BHP has selected six companies from over 500 applicants to join its BHP Xplor accelerator program, aimed at supporting early-stage mineral exploration companies in locating critical resources for the energy transition.
The program offers a grant of up to US$500,000 to participating companies, along with access to industry experts, to accelerate growth and develop their technical, business, and operational aspects, aiming to accelerate exploration concepts.
BHP Xplor is collaborating with six companies over a six-month program to expedite the maturation of their geological concepts, positioning the projects for commercialisation or partnership, pushing the boundaries of conventional exploration in the field.
“The diversity and quality of the submissions amongst the applicants is amazing and inspiring. We are excited to partner with the selected cohort and help bring their ideas and passion for their exploration projects to life. We aim to accelerate this process and create disruptive results by identifying new concepts, data and testing opportunities,” BHP Xplor Program Head Charlee Johnson said.
BHP Xplor gives BHP access to some of the world’s most interesting exploration prospects, expanding the pipeline of new opportunities that might influence the company’s future asset portfolio.
“Exploration for critical resources is moving slowly, but to meet the needs of the energy transition we must move at pace. We will be working together with the 2024 cohort to accelerate exploration in new geographies and advance new geologic concepts,” BHP Exploration and Xplor Vice President Sonia Scarselli stated.
The six companies to join the BHP Xplor accelerator program are Longreach Mineral, East Star Resources, Pallas Resources, Hamelin Gold, Cobre, and Equivest Minerals.
