BHP has today announced a final Board decision to unify BHP’s corporate structure under its existing Australian parent company, BHP Group Limited.

The Board believes unification is in the best interests of BHP shareholders. It will result in a corporate structure that is simpler and more efficient, reduces duplication and streamlines BHP’s governance and internal processes. A unified structure will also improve flexibility for portfolio reshaping to maximise shareholder value over the long-term, including facilitating a simpler separation of the Petroleum business.

A Shareholder Circular and a Prospectus are expected to be published on or around 8 December 2021, which will contain further information on unification and the Limited shares, including details of the proposed UK scheme of arrangement to effect unification, an independent expert’s report on whether unification is in the best interests of BHP shareholders, and the notices of shareholder meetings of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc, which are expected to take place on 20 January 2022.

Unification is expected to complete by 31 January 2022 subject to approval by the shareholders of both BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc, receipt of remaining regulatory approvals and UK Court sanction of the scheme.

BHP Chair, Ken MacKenzie:

“BHP is in great shape and now is the right time to make strategic, transformative changes for the future. Unification will create one parent company, one share register and one share price globally. We believe this is the best structure for BHP to provide the resources the world needs and create long-term shareholder value.”

BHP CEO, Mike Henry:

“A unified corporate structure will make BHP simpler and more agile, with the strategic flexibility required to shape our portfolio to deliver value through producing the commodities needed for continued economic growth, improved living standards, electrification and decarbonisation."

“We will retain listings in the UK, US, South Africa and Australia, providing BHP with continued access to global markets and giving shareholders the opportunity to benefit from our portfolio, management and operating performance for longterm value.”

Read the full release

Read the presentation

Watch a video message from our CEO

For more information about our proposal to unify BHP’s corporate structure click here

Disclaimer

BHP makes no representation or warranty as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information in this release.

This release is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or subscribe for or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any BHP securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to unification or otherwise, nor will there be any sale, issuance or transfer of any BHP securities pursuant to unification or otherwise in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This release does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

Prior to making any decision in relation to unification or as to whether to invest in the shares in Limited, investors should read the  Shareholder Circular and the Prospectus in their entirety, including the information incorporated by reference. Investors must rely upon their own examination, analysis and enquiries of BHP and the terms of the Shareholder Circular and Prospectus, including the merits and risks involved.

Forward looking statements

This release contains forward looking statements, including statements regarding: plans, strategies and objectives of management; approval of certain projects and consummation of certain transactions; unification, including, but not limited to, the perceived benefits of unification and expectations around the financial impact of unification on the BHP Group; future performance and future opportunities. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology, including, but not limited to, ‘intend’, ‘aim’, ‘project’, ‘see’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘plan’, ‘objective’, ‘believe’, ‘expect’, ‘commit’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘need’, ‘must’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘continue’, ‘forecast’, ‘guidance’, ‘trend’ 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 based on management’s current expectations and reflect judgments, assumptions, estimates and other information available as at the date of this release. These statements do not represent guarantees or predictions of future financial or operational 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 release. The BHP Group cautions against reliance on any forward-looking statements or guidance, including in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption arising in connection with Covid-19. 

Forward-looking statements contained in this release apply only as at the date of this release. To the extent required by the FCA Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the Prospectus Regulation Rules, the ASX Listing Rules and other applicable regulations, BHP will update or revise the information in this release. Otherwise, BHP will have no obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future developments.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this release is intended as a profit forecast or estimate and no statement in this release should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share for the most recent, current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share.

Notice to overseas shareholders

The distribution of this release into a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Australia may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No action has been or will be taken by the BHP to distribute this release in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose may be required or doing so is restricted by law. Accordingly, this release may not be distributed or published in any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result incompliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Notice to US investors

The securities to be issued by Limited in connection with Unification have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “US Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Any securities to be issued if Unification is completed are anticipated to be issued in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof on the basis of the approval of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales.