BHP Group (formerly known as BHP Billiton) is an Australian multinational mining, metals, natural gas petroleum public company that is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Broken Hill Proprietary’s rich history began in a silver, lead and zinc mine in Broken Hill, Australia. Incorporated in 1885, BHP engaged in the discovery, development, production and marketing of iron ore, copper, oil and gas, diamonds, silver, lead, zinc and a range of other natural resources. BHP was also a market leader in value-added flat steel products.
Billiton’s roots trace back to 1851 and a tin mine on a little known island in Indonesia, Billiton (Belitung) island. Billiton became a global leader in the metals and mining sector and a major producer of aluminium and alumina, chrome and manganese ores and alloys, steaming coal, nickel and titanium minerals. Billiton also developed a substantial and growing copper portfolio.
The company’s milestones:
On August 13, 1885: Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited was incorporated.
1902: Invention of the flotation vessel. Modern versions of this flotation process are used around the world to extract a wide variety of minerals.
1915: Opening of the Newcastle Steelworks.
1930: Billiton establishes a peoples fund to provide educational, medical and social services to its workforce.
1935: Established the first bauxite mine on Bintan Island.
1957: BHP opens Central Research Laboratories at Shortland, Newcastle.
1963: BHP and Esso collaborate in search for oil.
1970: Royal/Dutch Shell Group purchases Billiton.
1984: BHP acquires Utah International from General Electric.
1991: BHP discovers diamonds in Canada.
1994: Billiton is acquired by Gencor.
2000: BHP officially became BHP Limited.
2001: BHP merged with the Billiton mining company to form BHP Billiton. BHP Billiton's Typhoon Oil Field begins production.
2004: BHP Billiton enters joint venture with China and Japan.
2005: BHP Billiton acquires Western Mining Corporation.
2011: BHP announces the discovery of the most significant gem-quality diamond to be discovered at EKATI Diamond Mine and in Canada.
2013:
BHP Billiton celebrates the opening of the new Daunia mine, the company’s ninth operating metallurgical coal mine in central Queensland.
BHP Billiton moves into new global headquarters, at 171 Collins Street, a new Melbourne landmark building.
2017: Yandi achieves an historic milestone - one billion tonnes Ore For Rail produced in the mine’s lifetime.
August 2021: BHP announced plans to exit the oil and gas industry by merging its hydrocarbon business with Woodside Petroleum, Australia's largest independent gas producer.
According to bhp.com
