

Copper Uranium Gold Operations
Olympic Dam (5)

OC Sulphide

UG Sulphide

Sulphide Cu only

Sulphide Cu-Zn

UG Sulphide Cu only

UG Sulphide Cu-Zn

Copper Zinc Operations
Antamina (6)

(1)  Cut-off criteria: 

Deposit

Escondida

Ore Type

Oxide

Mixed

Sulphide

Mineral Resources

≥ 0.20%SCu

≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.30%TCu

Sulphide Leach

−

Cerro Colorado

Oxide & Supergene Sulphide

≥ 0.30%TCu

Transitional Sulphide
Hypogene Sulphide

Spence

Oxide

Low-grade Oxide

Oxide Low Solubility

Supergene Sulphide

Transitional Sulphide

Hypogene Sulphide

ROM
Sulphide

Oxide & Sulphide

Sulphide

Pampa Escondida

Pinta Verde

Chimborazo

Pinto Valley Miami unit

In situ Leach

≥ 0.20%TCu
≥ 0.20%TCu

≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.10%TCu

−

≥ 0.20%TCu

≥ 0.10%TCu

≥ 0.20%TCu

−
≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.30%TCu

≥ 0.30%TCu

−

276  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inferred Resources

Total Resources

Mt

%TCu

%SCu ppmMo

g/tAu

Mt

%TCu

%SCu ppmMo

g/tAu

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Resources

Mt

%TCu

%SCu ppmMo

g/tAu

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

185

179

19,200

204

164

207
1,410

39

63

140

22

2,210

0.04

7,440

–

–

–

–

188

60

223

214

Mt

9,880

 1,012 

Mt

1,200

601

296

174

0.50

0.43

0.53

0.59

0.66

0.42
0.36

–

0.15

0.76

–

0.41

0.43

0.54

0.45

0.60

–

–

–

–

0.42

0.10

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

80

–

–

–

–

–

5.0

26

10,200

6.0

22

28
1,410

–

28

3.0

–

863

6,000

15

37

84

–

Mt

3,610

159

Mt

528

237

296

174

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.21
0.62

1.69

%Cu

0.76

0.97

1.28

1.26

0.45

%Zn

0.13

1.58

0.22

1.35

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.24

0.61

1

3

g/tAg ppmMo

8

15

13

17

280

90

200

70

Deposit

Olympic Dam

Ore Type

OC Sulphide

UG Sulphide

Low-grade

Antamina

Sulphide Cu only

Sulphide Cu-Zn

UG Sulphide Cu only

UG Sulphide Cu-Zn

0.63

0.51

0.55

0.62

0.62

0.43
0.36

0.64

0.18

0.65

0.68

0.44

0.45

0.57

0.47

0.54

0.31

–

–

–

0.44

0.11

–
–

0.42

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

130

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

0.05

–

–

–

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.21
0.63

1.70

%Cu

0.80

0.93

1.28

1.26

0.48

%Zn

0.13

1.71

0.22

1.35

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.28

0.64

1

3

g/tAg ppmMo

8

16

13

17

280

90

200

70

57.5

100

100

57.5

57.5

57.5

100

163

164

19,200

212

165

209
1,600

38

59

151

23

2,220

7,440

188

60

223

214

Mt

100

 9,730 

997

Mt

33.75

1,270

632

513

–

0.63

0.50

0.54

0.63

0.61

0.43
0.35

0.67

0.19

0.69

0.68

0.44

0.45

0.57

0.47

0.54

0.31

–

–

–

0.44

0.11

–
–

0.42

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

120

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

0.05

–

–

–

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.20
0.62

1.68

%Cu

0.86

0.93

0.96

–

0.49

%Zn

0.14

1.77

0.49

–

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.27

0.64

1

4

g/tAg ppmMo

8

16

11

–

290

86

140

–

Mineral Resources

Ore Reserves

Variable between 0.10%Cu and 0.30%Cu

−

Variable between 0.80%Cu and 1.50%Cu

Variable between 1.20%Cu and 1.40%Cu

≥ 0.60%Cu
Net value per concentrator hour incorporating 
all material revenue and cost factors and includes 
metallurgical recovery (see footnote 9 for averages). 
Mineralisation at the US$6,000/hr limit is equivalent 
to 0.16%Cu, 2g/tAg, 141ppmMo with 6,700t/hr 
mill throughput.
Net value per concentrator hour incorporating 
all material revenue and cost factors and includes 
metallurgical recovery (see footnote 9 for averages). 
Mineralisation at the US$6,000/hr limit is equivalent 
to 0.08%Cu, 0.71%Zn, 12g/tAg with 6,500t/hr 
mill throughput.

−

Net value per concentrator hour incorporating 
all material revenue and cost factors and includes 
metallurgical recovery (see footnote 9 for averages). 
Mineralisation at the US$0/hr limit is equivalent 
0.14%Cu, 2g/tAg, 77ppmMo with 6,700t/hr 
mill throughput.
Net value per concentrator hour incorporating 
all material revenue and cost factors and includes 
metallurgical recovery (see footnote 9 for averages). 
Mineralisation at the US$0/hr limit is equivalent 
to 0.07%Cu, 0.61%Zn, 9g/tAg with 6,500t/hr mill 
throughput.
Net smelter return (NSR) value incorporating 
all material revenue and includes metallurgical 
recovery. Only sub-level stoping mining method 
at a US$53.81/t break-even cut-off was applied, 
equivalent to 0.84%Cu, 10g/tAg and 204ppmMo. 
NSR estimates are based on Cu price of US$3.30/lb, 
Ag price of US$20.50/oz and Mo price of US$9.29/lb 
and predicted metallurgical recoveries of 89% for 
Cu, 76% for Ag and 28% for Mo.
NSR value incorporating all material revenue and 
includes metallurgical recovery. Only sub-level 
stoping mining method at a US$53.81/t break-even 
cut-off was applied, equivalent to 0.64%Cu, 1.28%Zn 
and 13g/tAg. NSR estimates are based on Cu price 
of US$3.30/lb, Zn price of US$1.23/lb and Ag price 
of US$20.50/oz and predicted metallurgical 
recoveries of 75% for Cu, 82% for Zn and 40% for Ag.

Antamina – All metals used in net value calculations are assumed to be recovered into concentrate and sold.

(2)   Escondida – The increase in the Oxide and Mixed ore types was mainly due to an updated resource estimate supported by additional drilling.
(3)   Cerro Colorado – The decrease in the Hypogene Sulphide ore type was due to changes in cost assumptions partially offset by an updated resource estimate 

supported by additional drilling.

(4)   Spence – The increase in the Low-grade Oxide ore type was due to an update in the resource estimate supported by additional drilling. The decrease in the 

Supergene Sulphide ore type was due to depletion.

(5)  Olympic Dam – Changes in the UG Sulphide ore type resource classification was due to an updated geological model to the south, supported by additional drilling.
(6)   Antamina – The decrease in Mineral Resources for Sulphide Cu only and Sulphide Cu-Zn ore types was mainly due to depletion. Changes in ore type definition 

from UG Sulphide Cu only to UG Sulphide Cu only and UG Sulphide Cu-Zn, considering a sub-level stoping mining method, has resulted in a decrease in tonnage 
and an increase in qualities.

BHP Annual Report 2019  277

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Copper 

Ore Reserves

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (7) (8) (9)

Copper Operations
Escondida (10)

Ore Type

Oxide

Sulphide

Sulphide Leach

Cerro Colorado (11)

Oxide

Supergene Sulphide

Transitional Sulphide

Spence (12)

Oxide

Oxide Low Solubility

Supergene Sulphide

Transitional Sulphide

Hypogene Sulphide

ROM

Copper Uranium Gold Operations
Olympic Dam (13)

UG Sulphide

Copper Zinc Operations
Antamina (14)

Low-grade

Sulphide Cu only

Sulphide Cu-Zn

Proved Reserves

Probable Reserves

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

104

3,570

1,330

33

19

13

1.3

13

80

19

576

–

Mt

203

–

Mt

142

79

0.68

0.70

0.42

0.59

0.62

0.50

0.96

0.69

0.71

0.67

0.45

–

–

–

–

0.43

0.15

0.10

0.77

0.29

0.10

0.06

0.02

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.60
1.92

–

%Cu

0.98

0.84

–

%Zn

0.15

1.91

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100

190

–

g/tAu

0.74

–

g/tAg

5

–

g/tAg

ppmMo

7

17

380

70

124

1,850

335

7.6

5.2

3.8

20

0.75

51

0.53

733

0.74

Mt

334

24

Mt

124

123

0.54

0.56

0.41

0.54

0.53

0.49

0.61

0.52

0.53

0.55

0.45

0.65

–

–

–

0.39

0.13

0.10

0.39

0.23

0.18

0.04

0.02

0.06

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

60

130

–

%Cu kg/tU3O8
0.55
1.84

0.99

%Cu

0.96

0.80

0.33

%Zn

0.18

2.01

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.69

0.40

4

2

g/tAg

ppmMo

8

13

350

80

(7)   Approximate drill hole spacings used to classify the reserves were: 

Deposit

Escondida

Proved Reserves

Oxide: 30m x 30m

Sulphide: 50m x 50m 

Probable Reserves

Oxide: 45m x 45m

Sulphide: 90m x 90m 

Sulphide Leach: 60m x 60m

Sulphide Leach: 115m x 115m

Cerro Colorado

40m to 50m

100m

Spence

Oxide & Oxide Low Solubility: maximum 50m x 50m 100m x 100m for all Ore Types

Supergene Sulphide, Transitional Sulphide & 
Hypogene Sulphide: maximum 70m x 70m

35m to 70m
40m to 60m 

Olympic Dam
Antamina

20m to 35m
25m to 40m

(8)   Ore delivered to process plant.
(9)   Metallurgical recoveries for the operations were:

Deposit

Escondida

Metallurgical Recovery

Oxide: 62%
Sulphide: 85%

Sulphide Leach: 38%

Cerro Colorado

Oxide: 75%

Supergene Sulphide: 80%

Transitional Sulphide: 65%

Spence

Oxide & Oxide Low Solubility: 80%

Olympic Dam
Antamina

Supergene Sulphide: 82%

Transitional Sulphide & Hypogene Sulphide: 84%
ROM: 30%
Cu 94%, U3O8 68%, Au 70%, Ag 63%
Sulphide Cu only: Cu 93%, Zn 0%, Ag 80%, Mo 65%

Sulphide Cu-Zn: Cu 78%, Zn 81%, Ag 63%, Mo 0%

(10) Escondida – The decrease in the Oxide ore type was mainly due to depletion. Incorporated within the Reserve Life calculation were Oxide and Sulphide Leach, which 

have a Reserve Life of 10 years and 16 years respectively.

(11)  Cerro Colorado – The decrease in the Oxide and Supergene Sulphide ore types was mainly due to depletion and reduction in annual nominated production rate from 

20.7Mtpa to 19.2Mtpa. Metallurgical recoveries are based on testwork.

(12)  Spence – The decrease in the Oxide, Oxide Low Solubility and ROM ore types was mainly due to depletion. Transitional Sulphide and Hypogene ore type recoveries 

are based on metallurgical testwork.

(13)  Olympic Dam – The increase in the UG Sulphide ore type was due to improved resource classification supported by additional drilling. The decrease in the Low-grade 

ore type was due to a revised methodology used to define Low-grade ore in the mine design. 

(14)  Antamina – The decrease in Ore Reserves was mainly due to depletion. 

278  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
Total Reserves

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

228

5,420

1,670

41

24

17

21

14

131

20

1,310

0.74

Mt

537

24

Mt

266

202

0.60

0.65

0.42

0.58

0.61

0.49

0.63

0.68

0.64

0.67

0.45

0.65

%Cu

1.87

0.99

%Cu

0.97

0.82

–

–

–

0.42

0.15

0.10

0.42

0.28

0.13

0.06

0.02

0.06

kg/tU3O8
0.57

0.33

%Zn

0.16

1.97

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100

160

–

g/tAu

0.71

0.40

g/tAg

4

2

g/tAg

ppmMo

7

15

370

70

Reserve 
Life 
(years)

BHP 
Interest 
%

58

57.5

4.3

100

46

100

54

100

8.8

33.75

As at 30 June 2018

Total Reserves

Mt

%TCu

%SCu

ppmMo

Reserve 
Life
(years)

250

5,610

1,740

57

36

17

29

18

126

20

 1,330 

3.4

Mt

500

35

Mt

298

216

0.62

0.66

0.41

0.60

0.61

0.53

0.63

0.72

0.71

0.68

0.45

0.53

%Cu

1.98

1.15

%Cu

0.99

0.83

–

–

–

0.43

0.15

0.10

0.42

0.30

0.10

0.06

0.02

0.12

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100

150

–

kg/tU3O8
0.58

0.37

%Zn

0.17

2.05

g/tAu

g/tAg

0.72

0.51

4

3

g/tAg

ppmMo

8

14

350

80

58

5.3

43

51

9.7

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BHP Annual Report 2019  279

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iron Ore 

Mineral Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (2)

Iron Ore Operations
Australia
WAIO (3) (4) (5)

Brazil

Samarco

Ore Reserves 

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity
Deposit

Iron Ore Operations
Australia
WAIO (1) (3) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)

Ore Type

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

Measured Resources

Indicated Resources

BKM

CID

MM

NIM

ROM

1,300

560

890

10

Mt

3,340

62.1

55.8

62.2

59.0

%Fe

39.0

0.13

0.05

0.07

0.08

%Pc

0.05

3.7

6.4

2.8

10.1

2.3

2.2

1.6

1.2

4.5

11.0

6.1

3.9

4,560

360

1,880

120

Mt

2,150

60.3

56.3

60.7

61.6

%Fe

37.2

0.14

0.06

0.06

0.06

%Pc

0.05

4.7

6.4

3.8

8.0

2.5

2.3

2.0

1.1

5.9

10.3

6.8

1.7

Ore Type

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

Proved Reserves

Probable Reserves

BKM

BKM Bene

CID

MM

1,010

20

240

430

62.9

59.6

56.6

62.4

0.12

0.13

0.05

0.06

3.0

7.2

6.3

2.7

2.1

3.4

1.6

1.5

4.3

2.1

10.6

5.9

1,700

20

60

1,340

62.0

59.5

57.0

61.6

0.13

0.14

0.04

0.06

3.6

7.4

6.4

3.2

2.3

3.2

1.4

1.7

4.8

2.0

10.3

6.5

(1)  The Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves qualities listed refer to in situ mass percentage on a dry weight basis. Wet tonnes are reported for WAIO deposits and 

Samarco, including moisture contents for WAIO: BKM – Brockman 3%, BKM Bene – Brockman Beneficiation 3%, CID – Channel Iron Deposits 8%, MM – Marra Mamba 
4%, NIM – Nimingarra 3.5% and Samarco: ROM – 6.5%.

(2)   A single cut-off grade was applied in WAIO per deposit ranging from 50–55%Fe. For Samarco the cut-off grade was 22%Fe.
(3)   WAIO – Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are reported on a Pilbara basis by ore type to align with our production of blended lump products which comprises BKM, 

BKM Bene and MM ore types and blended fines products including CID. This also reflects our single logistics chain and associated management system.
(4)  WAIO – The decrease in CID ore type due to depletion. The increase in MM ore type due to updated resource estimates supported by additional drilling.
(5)  WAIO – BHP interest is reported as Pilbara Ore Reserves tonnes weighted average across all joint ventures which can vary from year to year. BHP ownership varies 

between 85% and 100%.

(6)  Approximate drill hole spacings used to classify the reserves were: 

Deposit

WAIO

Proved Reserves

50m x 50m

Probable Reserves

150m x 50m

(7)   WAIO – Recovery was 100%, except for BKM Bene where Whaleback beneficiation plant recovery was 91% (tonnage basis).
(8)   WAIO – Iron ore is marketed for WAIO as Lump (direct blast furnace feed) and Fines (sinter plant feed).
(9)  WAIO – Cut-off grades used to estimate Ore Reserves range from 50–62%Fe for all material types. Ore delivered to process facility.
(10) WAIO – Ore Reserves are all located on State Agreement mining leases that guarantee the right to mine. Across WAIO, State Government approvals (including 
environmental and heritage clearances) are required before commencing mining operations in a particular area. Included in the Ore Reserves are select areas 
where one or more approvals remain outstanding, but where, based on the technical investigations carried out as part of the mine planning process and company 
knowledge and experience of the approvals process, it is expected that such approvals will be obtained as part of the normal course of business and within the time 
frame required by the current mine schedule.

(11)  WAIO – The decreases in BKM Bene ore type was due to the application of a higher cut-off grade and CID ore type was due to depletion. The increase in the MM 

ore type was due to updated reserves estimates including satellite deposits additional to existing operations.

280  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inferred Resources

Total Resources

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Resources

Mt

%Fe

%P %SiO2 %Al2O3

%LOI

13,780

920

5,370

70

Mt

950

59.1

54.9

59.7

60.4

%Fe

37.2

0.14

0.06

0.07

0.05

%Pc

0.06

5.4

6.7

4.6

10.0

2.6

2.9

2.3

1.2

6.6

11.0

7.1

1.7

19,650

1,850

8,140

200

Mt

6,440

59.6

55.4

60.2

61.1

%Fe

38.1

0.14

0.06

0.07

0.06

%Pc

0.05

5.2

6.6

4.2

8.8

2.6

2.6

2.1

1.2

6.3

10.9

6.9

1.8

89

19,370

1,980

7,730

200

Mt

50

6,440

59.6

55.5

60.2

61.1

%Fe

38.1

0.14

0.05

0.07

0.06

%Pc

0.05

5.1

6.6

4.2

8.8

2.6

2.5

2.1

1.2

6.3

10.9

6.9

1.8

Total Reserves

Mt

%Fe

%P

%SiO2

%Al2O3

%LOI

Reserve 
Life
(years)

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Reserves

Mt

%Fe

%P

%SiO2

%Al2O3

%LOI

2,710

40

300

1,760

62.3

59.5

56.7

61.8

0.13

0.13

0.04

0.06

3.4

7.3

6.4

3.1

2.2

3.3

1.5

1.7

4.6

2.1

10.6

6.3

17

89

2,600

50

400

1,680

62.4

57.8

56.7

61.7

0.12

0.11

0.04

0.06

3.4

10.1

6.1

3.2

2.2

3.3

1.6

1.7

4.5

2.1

10.7

6.3

Reserve 
Life
(years)

16

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BHP Annual Report 2019  281

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metallurgical Coal

Coal Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (2)

Mining Method

Coal Type

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Measured Resources

Indicated Resources

Metallurgical Coal Operations
Queensland Coal
CQCA JV

Goonyella Riverside 

Broadmeadow

Peak Downs

Caval Ridge
Saraji (3)

Norwich Park

Blackwater (4)

Daunia (5)

Gregory JV (6)

Gregory 

Crinum

BHP Mitsui Coal

South Walker Creek

Poitrel

Metallurgical Coal Projects
Queensland Coal
CQCA JV

Red Hill

Saraji East (3)

Gregory JV
Liskeard (6)

BHP Mitsui Coal

Nebo West

Bee Creek

Wards Well

OC

UG

OC

OC

OC

OC

UG

OC

UG

OC

OC

OC

UG

OC

UG

OC

OC

UG

OC

UG

OC

OC

OC

UG

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met/Th

Met/Th

PCI

Met

Met

Met

Met/PCI

Met/PCI

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Met

Anth

Met/Th

Met

784

580

519

423

844

221

–

375

–

40

65

–

–

215

36

55

–

–

8.8

9.4

9.6

12.9

10.6

9.6

–

6.2

–

9.0

7.0

–

–

10.2

10.0

7.9

–

–

22.6

21.2

19.8

22.1

17.6

17.6

–

28.2

–

20.8

20.9

–

–

13.3

13.8

23.9

0.53

0.52

0.64

0.60

0.64

0.66

–

0.41

–

0.36

0.40

–

–

0.31

0.27

0.35

–

–

–

–

458

10.2

16.0

0.63

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

32

423

863

207

137

128

20

506

–

14

21

–

–

119

154

49

25

1,123

676

35

–

–

9.4

1,224

11.2

10.2

10.0

12.9

11.5

9.9

9.4

6.5

–

10.0

7.0

–

–

9.4

10.4

8.0

12.4

9.8

10.3

8.3

–

–

8.9

8.9

24.3

22.9

19.7

21.9

18.0

17.5

17.4

27.9

–

19.9

21.1

–

–

14.3

12.7

24.1

19.8

19.5

15.8

13.6

–

–

15.4

20.7

0.56

0.55

0.64

0.57

0.75

0.71

0.73

0.42

–

0.30

0.40

–

–

0.30

0.28

0.35

0.49

0.52

0.67

0.59

–

–

0.40

0.53

(1)   Tonnages are reported on an in situ moisture basis. Coal qualities are for a potential product on an air-dried basis.
(2)   Cut-off criteria:

Deposit

Mining Method

Coal Resources

Goonyella Riverside, Norwich Park

Peak Downs

Caval Ridge, Saraji

Blackwater, Daunia

Norwich Park, Blackwater
Broadmeadow

South Walker Creek

Poitrel

Red Hill, Saraji East

Nebo West

Bee Creek
Wards Well

OC

OC

OC

OC

UG
UG

OC

UG

OC

OC

UG

OC

OC
UG

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness and ≤35% raw ash

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

≥ 0.3m seam thickness

≥ 2.0m seam thickness
≥ 2.0m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness, core yield ≥ 50% and 100m lease 
boundary buffer

≥ 2.0m seam thickness 

≥ 0.3m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

≥ 2.0m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness and < 90m below surface

≥ 0.5m seam thickness
≥ 2.0m seam thickness

Coal Reserves

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

≥ 0.4m seam thickness

≥ 0.3m seam thickness

−
≥ 2.5m seam thickness

≥ 0.5m seam thickness

−

≥ 0.3m seam thickness

−

−

−

−
−

(3)  Saraji – The increase in Coal Resources was mainly due to resources transferred from Saraji East project resulting from approval of an operating license.
(4)   Blackwater – The decrease in OC Coal Resources was mainly due to changes in the resource estimate and a maiden declaration of UG Coal Resources.
(5)   Daunia – Change in the coal type from Met to Met and PCI.
(6)   Divestment of Gregory JV completed on 27 March 2019.

