BHP’s in-house venture capital arm BHP Ventures has made a strategic investment in Atomionics—a Singapore-based startup that is developing cutting edge quantum sensing technology.

Using quantum mechanics to detect changes in gravitational fields, Atomionics’ portable, high-resolution sensors can build a 3D model of the subsurface, helping pinpoint resources critical for the energy transition, provide precise navigation and create a universal positioning system that works everywhere.

This technology could unlock the ability to explore large areas of subsurface terrain faster and more accurately than previously possible, potentially reducing the cost, labor effort, and time spent drilling into false positives.     

“Atomionics’ quantum sensor system could not only be a technological leap forward, but also a step towards a more precise and environmentally conscious approach to resource exploration and extraction.,” said Laurel Buckner, Vice President Ventures at BHP.      

BHP Ventures’ investment in Atomionics supports BHP's goal of increasing the world's long-term supply of essential minerals.  

Launched in 2020, BHP Ventures invests in companies developing game-changing technologies with the potential to make BHP’s global operations safer, more productive and sustainable. Through its investments, BHP Ventures aims to accelerate the development of technology to benefit not only BHP’s business and value chain, but that of the company’s broader industry.

BHP Ventures is comprised of two teams dedicated to bringing value beyond financial returns. Its US-based Investment team screens and executes high-quality equity investments through a streamlined decision-making process.   

Its Australia, Singapore, and US-based Portfolio Development team supports BHP’s access to and integration with potential partnerships and commercial agreements and insights into new technology trends, competitive intelligence and market activity from the ecosystem.  

Today, BHP Ventures supports over 30 portfolio companies around the world and continues to seek opportunities to fund advancements in decarbonisation, including geothermal energy and future fuels, novel extraction, AI-driven exploration and robotics.   

These technologies have the potential to unlock previously inaccessible mineral resources and to help make BHP’s global operations more safe, productive and sustainable in pursuit of building a better world.    

“Ventures is helping to shape the future of mining at BHP,” added Buckner.   

“Through our strategic investments in game-changing technologies—like Atomionics’ quantum sensors—we’re unlocking new ways to discover and extract essential minerals more precisely and sustainably. It’s one of the many ways BHP Ventures is helping build a smarter, more responsible resource supply chain.”  

Learn More     

To learn more about BHP Ventures and our investment strategy, visit: www.bhp.com