1851A Dutch party discovers tin at Billiton Island
A Dutch party discovers tin at Billiton Island (Belitung) in the Dutch East Indies. The party is led by Vincent Gildemeester Baron van Tuyll van Serooskerken and John Francis Loudon. Their discovery is in a tropical region, surpassing Cornwall in England as the world's largest producer of tin.
1860NV Billiton Maatschappij is established
NV Billiton Maatschappij is established and the company’s articles of association are signed at the Groot Keizerhof Hotel in The Hague, Netherlands. Two months later, the Billiton Company acquires mineral rights to the Billiton and Bangka Islands. It will mine tin on Billiton Island until 1958.
1883Charles Rasp discovers silver and lead at Broken Hill
Charles Rasp is a boundary rider on a remote Australian sheep station in the Barrier Ranges in New South Wales. While at work he discovers rich silver and lead and pays for one of the biggest mining leases ever taken out on a payable ore body in Australia at that time.
1885Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd is floated
Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd is floated, with its head office in Melbourne. The Company’s directors resolve to hire the best mining experts from around the world. This early emphasis on expertise is the basis of a hiring policy that continues to this day.
1902Invention of the flotation vessel
Inspired partly by brewing techniques, the Potter-Delprat Process is developed by BHP to extract huge tonnages of zinc that were not previously commercially viable. Modern versions of this flotation process are used around the world to extract a wide variety of minerals. Its invention is a high point in the history of metallurgy.
1906Fire breaks out at BHP underground mine
Fire breaks out in BHP’s underground mine at Broken Hill, resulting in the loss of several lives and emphasising the risks associated with mining. Rescue efforts by courageous miners are hampered by poisonous gas. More awards are conferred for acts of bravery than for any previous event in Australian history.
1915Newcastle Steelworks opened
Newcastle Steelworks completed. The first large-scale steelworks in the nation, it will run for the next 84 years. In the next half century, the company’s expanding steelworks, at Newcastle and Port Kembla, attract scores of new businesses and help to industrialise the nation.
1930Billiton establishes a peoples fund
Billiton establishes a peoples fund to provide educational, medical and social services to its workforce. Strong ties and a commitment to communities continue to this day with BHP Billiton.
1934Australian built military aircraft at Port Melbourne begin
BHP’s Managing Director Essington Lewis returns from Japan, convinced it is preparing for war. He forms an Australian syndicate to build military aircraft. During the war, Lewis is the most powerful civilian in the nation and heads the munitions and aircraft industries. He refuses to be paid for his work.
1935Establishment of first bauxite mine on Bintan Island
Billiton expands its business activities, establishing the first bauxite mine on Bintan Island in Indonesia. Six years later, Billiton mines bauxite in Suriname, South America. Bauxite is the raw material for aluminium, the lightweight metal for which demand soars during World War II.
1939The BHP fighter planes against the Japanese
The BHP-led syndicate, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, flies their first planes - the Wirraway – which make up most of the front line fighters when Japan enters the war in 1941. The Wirraways, effectively training planes, are followed by the faster and stronger Boomerangs, Beauforts and Beaufighters.
1941Ship building for the navy at Whyalla
Ship building for the navy begins at Whyalla, South Australia – the site of a new BHP blast furnace. The first corvette, HMAS Whyalla, is launched on 12 May. BHP’s willingness to diversify into a range of activities makes it the nation’s greatest manufacturing company as well as the largest private shipowner.
1957BHP opens Central Research Laboratories at Shortland, Newcastle
To tackle a wide span of challenges, BHP opens Central Research Laboratories at Shortland, Newcastle. The facility is used to research and develop new techniques in ore smelting, refining and steel-making, as well as research new methods and technologies to aid in the discovery and development of natural resources.
1963BHP and Esso collaborate in search for oil
Spearheaded by BHP’s Chief General Manager Ian McLennan and American geologist Dr. Lewis Weeks, BHP and Esso collaborate in the successful search for oil beneath Bass Strait, Victoria. The discovery of crude oil in 1967 and subsequent production insulates Australia against the global oil crisis of 1973-1974.
1968Rich iron ore is developed at Mt. Newman
Huge deposits of rich iron ore are developed at Mt. Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. A long railway is built to the Indian Ocean. Eventually, Port Hedland in Western Australia becomes Australia’s largest port and today, is one of the world’s main bulk-cargo ports.
1970Royal/Dutch Shell Group purchases Billiton
Royal/Dutch Shell Group purchases Billiton on 25 July. In the following two decades, Billiton becomes a mining empire with works extending from Australia to South America. The Company intensifies its exploration, research and development of new mines. It is also at the forefront of sustainable mining practices.