282  BHP Annual Report 2019

Inferred Resources

Total Resources

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Resources

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

40

15

669

130

42

116

22

778

222

5.1

5.5

–

–

71

108

59

–

563

504

16

–

14

13

149

12.6

13.4

10.3

13.6

11.7

10.3

9.9

7.4

7.2

13.0

7.0

–

–

10.4

9.5

8.0

–

10.0

10.0

8.5

–

9.4

9.6

9.3

25.1

24.5

19.4

22.2

18.4

17.7

17.1

27.8

29.1

19.3

21.1

–

–

15.7

15.2

24.1

–

20.4

15.3

13.9

0.54

0.59

0.69

0.59

0.74

0.76

0.65

0.43

0.36

0.30

0.40

–

–

0.40

0.35

0.36

–

0.52

0.68

0.59

–

–

6.6

15.0

20.1

0.64

0.42

0.53

856

1,018

2,051

760

1,023

465

42

1,659

222

59

92

–

–

405

298

163

25

1,686

1,638

51

–

14

23

1,373

9.1

9.8

10.0

13.0

10.8

9.8

9.7

6.8

7.2

10.0

7.0

–

–

10.0

10.0

8.0

12.4

9.9

10.2

8.4

–

9.4

9.3

8.9

22.8

21.9

19.6

22.1

17.7

17.6

17.2

27.9

29.1

20.5

20.9

–

–

14.0

13.8

24.0

19.8

19.8

15.7

13.7

0.53

0.53

0.66

0.59

0.66

0.70

0.69

0.42

0.36

0.30

0.40

–

–

0.32

0.31

0.36

0.49

0.52

0.66

0.59

–

–

6.6

15.2

20.6

0.64

0.41

0.53

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

–

80

80

50

50

–

80

80

80

874

1,026

2,072

774

968

465

42

2,154

–

–

148

8.6

113

413

298

166

25

1,686

1,708

51

5.6

14

23

1,373

9.1

9.8

10.0

13.0

10.9

9.8

9.7

8.9

–

–

9.1

6.0

6.3

10.0

10.0

8.0

12.4

9.9

10.2

8.4

7.5

9.4

9.3

8.9

22.8

21.9

19.7

22.1

17.7

17.6

17.2

26.7

–

–

0.53

0.53

0.66

0.59

0.66

0.70

0.69

0.49

–

–

20.4

0.35

33.0

32.9

14.0

13.8

23.8

19.8

19.8

15.7

13.7

0.60

0.60

0.32

0.31

0.35

0.49

0.52

0.66

0.59

34.6

2.30

6.6

15.2

20.6

0.64

0.41

0.53

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BHP Annual Report 2019  283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metallurgical Coal

Coal Reserves

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (2) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Mining 
Method

Coal 
Type

Proved 
Reserves

Probable 
Reserves

Total 
Reserves

Proved Marketable Reserves

Probable Marketable Reserves

Mt

Mt

Mt

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Metallurgical Coal Operations
Queensland Coal
CQCA JV
Goonyella Riverside (11)
Broadmeadow (11) (12)

OC

UG

Peak Downs

Caval Ridge
Saraji (13)
Norwich Park (14)
Blackwater (15)
Daunia (16)

OC

OC

OC

OC

OC

OC

OC

Met

Met

Met/Th

Met

Met

Met

Met/Th

Met/PCI

Met

Gregory JV (6)

Gregory 

BHP Mitsui Coal
South Walker Creek (17)
Poitrel (18)

OC

Met

OC

OC

Met/PCI

Met

530

67

379

252

442

159

183

74

–

–

101

37

19

114

339

95

60

70

236

25

–

–

36

24

549

181

718

347

502

229

419

99

–

–

137

61

418

48

235

151

264

116

173

64

–

–

80

29

9.1

8.1

10.6

11.0

10.1

10.3

8.1

8.1

–

–

25.2

23.7

22.3

22.4

17.7

16.8

26.6

20.4

–

–

0.53

0.54

0.60

0.57

0.64

0.70

0.43

0.34

–

–

9.2

7.9

13.6

23.0

0.29

0.31

14

72

208

52

29

49

223

21

–

–

29

19

10.9

9.9

10.6

11.0

11.2

10.2

8.7

8.3

–

–

28.4

23.5

22.7

22.0

18.8

16.6

26.8

20.0

–

–

0.56

0.55

0.65

0.58

0.79

0.70

0.43

0.35

–

–

9.2

8.4

13.2

23.3

0.29

0.31

(7)   Only geophysically logged, fully analysed cored holes with greater than 95% recovery (or <± 10% expected error at 95% confidence for Goonyella Riverside 
Broadmeadow) were used to classify Coal Reserves. Drill hole spacings vary between seams and geological domains and were determined in conjunction 
with geostatistical analysis where applicable. The range of maximum drill hole spacings used to classify the Coal Reserves were: 

Deposit

Proved Reserves

Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow

900m to 1,300m plus 3D seismic coverage for UG

Peak Downs, Caval Ridge

Saraji

Norwich Park

Blackwater
Daunia

South Walker Creek

Poitrel

500m to 1,050m

450m to 1,800m 

500m to 1,400m 

450m to 1,000m 
450m to 850m

400m to 800m 

300m to 550m

(8)   Product recoveries for the operations were:

Deposit

Product Recovery

Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow
Peak Downs

Caval Ridge

Saraji

Norwich Park

Blackwater

Daunia

South Walker Creek
Poitrel

74%
61%

58%

58%

71%

92%

85%

75%
79%

Probable Reserves

1,750m to 2,400m 

500m to 2,100m 

800m to 2,600m 

1,000m to 2,800m

900m to 1,850m 
900m to 1,400m 

650m to 1,500m 

600m to 1,050m

(9)  Total Coal Reserves were at the moisture content when mined (4% CQCA JV and BHP Mitsui Coal). Total Marketable Reserves were at a product specification moisture 
content (9.5-10% Goonyella Riverside Broadmeadow, 9.5% Peak Downs, 10% Caval Ridge; 10% Saraji, 10-11% Norwich Park, 7.5-11.5% Blackwater, 10-10.5% Daunia, 
9% South Walker Creek, 10-12% Poitrel) and at an air-dried quality basis for sale after the beneficiation of the Total Coal Reserves.

(10) Coal delivered to handling plant.
(11)  Goonyella Riverside and Broadmeadow deposits use the same infrastructure and Reserve Life applies to both.
(12)  Broadmeadow – The decrease in Coal Reserves was due to depletion and the exclusion of some mining areas impacted by geotechnical issues and the Isaac River.
(13)  Saraji – The increase in Coal Reserves and Reserve Life was mainly due to additional resources transferred from Saraji East project due to approval of an operating license.
(14)  Norwich Park – Remains on care and maintenance.
(15)  Blackwater – The increase in Reserve Life is due to a reduction in the nominated annual production rate from 20Mtpa to 17.2Mtpa.
(16) Daunia – The decrease in Coal Reserves and Reserve Life was mainly due to depletion. Changes in Coal Reserves classification was due to an update in the resource 

classification supported by drill hole spacing analysis and additional drilling. Change in Coal Type from Met to Met/PCI.

(17)  South Walker Creek – The decrease in Coal Reserves and Reserve Life was mainly due to depletion.
(18)  Poitrel – The decrease in Reserve Life was mainly due to depletion.

284  BHP Annual Report 2019

Total Marketable Reserves

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Reserve 
Life
(years)

BHP 
Interest
 %

Total Marketable Reserves

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S

Reserve 
Life
(years)

As at 30 June 2018

432

120

443

203

293

165

396

85

–

–

108

48

9.1

9.2

10.6

11.0

10.2

10.3

8.4

8.2

–

–

9.2

8.1

25.3

23.6

22.5

22.3

17.8

16.7

26.7

20.3

–

–

13.5

23.1

0.53

0.54

0.62

0.58

0.65

0.70

0.43

0.34

–

–

0.30

0.31

38

26

28

31

65

24

18

–

17

10

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

–

80

80

444

128

456

211

270

165

411

–

99

5.6

114

49

9.2

9.1

10.6

11.0

10.2

10.3

8.4

–

8.4

7.0

9.2

8.7

22.8

23.6

22.5

22.3

17.9

16.7

26.7

–

20.4

0.53

0.54

0.62

0.58

0.66

0.70

0.43

–

0.35

34.8

0.60

13.5

23.6

0.30

0.33

40

26

29

25

65

22

22

4.0

18

11

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BHP Annual Report 2019  285

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Coal

Coal Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (2)

Mining 
Method

Coal 
Type

Measured Resources

Indicated Resources

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Energy Coal Operations
Australia
Mt Arthur Coal (3)

Colombia
Cerrejón (4)

Energy Coal Project
Australia

Togara South

OC

OC

UG

Coal Reserves

As at 30 June 2019

Th

Th

Th

836

21.5

31.2

0.65

6,170

1,333

19.4

29.9

0.61

6,150

2,832

3.9

34.9

0.52

6,551

1,110

3.8

34.8

0.51

6,576

719

12.1

29.6

0.31

6,700

177

13.5

28.9

0.31

6,500

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (5) (6) (7)

Mining 
Method

Coal 
Type

Mt

Mt

Mt

Mt %Ash %VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Mt %Ash %VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Proved 
Reserves

Probable 
Reserves

Total 
Reserves

Proved Marketable Reserves

Probable Marketable Reserves 

Energy Coal Operations
Australia
Mt Arthur Coal (8) (9)

Colombia

Cerrejón (10) (11)

(1)   Cut-off criteria: 

Deposit
Mt Arthur Coal

Cerrejón 

Togara South

OC

OC

Th

Th

292

294

299

591

228

15.9

28.6 0.52

5,990

225

14.7

28.2 0.46

6,010

48

342

286

11.7

32.3

0.61

6,091

47

8.5

32.8 0.60

6,155

Coal Resources
≥ 0.3m seam thickness and ≤35% raw ash

Coal Reserves
≥ 0.3m seam thickness, ≤ 32% ash, ≥ 40% coal washery yield

≥ 0.35m seam thickness 

≥ 1.5m seam thickness 

≥ 0.35m seam thickness 

−

(2)   Qualities are reported on an air-dried in situ basis. Tonnages are reported as in situ for Mt Arthur Coal and Togara South, and on a total moisture basis for Cerrejón.
(3)   Mt Arthur Coal – The increase in Coal Resources was mainly due to an updated resource estimate supported by additional drilling and a revised intrusion 

interpretation based on geophysical surveys.

(4)   Cerrejón – The Coal Resources are restricted to areas which have been identified for inclusion by BHP based on a risk assessment.
(5)   Approximate drill hole spacings used to classify the reserves were:

Deposit

Proved Reserves

Probable Reserves

Mt Arthur Coal

200m to 800m (geophysically logged, >95% core recovery) 400m to 1,550m (geophysically logged, >95% core recovery)

Cerrejón 

>6 drill holes per 100ha

2 to 6 drill holes per 100ha

(6)   Overall product recoveries for the operations were:

Deposit

Mt Arthur Coal

Cerrejón 

Product Recovery

77%

97%

(7)   Total Coal Reserves were at the moisture content when mined (8% Mt Arthur Coal; 13.2% Cerrejón). Total Marketable Reserves were at a product specific moisture 

content (9.3% Mt Arthur Coal; 14.2% Cerrejón) and at an air-dried quality basis for Mt Arthur Coal and at a total moisture quality basis for Cerrejón.

(8)  Mt Arthur Coal – Coal delivered to handling plant.
(9)  Mt Arthur Coal – The decrease in Marketable Coal Reserves and Reserve Life was due to additional data informing changes in the mine plan based on revised 
geotechnical and geological understanding. Coal Reserves cut-off criteria reported for ROM; superseding export product cut-off criteria reported in 2018.

(10) Cerrejón – Marketable Coal Reserves decreased due to depletion, delayed approval of the Bruno Creek diversion permits and a reduction in the nominated annual 
production rate from 29.5Mt to 25.7Mt partially offset by a change in cut-off criteria from ≥ 0.65m to ≥ 0.35m seam thickness. Approximately 10% of extracted 
reserves was beneficiated. Lease expiry in 2033. 

(11)  Cerrejón – While there have been delays in some permits as at 30 June 2019 in response to ongoing local community legal challenges, some replacement reserves 

have been identified within the mine plan utilitising existing fleet capacity. BHP continues to monitor the situation for potential impact on mining.

286  BHP Annual Report 2019

Inferred Resources

Total Resources

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Resources

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

1,255

20.6

29.3

0.62

6,050

3,423

20.4

30.0

0.62

6,120

100

3,193

20.0

29.6

0.66

6,070

658

4.4

34.2

0.54

6,423

4,600

3.9

34.8

0.52

6,540

33.33

4,533

3.8

34.8

0.52

6,552

1,051

16.8

28.4

0.31

6,210

1,947

14.8

28.9

0.31

6,420

100

1,947

14.8

28.9

0.31

6,420

Total Marketable Reserves

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

Reserve 
Life
(years)

BHP 
Interest 
%

As at 30 June 2018

Total Marketable Reserves

Mt

%Ash

%VM

%S KCal/kg CV

453

15.3

28.4

0.49

6,050

333

11.2

32.4

0.61

6,101

21

15

100

654

17.8

30.9

0.56

6,320

33.33

445

9.3

32.6

0.57

6,144

Reserve 
Life
(years)

31

16

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BHP Annual Report 2019  287

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Assets

Mineral Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Measured Resources

Indicated Resources

Inferred Resources

Total Resources

As at 30 June 2018

Total Resources

Commodity
Deposit (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Ore
Type

Potash Project

O
2
K
Mt %

.
l

o
s
n

I

%

O
g
M
%

O
2
K
Mt %

.
l

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s
n

I

%

O
g
M
%

O
2
K
Mt %

.
l

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n

I

%

O
g
M
%

O
2
K
Mt %

.
l

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I

%

O
g
M
%

BHP 
Interest 
%

O
2
K
Mt %

.
l

o
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n

I

%

O
g
M
%

Jansen

LPL

5,230 25.6

7.7 0.08

–

–

–

–

1,280 25.6

7.7 0.08

6,510 25.6

7.7 0.08

100 6,440 25.7

7.8 0.08

(1)  The Mineral Resources are stated for the Lower Patience Lake (LPL) potash unit. A fixed seam thickness of 3.96m from the top of 406 clay seam was applied.
(2)  25.6%K2O grade is equivalent to 40.5%KCl content using the mineralogical conversion factor of 1.583. 
(3)  %MgO is used as a measure of carnallite (KCl.MgCl2.6H2O) content where per cent carnallite equivalent = %MgO × 6.8918. 
(4)  Measured Resources grade has been assigned to Inferred Resources.
(5)  Tonnages are reported on an in situ moisture content basis, estimated to be 0.3%.
(6)  The change in Mineral Resources was due to modelling methodology changes from a stratigraphic cut-off to a fixed seam thickness model.

Mineral Resources

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1)

Measured 
Resources

Indicated 
Resources

Inferred 
Resources

Total Resources

Ore Type

Mt

%Ni

Mt

%Ni

Mt

%Ni

Mt

%Ni

Nickel West Operations
Leinster (2)

OC

Disseminated Sulphide

UG

Oxide

SP

SP Oxidised

Mt Keith (3)

Disseminated Sulphide

Cliffs (4)

Yakabindie
Venus (5)

SP

Disseminated Sulphide

Massive Sulphide

Disseminated Sulphide

Disseminated Sulphide

Massive Sulphide

Nickel West Project

Jericho

Disseminated Sulphide

3.3

2.6

16

–

–

–

134

8.4

–

0.72

157

–

–

–

1.8

0.70

2.1

–

–

–

0.54

0.48

–

3.7

0.60

–

–

–

2.8

76

10

–

1.4

–

67

–

6.7

1.3

112

4.2

0.84

1.2

0.52

2.2

–

1.0

–

0.52

–

0.88

3.9

0.62

1.9

6.2

3.2

89

5.4

5.3

–

1.9

24

–

2.0

0.49

170

2.3

0.69

1.0

0.50

2.0

1.8

–

1.7

0.52

–

1.0

3.8

0.62

1.6

6.1

9.3

168

31

5.3

1.4

1.9

225

8.4

8.6

2.5

439

6.5

1.5

1.4

0.52

2.1

1.8

1.0

1.7

0.53

0.48

0.92

3.8

0.61

1.8

6.2

As at 30 June 2018

BHP 
Interest
 %

Total Resources

Mt

%Ni

100

100

100

100

100

9.3

168

29

–

2.7

1.9

231

11

6.9

2.6

440

5.9

1.5

1.4

0.52

2.1

–

0.92

1.7

0.54

0.48

0.98

3.5

0.61

1.8

5.8

–

–

31

0.59

31

0.59

50

31

0.59

Ore Reserves

As at 30 June 2019

Commodity 
Deposit (1) (6) (7) (8) (9)

Nickel West Operations
Leinster (10) (11)

Mt Keith (12)

Cliffs (13)
Yakabindie (14)
Venus (15)

Proved 
Reserves

Probable 
Reserves

Total Reserves

Ore Type

Mt

%Ni

Mt

%Ni

Mt

%Ni

As at 30 June 2018

Reserve 
Life
(years)

BHP 
Interest
 %

Total Reserves

Mt

%Ni

Reserve 
Life
(years)

OC

SP

UG

OC

SP

UG

OC

UG

1.3

0.96

–

–

69

4.7

–

107

–

–

–

0.57

0.51

–

0.56

–

2.8

–

5.3

19

3.7

0.45

44

2.1

0.79

–

1.6

0.55

0.45

2.0

0.61

2.7

4.1

–

5.3

88

8.4

0.45

150

2.1

0.84

–

1.6

0.57

0.48

2.0

0.57

2.7

11

100

12

100

0.9

15

7

100

100

100

4.6

1.3

5.3

11

11

0.55

96

–

0.87

0.84

1.6

0.61

0.48

2.0

0.61

–

11

2.0

1.7

11

–

288  BHP Annual Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore Type

Mineral Resources

Ore Reserves

Proved Reserves

Probable Reserves

(6)  Approximate drill hole spacings used to classify the reserves were:

(1)  Cut-off criteria: 

Deposit

Leinster

OC

Disseminated 
Sulphide

≥ 0.40%Ni

≥ 0.40%Ni

UG

≥ 1.0%Ni

Oxide

≥ 1.2%Ni

SP, SP oxidised

≥ 0.70%Ni

Mt Keith

Disseminated 
Sulphide

SP

Variable between 
0.35%Ni and 
0.40%Ni

Variable between 
0.35%Ni and 
0.40%Ni

OC

−

Cliffs

Disseminated 
Sulphide

≥ 0.40%Ni

Massive Sulphide

Stratigraphic

Yakabindie

Venus

Jericho

UG

Disseminated 
Sulphide

OC

Disseminated 
Sulphide

−

≥ 0.40%Ni

−

≥ 0.40%Ni

Massive Sulphide

Stratigraphic

UG

Disseminated 
Sulphide

−

≥ 0.40%Ni

≥ 0.40%Ni

−

≥ 0.90%Ni includes 
dilution that occurs 
during block cave 
mining process

−

−

−

Variable between 
0.35%Ni and 
0.40%Ni and ≥ 
0.18% recoverable 
Ni

Variable between 
0.35%Ni and 
0.40%Ni and ≥ 
0.18% 
recoverable Ni

−

−

≥ 1.2%Ni

−

≥ 0.35%Ni 

−

−

≥ 1.3%Ni

−

Deposit

Leinster

Mt Keith

Cliffs

25m × 25m

40m × 40m

25m × 25m 
(and development)

Yakabindie

40m × 60m

Venus

25m x 25m

25m × 50m

80m × 80m

25m × 25m

80m × 60m

50m x 50m

(7)   Ore delivered to the process plant.
(8)   Metallurgical recoveries for the operations were: 

OC

Deposit

Leinster

Mt Keith

Cliffs

Yakabindie

Venus

Metallurgical Recovery

83%

64%

83% recovery at 10% 
concentrate grade

63% (based on 
metallurgical test work)

89%

(9)  Predicted metallurgical recoveries for the projects were: 

Deposit

Leinster

UG

OC

Metallurgical Recovery

88%

51%

(10) Leinster – Ore Reserves includes operations and projects.
(11)  Leinster – The decrease in Ore Reserves was due to depletion. Incorporated 

within the Reserve Life calculation were OC and UG, which have a Reserve Life 
of 3 years and 11 years respectively.

