Formed from a merger between BHP and Billiton, we value our heritage and the strong foundations on which our company is built. From two small mining companies founded in the mid-1800s, we are now a world leader in the diversified resources industry.
Broken Hill Proprietary’s rich history began in a silver, lead and zinc mine in Broken Hill, Australia. Incorporated in 1885, BHP engaged in the discovery, development, production and marketing of iron ore, copper, oil and gas, diamonds, silver, lead, zinc and a range of other natural resources. BHP was also a market leader in value-added flat steel products.
Billiton’s roots trace back to 1851 and a tin mine on a little known island in Indonesia, Billiton (Belitung) island. Billiton became a global leader in the metals and mining sector and a major producer of aluminium and alumina, chrome and manganese ores and alloys, steaming coal, nickel and titanium minerals. Billiton also developed a substantial and growing copper portfolio.
The history of BHP and Billiton
Event:
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1851
1851
A Dutch party discovers tin at Billiton Island
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1860
1860
NV Billiton Maatschappij is established
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1883
1883
Charles Rasp discovers silver and lead at Broken Hill
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1885
1885
Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd is floated
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1902
1902
Invention of the flotation vessel
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1906
1906
Fire breaks out at BHP underground mine
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1915
1915
Newcastle Steelworks opened
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1930
1930
Billiton establishes a peoples fund
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1934
1934
Australian built military aircraft at Port Melbourne begin
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1935
1935
Establishment of first bauxite mine on Bintan Island
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1939
1939
The BHP fighter planes against the Japanese
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1941
1941
Ship building for the navy at Whyalla
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1957
1957
BHP opens Central Research Laboratories at Shortland, Newcastle
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1963
1963
BHP and Esso collaborate in search for oil
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1968
1968
Rich iron ore is developed at Mt. Newman
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1970
1970
Royal/Dutch Shell Group purchases Billiton
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1984
1984
BHP acquires Utah International from General Electric
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1990
1990
Escondida in Chile begins producing copper
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1991
1991
BHP discovers diamonds in Canada
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1994
1994
Billiton is acquired by Gencor
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2000
2000
BHP formally becomes BHP Limited
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2001
2001
BHP and Billiton reach agreement to merge
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2001-2
2001
BHP Billiton's Typhoon Oilfield commences production
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2001-3
2001
Antamina Copper-Zinc project achieves commercial production
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2001-4
2001
Significant oil discovery made offshore Trinidad
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2002
2002
Demerger of BHP Steel
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2004
2004
BHP Billiton approves Spence Copper Project
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2004-2
2004
BHP Billiton enters joint venture with China and Japan
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2005
2005
BHP Billiton acquires Western Mining Corporation
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2005-2
2005
First oil production from the Greater Angostura Field
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2009
2009
First oil and natural gas production from Shenzi
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2010
2010
First oil production commences from Pyrenees project
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2010-2
2010
Athabasca Potash in Canada acquired
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2011
2011
First gas commences from the Angostura Gas Project
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2011-2
2011
EKATI Spirit discovered
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2012
2012
BHP Billiton consolidates operations
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2013
2013
BHP Billiton invests in Jansen Potash Project
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2013-2
2013
Daunia Metallurgical Coal Mine opens in central Queensland
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2013-3
2013
First gas at Macedon gas project
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2013-4
2013
BHP Billiton moves into new global headquarters
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2015
2015
Demerger of South32
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2016
2016
BHP launches Prospects
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2017
2017
BHP approves extending life of Spence copper mine
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2017-2
2017
BHP launches Think Big brand campaign
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2017-3
2017
BHP and PEMEX sign agreement for oil discovery
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2017-4
2017
Yandi achieves one billion tonnes
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2018
2018
BHP approves South Flank project
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2021
2021
BHP approves investment in Jansen Stage 1 potash project
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2022a
2022
BHP unifies its corporate structure
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2022c
2022
BHP merged Petroleum business with Woodside
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2023
2023
BHP completes acquisition of OZ Minerals

Beyond the Surface: The History of BHP
The history of BHP
On 13 August 1885, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited was formed. To celebrate the anniversary of this momentous occasion Beyond the Surface looks back at the milestone events and people that have shaped our Company.