Governance and oversight 

For information on the role of the BHP Board in overseeing our approach to and delivery on sustainability refer to the Sustainability approach webpage.

As set out in our Human Rights Policy Statement, BHP is committed to respecting internationally recognised human rights and operating in a manner consistent with the principles set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact.  

Our Code of Conduct sets out the expectations and standards of behaviour for our people, as well as contractors and suppliers (where under relevant contractual obligation). 

A global Indigenous Policy team coordinates our approach and standards for BHP’s engagement with Indigenous peoples across our regions, operated assets and functions. Regionally, Indigenous Peoples Plans are being co-designed with Indigenous peoples to outline how we will engage with Indigenous communities and stakeholders and the priority topics on which we intend to focus our engagement in the countries where we operate. 

• Australia: BHP released its sixth Australian Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in June 2023 for the period to the end of FY2027, to contribute towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to take forward BHP’s global Indigenous Peoples Policy Statement in Australia. We developed our Elevate RAP in partnership with Traditional Owner groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, businesses, organisations, communities and peak bodies across Australia. A RAP Governance and Accountability Framework will seek to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at all stages of our business operations with enhanced reporting, analysis and evaluation.   
• Canada: BHP has developed a Canada Indigenous Partnership Plan (CIPP) to operationalise our global Indigenous Peoples Policy Statement and advance our existing and new relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada. The plan has incorporated advice and feedback from BHP’s Opportunities Agreements partners as well as Indigenous peoples across Canada and it aligns with BHP’s global ambition to create social value and operate with integrity.   
• Chile: BHP is developing an Indigenous Peoples Plan through a co-design process with Indigenous peoples that will operationalise our global Indigenous Peoples Policy Statement and advance our existing and new relationships with Indigenous peoples in Chile. 

Through these regional Indigenous Peoples Plans, we will seek to work closely with the communities where we operate to make a positive contribution to the lives of those communities on or near whose traditional lands we operate.

In addition, through our global Indigenous Peoples Policy Statement, BHP seeks to understand how we can avoid and mitigate adverse impacts on Indigenous peoples in the communities where we operate. We plan to carry out informed and good faith consultations with potentially affected Indigenous peoples for proposed new operations or capital projects. Our objective will be to obtain consent through FPIC processes undertaken in accordance with the approach set out in our Policy Statement. 

Our disclosures about Indigenous peoples are reported annually in the BHP Annual Report. For FY2024 disclosures, refer to the BHP Annual Report 2024, Operating and Financial Review 6.12 – Indigenous peoples. 

Our performance data about Indigenous peoples is reported annually in the BHP Annual Report. For FY2024 disclosures, refer to the BHP Annual Report 2024, Operating and Financial Review 6.12 – Indigenous peoples.