(12)  Mt Keith – The increase in Ore Reserves and Reserve Life was mainly due to the 
inclusion of additional mining areas based on updated economic assumptions.

(13)  Cliffs – The decrease in Ore Reserves was mainly due to depletion and 

redesign of the mine areas.

(14)  Yakabindie – The increase in Ore Reserves and Reserve Life was mainly due 

to the inclusion of additional mining areas.
(15)  Venus – Maiden reporting of Ore Reserves.

(2)   Leinster – Mineral Resources increased including a maiden declaration 

of Oxide ore type and an updated estimate of UG ore type supported 
by additional drilling. SP tonnage decreased due to depletion.

(3)  Mt Keith – The decrease in SP Mineral Resources was due to depletion.
(4)  Cliffs – The increase in Disseminated Sulphide Mineral Resources was due 
to an upgrade in the resource estimate supported by additional drilling.

(5)   Venus – The increase in Disseminated Sulphide Mineral Resources was mainly 

due to an updated resource estimate supported by additional drilling.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  289

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.4 Major projects
At the end of FY2019, BHP had five major projects under development in petroleum, copper, iron ore and potash, with a combined budget 
of US$11.1 billion over the life of the projects.

Capital and exploration expenditure of US$7.6 billion in FY2019 was within guidance. Capital and exploration expenditure guidance for 
FY2020 is unchanged at below US$8 billion. This guidance includes a US$0.9 billion exploration program in FY2020, with US$0.7 billion 
for petroleum exploration and appraisal expenditure. 

Projects in execution at the end of FY2019

Commodity

Project and ownership

Capacity (1)

Target

Budget

Date of initial production

Capital expenditure (US$M) (1)

Projects under development

Petroleum

Atlantis Phase 3
(US Gulf of Mexico) 
44% (non-operator)

Petroleum

Mad Dog Phase 2 
(US Gulf of Mexico) 
23.9% (non-operator)

Iron Ore

Copper

South Flank (Australia)
85% (operator)

Spence Growth Option 
(Chile)

New subsea production system that will 
tie back to the existing Atlantis facility, 
with capacity to produce up to 38,000 
gross barrels of oil equivalent per day. 
Overall project is 13% complete

New floating production facility with 
the capacity to produce up to 140,000 
gross barrels of crude oil per day. 
On schedule and on budget, overall 
project is 53% complete

Sustaining iron ore mine to replace 
production from the 80 Mtpa Yandi 
Mine. Overall project is 39% complete

New 95 ktpd concentrator is expected 
to incrementally increase Spence’s 
payable copper in concentrate 
production by approximately 185 ktpa 
in the first 10 years of operation 
and extend the mining operations 
by more than 50 years. Overall project 
is 60% complete. Project approved 
on 17 August 2017

CY2020

696

CY2022

2,154

CY2021

FY2021

3,061 

2,460

8,371

Other projects in progress at the end of FY2019

Commodity

Project and ownership

Scope

Projects under development

Potash

Jansen Potash (Canada) 100%

Investment to finish the excavation and lining of the production 
and service shafts, and to continue the installation of essential 
surface infrastructure and utilities

Capital expenditure (US$M) (1)

Budget

2,700

2,700

(1)  Unless noted otherwise, references to capacity are on a 100 per cent basis, references to capital expenditure from subsidiaries are reported on a 100 per cent basis 

and references to capital expenditure from joint operations reflect BHP’s share.

290  BHP Annual Report 2019

6.5 Climate change data (1)

6.5.1 Energy consumption (2)
Operational energy consumption by source

Operational energy consumption (petajoules)

Consumption of fuel
– Coal & coke
– Natural gas
– Distillate/Gasoline
– Other
Consumption of electricity

Total operational energy consumption

Operational energy consumption from renewable sources (petajoules)
Operational energy intensity (gigajoules per tonne of copper equivalent production) (3)

Operational energy consumption by commodity

Year ended 30 June 2019

Petroleum
Copper
Iron Ore
Coal

Total

Year ended 30 June 2018

Petroleum
Copper
Iron Ore
Coal

Total

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Year Ended 30 June

2018

2017

115
1
31
81
2
35

150

0.38
21

112
1
33
76
2
28

140

0.26
19

2019

114
1
24
87
3
35

149

0.31
22

Consumption 
of fuel
(petajoules)

Consumption 
of electricity
(petajoules)

Total operational 
energy 
consumption 
(petajoules)

15.0
20.7
31.0
39.3

114.4

0.2
24.6
1.2
5.3

34.6

15.2
45.3
32.2
44.6

149.0

Consumption 
of fuel
(petajoules)

Consumption 
of electricity
(petajoules)

Total operational 
energy 
consumption 
(petajoules)

24.1
19.6
29.3
34.7

115.5

0.3
24.6
1.2
5.2

34.5

24.4
44.2
30.5
39.9

150.0

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BHP Annual Report 2019  291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.5.2 Greenhouse gas emissions
Operational GHG emissions by source (4) (5)

Operational GHG emissions (million tonnes CO2-e)

Scope 1 GHG emissions (6)
Scope 2 GHG emissions (7)

Total operational GHG emissions

Operational GHG emissions intensity (tonnes CO2-e per tonne of copper equivalent production) (3)

Operational GHG emissions by commodity and asset (4) (5)

Year ended 30 June 2019

Petroleum
United States – Conventional
United States – US Onshore (8)
Australia
Other

Total petroleum

Copper
Escondida, Chile
Pampa Norte, Chile
Olympic Dam, Australia

Total copper

Iron Ore
Western Australia Iron Ore, Australia

Total iron ore

Coal
Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal, Australia
Energy coal – New South Wales Energy Coal, Australia

Total coal

Nickel
Nickel West, Australia

Total nickel

Total (9)

Year ended 30 June 2018

Petroleum
United States – Conventional
United States – US Onshore
Australia
Other

Total petroleum

Copper
Escondida, Chile
Pampa Norte, Chile
Olympic Dam, Australia

Total copper

Iron Ore
Western Australia Iron Ore, Australia

Total iron ore

Coal
Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal, Australia
Energy coal – New South Wales Energy Coal, Australia

Total coal

Nickel
Nickel West, Australia

Total nickel

Total (9)

292  BHP Annual Report 2019

Year Ended 30 June

2019

9.7
5.0

14.7

2.2

2018

10.6
5.9

16.5

2.3

2017

10.5
5.8

16.3

2.2

Scope 1 GHG 
emissions
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

Scope 2 GHG 
emissions
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

Operational 
GHG emissions 
Total
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

200
467
320
250

1,237

930
340
200

1,470

2,050

2,050

3,980
520

4,500

460

460

9,730

0
3
0
10

13

2,140
330
470

2,940

260

260

1,090
90

1,180

530

530

4,970

200
470
320
260

1,250

3,070
670
670

4,410

2,310

2,310

5,070
610

5,680

990

990

14,700

Scope 1 GHG 
emissions
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

Scope 2 GHG 
emissions
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

Operational 
GHG emissions 
Total
(kilotonnes 
CO2-e)

220
1,680
430
240

2,570

890
320
180

1,390

1,930

1,930

3,820
460

4,280

380

380

10,590

0
10
0
0

10

3,040
480
420

3,940

260

260

1,070
80

1,150

540

540

5,950

220
1,690
430
240

2,580

3,930
800
600

5,330

2,190

2,190

4,890
540

5,430

920

920

16,540

Scope 3 GHG emissions by category (10)

Scope 3 GHG emissions (million tonnes CO2-e)   

Upstream
Purchased goods and services (including capital goods)
Fuel and energy-related activities
Upstream transportation and distribution (11)
Business travel
Employee commuting

Downstream
Downstream transportation and distribution (12)
Investments (i.e. our non-operated assets) (13)
Processing of sold products (14)
Iron ore processing (15)
Copper processing

Total processing of sold products

Use of sold products
Metallurgical coal (15)
Energy coal
Natural gas
Crude oil and condensates (16)
Natural gas liquids

Total use of sold products

Year Ended 30 June

2019

2018

2017

17.3
1.3
3.6
0.1
<0.1

4.0
3.1

299.6
5.1

304.7

111.4
67.0
28.3
23.3
2.8

232.7

8.2
1.4
3.6
0.1
<0.1

5.0
1.7

317.4
5.2

322.6

112.3
71.0
36.4
29.6
4.5

253.8

7.7
1.4
3.2
0.1
<0.1

2.8
1.9

309.5
4.2

313.7

105.5
72.1
38.3
33.1
5.1

254.1

(1)  Unless otherwise noted, FY2017 and FY2018 data includes Continuing operations and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets). FY2019 data includes Continuing 

operations and Discontinued operations (Onshore US assets) to 31 October 2018.

(2)  Calculated on an operational control basis in line with World Resources Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable Development guidance.
(3)  Copper equivalent production has been calculated based on FY2019 average realised product prices for FY2019 production, FY2018 average realised product prices 

for FY2018 production and FY2017 average realised product prices for FY2017 production. Production figures used are consistent with energy and emissions 
reporting boundaries (i.e. BHP operational control).

(4)  BHP currently uses Global Warming Potentials (GWP) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 4 (AR4) based on 100-year timeframe.
(5)  Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been calculated on an operational control basis in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.
(6)  Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from operated assets. 
(7)  Scope 2 refers to indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity and steam that is consumed by operated assets. Our Scope 2 emissions 

have been calculated using the market-based method using supplier specific emissions factors, in line with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance. Our market-based 
Scope 2 emissions were 5.0 Mt CO2-e which compares to 5.1 Mt CO2-e if calculated using the location-based method. A residual mix is currently unavailable 
to account for voluntary purchases and this may result in double counting between electricity consumers. 
Includes four months of emissions in FY2019 prior to divestment of this asset.

(8) 
(9)  Total includes functions, projects, exploration, closed sites and consolidation adjustments.
(10)  Scope 3 emissions have been calculated using methodologies consistent with the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting 

Standard. Scope 3 emissions reporting necessarily requires a degree of overlap in reporting boundaries due to our involvement at multiple points in the life cycle of 
the commodities we produce and consume. A significant example of this is that Scope 3 emissions reported under the ‘Processing of sold products’ category include 
the processing of our iron ore to steel. This third party activity also consumes metallurgical coal as an input, a portion of which is produced by us. For reporting 
purposes, we account for Scope 3 emissions from combustion of metallurgical coal with all other fossil fuels under the ‘Use of sold products’ category, such that 
a portion of metallurgical coal emissions is accounted for under two categories. This is an expected outcome of emissions reporting between the different scopes 
defined under standard GHG accounting practices and is not considered to detract from the overall value of our Scope 3 emissions disclosure. This double counting 
means that the emissions reported under each category should not be added up, as to do so would give an inflated total figure. For this reason we do not report a 
total Scope 3 emissions figure. Further details of the calculation methodologies, assumptions and key references used in the preparation of our Scope 3 emissions 
data can be found in the associated Scope 3 calculation methodology document available online at bhp.com/climate.

(11)  Includes product transport where freight costs are covered by BHP, for example under Cost and Freight (CFR) or similar terms, as well as purchased transport 

services for process inputs to our operations. 

(12)  Product transport where freight costs are not covered by BHP, for example under Free on Board (FOB) or similar terms.
(13)  For BHP, this category covers the Scope 1 and 2 emissions (on an equity basis) from our assets that are owned as a joint venture but not operated by BHP. 
(14)  All iron ore production is assumed to be processed into steel and all copper metal production is assumed to be processed into copper wire for end use. Processing 
of nickel, zinc, gold, silver, ethane and uranium oxide is not currently included, as production volumes are much lower than iron ore and copper and a large range of 
possible end uses apply. Processing/refining of petroleum products is also excluded as these emissions are considered immaterial compared to the end-use product 
combustion reported in the ‘Use of sold products’ category.

(15)  Scope 3 emissions reported under the ‘Processing of sold products’ category include the processing of our iron ore to steel. This third party activity also consumes 

metallurgical coal as an input, a portion of which is produced by us. For reporting purposes, we account for Scope 3 emissions from combustion of metallurgical 
coal with all other fossil fuels under the ‘Use of sold products’ category, such that a portion of metallurgical coal emissions is accounted for under two categories.

(16)  All crude oil and condensates are conservatively assumed to be refined and combusted as diesel.

BHP Annual Report 2019  293

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6.6 Legal proceedings
We are involved from time-to-time in legal proceedings and 
governmental investigations of a character normally incidental 
to our business, including claims and pending actions against 
us seeking damages, or clarification or prosecution of legal 
rights and regulatory inquiries regarding business practices. 
Insurance or other indemnification protection may offset the 
financial impact on the Group of a successful claim.

This section summarises the significant legal proceedings and 
investigations and associated matters in which we are currently 
involved or have finalised since our last Annual Report.

Legal proceedings relating to the failure of the Fundão 
tailings dam at the iron ore operations of Samarco in 
Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo (Samarco dam failure) 
We are engaged in numerous legal proceedings relating to the 
Samarco dam failure. Given all of these proceedings are in early 
stages, it is not possible at this time to provide a range of possible 
outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures. 
The most significant of these proceedings are summarised below. 
As described below, many of these proceedings involve claims 
for compensation for the similar or possibly the same damages. 
There are numerous additional lawsuits against Samarco relating 
to the Samarco dam failure to which we are not party.

R$20 billion public civil claim commenced by the Federal 
Government of Brazil, states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais 
and other authorities (R$20 billion Public Civil Claim)
On 30 November 2015, the Federal Government of Brazil, states 
of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais and other public authorities 
collectively filed a public civil claim before the 12th Federal 
Court of Belo Horizonte against Samarco and its shareholders, 
BHP Billiton Brasil and Vale, seeking the establishment of a fund 
of up to R$20 billion (approximately US$5.2 billion) in aggregate 
for clean-up costs and damages.

The plaintiffs also requested certain interim injunctions in connection 
with the public civil claim. On 18 December 2015, the Federal Court 
granted the injunctions and, among other things, ordered Samarco 
to deposit R$2 billion (approximately US$605 million) into a 
court-managed bank account for use towards community and 
environmental rehabilitation. BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco 
immediately appealed against the injunction. On 4 November 2016, 
the Federal Court reduced the R$2 billion injunction to R$1.2 billion 
(approximately US$365 million).

On 2 March 2016, BHP Billiton Brasil, together with Vale and 
Samarco, entered into a Framework Agreement with the plaintiffs 
to establish a foundation (Fundação Renova) to develop and 
execute environmental and socioeconomic programs (Programs) 
to remediate and provide compensation for damage caused by the 
Samarco dam failure.

The term of the Framework Agreement is 15 years, renewable for 
periods of one year successively until all obligations under the 
Framework Agreement have been performed. Under the Framework 
Agreement, Samarco is responsible for funding Fundação Renova’s 
annual calendar year budget for the duration of the Framework 
Agreement. The amount of funding for each calendar year will 
be dependent on the remediation and compensation projects 
to be undertaken in a particular year. To the extent that Samarco 
does not meet its funding obligations under the Framework 
Agreement, each of Vale and BHP Billiton Brasil has funding 
obligations under the Framework Agreement in proportion 
to its 50 per cent shareholding in Samarco.

On 25 June 2018, a Governance Agreement (summarised below), 
was entered into providing for the settlement of this public civil 
claim, suspension of the R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) 
Federal Public Prosecution Office claim for 24 months, partial 
ratification of the Framework Agreement and a formal declaration 
that the Framework Agreement remains valid for the signing parties. 
On 8 August 2018, the 12th Federal Court of Minas Gerais ratified 
the Governance Agreement.

Ratification of the Governance Agreement on 8 August 2018 
settled this public civil claim, including the R$1.2 billion 
(approximately US$365 million) injunction order.

(1)  Currently, solely BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco, the Federal Government 

and the State of Minas Gerais are defendants. 

294  BHP Annual Report 2019

Preliminary Agreement
On 18 January 2017, BHP Billiton Brasil, together with Vale and 
Samarco, entered into a Preliminary Agreement with the Federal 
Prosecutors’ Office in Brazil, which outlines the process and timeline 
for further negotiations towards a final settlement regarding the 
R$20 billion (approximately US$5.2 billion) public civil claim and 
the R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) Federal Public 
Prosecution Office claim relating to the dam failure.

Under the Preliminary Agreement, BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and 
Samarco agreed interim security (Interim Security) comprising:
•  R$1.3 billion (approximately US$335 million) in insurance bonds;
•  R$100 million (approximately US$20 million) in liquid assets;
•  A charge of R$800 million (approximately US$210 million) 

over Samarco’s assets;

•  R$200 million (approximately US$50 million) to be allocated 

within the next four years through existing Framework Agreement 
programs in the Municipalities of Barra Longa, Rio Doce, Santa 
Cruz do Escalvado and Ponte Nova.

On 24 January 2017, BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco provided 
the Interim Security to the 12th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte, 
which was to remain in place until the earlier of 30 June 2017 and 
the date that a final settlement arrangement was agreed between 
the Federal Prosecutors and BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco. 
Following a series of extensions, on 25 June 2018, the parties 
reached an agreement in the form of the Governance Agreement 
(summarised below).

Governance Agreement
On 25 June 2018, BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale, Samarco, the other parties 
to the Framework Agreement, the Public Prosecutors Office and 
the Public Defence Office entered into a Governance Agreement 
which settles the R$20 billion (approximately US$5.2 billion) public 
civil claim, enhances community participation in decisions related 
to Programs under the Framework Agreement and establishes 
a process to renegotiate the Programs over two years to progress 
settlement of the R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) 
Federal Public Prosecution Office claim (Governance Agreement).

Renegotiation of the Programs will be based on certain agreed 
principles, such as full reparation consistent with Brazilian law, 
the requirement for a technical basis for any proposed changes, 
consideration of findings from experts appointed by BHP Billiton 
Brasil, Samarco and Vale, consideration of findings from experts 
appointed by Prosecutors and consideration of feedback 
from impacted communities. During the renegotiation period 
and up until revisions to the Programs are agreed, the Renova 
Foundation will continue to implement the Programs in 
accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement 
and the Governance Agreement.

The Governance Agreement was ratified by the 12th Federal Court 
of Minas Gerais on 8 August 2018, settling the R$20 billion 
(approximately US$5.2 billion) public civil claim and suspending 
the R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) Federal Public 
Prosecution Office claim for a period of two years from the date 
of ratification.

Interim Security provided under the Preliminary Agreement 
is maintained for a period of 30 months under the Governance 
Agreement, after which BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco 
will be required to provide security of an amount equal to 
Fundação Renova’s annual budget up to a limit of R$2.2 billion 
(approximately US$570 million).

R$155 billion public civil claim commenced by the Federal 
Public Prosecution Service (R$155 billion Federal Public 
Prosecution Off  ice claim)
On 3 May 2016, the Federal Public Prosecution Office filed a public 
civil claim before the 12th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte against 
BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco – as well as 18 other public 
entities (which has since been reduced to five defendants (1) by 
the Court) – seeking R$155 billion (approximately US$40 billion) 
for reparation, compensation and collective moral damages 
in relation to the Samarco dam failure.

In addition, the claim includes a number of preliminary injunction 
requests, seeking orders that BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco 
deposit R$7.7 billion (approximately US$2 billion) in a special 

company account and provide guarantees equivalent to R$155 billion 
(approximately US$40 billion). The injunctions also seek to prohibit 
BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco from distributing dividends 
and selling certain assets (among other things).

