Overview
- Leaked internal documents published Tuesday show BHP expects only about a 1% cut in emissions from its Western Australia iron ore operations by 2030, a result that casts doubt on its 2050 net‑zero-by‑2050 operational target.
- Work on a Jimblebar beneficiation plant that was about 80% designed was paused in May last year after executives judged its returns marginal despite forecasts the plant would cut customers' steelmaking emissions by about 1.7 million tonnes a year.
- The files link the pace of decarbonisation to federal diesel fuel tax credits and company economics, and reporting shows BHP claimed roughly $622 million in fuel tax credits last financial year, with about $379 million attributed to its WA mines.
- BHP considered deploying electric haul trucks at a new Pilbara site but proceeded with repurposed diesel trucks, and the incoming CEO has said the company will continue climate commitments while applying 'economic discipline'.
- Pilbara mines make up roughly 30% of BHP's global operational emissions so the company's choices affect Australia’s emissions profile, the Safeguard Mechanism’s role, and pressure on federal diesel rebate reform that advocates plan to raise at next month’s ALP conference.