1984BHP acquires Utah International from General Electric
BHP acquires Utah International from General Electric. The purchase makes BHP a major coal exporter in Queensland and extends the Company’s operations into the United States, Brazil, Canada and Chile. The deal transforms BHP into a worldwide minerals company.
1990Escondida in Chile begins producing copper
The huge mine at Escondida in Chile – located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth – begins producing copper. BHP’s controlling interest in Escondida makes it one of the world’s leading copper miners.
1991BHP discovers diamonds in Canada
The discovery of diamonds in Canada was kept secret for four months, but when news broke it sparks the largest staking rush in North American history. 40 million acres are staked over 18 months from Yellowknife to the Arctic Ocean. EKATI would become Canada's first diamond mine officially opening 14 October 1998.
1994Billiton is acquired by Gencor
A major portion of Billiton, including its stakes in mining and metals in 15 countries, is acquired by South African mining company, Gencor. Billiton prospers. It is to be divested from Gencor in 1997 and listed on the London Stock Exchange.
2000BHP formally becomes BHP Limited
BHP formally becomes BHP Limited. It retains the ‘Broken Hill’ in its name even though the ‘Big Mine’ at Broken Hill closed in 1940. Not surprisingly, many Australians continue to believe mistakenly that BHP Billiton still operates at Broken Hill.
2001BHP and Billiton reach agreement to merge
BHP and Billiton reaches an agreement with shareholders to merge on 18 March 2001. The merger receives Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval in June 2001 under the conditions that BHP Billiton Group continue a strong Australian focus with headquarters remaining in Melbourne. European Commission approval follows on 15 June 2001.
2001BHP Billiton's Typhoon Oilfield commences production
Oil and gas production begins at the Typhoon oilfield in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Typhoon was an import step in the delivery of BHP Billiton’s deepwater exploration strategy.
2001Antamina Copper-Zinc project achieves commercial production
BHP Billiton’s Antamina Copper-Zinc mine in northern Peru achieves commercial production more than four months ahead of the original schedule. The mine is among the largest and lowest cost copper-zinc producers in the world.
2001Significant oil discovery made offshore Trinidad
BHP Billiton announces a significant oil discovery offshore Trinidad. This is the first new oil reservoir discovered in 33 years in the country.
2002Demerger of BHP Steel
In July 2002, BHP Billiton announces the demerger of BHP Steel. The demerger is an important milestone in the history of BHP Billiton and the future of BHP Steel.
2004BHP Billiton approves Spence Copper Project
BHP Billiton announces the US$990 million Spence Copper Project in northern Chile. At the time, it is the best undeveloped copper orebody known in the world. Its large reserves, low operating cost structure, high return potential, and close proximity to critical infrastructure, enables it to be one of the world’s top tier mines.
2004BHP Billiton enters joint venture with China and Japan
BHP Billiton announces its intention to form a joint venture with Japan’s JFE Steel Corporation, a recently merged entity of Kawasaki Steel Corporation and NKK. This partnership would be BHP Billiton’s first iron ore joint venture with a Japanese steelmaker.
2005BHP Billiton acquires Western Mining Corporation
BHP Billiton acquires Western Mining Corporation (WMC), an Australian mining and fertiliser company. At takeover, BHP Billiton acquires Nickel West in WA - a fully integrated mine-to-market nickel business - and Olympic Dam in SA – one of the world’s largest deposits of copper, gold, uranium, and a significant deposit of silver.
2005First oil production from the Greater Angostura Field
BHP Billiton announces the first production from the Angostura field in Trinidad and Tobago. Start-up from Angostura represented the first oil production from the northeast coast of Trinidad.
2009First oil and natural gas production from Shenzi
In March 2009, BHP Billiton announces the first oil and natural gas production from the Shenzi development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Boasting the second deepest tension leg platform in the world, the development comes in on time and budget, and is an important milestone for Petroleum.
2010First oil production commences from Pyrenees project
The first oil production commences ahead of schedule from BHP Billiton operated Pyrenees project, offshore Western Australia. The project is very technically challenging, yet is executed extremely well, making significant contributions to Petroleum’s worldwide operations and production volumes for years to come.
2010Athabasca Potash in Canada acquired
BHP Billiton acquires Athabasca Potash in March 2010. This provides BHP Billiton with 100% control of the Burr project and various additional potash exploration properties in Saskatchewan, Canada. This gives BHP Billiton access to a total of more than 14,000 km2 of exploration ground in the Saskatchewan potash basin.
