The BHP Exploration team just returned from our weeklong Bootcamp in Perth, Western Australia to kick off BHP Xplor 2025 and we’re feeling inspired by the high calibre and enthusiasm of the teams in this year’s cohort.

BHP Xplor, launched in 2023, is our global minerals exploration accelerator program. It targets early-stage companies with new & innovative geologic concepts, who are looking to supercharging the identification, development and commercialization of the discoveries. BHP created BHP Xplor as part of our commitment to growth through partnership, alongside acknowledging the importance of the early-stage exploration ecosystem in the ever-urgent energy transition.

Via BHP Xplor, we provide funding, technical coaching and operating capabilities to help our cohort companies develop their exploration concepts. The result is a more diversified exploration portfolio for BHP, creating long-term partnerships between a major and juniors.

BHP Xplor Bootcamp Week 2025

Bootcamp is a one-week event, where the new BHP Xplor cohorts get together in-person to commence their journey on the program. The week is filled with immersive workshops, masterclasses and guest speakers. This is my third BHP Xplor bootcamp, and each year I continue to be energized by the community of explorers we are building through Xplor.

The eight companies in our 2025 cohort travelled from all over the world (including the USA, Argentina, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Peru and Germany) to meet us in sunny Perth to start their journey with BHP and each other. The week is designed intentionally to help the cohort get to know each other, and get to know BHP.

Whilst critical to Exploration success, Technical excellence isn’t the only thing we talk about at bootcamp. Our jam-packed itinerary also covers:

Business Strategy

Our business coach Niall McCormack, set up the week with a deep-dive into Business strategy for Junior Exploration companies. We discussed themes like what ‘playing to win’ really means in this sector, and that strategy is a game of choices – often difficult ones.  

Technical Readiness

On days two and three of Bootcamp Week, our BHP Xplor technical coaches John Miller and Thiago Oliveira introduced the cohort to BHP’s minerals system framework. Alongside this, cohort teams spent extensive working time with their BHP technical sponsors to unpack the Minerals Systems frame for their projects.

Operational Readiness

Day four focused on how a program of work for the next six months would come together, including what this would look like in the field. In particular we discussed the BHP safety culture and fundamentals of risk management. We also started a conversation about the importance of prioritizing engaging with communities and Indigenous peoples from day one of the exploration process.

Looking Ahead

My favourite part of the week wasn’t the sessions, (or the rock samples some of the cohort brought in their carry-on!), it was the connections made. From day one our cohort teams were connecting, sharing stories and making lifelong connections. Throughout the week BHP senior executives, including our new Group Exploration Officer Tim O’Connor, also stopped by to meet the cohort.  

We always say BHP learns as much from the cohort as they do from us, and the BHP Xplor team and participating senior leadership knew this to be true as the week came to a close

It is not often you get to spend a week away from the work desk, and spend time with a group of like-minded explorers who are passionate about changing the game of minerals exploration – we’re early in the program but I am so excited to see what comes next.