The 12th Federal Court previously suspended this public civil claim, 
including the R$7.7 billion (approximately US$2 billion) injunction 
request. Suspension of the claim continues for a period of two 
years from the date of ratification of the Governance Agreement 
on 8 August 2018.

Public civil claims commenced by the State Prosecutors’ Off  ice 
in the state of Minas Gerais
On 10 December 2015, the State Prosecutors’ Office in the state 
of Minas Gerais filed a public civil claim against BHP Billiton Brasil, 
Vale and Samarco before the State Court in Mariana claiming 
indemnification (amount not specified) for moral and material 
damages to an unspecified group of individuals affected by the 
Samarco dam failure, including the payment of costs for housing 
and social and economic assistance.

The State Prosecutors’ Office also requested certain interim 
injunctions in connection with this claim, including orders for 
BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco to provide housing, health 
care, financial assistance and education facilities to the people 
affected by the Samarco dam failure. The plaintiff also sought 
an order to freeze R$300 million (approximately US$80 million) 
in Samarco’s bank accounts. The Court granted the injunction 
freezing R$300 million (approximately US$80 million) in Samarco’s 
bank accounts for use towards the compensation and remediation 
measures requested under this public civil claim. At a Court 
hearing on 20 January 2016, the parties agreed that Samarco 
should unilaterally provide:
•  flexible housing solutions for 271 displaced families;
•  monthly salaries to the displaced families for at least 12 months;
•  a R$20,000 (approximately US$5,000) payment to each 

displaced family;

•  a R$100,000 (approximately US$25,000) payment to each 

of the families of those deceased, as advance compensation.

There have been multiple hearings, injunctions and enforcement 
petitions of previous settlements requested in this public civil 
claim. Following Samarco’s request, the Court released part of the 
frozen amount to pay for (i) the technical entity hired to assist the 
impacted community and (ii) payments related to the Preliminary 
Agreement. On 2 October 2018, the parties reached an agreement 
that was ratified by the Court for the dismissal of the claim. 
Under this settlement, Renova Foundation has reached more 
than 83 individual agreements with impacted families in Mariana 
for the payment of damages.

On 2 February 2016, the State Prosecutors’ Office in the state of 
Minas Gerais filed another public civil claim against BHP Billiton 
Brasil, Vale and Samarco before the State Court in Ponte Nova 
claiming compensation of R$7.5 billion (approximately US$2.3 billion) 
for moral and material damages suffered by 1,350 individuals 
in Ponte Nova and collective moral damages allegedly suffered 
by the community in Ponte Nova. The claim also sought a number 
of preliminary injunctions, including orders to:
•  freeze R$1 billion (approximately US$305 million) of cash in the 
defendants’ bank accounts in order to secure the compensation 
requested under the public civil claim;

•  require the defendants to pay minimum wages and basic food 
supplies to the families in Ponte Nova affected by the Samarco 
dam failure;

•  require the defendants to pay R$30,000 (approximately 

US$8,000) per affected family and compensation to provide 
dignified and adequate housing for the affected families.

On 5 February 2016, the Court granted an injunction to freeze 
R$475 million (approximately US$145 million) from bank accounts 
of BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco and ordered them to pay 
preliminary amounts to families in Ponte Nova affected by the 
Samarco dam failure. This injunction was revoked on 9 November 
2016 and the Court, on 8 May 2018, also ordered the frozen funds 
to be returned to BHP Billiton Brasil (R$2 million). Samarco and 
BHP Billiton Brasil filed their defences, respectively on 6 December 
2016 and 9 March 2017. This case has been remitted to the 12th 
Federal Court in Belo Horizonte and is currently suspended.

In November 2018, the State Prosecutor’s Office in the State of Minas 
Gerais filed another public civil claim against BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale, 
Samarco and Renova Foundation claiming approximately R$2 billion 
(approximately US$500 million) for damages. The public civil claim 
was terminated before the subpoenas on the basis that the claim 
has already been addressed in the first public civil claim filed on 
10 December 2015, which has been settled. The State Prosecutor’s 
Office has appealed the decision.

Public civil claim commenced by the Public Defender Department 
in Minas Gerais
On 25 April 2016, the Public Defender Department filed a public 
civil claim against BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco in the State 
Court in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil claiming R$10 billion 
(approximately US$2.6 billion) for collective moral damages to 
be deposited in the State Human Rights Defense Fund. The Public 
Defender Department is also seeking a number of social and 
environmental remediation measures in relation to the Samarco 
dam failure, including orders requiring the reparation of the 
environmental damage and the reconstruction of properties 
and populations, including historical, religious, cultural, social, 
environmental and immaterial heritages affected by the dam failure. 
On 16 March 2016, the Court denied the remediation measures 
requested as an injunction by the Public Defender Department. 
The public civil claim was remitted to the 12th Federal Court 
in Belo Horizonte and is currently suspended.

Public civil claim commenced by the State Prosecutors’ Off  ice 
in the state of Espírito Santo
On 15 January 2016, the State Prosecutors’ Office of Espírito Santo 
filed a public civil claim before the State Court in Espírito Santo 
against BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco seeking compensation 
for collective moral damages in relation to the suspension of the 
water supply of the Municipality of Colatina as a result of the 
Samarco dam failure. As part of the public civil claim, the State 
Prosecutors’ Office sought a number of injunctions, including 
an order to freeze R$2 billion (approximately US$520 million) 
in the defendants’ bank accounts in order to secure the requested 
compensation. On 11 February 2016, the Court denied all of 
the injunction requests made by the State Prosecutors’ Office. 
The State Prosecutors’ Office appealed the decision and on 
2 August 2016 the State Court of Appeal decided to remit the 
case to the 12th Federal Court in Belo Horizonte. This public 
civil claim is suspended.

Public civil claim commenced by the state of Espírito Santo
On 8 January 2016, the state of Espírito Santo filed a public civil 
claim against BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco before the 
State Court in Colatina (later remitted to the 12th Federal Court 
in Belo Horizonte) seeking the remediation and restoration 
of the water supply of the residents of Baixo Guandu, Linhares, 
Colatina and Marilândia. In addition, the claim sought injunctions 
ordering, among other things, the execution of several works and 
improvements in public equipment in order to repair and upgrade 
the sewerage system and water network in Colatina and Linhares, 
and an order to freeze R$1 billion (approximately US$260 million) 
of the defendants’ assets. On 4 February 2016, the Court ordered 
Samarco to deposit approximately R$7 million (approximately 
US$2 million) in a fund of the state of Espírito Santo to be created 
and granted certain injunctions relating to remediation measures. 
At the same time it denied the injunction request to freeze assets 
of R$1 billion (approximately US$260 million). On 6 April 2016, 
the Court of Appeals suspended the injunctions granted. BHP 
Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco filed their defences in March 2016 
and also requested the suspension of this public civil claim. On 
18 December 2017, the case was remitted to the 12th Federal Court.

Public civil claim commenced by the Association for the Defense 
of Collective Interests – ADIC
On 17 November 2015, ADIC, a non-governmental organisation 
(NGO) in Brazil, filed a public civil claim solely against Samarco 
before the 12th Federal Court in Belo Horizonte claiming at least 
R$10 billion (approximately US$2.6 billion) for environmental and 
social damages in relation to the Samarco dam failure, in addition to 
collective moral damages and reparation measures. The NGO also 
requested preliminary injunctions ordering the deposit of R$1 billion 
(approximately US$260 million) and prohibiting Samarco from 
distributing dividends to its shareholders. Samarco presented its 
defence on 12 February 2016. The Court did not decide on the 
injunction request and on 27 March 2017, the Court suspended this 
public civil claim.

BHP Annual Report 2019  295

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Other civil proceedings in Brazil
As noted above, BHP Billiton Brasil has been named as a defendant 
in numerous other lawsuits that are at early stages of proceedings. 
The lawsuits seek various remedies, including rehabilitation costs, 
compensation to injured individuals and families of the deceased, 
recovery of personal and property losses and injunctive relief. 
In addition, government inquiries and investigations relating to 
the Samarco dam failure have been commenced by numerous 
agencies of the Brazilian Government and are ongoing, including 
criminal investigations by the federal and state police, and by 
federal prosecutors.

Our potential liabilities, if any, resulting from other pending and future 
claims, lawsuits and enforcement actions relating to the Samarco 
dam failure, together with the potential cost of implementing 
remedies sought in the various proceedings, cannot be reliably 
estimated at this time and therefore a provision has not been 
recognised and nor has any contingent liability been quantified 
for these matters. Ultimately, these could have a material adverse 
impact on BHP’s business, competitive position, cash flows, 
prospects, liquidity and shareholder returns. For more information 
on the Samarco dam failure, refer to section 1.7.

As at June 2019, Samarco had been named as a defendant in more 
than 74,000 small claims for moral damages in which people argue 
their public water service was interrupted for between five and 
10 days, and courts have awarded damages, generally ranging 
from R$1,000 (approximately US$260) to R$10,000 (approximately 
US$2,600) per impacted person. BHP Billiton Brasil is a co-defendant 
in more than 15,500 of these cases. Over 260,000 people have 
received moral damages related to the temporary suspension of 
public water supply through settlements reached with Renova.

Criminal charges
On 20 October 2016, the Federal Prosecutors’ Office filed criminal 
charges against BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco and certain 
employees and former employees of BHP Billiton Brasil (Affected 
Individuals) in the Federal Court of Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais. On 
3 March 2017, BHP Billiton Brasil and the Affected Individuals filed 
their preliminary defences. The Federal Court granted Habeas 
Corpus petitions in favour of three of the Affected Individuals 
terminating the charges against those individuals. The Federal 
Prosecutors’ Office appealed two of the decisions. BHP Billiton 
Brasil rejects outright the charges against the Company and the 
Affected Individuals and will defend the charges and fully support 
each of the Affected Individuals in their defence of the charges.

United States class action complaint – shareholders
In February 2016, a putative class action complaint (Complaint) 
was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of 
New York on behalf of purchasers of American Depositary Receipts 
of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc between 25 September 
2014 and 30 November 2015 against BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc and certain of its current and former executive 
officers and directors. The Complaint asserted claims under 
US federal securities laws and indicated that the plaintiff would 
seek certification to proceed as a class action.

On 6 August 2018, the parties reached an in-principle settlement 
agreement of US$50 million to resolve all claims with no admission 
of liability by the Defendants, subject to Court approval. On 10 April 
2019, the District Court made orders granting final approval of 
the settlement and the settlement became final on 10 May 2019. 
The majority of the settlement payment was covered by BHP’s 
external insurance arrangements.

United States class action complaint – bondholders
On 14 November 2016, a putative class action complaint (Bondholder 
Complaint) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of New York on behalf of purchasers of Samarco’s 10-year bond 
notes due 2022–2024 between 31 October 2012 and 30 November 
2015. The Bondholder Complaint was initially filed against Samarco 
and the former chief executive officer of Samarco. The Complaint 
asserted claims under the U.S. federal securities laws and indicated 
that the plaintiff will seek certification to proceed as a class action.

The Bondholder Complaint was subsequently amended to include 
BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc, BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda, Vale S.A. 
and officers of Samarco, including four of Vale S.A. and BHP Billiton 
Brasil Ltda’s nominees to the Samarco Board. On 5 April 2017, the 
Plaintiff discontinued its claims against the individual defendants.

296  BHP Annual Report 2019

On 7 March 2018, the District Court granted a joint motion from 
the remaining corporate defendants to dismiss the Bondholder 
Complaint. A second amended Bondholder Complaint was also 
dismissed by the Court on 18 July 2019. The Plaintiff has filed a 
motion, which remains pending before the Court, for reconsideration 
of that decision or leave to file a third amended complaint.

The amount of damages sought by the putative class is unspecified.

Australian class action complaints
Three separate shareholder class actions were filed in the Federal 
Court of Australia on behalf of persons who acquired shares in 
BHP Group Ltd on the Australian Securities Exchange or shares 
in BHP Group Plc on the London Stock Exchange and Johannesburg 
Stock Exchange in periods prior to the Samarco dam failure.

Following an appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court, two 
of the actions have been consolidated into the one action and the 
third action is expected to be dismissed.

The amount of damages sought in the consolidated action 
is unspecified.

United Kingdom group action complaint
BHP Group Plc and BHP Group Ltd are named as defendants 
in group action claims for damages that have been filed in the 
courts of England. These claims have been filed on behalf of 
certain individuals, governments, businesses and communities 
in Brazil allegedly impacted by the Samarco dam failure.

On 7 August 2019, the BHP parties filed a preliminary application 
seeking to strike out or stay this action on jurisdictional and other 
procedural grounds.

The amount of damages sought in this class action is unspecified.

Tax and royalty matters
Transfer pricing dispute – Sales of commodities  to BHP Billiton 
Marketing AG in Singapore
On 19 November 2018, BHP reached an agreement with the 
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to settle the transfer pricing 
dispute relating to its marketing operations in Singapore.

The settlement fully resolves the longstanding dispute between 
BHP and the ATO for all prior years, being 2003 to 2018, with 
no admission of tax avoidance by BHP, and provides certainty 
in relation to the future taxation treatment.

The dispute related to the amount of Australian tax payable 
as a result of the sale of BHP’s Australian commodities to BHP’s 
Singapore marketing business. The ATO had issued amended 
assessments for A$661 million primary tax (A$1,042 million 
including interest and penalties) for the income years 2003 
to 2013.

As part of the settlement, BHP paid a total of approximately 
A$529 million in additional taxes for the income years 2003 to 2018. 
BHP had already paid A$328 million of this amount to the ATO, 
following receipt of amended tax assessments and in accordance 
with the ATO’s normal practice.

A further element of the settlement is that BHP Group Limited 
will increase its ownership of BHP Billiton Marketing AG from 
58 per cent to 100 per cent. BHP Billiton Marketing AG is the main 
company that BHP utilises to conduct its Singapore marketing 
business. The change in ownership will result in all profits 
made in Singapore in relation to the Australian assets owned 
by BHP Group Limited being fully subject to Australian tax.

The change in ownership will provide certainty for BHP 
and the ATO regarding the Australian taxation treatment 
of BHP’s Singapore marketing business for future years.

BHP’s marketing operations will continue to be located in 
Singapore and remain an important part of BHP’s value chain.

Unresolved tax and royalty matters
The Group presently has unresolved tax and royalty matters 
for which the timing of resolution and potential economic 
outflow is uncertain. For details of those matters, refer to 
note 5 ‘Income and tax expense’ in section 5.

6.7 Glossary

6.7.1 Mining, oil and gas-related terms

2D
Two dimensional.

3D
Three dimensional.

AIG
The Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

APEGS
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists 
of Saskatchewan.

AusIMM
The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Beneficiation
The process of physically separating ore from waste material 
prior to subsequent processing of the improved ore.

Brownfield
The development or exploration located inside the area 
of influence of existing mine operations which can share 
infrastructure/management.

Butane
A component of natural gas. Where sold separately, is largely butane 
gas that has been liquefied through pressurisation. One tonne 
of butane is approximately equivalent to 14,000 cubic feet of gas.

Coal Reserves
Equivalent to Ore Reserves, but specifically concerning coal.

Coal Resources
Equivalent to Mineral Resources, but specifically concerning coal.

Coking coal
Used in the manufacture of coke, which is used in the steelmaking 
process by virtue of its carbonisation properties. Coking coal may 
also be referred to as metallurgical coal.

Competent Person
A minerals industry professional who is a Member or Fellow 
of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, or of the 
Australian Institute of Geoscientists, or of a ‘Recognised Professional 
Organisation’ (RPO), as included in a list available on the JORC and 
ASX websites. These organisations have enforceable disciplinary 
processes, including the powers to suspend or expel a member. 
A Competent Person must have a minimum of five years’ relevant 
experience in the style of mineralisation or type of deposit under 
consideration and in the activity that the person is undertaking 
(JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Condensate
A mixture of hydrocarbons that exist in gaseous form in natural 
underground reservoirs, but which condense to form a liquid at 
atmospheric conditions.

Conventional Petroleum Resources
Hydrocarbon accumulations that can be produced by a well 
drilled into a geologic formation in which the reservoir and fluid 
characteristics permit the hydrocarbons to readily flow to the 
wellbore without the use of specialised extraction technologies.

Copper cathode
Electrolytically refined copper that has been deposited on the 
cathode of an electrolytic bath of acidified copper sulphate 
solution. The refined copper may also be produced through 
leaching and electrowinning.

Crude oil
A mixture of hydrocarbons that exist in liquid form in natural 
underground reservoirs, and remain liquid at atmospheric 
pressure after being produced at the well head and passing 
through surface separating facilities.

Cut-off   grade
A nominated grade above which an Ore Reserve or Mineral Resource 
is defined. For example, the lowest grade of mineralised material 
that qualifies as economic for estimating an Ore Reserve.

Dated Brent
A benchmark price assessment as of a specified date of the spot 
market value of physical cargoes of North Sea light sweet crude oil.

Electrowinning/electrowon
An electrochemical process in which metal is recovered by 
dissolving a metal within an electrolyte and plating it onto 
an electrode.

Energy coal
Used as a fuel source in electrical power generation, cement 
manufacture and various industrial applications. Energy coal 
may also be referred to as steaming or thermal coal.

Ethane
A component of natural gas. Where sold separately, is largely ethane 
gas that has been liquefied through pressurisation. One tonne 
of ethane is approximately equivalent to 28,000 cubic feet of gas.

FAusIMM
Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Field
An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all 
grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural 
feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more 
reservoirs in a field that are separated vertically by intervening 
impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. 
Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent 
fields may be treated as a single or common operational field.

The geological terms ‘structural feature’ and ‘stratigraphic 
condition’ are intended to identify localised geological features 
as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, 
plays, areas-of-interest, etc. (per SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10).

Flotation
A method of selectively recovering minerals from finely ground ore 
using a froth created in water by specific reagents. In the flotation 
process, certain mineral particles are induced to float by becoming 
attached to bubbles of froth and the unwanted mineral particles sink.

FPSO (Floating, production, storage and off  -take)
A floating vessel used by the offshore oil and gas industry for 
the processing of hydrocarbons and for storage of oil. An FPSO 
vessel is designed to receive hydrocarbons produced from nearby 
platforms or subsea templates, process them and store oil until 
it can be offloaded onto a tanker.

Grade or Quality
Any physical or chemical measurement of the characteristics 
of the material of interest in samples or product.

Greenfield
The development or exploration located outside the area 
of influence of existing mine operations/infrastructure.

Heap leach(ing)
A process used for the recovery of metals such as copper, nickel, 
uranium and gold from low-grade ores. The crushed material 
is laid on a slightly sloping, impermeable pad and leached 
by uniformly trickling (gravity fed) a chemical solution through 
the beds to ponds. The metals are recovered from the solution.

Hypogene Sulphide
Hypogene mineralisation is formed by fluids at high temperature 
and pressure derived from magmatic activity. Hypogene sulphide 
consists predominantly of chalcopyrite.

BHP Annual Report 2019  297

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Mineralisation
Any single mineral or combination of minerals occurring in a mass, 
or deposit, of economic interest.

Modifying Factors
Considerations used to convert Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves. 
These include, but are not restricted to, mining, processing, 
metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, 
environmental, social and governmental factors.

NGL (natural gas liquids)
Consists of propane, butane and ethane – individually or as a mixture.

Nominated production rate
The approved average production rate for the remainder of the 
life-of-asset plan or five-year plan production rate if significantly 
different to life-of-asset production rate.

OC (open-cut)
Surface working in which the working area is kept open to the sky.

Ore Reserves
The economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated 
Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for 
losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted 
and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level 
as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors.

Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction 
could reasonably be justified (JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

PCI
Pulverised coal injection.

P. Eng. PEGNL
Professional Engineer of the Association of Professional Engineers 
and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Probable Ore Reserves
The economically mineable part of an Indicated and, in some 
circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. The confidence 
in the Modifying Factors applying to a Probable Ore Reserve 
is lower than that applying to a Proved Ore Reserve. Consideration 
of the confidence level of the Modifying Factors is important in 
conversion of Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves. A Probable Ore 
Reserve has a lower level of confidence than a Proved Ore Reserve 
but is of sufficient quality to serve as the basis for a decision 
on the development of the deposit (JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Propane
A component of natural gas. Where sold separately, is largely 
propane gas that has been liquefied through pressurisation. 
One tonne of propane is approximately equivalent to 19,000 
cubic feet of gas.

Proved oil and gas reserves
Those quantities of oil, gas and natural gas liquids, which by 
analysis of geoscience and engineering data can be estimated 
with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – 
from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under 
existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government 
regulations – prior to the time at which contracts providing the 
right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal 
is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic 
or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation (from SEC 
Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, 2009, 17 CFR Parts 210, 
211, 229 and 249).