2011First gas commences from the Angostura Gas Project
BHP Billiton commences its first gas production from the Angostura Gas Project, offshore Trinidad and Tobago. Delivered on schedule and budget, the project is an important addition to BHP Billiton’s portfolio, potentially tripling production at the Trinidad and Tobago business over the following year.
2011EKATI Spirit discovered
In 2011, BHP announces the discovery of the most significant gem-quality diamond to be discovered at EKATI Diamond Mine and in Canada. The 78 carat EKATI Spirit, is presented for auction in Antwerp, Belgium, and is a breathtaking example of the stunning gem-quality diamonds produced at EKATI.
2012BHP Billiton consolidates operations
BHP consolidates its operations, selling EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada, Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa, and the Teerlittie Uranium Deposit in Western Australia. This allows BHP Billiton to focus on their core portfolio, supporting the strategy to operate large, long-life, low cost, expandable, upstream assets diversified by commodity, geography and market.
2013BHP Billiton invests in Jansen Potash Project
BHP Billiton invests in the Jansen Potash project, the world’s best undeveloped potash resource, to finish the excavation and lining of the production and service shafts and to the installation of essential surface infrastructure and utilities.
2013Daunia Metallurgical Coal Mine opens in central Queensland
In September 2013, BHP Billiton celebrates the opening of the new Daunia mine, the company’s ninth operating metallurgical coal mine in central Queensland. The project started construction in 2011, and came in under budget, as well as opening four months ahead of schedule.
2013First gas at Macedon gas project
BHP Billiton celebrates its first gas production at Macedon. Building on their strong oil and gas operations in WA, it's BHP Billiton’s largest operated Australian gas project and is expected to supply domestic gas for the wholesale market in WA until at least 2033, as well at 20% of the state’s domestic gas for consumers and industry.
2013BHP Billiton moves into new global headquarters
BHP Billiton officially opens its new head office at 171 Collins Street, a new Melbourne landmark building. The sustainable building has environmental targets which will ensure it operates sustainably for the long term. It achieves Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star 6 Star Office Design and targets 5 Star National Australian Built Environment Rating System.
2015Demerger of South32
On 19 August 2014, BHP announces plans to simplify its portfolio by creating an independent global metals and mining company, South32, based on a selection of its high quality alumina, aluminum, coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc assets. In May 2015, following a successful shareholder vote, South32 is founded.
2016BHP launches Prospects
BHP launches Prospects, a blog series, to provide insights on global trends relevant to their business and our stakeholders.
2017BHP approves extending life of Spence copper mine
BHP announces approval of capital expenditure of US$2.46 billion for the Spence Growth Option which will extend the mine life by more than 50 years.
2017BHP launches Think Big brand campaign
BHP launches the Think Big brand campaign in Australia, their first advertising campaign in over 30 years.
2017BHP and PEMEX sign agreement for oil discovery
BHP advances its deep-water oil exploration and production interests in the Gulf of Mexico with PEMEX.
2017Yandi achieves one billion tonnes
Yandi achieves an historic milestone - one billion tonnes Ore For Rail produced in the mine’s lifetime.
2018BHP approves South Flank project
BHP approves US$2.9 billion in capital expenditure for the South Flank project in the central Pilbara, Western Australia.
2021BHP approves investment in Jansen Stage 1 potash project
Jansen Stage 1 is expected to produce approximately 4.35 million tonnes of potash per annum and has a basin position with the potential for further expansions (subject to studies and approvals). First ore is targeted in the 2027 calendar year, with construction expected to take approximately six years, followed by a ramp up period of two years.
2022BHP unifies its corporate structure
On 31 January 2022, BHP unified its corporate structure under BHP Group Limited. Unification will provide a simpler corporate structure that will make BHP simpler and more agile, with the strategic flexibility to shape our portfolio for the future.
2022BHP merged Petroleum business with Woodside
On 1 June 2022, we merged BHP’s Petroleum business with Woodside to create a global top 10 independent energy company by production.
2023BHP completes acquisition of OZ Minerals
BHP announced the completion of the OZ Minerals acquisition and implementation of the scheme of arrangement to acquire 100% of the shares in OZ Minerals. This acquisition strengthens BHP’s portfolio in copper and nickel and is in line with our strategy to meet increasing demand for the critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels to support the energy transition.
2023BHP approves investment in Jansen Stage 2 potash project
Our CAD$14 billion (US$10.5 billion) investment in the Jansen project will deliver a potash mine in Saskatchewan designed to maximise sustainability. The Jansen site is located approximately 140 kilometers east of Saskatoon.
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