Xplor

Welcome to BHP Xplor

Applications for the 2026 cohort open 8 September 2025
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What is BHP Xplor?
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What is BHP Xplor

BHP Xplor is a six-month accelerator program for early-stage mineral exploration companies. We provide US$500,000 in equity-free funding, along with hands-on technical, commercial, and operational support. Our goal is to help explorers fast-track promising concepts into viable projects that can contribute to the minerals needed for the energy transition.

Attend a BHP Xplor event or webinar

We highly recommend connecting with the BHP Xplor team before submitting your application.

Whether you join a live webinar or catch us at a global conference, these events are the best way to learn about the program, ask questions, and hear directly from the team behind Xplor.

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  • Xplor hosted events
    Join us for drinks in Beaver Creek or breakfast in Perth to hear more about the 2026 opportunity. Registration to these events is essential.

    Happy Hour at Precious Metals, hosted by BHP Xplor
    11 September 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Register here

    Breakfast at The Westin, Perth, hosted by BHP Xplor
    23 September 2025, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Register here

    2025 Cohort Showcase at SEG
    Join us as we celebrate the 2025 cohort's program close with presentations on their opportunity and journey with BHP Xplor. A 90-minute presentation will be followed by a networking lunch. You do not need to be attending SEG to register for the showcase. This is a complimentary event, however registration is essential.

    2025 BHP Xplor Showcase, hosted at the SEG Conference
    27 September 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Register here.
  • Webinars
    During these webinars, our team will share insights on what we look for in a strong proposal, explain how the program works, and answer any questions you have about timing, selection, or fit.

    Webinar #1 – Thursday 11 September 2025
    Time: 10:00 AM Los Angeles/Vancouver  / 2:00 PM Lima / 2:00 PM Santiago  / 3:00 PM New York/Toronto
    Register here

    Webinar #2 – Tuesday 16 September 2025, 
    Time: 9:00 AM London / 10:00 AM Johannesburg  / 4:00 PM Perth / 6:00 PM Sydney/Singapore
    Register here

    Webinar #3 – Wednesday 24 September 2025
    Time: 9:00 AM London / 10:00 AM Johannesburg / 4:00 PM Perth / 6:00 PM Sydney/Singapore
    Register here

    Live Q&A webinar - Tuesday 7 October 2025
    Time: 9:00 AM Los Angeles/Vancouver / 12:00 PM New York/Toronto / 1:00 PM Santiago / 5:00 PM London / 6:00 PM Johannesburg
    Register here
  • Industry Conferences

    Come speak with us in person. Our team will be on the ground at several upcoming conferences to share more about Xplor and answer your questions:

    Copper to the World    , 26–27 August 2025, Adelaide, Australia

    Africa Down Under, 3–5 September 2025, Perth, Australia

    AEGC, 8–11 September 2025, Perth, Australia

    Precious Metals Summit, 9–12 September 2025,  Beaver Creek, USA

    PeruMin, 23–27 September 2025, Arequipa, Peru

    SEG 2025, 26-29 September 2025, Brisbane, Australia

     

Program Benefits

 

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Funding

Up to $500K in non-dilutive funding to help support your business during the BHP Xplor program.
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Xperts & Coaching

Access to dedicated technical and commercial coaching, as well as experts across our Technical, Business and Operational pillars.
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Service Providers

Connection to BHP’s ecosystem of partners and service providers.
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Learning Curriculum

A tailored learning program, to deepen your understanding of best in class practices.
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Community

A global community of fellow BHP Xplor cohort members, supporting each other throughout the Xplor journey and beyond.
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Investment Opportunities

Opportunity to pitch for follow-on funding or BHP partnerships throughout the program.

BHP Xplor Timeline

Event:

2025 - September: Applications open 2025 - November - December: Interviews in Toronto 2026 - January: Program begins at Bootcamp 2026 - March: Toolkit camp 2026 - June: Scale Camp 2026 - September: Showcase
  • 2025 September: Applications open
  • 2025 November - December: Interviews in Toronto
  • 2026 January: Program begins at Bootcamp
  • 2026 March: Toolkit camp
  • 2026 June: Scale Camp
  • 2026 September: Showcase

Ready to apply? Applications open 8 September​

Xplor 2025
BHP Xplor 2025 cohort
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BHP Xplor 2025 cohort

Learn more about our 2025 cohort of companies below

Condor - Argentina 

DesertEx - Saudi Arabia

Electrum Discovery - Serbia

Firetail Resources  - Peru

GreenX Metals - Germany

Orogen Royalties  - USA

Scout Discoveries - USA

Viridian Metals  - Canada

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BHP Xplor 2024 cohort
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BHP Xplor 2024 cohort

Learn more about our 2024 cohort of companies below

Cobre - Botswana | Meet the team

East Star Resources - Kazakhstan | Meet the team

Equivest Minerals - Global | Meet the team

Hamelin Gold  - Australia | Meet the team

Longreach Mineral - Australia | Meet the team

Pallas Resources - Kazakhstan | Meet the team

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BHP Xplor 2023 Cohort
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BHP Xplor 2023 cohort

Learn more about our inaugural 2023 cohort of companies below

Tutume Metals - Africa | Meet the team

Impact Minerals - Australia | Meet the team

Asian Battery Minerals - Mongolia | Meet the team

Red Ox Copper - Australia | Meet the team

Bronzite Exploration Corp - Canada | Meet the team

Nordic Nickel - Finland | Meet the team

Kingsrose Mining - Norway and Finland | Meet the team

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

BHP Xplor is a global minerals exploration accelerator program targeting early-stage companies with big ideas and geologic concepts.

  • Why did BHP start BHP Xplor?

    Growth through partnership. BHP Xplor is dedicated to leading a new partnership model with the early-stage exploration ecosystem for growth.  Via BHP Xplor, we provide funding, network connections and technical and operating capabilities to help our cohort companies develop their exploration concepts.  This result is a broader and more diversified generative funnel for our company and our partners.

  • Who makes up the cohort?
    Learn more about the 2024 BHP Xplor cohort here.

Global search

We are conducting a global search to find the next big exploration opportunity.

  • What are the target geographies?
    We accept applications from across the globe. 
  • What type of candidate do we look for?
    We welcome (a) first time entrepreneurs, fresh from research and/or academia with a great exploration idea and data, and are ready to establish a company, (b) established teams and companies, with an early-stage and potentially breakthrough idea with data that has yet to be de-risked, and/or (c) mature teams and companies, with an exploration concept, data, and some preliminary de-risking activities.  Candidates may or may not have land access and may or may not have raised funding before.

A premier program

BHP Xplor will provide a premier program to help participants prepare for exploration operations and business success.

  • Why should candidates apply?
    • A US$500,000 equity-free grant to spend on your exploration work program.
    • Connect with BHP’s leading experts and form long-term relationships.
    • Gain access to BHP’s extensive network of vendors and service providers.
    • Dive into an exploration curriculum that’s tailored to you.
    • Join a global community of Xplorers.
  • Are you offering any financial support for the program?
    Yes, successful applicants will receive a grant, US$500K, for use on their exploration opportunity during the program.  At the end of the program, participants may have the opportunity to pitch for more substantial funding.