Proved Ore Reserves
The economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. 
A Proved Ore Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the 
Modifying Factors. A Proved Ore Reserve represents the highest 
confidence category of reserve estimate and implies a high 
degree of confidence in geological and grade continuity, and the 
consideration of the Modifying Factors. The style of mineralisation 
or other factors could mean that Proved Ore Reserves are not 
achievable in some deposits (JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Indicated Mineral Resources
That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), 
densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with 
sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors 
in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of 
the economic viability of the deposit (JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Inferred Mineral Resources
That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade 
(or quality) are estimated on the basis of limited geological 
evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to 
imply but not verify geological and grade (or quality) continuity 
(JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code
A set of minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines 
for public reporting in Australasia of Exploration Results, 
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The guidelines are defined 
by the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC), 
which is sponsored by the Australian mining industry and 
its professional organisations.

Leaching
The process by which a soluble metal can be economically 
recovered from minerals in ore by dissolution.

LNG (liquefied natural gas)
Consists largely of methane that has been liquefied through 
chilling and pressurisation. One tonne of LNG is approximately 
equivalent to 46,000 cubic feet of natural gas.

LOI (loss on ignition)
A measure of the percentage of volatile matter (liquid or gas) 
contained within a mineral or rock. LOI is determined to calculate 
loss in mass when subjected to high temperatures.

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
Consists of propane and butane and a small amount (less 
than two per cent) of ethane that has been liquefied through 
pressurisation. One tonne of LPG is approximately equivalent 
to 12 barrels of oil.

MAIG
Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Marketable Coal Reserves
Represents beneficiated or otherwise enhanced coal product 
where modifications due to mining, dilution and processing have 
been considered, must be publicly reported in conjunction with, 
but not instead of, reports of Coal Reserves. The basis of the 
predicted yield to achieve Marketable Coal Reserves must be 
stated (JORC Code, 2012).

MAusIMM
Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Measured Mineral Resources
That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade 
(or quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics are 
estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application 
of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning 
and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit 
(JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

Metallurgical coal
A broader term than coking coal, which includes all coals 
used in steelmaking, such as coal used for the pulverised 
coal injection process.

MGSSA
Member of the Geological Society of South Africa.

Mineral Resources
A concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic 
interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade (quality) and 
quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic 
extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity 
and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are 
known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence 
and knowledge, including sampling (JORC Code, 2012 Edition).

298  BHP Annual Report 2019

Qualified petroleum reserves and resources evaluator
A qualified petroleum reserves and resources evaluator, 
as defined in Chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules.

Reserve Life
Current stated Ore Reserves estimate divided by the current 
approved nominated production rate as at the end of the 
financial year.

ROM (run of mine)
Run of mine product mined in the course of regular mining 
activities. Tonnes include allowances for diluting materials and 
for losses that occur when the material is mined.

Solvent extraction
A method of separating one or more metals from a leach solution 
by treating with a solvent that will extract the required metal, 
leaving the others. The metal is recovered from the solvent 
by further treatment.

SP (stockpile)
An accumulation of ore or mineral built up when demand 
slackens or when the treatment plant or beneficiation equipment 
is incomplete or temporarily unable to process the mine output; 
any heap of material formed to create a buffer for loading 
or other purposes or material dug and piled for future use.

Spud
Commence drilling of an oil or gas well.

Supergene Sulphide
Supergene is a term used to describe near-surface processes and 
their products, formed at low temperature and pressure by the 
activity of descending water. Supergene sulphide is mainly formed 
of chalcocite and covellite and is amenable to heap leaching.

Tailings
Those portions of washed or milled ore that are too poor to be 
treated further or remain after the required metals and minerals 
have been extracted.

TLP (tension leg platform)
A vertically moored floating facility for production of oil and gas.

Total Mineral Resources
The sum of Inferred, Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources.

Total Ore Reserves
The sum of Proved and Probable Ore Reserves.

UG (underground)
Below the surface mining activities.

Unconventional Petroleum Resources
Hydrocarbon accumulations that are generally pervasive in nature 
and may be continuous throughout a large area requiring specialised 
extraction technologies to produce or recover. Examples include, 
but are not limited to coalbed methane, basin-centred gas, shale 
gas, gas hydrates, natural bitumen (tar sands), and oil shale deposits.

Examples of specialised technologies include: dewatering 
of coalbed methane, massive fracturing programs for shale gas, 
steam and/or solvents to mobilise bitumen for in situ recovery, 
and, in some cases, mining activities.

Wet tonnes
Production is usually quoted in terms of wet metric tonnes (wmt). 
To adjust from wmt to dry metric tonnes (dmt) a factor is applied 
based on moisture content.

6.7.2 Other terms

AASB (Australian Accounting Standards Board)
Accounting standards as issued by the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board.

ADR (American Depositary Receipt)
An instrument evidencing American Depository Shares or ADSs, 
which trades on a stock exchange in the United States.

ADS (American Depositary Share)
A share issued under a deposit agreement that has been created 
to permit US-resident investors to hold shares in non-US companies 
and trade them on the stock exchanges in the United States.

ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs, 
which are the instruments that trade on a stock exchange in the 
United States.

ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)
The Australian Government agency that enforces laws relating 
to companies, securities, financial services and credit in 
order to protect consumers, investors and creditors.

Assets
Assets are a set of one or more geographically proximate operations 
(including open-cut mines, underground mines, and onshore 
and offshore oil and gas production and production facilities). 
Assets include our operated and non-operated assets.

Asset groups
We group our assets into geographic regions in order to provide 
effective governance and accelerate performance improvement. 
Minerals assets are grouped under Minerals Australia or Minerals 
Americas based on their geographic location. Oil, gas and 
petroleum assets are grouped together as Petroleum.

ASX (Australian Securities Exchange)
ASX is a multi-asset class vertically integrated exchange group 
that functions as a market operator, clearing house and payments 
system facilitator. It oversees compliance with its operating rules, 
promotes standards of corporate governance among Australia’s 
listed companies and helps educate retail investors.

BHP
Both companies in the DLC structure, being BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc and their respective subsidiaries. 

BHP Group Limited
BHP Group Limited and its subsidiaries. 

BHP Group Limited share
A fully paid ordinary share in the capital of BHP Group Limited.

BHP Group Limited shareholders
The holders of BHP Group Limited shares.

BHP Group Limited Special Voting Share
A single voting share issued to facilitate joint voting by 
shareholders of BHP Group Limited on Joint Electorate Actions.

BHP Group Plc
BHP Group Plc and its subsidiaries. 

BHP Group Plc share
A fully paid ordinary share in the capital of BHP Group Plc.

BHP Group Plc shareholders
The holders of BHP Group Plc shares.

BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share
A single voting share issued to facilitate joint voting by 
shareholders of BHP Group Plc on Joint Electorate Actions.

BHP shareholders
In the context of BHP’s financial results, BHP shareholders refers 
to the holders of shares in BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc.

Board
The Board of Directors of BHP.

BHP Annual Report 2019  299

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CQCA
Central Queensland Coal Associates

Commercial
Our Commercial function optimises value creation and minimises 
costs across our end-to-end supply chain. It is organised around 
our core value chain activities – Sales and Marketing; Maritime and 
Supply Chain Excellence; Procurement; and Warehousing Inventory 
and Logistics and Property – supported by short and long-term 
market insights, strategy and planning activities, and close 
partnership with our assets.

Company
BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and their respective subsidiaries.

Continuing operations 
Assets/operations/entities that are owned and/or operated 
by BHP, excluding major assets/operations/entities classified 
as Discontinued Operations.

Discontinued operations 
Major assets/operations/entities that have either been disposed of 
or are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5/AASB 5 
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

Dividend record date
The date, determined by a company’s board of directors, by when 
an investor must be recorded as an owner of shares in order to 
qualify for a forthcoming dividend.

DLC Dividend Share
A share to enable a dividend to be paid by BHP Group Plc to 
BHP Group Limited or by BHP Group Limited to BHP Group Plc 
(as applicable).

DLC (Dual Listed Company)
BHP’s Dual Listed Company structure has two parent companies 
(BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc) operating as a single 
economic entity as a result of the DLC merger.

DLC merger
The Dual Listed Company merger between BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc on 29 June 2001.

ELT (Executive Leadership Team)
The Executive Leadership Team directly reports to the Chief 
Executive Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day management 
of BHP and leading the delivery of our strategic objectives.

Executive KMP (Key Management Personnel)
Executive KMP includes the Executive Director (our CEO), the 
Chief Financial Officer, the President Operations, Minerals Australia, 
the President Operations, Minerals Americas, and the President 
Operations, Petroleum. It does not include the Non-Executive 
Directors (our Board).

Functions
Functions operate along global reporting lines to provide 
support to all areas of the organisation. Functions have specific 
accountabilities and deep expertise in areas such as finance, 
legal, governance, technology, human resources, corporate 
affairs, health, safety and community.

Gearing ratio
The ratio of net debt to net debt plus net assets.

GHG (Greenhouse gas)
For BHP reporting purposes, these are the aggregate anthropogenic 
carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), 
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), 
perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6 ).

Group
BHP Group Limited, BHP Group Plc and their respective subsidiaries.

Henry Hub
A natural gas pipeline located in Erath, Louisiana that serves as 
the official delivery location for futures contracts on the New York 
Mercantile Exchange.

HPI (High potential injuries)
High potential injuries (HPI) are recordable injuries and first aid 
cases where there was the potential for a fatality.

IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
Accounting standards as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board.

KMP (Key Management Personnel)
Persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing 
and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly.

For BHP, KMP includes the Executive Director (our CEO), 
the Non-Executive Directors (our Board), as well as the Chief 
Financial Officer, the President Operations (Minerals Australia), 
the President Operations (Minerals Americas), and the President 
Operations (Petroleum).

KPI (Key performance indicator)
Used to measure the performance of the Group, individual 
businesses and executives in any one year.

LME (London Metal Exchange)
A major futures exchange for the trading of industrial metals.

Minerals Americas
A group of assets located in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Peru 
and the United States (see ‘Asset groups’) focusing on copper, zinc, 
iron ore, energy coal and potash.

Minerals Australia
A group of assets located in Australia (see ‘Asset groups’). Minerals 
Australia includes operations in Western Australia, Queensland, 
New South Wales and South Australia, focusing on iron ore, copper, 
metallurgical, and energy coal and nickel.

Non-operated asset/Non-operated joint venture (NOJV)
Non-operated assets/non-operated joint ventures include interests 
in assets that are owned as a joint venture but not operated by BHP. 
References in this Annual Report to a ‘joint venture’ are used for 
convenience to collectively describe assets that are not wholly 
owned by BHP. Such references are not intended to characterise 
the legal relationship between the owners of the asset.

Occupational illness
An illness that occurs as a consequence of work-related activities 
or exposure. It includes acute or chronic illnesses or diseases, 
which may be caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion 
or direct contact.

OMC (Operations Management Committee)
Prior to FY2018, the Operations Management Committee had 
responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities 
of BHP under the authorities that have been delegated to it by 
the Board. This included key strategic, investment and operational 
decisions, and recommendations to the Board.

During FY2018 the OMC was dissolved and the Remuneration 
Committee re-examined the classification of KMP for FY2018 
to determine which persons have the authority and responsibility 
for planning, directing and controlling the activities of BHP. 
After due consideration, the Remuneration Committee determined 
the KMP for FY2018 comprised of all Non-executive Directors 
(the Board), the Executive Director (the CEO), the Chief Financial 
Officer, the President Operations, Minerals Australia, the President 
Operations, Minerals Americas, and the President Operations, 
Petroleum. The Committee also determined that, effective 
1 July 2017, the Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief People 
Officer roles are no longer considered KMP.

Onshore US
BHP’s Petroleum asset in four US shale areas (Eagle Ford, Permian, 
Haynesville and Fayetteville), where we produce oil, condensate, 
gas and natural gas liquids.

Operated assets
Operated assets include assets that are wholly owned and operated 
by BHP and assets that are owned as a joint venture and operated 
by BHP. References in this Annual Report to a ‘joint venture’ are used 
for convenience to collectively describe assets that are not wholly 
owned by BHP. Such references are not intended to characterise 
the legal relationship between the owners of the asset.

300  BHP Annual Report 2019

Operating Model
The Operating Model outlines how BHP is organised, works and 
measures performance and includes mandatory performance 
requirements and common systems, processes and planning. 
The Operating Model has been simplified and BHP is organised 
by assets, asset groups, Commercial, and functions.

Senior manager
An employee who has responsibility for planning, directing or 
controlling the activities of the entity or a strategically significant 
part of it. In the Strategic Report, senior manager includes senior 
leaders and any persons who are directors of any subsidiary 
company even if they are not senior leaders.

Operations
Open-cut mines, underground mines, onshore and offshore oil 
and gas production and processing facilities.

Our Requirements
The standards that give effect to the mandatory requirements 
arising from the BHP Operating Model as approved by the 
Executive Leadership Team (ELT). They describe the mandatory 
minimum performance requirements and accountabilities 
for definitive business obligations, processes, functions and 
activities across BHP.

Previously called Group Level Documents (GLDs), the Our 
Requirements standards reflect a simpler organisation with 
the purpose of being more user-friendly and easier to read.

Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is an agreement between countries party 
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCC) to strengthen efforts to combat climate change and 
adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing 
countries to do so.

Petroleum (asset group)
A group of conventional and non-conventional oil and gas assets 
(see ‘Asset groups’). Petroleum’s core production operations 
are located in the US Gulf of Mexico, Australia and Trinidad 
and Tobago. Petroleum produces crude oil and condensate, 
gas and natural gas liquids.

Platts
Platts is a global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and 
agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark price 
assessments for those commodity markets.

Quoted
In the context of American Depositary Shares (ADS) and 
listed investments, the term ‘quoted’ means ‘traded’ on the 
relevant exchange.

Scope 1 Greenhouse gas emissions
Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions are direct emissions from 
operations that are owned or controlled by BHP, primarily emissions 
from fuel consumed by haul trucks at our operated assets, as well 
as fugitive methane emissions from coal and petroleum production 
at our operated assets. 

Scope 2 Greenhouse gas emissions
Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are indirect emissions from 
the generation of purchased energy consumed by BHP, primarily 
emissions from electricity we buy from the grid for use at our 
operated assets.

Scope 3 Greenhouse gas emissions
Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are all other indirect emissions 
(not included in Scope 2) that occur in BHP’s value chain, primarily 
emissions resulting from our customers using the fossil fuel 
commodities and processing the non-fossil fuel commodities we 
sell, as well as upstream emissions associated with the extraction, 
production and transportation of the goods, services, fuels and 
energy we purchase for use at our operations; emissions resulting 
from the transportation and distribution of our products; and 
operational emissions (on an equity basis) from our non-operated 
joint ventures.

SEC (United States Securities and Exchange Commission)
The US regulatory commission that aims to protect investors, 
maintain fair, orderly and efficient markets and facilitate 
capital formation.

Shareplus
All-employee share purchase plan.

Social investment
Voluntary contributions to support communities through cash 
donations to community programs and associated administrative 
costs. BHP’s targeted level of contribution is one per cent of 
pre-tax profit calculated on the average of the previous three 
years’ pre-tax profit as reported.

South32
During FY2015, BHP demerged a selection of our alumina, 
aluminium, coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc assets 
into a new company – South32 Limited.

Strate
South Africa’s Central Securities Depositary for the electronic 
settlement of financial instruments.

TRIF (Total recordable injury frequency)
The sum of (fatalities + lost-time cases + restricted work cases + 
medical treatment cases) x 1,000,000 ÷ actual hours worked.

Stated in units of per million hours worked. BHP adopts the 
US Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
guidelines for the recording and reporting of occupational 
injury and illnesses. TRIF statistics exclude non-operated assets.

TSR (Total shareholder return)
TSR measures the return delivered to shareholders over a certain 
period through the movements in share price and dividends paid 
(which are assumed to be reinvested). It is the measure used to 
compare BHP’s performance to that of other relevant companies 
under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

UKLA (United Kingdom Listing Authority)
Term used when the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acts as 
the competent authority under Part VI of the UK Financial Services 
and Markets Act (FSMA).

Underlying attributable profit
Profit/(loss) after taxation attributable to BHP shareholders 
excluding any exceptional items attributable to BHP shareholders 
as described in note 3 ‘Exceptional items’ in section 5. Refer to 
section 1.12 for further information.

Underlying EBIT
Underlying EBITDA, including depreciation, amortisation 
and impairments. Refer to section 1.12 for further information.

Underlying EBITDA
Earnings before net finance costs, depreciation, amortisation 
and impairments, taxation expense, Discontinued operations and 
exceptional items. Refer to section 1.12 for further information.

Unit costs
One of the financial measures BHP uses to monitor the performance 
of individual assets. Unit costs are calculated as revenue less 
Underlying EBITDA excluding third party. Conventional petroleum 
unit costs exclude inventory movements, freight, exploration 
and development and evaluation expense; WAIO, Queensland 
Coal and New South Wales Energy Coal unit costs exclude 
freight and royalties; Escondida unit costs exclude freight and 
by-product credits. 

BHP Annual Report 2019  301

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6.7.3 Terms used in reserves and resources

6.7.4 Units of measure

P
phosphorous

Pc
phosphorous in concentrate

PCI
pulverised coal injection

S
sulphur

SCu
soluble copper

SiO2
silica

TCu
total copper

Th
thermal coal

U3O8
uranium oxide

VM
volatile matter

Yield
the percentage of material of 
interest that is extracted during 
mining and/or processing

Zn
zinc

Ag
silver

AI2O3
alumina

Anth
anthracite

Ash
inorganic material remaining 
after combustion

Au
gold

Cu
copper

CV
calorific value

Fe
iron

Insol.
insolubles

K2O
potassium oxide

KCl
potassium chloride

LOI
loss on ignition

Met
metallurgical coal

MgO
magnesium oxide

Mo
molybdenum

Ni
nickel

%
percentage or per cent

bbl
barrel (containing 
42 US gallons)

bbl/d
barrels per day

Bcf
billion cubic feet (measured 
at the pressure bases set 
by the regulator)

bcm
bank cubic metres

boe
barrels of oil equivalent – 
6,000 scf of natural gas 
equals 1 boe

dmt
dry metric tonne

dmtu
dry metric tonne unit

g/t
grams per tonne

ha
hectare

kcal/kg
kilocalories per kilogram

kg/tonne or kg/t
kilograms per tonne

km
kilometre

kt
kilotonnes

ktpa
kilotonnes per annum

ktpd
kilotonnes per day

kV
kilovolt

lb
pound

m
metre

Mbbl/d
thousand barrels per day

Mcf
thousand cubic feet 
(measured at the pressure 
bases set by the regulator)

ML
megalitre

mm
millimetre

MMbbl/d
million barrels per day

MMboe
million barrels of oil equivalent

MMBtu
million British thermal units – 
1 scf of natural gas equals 
approximately 1,010 Btu

MMcf/d
million cubic feet per day

MMcm/d
million cubic metres per day

Mscf
thousand standard cubic feet

Mt
million tonnes

Mtpa
million tonnes per annum

MW
megawatt

oz
ounce

ppm
parts per million

psi
pounds per square inch

scf
standard cubic feet

t
tonne

TJ
terajoule

TJ/d
terajoules per day

tpa
tonnes per annum

tpd
tonnes per day

t/h
tonnes per hour

wmt
wet metric tonnes

302  BHP Annual Report 2019

Section 7

Shareholder 
information

In this section

7.1  History and development
7.2  Markets
7.3  Organisational structure
7.4  Material contracts
7.5  Constitution
7.6  Share ownership
7.7  Dividends
7.8  American Depositary Receipts fees and charges
7.9  Government regulations
7.10  Ancillary information for our shareholders

BHP Annual Report 2019  303

•  Certain DLC equalisation principles must be observed. These are 
designed to ensure that for so long as the Equalisation Ratio
between a BHP Group Limited ordinary share and a BHP Group
Plc ordinary share is 1:1, the economic and voting interests
resulting from holding one BHP Group Limited ordinary share
and one BHP Group Plc ordinary share are, so far as practicable,
equivalent. For more information, refer to sub-section 
‘Equalisation of economic and voting rights’ below.

Australian Foreign Investment Review Board conditions
The Treasurer of Australia approved the DLC merger subject 
to certain conditions, the effect of which was to require that, 
among other things, BHP Group Limited continues to:
•  be an Australian company, which is headquartered in Australia;
•  ultimately manage and control the companies that conducted 
the businesses that were conducted by its subsidiaries at the
time of the DLC merger for as long as those businesses form
part of BHP.

