[strong]What is copper?[/strong]
Copper is a pinkish-orange metal that is used in a broad range of everyday household products. It’s an excellent conductor of electricity and is corrosion resistant and antimicrobial, meaning it can prevent the growth of bacteria.
[strong]Recyclable[/strong]
Almost all copper products can be recycled, making it one of the most recycled metals in the world.
[strong]Electric vehicles[/strong]
Electric vehicles use four times as much copper as petrol-based cars.
[strong]Natural[/strong]
Copper occurs naturally in human, animals and plants, and is vital to maintaining good health.
[strong]A household necessity[/strong]
The average Australian home contains 90kg of copper – from wiring, to your pipes and appliances.
[strong]Where is copper used?[/strong]
[strong]Construction[/strong]
Copper is commonly used across both residential and industrial construction.
[strong]Infrastructure[/strong]
It is used throughout infrastructure, including power grids and traffic lights.
[strong]Transportation[/strong]
Copper is used in cars, aircraft and trains.
[strong]Household products[/strong]
Everyday household products like air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs and microwaves all contain copper.
[strong]Smartphones[/strong]
Your smartphone can contain up to 20g of copper.
[strong]Power sector[/strong]
Copper is used by the power sector in distribution lines, generators and transformers.
[strong]Why does BHP mine copper?[/strong]
As we move towards a lower carbon future, copper is essential to creating the infrastructure needed for renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. We also believe the demand for copper will continue to grow due to grade declines at existing copper mines, the radical urbanisation of large populations in China and India, and the ongoing electrification of energy and transportation.
[strong]1,716.5 kt[/strong]
We produced 1,716.5 kt of copper in FY2023.
[strong]50[/strong]
We are extending the life of our Spence mine in Chile by 50 years.
[strong]x2[/strong]
Copper demand will likely double over the next 30 years.