It’s been nearly three years since we commenced planning for Mt Arthur Coal’s responsible pathway to closure in June 2030, and a lot has happened in that time.

We’ve enjoyed thousands of conversations with community members, listening and learning about your aspirations for the community beyond 2030. We have also launched our workforce support program - Tomorrow, Together - providing our people with access to education, training, career coaching and financial advice.

Today, we have more progress to share.

As part of enabling a responsible closure in 2030 and beyond, BHP is committing to a $30 million community fund to support the Upper Hunter region.

The fund will be delivered in partnership with the community through a shared decision-making model and will prioritise initiatives which:

• support job creation, entrepreneurship and industry diversification;
• support education and training opportunities;
• enhance social, cultural and recreational wellbeing of local residents;
• improve physical and mental health outcomes for residents of the Upper Hunter;
• support the protection of Aboriginal heritage, historic heritage and cultural landscapes; and
• support Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic empowerment..

Towards 2030, pumped hydro project study also announced

We’re also pleased to share BHP has partnered with renewable energy and infrastructure company ACCIONA Energía to explore the potential development of a pumped hydro energy storage project at Mt Arthur Coal.

Our conceptual studies show that a pumped hydro energy storage project at Mt Arthur Coal has the potential to:

• Support around 1,000 jobs within the Upper Hunter in the construction phase;
• Contribute to ongoing economic activity in Muswellbrook; and
• Provide power for up to 500,000 homes across NSW every day.

This update coincides with confirmation BHP has gained approval from the NSW Government to extend mining activities at Mt Arthur Coal for an additional four years, from July 2026 to June 2030, as part of the planned pathway to closure. It’s another leap forward in enabling a responsible transition.

For more on the closure of Mt Arthur Coal visit www.bhp.com/pathway-2030