The conditions also require the global headquarters of BHP 
to be in Australia.

The conditions have effect indefinitely, subject to amendment of the 
Australian Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (FATA) or any 
revocation or amendment by the Treasurer of Australia. If BHP Group 
Limited no longer wishes to comply with these conditions, it must 
obtain the prior approval of the Treasurer. Failure to comply with the 
conditions results in substantial penalties under the FATA.

Equalisation of economic and voting rights
The economic and voting interests attached to each BHP Group 
Limited ordinary share relative to each BHP Group Plc ordinary 
share are determined by a ratio known as the Equalisation Ratio.

The Equalisation Ratio is currently 1:1, meaning one BHP Group 
Limited ordinary share currently has the same economic and 
voting interests as one BHP Group Plc ordinary share.

The Equalisation Ratio governs the proportions in which dividends 
and capital distributions are paid on the ordinary shares in each 
company relative to the other. Given the current Equalisation Ratio 
of 1:1, the amount of any cash dividend paid by BHP Group Limited 
on each BHP Group Limited ordinary share must be matched by an 
equivalent cash dividend by BHP Group Plc on each BHP Group Plc 
ordinary share, and vice versa. If one company is prohibited by 
applicable law or is otherwise unable to pay a matching dividend, 
the DLC Structure Sharing Agreement requires that BHP Group 
Limited and BHP Group Plc will, as far as practicable, enter into 
such transactions with each other as their Boards agree to be 
necessary or desirable to enable both companies to pay matching 
dividends at the same time. These transactions may include BHP 
Group Limited or BHP Group Plc making a payment to the other 
company or paying a dividend on the DLC Dividend Share held 
by the other company (or a subsidiary of it). The DLC Dividend 
Share may be used to ensure that the need to trigger the matching 
dividend mechanism does not arise. BHP Group Limited issued 
a DLC Dividend Share on 23 February 2016. No DLC Dividend 
Share has been issued by BHP Group Plc. 

For more information on the DLC Dividend Share, refer to the 
following ‘DLC Dividend Share’ section and section 7.5. 

7.1 History and development
BHP Group Limited (formerly BHP Billiton Limited, then BHP Limited 
and, before that, The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited) 
was incorporated in 1885 and is registered in Australia with 
ABN 49 004 028 077. BHP Group Plc (formerly BHP Billiton Plc, 
and before that Billiton Plc) was incorporated in 1996 and is 
registered in England and Wales with registration number 
3196209. Successive predecessor entities to BHP Group Plc 
have operated since 1860.

We have operated under a Dual Listed Company (DLC) structure 
since 29 June 2001. Under the DLC structure, the two parent 
companies, BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc, operate 
as a single economic entity, run by a unified Board and senior 
executive management team. For more information on the 
DLC structure, refer to section 7.3.

7.2 Markets
As at the date of this Annual Report, BHP Group Limited has 
a primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) 
(ticker BHP) in Australia and BHP Group Plc has a premium listing 
on the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Official List and its ordinary 
shares are admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) 
(ticker BHP). BHP Group Plc also has a secondary listing on the 
Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) (ticker BHP) in South Africa.

In addition, BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc are listed on 
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the United States. Trading 
on the NYSE is via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) evidencing 
American Depositary Shares (ADSs), with each ADS representing 
two ordinary shares of BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc. 
Citibank N.A. (Citibank) is the Depositary for both ADS programs. 
BHP Group Limited’s ADSs have been listed for trading on the 
NYSE (ticker BHP) since 28 May 1987 and BHP Group Plc’s since 
25 June 2003 (ticker BBL).

7.3 Organisational structure

7.3.1 General

BHP consists of the BHP Group Limited and the BHP Group Plc, 
operating as a single unified economic entity, following the 
completion of the DLC merger in June 2001 (the DLC merger). 
For a full list of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc subsidiaries, 
refer to section 5.2 note 13.

7.3.2 DLC structure

BHP shareholders approved the DLC merger in 2001, which 
was designed to place ordinary shareholders of both companies 
in a position where they have economic and voting interests in 
a single group.

The principles of the BHP DLC structure are reflected in the 
DLC Structure Sharing Agreement and include the following:
•  The two companies must operate as if they are a single 

unified economic entity, through Boards of Directors that 
comprise the same individuals and a unified senior executive
management team.

•  The Directors of both companies will, in addition to their 

duties to the company concerned, have regard to the interests 
of the ordinary shareholders in the two companies as if the
two companies were a single unified economic entity and,
for that purpose, the Directors of each company take into
account in the exercise of their powers the interests of the
shareholders of the other.

304  BHP Annual Report 2019

7.3.2 DLC Structure continued

The Equalisation Ratio may be adjusted to maintain economic 
equivalence between an ordinary share in each of the two companies 
where, broadly speaking (and subject to certain exceptions):
•  a distribution or action affecting the amount or nature of issued
share capital is proposed by one of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc and that distribution or action would result in the
ratio of economic returns on, or voting rights in relation to Joint 
Electorate Actions (see below) of, a BHP Group Limited ordinary
share to a BHP Group Plc ordinary share not being the same,
or would benefit the holders of ordinary shares in one company 
relative to the holders of ordinary shares in the other company;
•  no ‘matching action’ is taken by the other company. A matching 
action is a distribution or action affecting the amount or nature
of issued share capital in relation to the holders of ordinary 
shares in the other company, which ensures that the economic 
and voting rights of a BHP Group Limited ordinary share and
BHP Group Plc ordinary share are maintained in proportion 
to the Equalisation Ratio.

For example, an adjustment would be required if there were to 
be a capital issue or distribution by one company to its ordinary 
shareholders that does not give equivalent value (before tax) 
on a per share basis to the ordinary shareholders of the other 
company and no matching action was undertaken. Since the 
establishment of the DLC structure in 2001, no adjustment 
to the Equalisation Ratio has ever been made.

DLC Dividend Share
Each of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc is authorised 
to issue a DLC Dividend Share to the other company or a wholly 
owned subsidiary of it. In effect, only that other company or 
a wholly owned subsidiary of it may be the holder of the share. 
The share is redeemable.

The holder of the share is entitled to be paid such dividends 
as the Board may decide to pay on that DLC Dividend Share 
provided that:
•  the amount of the dividend does not exceed the cap 

mentioned below;

•  the Board of the issuing company in good faith considers paying 
the dividend to be in furtherance of any of the DLC principles,
including the principle of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc 
operating as a single unified economic entity.

The amounts that may be paid as dividends on a DLC Dividend 
Share are capped. Broadly speaking, the cap is the total amount 
of the preceding ordinary cash dividend (whether interim or final) 
paid on BHP Group Limited ordinary shares or BHP Group Plc 
ordinary shares, whichever is greater. The cap will not apply 
to any dividend paid on a DLC Dividend Share if the proceeds 
of that dividend are to be used to pay a special cash dividend 
on ordinary shares.

A DLC Dividend Share otherwise has limited rights and does not 
carry a right to vote. DLC Dividend Shares cannot be used to transfer 
funds outside of BHP as the terms of issue contain structural 
safeguards to ensure that a DLC Dividend Share may only be used 
to pay dividends within the Group. 

For more information on the rights attaching to and terms of DLC 
Dividend Shares, refer to section 7.5, the Constitution of BHP 
Group Limited and the Articles of Association of BHP Group Plc.

Joint Electorate Actions
Under the terms of the DLC agreements, BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc have implemented special voting arrangements 
so that the ordinary shareholders of both companies vote together 
as a single decision-making body on matters that affect the ordinary 
shareholders of each company in similar ways. These are referred 
to as Joint Electorate Actions. For so long as the Equalisation Ratio 
remains 1:1, each BHP Group Limited ordinary share will effectively 
have the same voting rights as each BHP Group Plc ordinary share 
on Joint Electorate Actions.

A Joint Electorate Action requires approval by ordinary resolution 
(or special resolution if required by statute, regulation, applicable 
listing rules or other applicable requirements) of BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc. In the case of BHP Group Limited, both the 
BHP Group Limited ordinary shareholders and the holder of the 
BHP Group Limited Special Voting Share vote as a single class 
and, in the case of BHP Group Plc, the BHP Group Plc ordinary 
shareholders and the holder of the BHP Group Plc Special Voting 
Share vote as a single class.

Class Rights Actions
Matters on which ordinary shareholders of BHP Group Limited may 
have divergent interests from the ordinary shareholders of BHP 
Group Plc are referred to as Class Rights Actions. The company 
wishing to carry out the Class Rights Action requires the prior 
approval of the ordinary shareholders in the other company voting 
separately and, where appropriate, the approval of its own ordinary 
shareholders voting separately. Depending on the type of Class 
Rights Action undertaken, the approval required is either an 
ordinary or special resolution of the relevant company.

The Joint Electorate Action and Class Rights Action voting 
arrangements are secured through the constitutional documents 
of the two companies, the DLC Structure Sharing Agreement, 
the BHP Special Voting Shares Deed and rights attaching to a 
specially created Special Voting Share issued by each company 
and held in each case by a special voting company. The shares 
in the special voting companies are held legally and beneficially 
by Law Debenture Trust Corporation Plc.

Cross guarantees
BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc have each executed a Deed 
Poll Guarantee in favour of the creditors of the other company. 
Under the Deed Poll Guarantees, each company has guaranteed 
certain contractual obligations of the other company. This means 
that creditors entitled to the benefit of the BHP Group Limited 
Deed Poll Guarantee and the BHP Group Plc Deed Poll Guarantee 
will, to the extent possible, be placed in the same position as 
if the relevant debts were owed by both BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc on a combined basis.

Restrictions on takeovers of one company only
The BHP Group Limited Constitution and the BHP Group Plc Articles 
of Association have been drafted to ensure that, except with the 
consent of the Board, a person cannot gain control of one company 
without having made an equivalent offer to the ordinary shareholders 
of both companies on equivalent terms. Sanctions for breach of 
these provisions would include withholding of dividends, voting 
restrictions and the compulsory divestment of shares to the extent 
a shareholder and its associates exceed the relevant threshold.

BHP Annual Report 2019  305

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7.5.3 Restrictions on voting by Directors

A Director may not vote in respect of any contract or arrangement 
or any other proposal in which they have a material personal 
interest except in certain prescribed circumstances, including 
(subject to applicable laws) where the material personal interest:
•  arises because the Director is a shareholder of BHP and is held 

in common with the other shareholders of BHP;

•  arises in relation to the Director’s remuneration as a Director 

of BHP;

•  relates to a contract BHP is proposing to enter into that is subject 

to approval by the shareholders and will not impose any obligation 
on BHP if it is not approved by the shareholders;

•  arises merely because the Director is a guarantor or has given 
an indemnity or security for all or part of a loan, or proposed 
loan, to BHP;

•  arises merely because the Director has a right of subrogation 

in relation to a guarantee or indemnity referred to above;

•  relates to a contract that insures, or would insure, the Director 

against liabilities the Director incurs as an officer of BHP, but only 
if the contract does not make BHP or a related body corporate 
the insurer;

•  relates to any payment by BHP or a related body corporate 

in respect of an indemnity permitted by law, or any contract 
relating to such an indemnity; or

•  is in a contract, or proposed contract with, or for the benefit 

of, or on behalf of, a related body corporate and arises merely 
because the Director is a director of a related body corporate.

If a Director has a material personal interest and is not entitled to 
vote on a proposal, they will not be counted in the quorum for any 
vote on a resolution concerning the material personal interest.

In addition, under the UK Companies Act 2006, a Director 
has a duty to avoid conflicts of interest between their interests 
and the interests of the company. The duty is not breached 
if, among other things, the conflict of interest is authorised 
by non-interested Directors. The Articles of Association 
of BHP Group Plc enable the Board to authorise a matter that 
might otherwise involve a Director breaching their duty to 
avoid conflicts of interest. An interested Director may not vote 
or be counted towards a quorum for a resolution authorising 
a conflict of interest. Where the Board authorises a conflict 
of interest, the Board may prohibit the relevant Director from 
voting on any matter relating to the conflict. The Board has 
adopted procedures to manage these voting restrictions.

7.5.4 Loans by Directors

Any Director may lend money to BHP at interest with or without 
security or may, for a commission or profit, guarantee the repayment 
of any money borrowed by BHP and underwrite or guarantee the 
subscription of shares or securities of BHP or of any corporation 
in which BHP may be interested without being disqualified as 
a Director and without being liable to account to BHP for any 
commission or profit.

7.4 Material contracts
DLC structure agreements
BHP Group Limited (then known as BHP Limited) and BHP Group 
Plc (then known as Billiton Plc) merged by way of a DLC structure 
on 29 June 2001. To effect the DLC structure, BHP Limited and 
Billiton Plc (as they were then known) entered into the following 
contractual agreements:
•  BHP Billiton DLC Structure Sharing Agreement
•  BHP Billiton Special Voting Shares Deed
•  BHP Billiton Limited Deed Poll Guarantee
•  BHP Billiton Plc Deed Poll Guarantee

For information on the effect of each of these agreements, 
refer to section 7.3.

Framework Agreement
On 2 March 2016, BHP Billiton Brasil together with Vale and Samarco, 
entered into a Framework Agreement with the Federal Government 
of Brazil, states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais and certain 
other authorities to establish a foundation (Fundação Renova) 
that will develop and execute environmental and socio-economic 
programs to remediate and provide compensation for damage 
caused by the Samarco dam failure. For a description of the terms 
of the Framework Agreement, refer to section 6.6.

7.5 Constitution
This section sets out a summary of the Constitution of BHP Group 
Limited and the Articles of Association of BHP Group Plc. Where 
the term ‘BHP’ is used in this section, it can mean either BHP Group 
Limited or BHP Group Plc.

Provisions of the Constitution of BHP Group Limited and the 
Articles of Association of BHP Group Plc can be amended only 
where such amendment is approved by special resolution either:
•  by approval as a Class Rights Action, where the amendment 

results in a change to an ‘Entrenched Provision’; or

•  otherwise, as a Joint Electorate Action.

In 2015, shareholders approved a number of amendments to our 
constitutional documents to amend the terms of the Equalisation 
Shares (which were renamed as DLC Dividend Shares) and 
to facilitate the more streamlined conduct of simultaneous 
general meetings.

For a description of Joint Electorate Actions and Class Rights 
Actions, refer to section 7.3.2.

7.5.1 Directors

The Board may exercise all powers of BHP, other than those that 
are reserved for BHP shareholders to exercise in a general meeting.

7.5.2 Power to issue securities

Under the Constitution and Articles of Association, the Board of 
Directors has the power to issue any BHP shares or other securities 
(including redeemable shares) with preferred, deferred or other 
special rights, obligations or restrictions. The Board may issue 
shares on any terms it considers appropriate, provided that:
•  the issue does not affect any special rights of shareholders;
•  if required, the issue is approved by shareholders; 
•  if the issue is of a class other than ordinary shares, the rights 

attaching to the class are expressed at the date of issue.

306  BHP Annual Report 2019

7.5.5 Appointment and retirement 
of Directors

Appointment of Directors
The Constitution and Articles of Association provide that a person 
may be appointed as a Director of BHP by the existing Directors 
of BHP or may be elected by the shareholders in a general meeting.

Any person appointed as a Director of BHP by the existing Directors 
will hold office only until the next general meeting that includes an 
election of Directors.

A person may be nominated by shareholders as a Director of BHP if:
•  a shareholder provides a valid written notice of the nomination;
•  the person nominated by the shareholder satisfies candidature 
for the office and consents in writing to his or her nomination 
as a Director,

in each case, at least 40 business days before the earlier of the date 
of the general meeting of BHP Group Plc and the corresponding 
general meeting of BHP Group Limited. The person nominated 
as a Director may be elected to the Board by ordinary resolution 
passed in a general meeting.

Under the Articles of Association, if a person is validly nominated 
for election as a Director at a general meeting of BHP Group 
Limited, the Directors of BHP Group Plc must nominate that person 
as a Director at the corresponding general meeting of BHP Group 
Plc. An equivalent requirement is included in the Constitution, 
which requires any person validly nominated for election as a 
Director of BHP Group Plc to be nominated as a Director of BHP 
Group Limited.

Retirement of Directors
The Board has a policy consistent with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code under which all Directors must, if they wish to remain on the 
Board, seek re-election by shareholders annually. This policy took 
effect from the 2011 Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and replaced 
the previous system that required Directors to submit themselves 
to shareholders for re-election at least every three years.

A Director may be removed by BHP in accordance with 
applicable law and must vacate his or her office as a Director 
in certain circumstances set out in the Constitution and Articles 
of Association. There is no requirement for a Director to retire 
on reaching a certain age.

7.5.6 Rights attaching to shares

Dividend rights
Under English law, dividends on shares may only be paid out of 
profits available for distribution. Under Australian law, dividends 
on shares may be paid only if the company’s assets exceed its 
liabilities immediately before the dividend is determined and the 
excess is sufficient for payment of the dividend, the payment of 
the dividend is fair and reasonable to the company’s shareholders 
as a whole and the payment of the dividend does not materially 
prejudice the company’s ability to pay its creditors.

The Constitution and Articles of Association provide that payment 
of any dividend may be made in any manner, by any means and 
in any currency determined by the Board.

All unclaimed dividends may be invested or otherwise used 
by the Board for the benefit of whichever of BHP Group Limited 
or BHP Group Plc determined that dividend, until claimed or, 
in the case of BHP Group Limited, otherwise disposed of according 
to law. BHP Group Limited is governed by the Victorian unclaimed 
monies legislation, which requires BHP Group Limited to pay to the 
State Revenue Office any unclaimed dividend payments of A$20 
or more that have remained unclaimed for over 12 months.

In the case of BHP Group Plc, any dividend unclaimed after a period 
of 12 years from the date the dividend was determined or became 
due for payment will be forfeited and returned to BHP Group Plc.

Voting rights
Voting at any general meeting of BHP shareholders can, 
in the first instance, be conducted by a show of hands unless 
a poll is demanded in accordance with the Constitution or 
Articles of Association (as applicable) or is otherwise required 
(as outlined below).

Generally, matters considered by shareholders at an AGM of 
BHP Group Limited or BHP Group Plc constitute Joint Electorate 
Actions or Class Rights Actions and must be decided on a poll 
and in the manner described under the headings ‘Joint Electorate 
Actions’ and ‘Class Rights Actions’ in section 7.3.2. This means that, 
in practice, most items of business at AGMs are decided by way 
of a poll.

In addition, at any general meeting a resolution, other than a 
procedural resolution, put to the vote of the meeting on which the 
holder of the relevant BHP Special Voting Share is entitled to vote 
must be decided on a poll.

For the purposes of determining which shareholders are entitled 
to attend or vote at a meeting of BHP Group Plc or BHP Group 
Limited, and how many votes such shareholder may cast, the Notice 
of Meeting will specify when a shareholder must be entered on 
the Register of Shareholders in order to have the right to attend 
or vote at the meeting. The specified time must be not more than 
48 hours before the time of the meeting.

Shareholders who wish to appoint a proxy to attend, vote or speak 
at a meeting of BHP Group Plc or BHP Group Limited (as appropriate) 
on their behalf must deposit the relevant form appointing a proxy 
so that it is received by that company not less than 48 hours before 
the time of the meeting.

Rights to share in BHP Group Limited’s profits
The rights attached to the ordinary shares of BHP Group Limited, 
as regards the participation in the profits available for distribution, 
are as follows:
•  The holders of any preference shares will be entitled, in priority 
to any payment of dividend to the holders of any other class 
of shares, to a preferred right to participate as regards dividends 
up to but not beyond a specified amount in distribution.

•  Subject to the special rights attaching to any preference shares, 
but in priority to any payment of dividends on all other classes 
of shares, the holder of the DLC Dividend Share (if any) will be 
entitled to be paid such non-cumulative dividends as the Board 
may, subject to the cap referred to in section 7.3 and the DLC 
Dividend Share being held by BHP Group Plc or a wholly owned 
member of its group, decide to pay on that DLC Dividend Share.
•  Any surplus remaining after payment of the distributions above 
will be payable to the holders of BHP Group Limited ordinary 
shares and the BHP Group Limited Special Voting Share in equal 
amounts per share.

BHP Annual Report 2019  307

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On a return of assets on liquidation of BHP Group Plc, subject to 
the payment of all amounts payable under the special provisions 
referred to earlier, prior ranking amounts owed to the creditors 
of BHP Group Plc and to all prior ranking statutory entitlements, 
the assets of BHP Group Plc to be distributed on a winding-up are 
to be distributed to the holders of shares in the following order 
of priority:
•  To the holders of the cumulative preference shares, the repayment 

of a sum equal to the nominal capital paid up or credited 
as paid up on the cumulative preference shares held by them 
and any accrued Preferential Dividend, whether or not such 
dividend has been earned or declared, calculated up to the date 
of commencement of the winding-up.

•  To the holders of the BHP Group Plc ordinary shares and to the 
holders of the BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share and the DLC 
Dividend Share, the payment out of surplus, if any, remaining after 
the distribution above of an equal amount for each BHP Group Plc 
ordinary share, the BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share and the 
DLC Dividend Share subject to a maximum in the case of the 
BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share and the DLC Dividend Share 
of the nominal capital paid up on such shares.

7.5.8 Redemption of preference shares

If BHP Group Limited at any time proposes to create and issue 
any preference shares, the terms of the preference shares may 
give either or both BHP Group Limited and the holder the right 
to redeem the preference shares.

The preference shares terms may also give the holder the right 
to convert the preference shares into ordinary shares.

Under the Constitution, the preference shares must give the holders:
•  the right (on redemption and on a winding-up) to payment in 

cash in priority to any other class of shares of (i) the amount paid 
or agreed to be considered as paid on each of the preference 
shares; and (ii) the amount, if any, equal to the aggregate of any 
dividends accrued but unpaid and of any arrears of dividends;

•  the right, in priority to any payment of dividend on any other 

class of shares, to the preferential dividend.

There is no equivalent provision in the Articles of Association 
of BHP Group Plc, although as noted in section 7.5.2, BHP can 
issue preference shares that are subject to a right of redemption 
on terms the Board considers appropriate.

7.5.9 Capital calls

Subject to the terms on which any shares may have been issued, 
the Board may make calls on the shareholders in respect of 
all monies unpaid on their shares. BHP has a lien on every partly 
paid share for all amounts payable in respect of that share. 
Each shareholder is liable to pay the amount of each call in the 
manner, at the time and at the place specified by the Board 
(subject to receiving at least 14 days’ notice specifying the time 
and place for payment). A call is considered to have been made 
at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call 
was passed.

Rights to share in BHP Group Plc’s profits
The rights attached to the ordinary shares of BHP Group Plc, 
in relation to the participation in the profits available for distribution, 
are as follows:
•  The holders of the cumulative preference shares will be entitled, 
in priority to any payment of dividend to the holders of any other 
class of shares, to be paid a fixed cumulative preferential dividend 
(Preferential Dividend) at a rate of 5.5 per cent per annum, to be 
paid annually in arrears on 31 July in each year or, if any such date 
will be a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England, on the 
first business day following such date in each year. Payments 
of Preferential Dividends will be made to holders on the register 
at any date selected by the Directors up to 42 days prior to the 
relevant fixed dividend date.

•  Subject to the rights attaching to the cumulative preference shares, 
but in priority to any payment of dividends on all other classes 
of shares, the holder of the BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share 
will be entitled to be paid a fixed dividend of US$0.01 per annum, 
payable annually in arrears on 31 July.

•  Subject to the rights attaching to the cumulative preference 

shares and the BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share, but in priority 
to any payment of dividends on all other classes of shares, 
the holder of the DLC Dividend Share will be entitled to be 
paid such non-cumulative dividends as the Board may, subject 
to the cap referred to in section 7.3 of this Annual Report and 
the DLC Dividend Share being held by BHP Group Limited 
or a wholly owned member of its group, decide to pay on that 
DLC Dividend Share.

•  Any surplus remaining after payment of the distributions above 
will be payable to the holders of the BHP Group Plc ordinary 
shares in equal amounts per BHP Group Plc ordinary share.

DLC Dividend Share
As set out in section 7.3.2, each of BHP Group Limited and 
BHP Group Plc is authorised to issue a DLC Dividend Share 
to the other company or a wholly owned subsidiary of it.

The dividend rights attaching to a DLC Dividend Share are 
described above and in section 7.3. The DLC Dividend Share issued 
by BHP Group Limited (BHP Group Limited DLC Dividend Share) 
and the DLC Dividend Share that may be issued by BHP Group Plc 
(BHP Group Plc DLC Dividend Share) have no voting rights and, 
as set out in section 7.5.7 below, very limited rights to a return 
of capital on a winding-up. A DLC Dividend Share may be redeemed 
at any time, and must be redeemed if a person other than:
•  in the case of the BHP Group Limited DLC Dividend Share, 
BHP Group Plc or a wholly owned member of its group;

•  in the case of the BHP Group Plc DLC Dividend Share, 

BHP Group Limited or a wholly owned member of its group,

becomes the beneficial owner of the DLC Dividend Share.

7.5.7 Rights on return of assets on liquidation

Under the DLC structure, special provisions designed to ensure that, 
as far as practicable, the holders of ordinary shares in BHP Group 
Limited and holders of ordinary shares in BHP Group Plc are treated 
equitably having regard to the Equalisation Ratio, which would apply 
in the event of an insolvency of either or both companies.

On a return of assets on liquidation of BHP Group Limited, the assets 
of BHP Group Limited remaining available for distribution among 
shareholders after the payment of all prior ranking amounts owed 
to all creditors and holders of preference shares, and to all prior 
ranking statutory entitlements, are to be applied subject to the 
special provisions referred to above in paying to the holders of the 
BHP Group Limited Special Voting Share and the DLC Dividend 
Share of an amount of up to A$2.00 on each such share, on an equal 
priority with any amount paid to the holders of BHP Group Limited 
ordinary shares, and any surplus remaining is to be applied in making 
payments solely to the holders of BHP Group Limited ordinary shares 
in accordance with their entitlements.

308  BHP Annual Report 2019

7.5.10 Borrowing powers

7.5.12 Limitations of rights to own securities

Subject to relevant law, the Directors may exercise all powers of 
BHP to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, 
property, assets (both present and future) and all uncalled capital 
or any part or parts thereof and to issue debentures and other 
securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, 
liability or obligation of BHP or of any third party.

There are no limitations under the Constitution or the Articles 
of Association restricting the right to own BHP shares other 
than restrictions that reflect the takeovers codes under relevant 
Australian and English law. In addition, the Australian Foreign 
Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 imposes a number of conditions 
that restrict foreign ownership of Australian-based companies.

For information on share control limits imposed by the Constitution 
and the Articles of Association, as well as relevant laws, refer to 
sections 7.9 and 7.3.2.

7.5.13 Documents on display

Documents filed by BHP Group Limited on the Australian Securities 
Exchange (ASX) are available at asx.com.au and documents filed 
on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) by BHP Group Plc are available 
at morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM. Documents filed on the ASX, or on 
the LSE are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. 
The documents referred to in this Annual Report as being available 
on our website, bhp.com, are not incorporated by reference and 
do not form part of this Annual Report.

BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc both file Annual Reports and 
other reports and information with the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC). These filings are available on the SEC website 
at sec.gov.

Rights attached to any class of shares issued by either BHP Group 
Limited or BHP Group Plc can only be varied (whether as a Joint 
Electorate Action or a Class Rights Action) where such variation 
is approved by:
•  the company that issued the relevant shares, as a special resolution;
•  the holders of the issued shares of the affected class, either by

a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders
of the issued shares of the class affected, or with the written
consent of members with at least 75 per cent of the votes
of that class.

7.5.11 Conditions governing general meetings

The Board may, and must on requisition in accordance with 
applicable laws, call a general meeting of the shareholders 
at the time and place or places and in the manner determined 
by the Board. No shareholder may convene a general meeting 
of BHP except where entitled under law to do so. Any Director 
may convene a general meeting whenever the Director thinks fit. 
General meetings can also be cancelled, postponed or adjourned, 
where permitted by law or the Constitution or Articles of Association. 
Notice of a general meeting must be given to each shareholder 
entitled to vote at the meeting and such notice of meeting must 
be given in the form and manner in which the Board thinks fit. 
Five shareholders of the relevant company present in person 
or by proxy constitute a quorum for a meeting. A shareholder 
who is entitled to attend and cast a vote at a general meeting 
of BHP may appoint a person as a proxy to attend and vote 
for the shareholder in accordance with applicable law. 
All provisions relating to general meetings apply with any 
necessary modifications to any special meeting of any class 
of shareholders that may be held.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  309

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.6 Share ownership
Share capital
The details of the share capital for both BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc are presented in note 15 ‘Share capital’ in section 5 
and remain current as at 23 August 2019.

Major shareholders
The tables in section 3.3.20 and the information set out in section 4.18 present information pertaining to the shares in BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc held by Directors and members of the Key Management Personnel (KMP).

Neither BHP Group Limited nor BHP Group Plc is directly or indirectly controlled by another corporation or by any government. Other than 
as described in section 7.3.2, no major shareholder possesses voting rights that differ from those attaching to all of BHP Group Limited 
and BHP Group Plc’s voting securities.

Substantial shareholders in BHP Group Limited
The following table shows holdings of 5 per cent or more of voting rights in BHP Group Limited’s shares as notified to BHP Group Limited 
under the Australian Corporations Act 2001, Section 671B as at 30 June 2019.(1)

Title of class

Identity of person or group

Date received

Date of change Number owned

2019

2018

2017

Ordinary shares BlackRock Group

19 December 2016 15 December 2016

160,784,672

5.46%

5.00%

5.00%

(1)  No changes in the holdings of 5 per cent or more of the voting rights in BHP Group Limited’s shares have been notified to BHP Group Limited between 1 July 2019 

and 23 August 2019.

(2) The percentages quoted are based on the total voting rights conferred by ordinary shares in BHP Group Limited as at 23 August 2019 of 2,945,851,394.

Date of last notice

Percentage of total voting rights (2)

Substantial shareholders in BHP Group Plc
The following table shows holdings of 3 per cent or more of voting rights conferred by BHP Group Plc’s ordinary shares as notified 
to BHP Group Plc under the UK Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5 as at 30 June 2019.(1)

Date of last notice

Percentage of total voting rights (2)

Title of class

Identity of person or group

Date received

Date of change Number owned

2019

2018

2017

Ordinary shares Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited

8 October 2015

7 October 2015

103,108,283

4.88%

4.88%

4.88%

Ordinary shares BlackRock, Inc.

3 December 2009

1 December 2009

213,014,043

10.08%

10.08%

10.08%

Ordinary shares Elliott Capital Advisors, L.P. (3)

3 February 2018

1 February 2018

115,183,724

Ordinary shares Norges Bank

20 February 2019

19 February 2019

64,753,649

5.45%

3.07%

5.45%

5.04%

–

–

(1)  No changes in the holdings of 3 per cent or more of the voting rights in BHP Group Plc’s shares notified to BHP Group Plc between 1 July 2019 and 23 August 2019.
(2) The percentages quoted are based on the total voting rights conferred by ordinary shares in BHP Group Plc as at 23 August 2019 of 2,112,071,796.
(3) Holding is made up of 4.65 per cent ordinary shares and 0.80 per cent by financial instruments.

Twenty largest shareholders as at 23 August 2019 (as named on the Register of Shareholders) (1)

BHP Group Limited

1.  HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited
2.  J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited 
3.  Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd 
4.   Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited  
5.   National Nominees Limited 
6.   BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd  
7.   BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 
8.   Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited  
9.   HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited  
10.  Computershare Nominees CI Ltd  
11.   Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited 
12.  AMP Life Limited 
13.  HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited  
14.  Argo Investments Limited 
15.  HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
16.  HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited-GSCO ECA 
17.  Netwealth Investments Limited  
18.  Solium Nominees (Australia) Pty Ltd  
19.  Milton Corporation Limited 
20. HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited – A/C 2

Number of fully 
paid shares

% of issued 
capital

696,525,894
505,431,943 
149,846,097
149,653,998
102,921,248
70,188,694
28,029,996
27,997,279
20,238,305
15,248,848
13,413,159
8,320,146
8,101,034
7,406,304
7,402,439
6,456,673
5,144,844
5,057,527
4,288,921
3,832,347

1,835,505,696

23.64
 17.16
5.09
5.08
3.49
2.38
0.95
0.95
0.69
0.52
0.46
0.28
0.27
0.25
0.25
0.22
0.17
0.17
0.15
0.13

62.31

310  BHP Annual Report 2019

BHP Group Plc

1.  PLC Nominees (Proprietary) Limited (2) 
2.  State Street Nominees Limited  
3.  National City Nominees Limited
4.  Chase Nominees Limited 
5.  The Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited 
6.  Vidacos Nominees Limited <13559>
7.  State Street Nominees Limited 
8.  Nortrust Nominees Limited
9.  Government Employees Pension Fund – PIC
10. Chase Nominees Limited 
11.  Hanover Nominees Limited 
12.  Hanover Nominees Limited 
13. State Street Nominees Limited 
14. Vidacos Nominees Limited 
15.  Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa 
16. HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited <357206> 
17.  Lynchwood Nominees Limited <2006420> 
18. Chase Nominees Limited  
19.  Nutraco Nominees Limited <781221> 
20. Nortrust Nominees Limited 

Number of fully 
paid shares

% of issued 
capital

283,125,532
142,600,568
113,078,903
103,013,309
87,150,571
65,613,350
49,448,257
42,734,802
36,172,491
34,378,755
32,924,725
32,305,273
29,947,828
29,876,776
23,537,693
23,041,488
22,504,189
20,748,128
19,541,800
19,389,241

13.41
6.75
5.35
4.88
4.13
3.11
2.34
2.02
1.71
1.63
1.56
1.53
1.42
1.41
1.11
1.09
1.07
0.98
0.93
0.92

1,211,133,679

57.35

(1)  Many of the 20 largest shareholders shown for BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc hold shares as a nominee or custodian. In accordance with the reporting 

requirements, the tables reflect the legal ownership of shares and not the details of the underlying beneficial holders.

(2) The largest holder on the South African register of BHP Group Plc is the Strate nominee in which the majority of shares in South Africa (including some of the 

shareholders included in this list) are held in dematerialised form.

US share ownership as at 23 August 2019

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

Number of 
shareholders

 %

Number of
shares

Number of 
shareholders

 %

 %

Number of 
shares

Classification of holder
Registered holders 
of voting securities
ADR holders

1,569
1,541

0.31
0.30

3,849,670
148,315,626 (1)

0.13
5.03

77
191

0.52
1.30

97,751

113,078,902 (2)

(1)  These shares translate to 74,157,813ADRs.
(2) These shares translate to 56,539,451ADRs.

Geographical distribution of shareholders and shareholdings as at 23 August 2019

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

Number of 
shareholders

%

Number of 
shares

Number of 
shareholders

%

%

Number of 
shares

Registered address
Australia
New Zealand
United Kingdom
United States
South Africa
Other

Total

494,756
9,506
2,613
1,569
112
3,637

512,193

96.60 2,889,109,284
21,786,810
7,083,145
3,849,670
242,427
23,780,058

1.86
0.51
0.31
0.02
0.70

98.07
0.74
0.24
0.13
0.01
0.81

100.00  2,945,851,394

100.00

1,529
31
9,968
77
2,038
1,086

14,729

10.38
0.21

2,027,134
48,586
67.68 1,807,028,803
97,751
0.52
300,017,550
13.84
2,851,972
7.37

 %

0.01
5.35

%

0.09
0.01
85.55
0.01
14.20
0.14

100.00

2,112,071,796

100.00

BHP Annual Report 2019  311

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Distribution of shareholdings by size as at 23 August 2019

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

Number of 
shareholders

 %

Number of

shares (1)

Number of 
shareholders

 %

 %

Number of

shares (1)

Size of holding
1 – 500 (2)
501 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
5,001 – 10,000
10,001 – 25,000
25,001 – 50,000
50,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 250,000
250,001 – 500,000
500,001 – 1,000,000
1,000,001 and over

Total

224,117
98,935
148,391
23,896
12,663
2,750
929
373
77
19
43

512,193

43.76
19.32
28.97
4.67
2.47
0.54
0.18
0.07
0.01
0.00
0.01

49,924,453
75,872,633
332,264,482
168,844,054
190,344,546
93,470,093
63,488,321
52,823,350
26,239,996
13,634,490
1,878,944,976

1.69
2.58
11.28
5.73
6.46
3.17
2.17
1.79
0.89
0.46
63.78

7,805
2,545
2,549
363
353
221
211
242
122
113
205

1,602,338
52.99
1,871,715
17.28
5,137,813
17.31
2,580,765
2.46
5,769,986
2.40
8,117,167
1.50
15,473,078
1.43
38,955,495
1.64
44,406,501
0.83
0.77
82,536,133
1.39 1,905,620,805

(1)  One ordinary share entitles the holder to one vote.
(2) The number of BHP Group Limited shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel (A$500) based on the market price of A$35.42 as at 23 August 2019 was 5,712.

100.00 2,945,851,394

100.00

14,729

100.00

2,112,071,796

100.00

BHP Group Limited

BHP Group Plc

Number of 
shareholders

%

Number of 
shares

Number of 
shareholders

 %

%

Number of 
shares

Classification of holder
Corporate
Private

Total

147,355
364,838

512,193

28.77 2,122,333,644
823,517,750
71.23

72.04
27.96

100.00 2,945,851,394

100.00

5,421
9,308

14,729

36.80 2,103,437,640
8,634,156
63.20

100.00

2,112,071,796

100.00

 %

0.08
0.09
0.24
0.12
0.27
0.38
0.73
1.85
2.10
3.91
90.23

%

99.59
0.41

Payments
BHP Group Limited shareholders may currently have their cash 
dividends paid directly into their bank account in Australian dollars, 
UK pounds sterling, New Zealand dollars or US dollars, provided 
they have submitted direct credit details and if required, a valid 
currency election nominating a financial institution to the BHP Share 
Registrar in Australia no later than close of business on the dividend 
reinvestment election date. BHP Group Limited shareholders 
who do not provide their direct credit details will receive dividend 
payments by way of a cheque in Australian dollars.

BHP Group Plc shareholders on the UK register who wish to receive 
their dividends in US dollars must complete the appropriate election 
form and return it to the BHP Share Registrar in the United Kingdom 
no later than close of business on the dividend reinvestment election 
date. BHP Group Plc shareholders may have their cash dividends paid 
directly into a bank or building society by completing a dividend 
mandate form, which is available from the BHP Share Registrar in the 
United Kingdom or South Africa.

Dividend reinvestment plan
BHP offers a dividend reinvestment plan to registered shareholders, 
which provides the opportunity to use cash dividends to purchase 
BHP shares in the market.

7.7 Dividends
Policy
The Group adopted a dividend policy in February 2016 that provides 
for a minimum 50 per cent payout of Underlying attributable profit 
at every reporting period. For information on Underlying attributable 
profit for FY2019, refer to section 1.12.1.

The Board will assess, at every reporting period, the ability to pay 
amounts additional to the minimum payment, in accordance with 
the Capital Allocation Framework, as described in section 1.4.3.

In FY2019, we determined our dividends and other distributions in 
US dollars as it is our main functional currency. BHP Group Limited 
paid its dividends in Australian dollars, UK pounds sterling, New 
Zealand dollars and US dollars. BHP Group Plc paid its dividends 
in UK pounds sterling (or US dollars, if elected) to shareholders 
registered on its principal register in the United Kingdom and in 
South African rand to shareholders registered on its branch register 
in South Africa.

Currency conversions were based on the foreign currency exchange 
rates on the dividend reinvestment election date, except for the 
conversion into South African rand, which takes place one week 
before the record date. Aligning the currency conversion date 
with the dividend reinvestment election date (for all currencies 
except the conversion into South African rand) enables a high level 
of certainty around the currency required to pay the dividend. This 
helps to reduce the Group’s exposure to movements in exchange 
rates since the number of shares on which dividends are payable 
(and the elected currency) is final at close of business on the 
dividend reinvestment election date. BHP paid a special dividend 
in FY2019 where the dividend reinvestment plan was not offered 
to shareholders, currency conversions were based on the foreign 
currency exchange rates on the record date, except for the 
conversion into South African rand, which took place a week 
before the record date.

Aligning the final date to receive currency elections (currency 
election date) with the dividend reinvestment election date further 
simplifies the process.

312  BHP Annual Report 2019

7.8 American Depositary Receipts fees 
and charges
We have American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programs for 
BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc.

Depositary fees
Citibank serves as the depositary bank for both of our ADR programs. 
ADR holders agree to the terms in the deposit agreement filed 
with the SEC for depositing ADSs or surrendering the ADSs for 
cancellation and for certain services as provided by Citibank. 
Holders are required to pay all fees for general depositary services 
provided by Citibank in each of our ADR programs, as set forth 
in the tables below.

Standard depositary fees:

Depositary service

Fee payable by the ADR holders

Issuance of ADSs upon deposit 
of shares

Up to US$5.00 per 100 ADSs 
(or fraction thereof) issued

Delivery of Deposited Securities 
against surrender of ADSs

Up to US$5.00 per 100 ADSs 
(or fraction thereof) surrendered

Distribution of Cash Distributions

No fee

Corporate actions depositary fees:

Depositary service

Fee payable by the ADR holders

Cash Distributions (i.e. sale of rights, 
other entitlements, return of capital)

Up to US$2.00 per 100 ADSs 
(or fraction thereof) held

Distribution of ADSs pursuant 
to exercise of rights to purchase 
additional ADSs. Excludes stock 
dividends and stock splits

Distribution of securities other 
than ADSs or rights to purchase 
additional ADSs (i.e. spin-off shares)

Distribution of ADSs pursuant 
to an ADR ratio change in which 
shares are not distributed

Up to US$5.00 per 100 ADSs 
(or fraction thereof) held

Up to US$5.00 per 100 ADSs 
(or fraction thereof) held

No fee

Fees payable by the Depositary to the Issuer
Citibank has provided BHP net reimbursement of US$1.5 million in 
FY2019 for ADR program-related expenses for both of BHP’s ADR 
programs (FY2018 US$1.5 million). ADR program-related expenses 
include legal and accounting fees, listing fees, expenses related 
to investor relations in the United States, fees payable to service 
providers for the distribution of material to ADR holders, expenses 
of Citibank as administrator of the ADS Direct Plan and expenses 
to remain in compliance with applicable laws.

Citibank has further agreed to waive other ADR program-related 
expenses for FY2019, amounting to less than US$0.03 million, 
which are associated with the administration of the ADR programs 
(FY2018 less than US$0.03 million). 

Our ADR programs trade on the NYSE under the stock tickers BHP 
and BBL for the BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc programs, 
respectively. As of 23 August 2019, there were 74,157,813 ADRs on 
issue and outstanding in the BHP Group Limited ADR program and 
56,539,451 ADRs on issue and outstanding in the BHP Group Plc 
ADR program. Both of the ADR programs have a 2:1 ordinary shares 
to ADR ratio. 

7.9 Government regulations
Our assets are subject to a broad range of laws and regulations 
imposed by governments and regulatory bodies. These regulations 
touch all aspects of our assets, including how we extract, process 
and explore for minerals, oil and natural gas and how we conduct 
our business, including regulations governing matters such 
as environmental protection, land rehabilitation, occupational 
health and safety, the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples, 
competition, foreign investment, export, marketing of minerals, 
oil and natural gas and taxes.

The ability to extract minerals, oil and natural gas is fundamental 
to BHP. In most jurisdictions, the rights to extract mineral or 
petroleum deposits are owned by the government. We obtain 
the right to access the land and extract the product by entering 
into licences or leases with the government that owns the mineral, 
oil or natural gas deposit. The terms of the lease or licence, 
including the time period of the lease or licence, vary depending 
on the laws of the relevant government or terms negotiated 
with the relevant government. Generally, we own the product 
we extract and we are required to pay royalties or similar taxes 
to the government.

Related to our ability to extract is our ability to process the extracted 
minerals, oil or natural gas. Again, we rely on governments to grant 
the rights necessary to transport and treat the extracted material 
to prepare it for sale.

The rights to explore for minerals, oil and natural gas are granted 
to us by the government that owns the natural resources we 
wish to explore. Usually, the right to explore carries with it the 
obligation to spend a defined amount of money on the exploration, 
or to undertake particular exploration activities.

In certain jurisdictions where we have assets, such as Trinidad 
and Tobago, a production sharing contract (PSC) governs the 
relationship between the government and companies concerning 
how much of the oil and gas extracted from the country each will 
receive. In PSCs, the government awards rights for the execution 
of exploration, development and production activities to the 
company. The company bears the financial risk of the initiative and 
explores, develops and ultimately produces the field as required. 
When successful, the company is permitted to use the money 
from a certain set percentage of produced oil and gas to recover 
its capital and operational expenditures, known as ‘cost oil’. 
The remaining production is known as ‘profit oil’ and is split 
between the government and the company at a rate determined 
by the government and set out in the PSC.

Environmental protection, mine closure and land rehabilitation, 
and occupational health and safety are principally regulated 
by governments and to a lesser degree, if applicable, by leases. 
These obligations often require us to make substantial expenditures 
to minimise or remediate the environmental impact of our assets 
and to ensure the safety of our employees and contractors. 
Regulations setting emissions standards for fuels used to power 
vehicles and equipment at our assets and the modes of transport 
used in our supply chains can also have a substantial impact, 
both directly and indirectly, on the markets for these products, 
with flow-on impacts on our costs. For more information on these 
types of obligations, refer to section 1.10.

From time-to-time, certain trade sanctions are adopted by the 
United Nations (UN) Security Council and/or various governments, 
including in the United Kingdom, the United States, the European 
Union (EU) and Australia against certain countries, entities or 
individuals, that may restrict our ability to sell extracted minerals, 
oil or natural gas and/or our ability to purchase goods or services.

BHP Annual Report 2019  313

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Disclosure of Iran-related activities pursuant to section 13(r) 
of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 13(r) of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
(the Exchange Act) requires an issuer to disclose in its annual reports 
whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain 
activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran. If applicable, 
disclosure is required even where the activities, transactions 
or dealings are conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. 
persons in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not 
the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law. Provided in this 
section is certain information concerning activities of certain 
affiliates of BHP that took place in FY2019. BHP believes that 
these activities are not sanctionable either as being outside the 
scope of U.S. sanctions, or within the scope of a specific licence 
issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury‘s Office of Foreign 
Assets Control (OFAC).

On 30 November 2018, BHP Billiton Petroleum Great Britain Ltd 
(BHP GB), a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP, and its co-venturers 
in the Bruce and Keith gas and oil fields offshore United Kingdom 
(BP Exploration Operating Company (BP), Marubeni Oil & Gas (UK) 
Limited (Marubeni) and Total E&P UK Limited (Total)) completed 
the sale of their interests in the Bruce and Keith gas and oil 
fields to Serica Energy (UK) Limited (Serica) (the Bruce and Keith 
Transaction). BHP divested its entire licence interests in Bruce 
and Keith but retained the obligation to fund decommissioning 
in accordance with its previous licence interest.

The transfer of licence interests and retention of decommissioning 
liabilities for the Bruce and Keith co-venturers in the respective gas 
and oil fields is described below:

BP
Total
BHP GB
Marubeni
Serica

Bruce

Keith

Pre sale 
interest %

Post sale licence 
interest %

Post-sale 
decom. interest

Pre sale 
interest %

Post sale licence 
interest %

Post-sale 
decom. interest

37%
43.25%
16%
3.65%
0%

1%
1%
0%
0%
98%

37%
43.25%
16%
0%
3.65%

34.83%
25%
31.83%
8.33%
0%

1%
1%
0%
0%
98%

34.83%
25%
31.83%
0%
8.33%

While the sale closed on 30 November 2018, it was effective in 
economic terms as of 1 January 2018. BHP received initial cash 
consideration from Serica, and will subsequently receive (1) a share 
of pre-tax net cash flow attributable to its historic interest in the 
Bruce and Keith gas and oil fields of 60 per cent during December 
2018, 50 per cent in 2019 and 40 per cent in each of 2020 and 
2021 under a Net Cash Flow Sharing Deed, and (2) a share of 
projected decommissioning costs up to a specified cap. 

The Bruce platform provides transportation and processing 
services to the nearby Rhum gas field pursuant to a contract 
between the Bruce owners and Rhum owners (the Bruce-Rhum 
Agreement). At the same time as the Bruce and Keith Transaction, 
Serica acquired from BP its 50 per cent interest and operatorship 
of the Rhum gas field. The Rhum gas field is now owned by a 50:50 
unincorporated joint venture arrangement between Serica and 
Iranian Oil Company (UK) Limited (IOC). IOC is an indirect 
subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which 
is a corporation owned by the Government of Iran. 

OFAC issued license No. IA-2018-352294-2 (the OFAC Licence) 
authorising BP, Serica and all U.S. persons and U.S.-owned or 
-controlled foreign entities identified in the licence application 
to provide goods, services, and support for the operation, 
maintenance, and production of the Rhum gas field, and goods, 
services and support to the Bruce platform for a period from 
2 November 2018 through 31 October 2019. OFAC also provided 
an assurance that non-U.S. companies would not be subject 
to U.S. sanctions for supporting these Rhum activities. 

BHP continues to monitor developments concerning U.S. sanctions 
with respect to Iran to maintain compliance with applicable 
sanctions laws and requirements. Although BHP has no ongoing 
direct dealings with any Iranian party, because BHP will receive 
ongoing consideration from Serica related to the sale of its interest 
in the Bruce-Rhum Agreement, BHP has included this disclosure.

BHP has recognised the following transactions in FY2019 related 
to the Bruce-Rhum Agreement:
(i) 

 for the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 November 2018, BHP 
recognised US$5.5 million in cost recovery under the terms 
of the Bruce-Rhum Agreement, which was booked as a 
reduction in operating expenses for the Bruce gas field;

(ii)   for the period from 1 January 2018 to 30 November 2018, BHP 

paid US$4.6 million from the Bruce-Rhum Agreement to Serica 
as part of a completion payment under the sale and purchase 
agreement governing the Bruce and Keith Transaction;

(iii)   for the period 1 December 2018 to 30 June 2019, BHP 

received US$2.1 million from Serica under the Net Cash 
Flow Sharing Deed.

Uranium production in Australia
To mine, process, transport and sell uranium from within Australia, 
we are required to hold possession and export permissions, 
which are also subject to regulation by the Australian Government 
or bodies that report to the Australian Government.

To possess nuclear material, such as uranium, in Australia, a Permit 
to Possess Nuclear Materials (Possession Permit) must be held 
pursuant to the Australian Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) 
Act 1987 (Non-Proliferation Act). A Possession Permit is issued by 
the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, an office 
established under the Non-Proliferation Act, which administers 
Australia’s domestic nuclear safeguards requirements and reports 
to the Australian Government.

To export uranium from Australia, a Permit to Export Natural Uranium 
(Export Permit) must be held pursuant to the Australian Customs 
(Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958. The Export Permit is issued 
by the Minister with responsibility for Resources and Energy.

A special permit to transport nuclear material is required under the 
Non-Proliferation Act by a party that transports nuclear material from 
one specified location to another specified location. As we engage 
service providers to transport uranium, each of those service 
providers is required to hold a permit to transport nuclear material 
issued by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office.

314  BHP Annual Report 2019

Exchange controls and shareholding limits
BHP Group Plc
There are no laws or regulations currently in force in the United 
Kingdom that restrict the export or import of capital or the payment 
of dividends to non-resident holders of BHP Group Plc’s shares, 
although the Group does operate in some other jurisdictions 
where the payment of dividends could be affected by exchange 
control approvals.

From time-to-time, certain sanctions are adopted by the 
UN Security Council and/or various governments, including 
in the United Kingdom, the United States, the EU and Australia 
against certain countries, entities or individuals that may restrict 
the export or import of capital or the remittance of dividends 
to certain non-resident holders of BHP Group Plc’s shares.

There are no restrictions under BHP Group Plc’s Articles of 
Association or (subject to the effect of any sanctions) under 
English law that limit the right of non-resident or foreign 
owners to hold or vote BHP Group Plc’s shares.

There are certain restrictions on shareholding levels under 
BHP Group Plc’s Articles of Association described below.

BHP Group Limited
Under current Australian legislation, the payment of any dividends, 
interest or other payments by BHP Group Limited to non-resident 
holders of BHP Group Limited’s shares is not restricted by exchange 
controls or other limitations, except that, in certain circumstances, 
BHP Group Limited may be required to withhold Australian taxes.

From time-to-time, certain sanctions are adopted by the UN Security 
Council and/or various governments, including in the United 
Kingdom, the United States, the EU and Australia. Those sanctions 
prohibit or, in some cases, impose certain approval and reporting 
requirements on transactions involving sanctioned countries, 
entities and individuals and/or assets controlled or owned 
by them. Certain transfers into or out of Australia of amounts 
greater than A$10,000 in any currency may also be subject 
to reporting requirements.

The Australian Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 
(the FATA) restricts certain acquisitions of interests in shares in 
Australian companies, including BHP Group Limited. Generally, 
under the FATA, the prior approval of the Australian Treasurer 
must be obtained for proposals by a foreign person (either alone 
or together with its associates) to acquire 20 per cent or more 
of the voting power or issued shares in an Australian company. 
Any acquisition by a foreign government investor of the voting 
power or issued shares in an Australia company will require the 
prior approval of the Australian Treasurer to be obtained.

The FATA also empowers the Treasurer to make certain orders 
prohibiting acquisitions by foreign persons in Australian companies, 
including BHP Group Limited (and requiring divestiture if the 
acquisition has occurred) where the Treasurer considers the 
acquisition to be contrary to the national interest. Such orders may 
also be made in respect of acquisitions by foreign persons where 
two or more foreign persons (and their associates) in aggregate 
already control 40 per cent or more of the issued shares or voting 
power in an Australian company, including BHP Group Limited.

The restrictions in the FATA on share acquisitions in BHP Group 
Limited described above apply equally to share acquisitions in 
BHP Group Plc because BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc 
are dual listed entities.

There are certain other statutory restrictions and restrictions under 
BHP Group Limited’s Constitution and BHP Group Plc’s Articles 
of Association that apply generally to acquisitions of shares in 
BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc (i.e. the restrictions are not 
targeted at foreign persons only). These include restrictions on 
a person (and associates) breaching a voting power threshold of:
•  above 20 per cent in relation to BHP Group Limited on a 

‘stand-alone’ basis (i.e. calculated as if there were no Special 
Voting Share and only counting BHP Group Limited’s 
ordinary shares);

•  30 per cent of BHP Group Plc. This is the threshold for a mandatory 

offer under Rule 9 of the UK takeover code and this threshold 
applies to all voting rights of BHP Group Plc (therefore including 
voting rights attached to the BHP Group Plc Special Voting Share);
•  30 per cent in relation to BHP Group Plc on a ‘stand-alone’ basis 
(i.e. calculated as if there were no Special Voting Share and only 
counting BHP Group Plc’s ordinary shares);

•  above 20 per cent in relation to BHP Group Plc, calculated 

having regard to all the voting power on a joint electorate basis 
(i.e. calculated on the aggregate of BHP Group Limited’s and 
BHP Group Plc’s ordinary shares).

Under BHP Group Limited’s Constitution and BHP Group Plc’s 
Articles of Association, sanctions for breach of any of these 
thresholds, other than by means of certain ‘permitted acquisitions’, 
include withholding of dividends, voting restrictions and 
compulsory divestment of shares to the extent a shareholder 
and its associates exceed the relevant threshold.

Except for the restrictions under the FATA, there are no limitations, 
either under Australian law or under the Constitution of BHP Group 
Limited, on the right of non-residents to hold or vote BHP Group 
Limited ordinary shares.

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BHP Annual Report 2019  315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key dates for shareholders
The following table sets out future dates in the next financial 
and calendar year of interest to our shareholders. If there are 
any changes to these dates, all relevant stock exchanges 
(see section 7.2) will be notified.

Date

Event

25 September 2019

Final dividend payment date

17 October 2019

7 November 2019

BHP Group Plc Annual General Meeting 
in London
Venue:
The QEII Centre
Broad Sanctuary
Westminster
London SW1P 3EE
United Kingdom
Time: 11.00 am (local time)
Details of the business of the meeting are 
contained in the separate Notice of Meeting

BHP Group Limited Annual General Meeting 
in Sydney
Venue:
International Convention Centre (ICC)
14 Darling Drive
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia
Time: 10.00am (local time)
Details of the business of the meeting are 
contained in the separate Notice of Meeting

18 February 2020

Interim results announced

6 March 2020

Interim dividend record date

24 March 2020

Interim dividend payment date

7.10 Ancillary information for our shareholders
This Annual Report provides the detailed financial data and 
information on BHP’s performance required to comply with 
the reporting regimes in Australia, the United Kingdom 
and the United States.

Shareholders of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc will 
receive a copy of the Annual Report if they have requested a copy. 
ADR holders may view all documents online at bhp.com or opt to 
receive a hard copy by accessing citibank.ar.wilink.com or calling 
Citibank Shareholder Services during normal business hours using 
the details listed on the inside back cover of this Annual Report.

Change of shareholder details and enquiries
Shareholders wishing to contact BHP on any matter relating to their 
shares or ADR holdings are invited to telephone the appropriate 
office of the BHP Share Registrar or Transfer Office listed on the 
inside back cover of this Annual Report.

Any change in shareholding details should be notified by the 
shareholder to the relevant Registrar in a timely manner.

Shareholders can also access their current shareholding details 
and change many of those details online at bhp.com. The website 
requires shareholders to quote their Shareholder Reference 
Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN) in order 
to access this information.

Alternative access to the Annual Report
We offer an alternative for all shareholders who wish to be advised 
of the availability of the Annual Report through our website via 
an email notification. By providing an email address through our 
website, shareholders will be notified by email when the Annual 
Report has been released. Shareholders will also receive notification 
of other major BHP announcements by email. Shareholders requiring 
further information or wishing to make use of this service should visit 
our website, bhp.com.

ADR holders wishing to receive a hard copy of the Annual Report 
2019 can do so by accessing citibank.ar.wilink.com or calling 
Citibank Shareholder Services during normal business hours. 
ADR holders may also contact the adviser that administers their 
investments. Holders of BHP Group Plc shares dematerialised 
into Strate should liaise directly with their Central Securities 
Depository Participant (CSDP) or broker.

316  BHP Annual Report 2019

Corporate directory

BHP Registered Offices
BHP Group Limited 
Australia
171 Collins Street 
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone Australia 1300 55 47 57  
Telephone International +61 3 9609 3333 
Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015

BHP Corporate Centres
Chile
Cerro El Plomo 6000 
Piso 18 
Las Condes 7560623 
Santiago
Telephone +56 2 2579 5000 
Facsimile +56 2 2207 6517

Commercial Office
Singapore
10 Marina Boulevard, #07-01 
Marina Bay Financial Centre, Tower 2 
Singapore 018983
Telephone +65 6421 6000 
Facsimile +65 6421 6800

BHP Group Plc
United Kingdom
Nova South, 160 Victoria Street 
London SW1E 5LB
Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 
Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111

Group General Counsel  
& Company Secretary
Caroline Cox

Share Registrars and Transfer Offices
Australia
BHP Group Limited Registrar 
Computershare Investor Services  
Pty Limited 
Yarra Falls, 452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford VIC 3067 
Postal address – GPO Box 2975 
Melbourne VIC 3001
Telephone 1300 656 780 (within Australia) 
+61 3 9415 4020 (outside Australia)
Facsimile +61 3 9473 2460
Email enquiries: investorcentre.com/bhp

United Kingdom
BHP Group Plc Registrar 
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS13 8AE 
Postal address (for general enquiries) 
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
Telephone +44 344 472 7001 
Facsimile +44 370 703 6101 
Email enquiries:  
investorcentre.co.uk/contactus

United States
Our agent for service in the United States 
is Jennifer Lopez-Burkland at: 
1500 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 150 
Houston, TX 77056-3020
Telephone +1 713 961 8500 
Facsimile +1 713 961 8400

South Africa
BHP Group Plc Branch Register  
and Transfer Secretary 
Computershare Investor Services 
(Pty) Limited 
Rosebank Towers 
15 Biermann Avenue 
Rosebank 
2196, South Africa  
Postal address – PO Box 61051 
Marshalltown 2107
Telephone +27 11 373 0033 
Facsimile +27 11 688 5217 
Email enquiries:  
web.queries@ computershare.co.za
Holders of shares dematerialised into Strate 
should contact their CSDP or stockbroker.

New Zealand
Computershare Investor Services Limited 
Level 2/159 Hurstmere Road 
Takapuna Auckland 0622
Postal address – Private Bag 92119 
Auckland 1142
Telephone +64 9 488 8777 
Facsimile +64 9 488 8787

United States
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
250 Royall Street 
Canton, MA 02021
Postal address – PO Box 43078 
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Telephone +1 888 404 6340 
(toll-free within US) 
Facsimile +1 312 601 4331
ADR Depositary, Transfer Agent and Registrar  
Citibank Shareholder Services 
PO Box 43077 
Providence, RI 02940-3077
Telephone +1 781 575 4555 (outside of US) 
+1 877 248 4237 (+1-877-CITIADR)
(toll-free within US)
Facsimile +1 201 324 3284
Email enquiries:
citibank@ shareholders-online.com
Website: citi.com/dr

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Economic 
Contribution 
Report 2019

Sustainability 
Report 2019

Cover image 
Photographer: Steve Baccon

bhp.com