Sydney - Australian mining giant BHP reported a strong rise in half-year profit on Tuesday, driven largely by growing global demand for copper as countries expand power grids and renewable energy infrastructure.
Net profit climbed 27.7 percent to US$5.64 billion for the six months ending December 31, compared with the same period a year earlier. Revenue increased 10.8 percent to US$27.9 billion, supported by higher commodity prices and improved production performance.
The company said copper has emerged as its largest earnings contributor, reflecting sustained demand linked to electrification, renewable energy projects and infrastructure upgrades worldwide.
BHP now describes itself as the world’s largest copper producer, having lifted output by roughly 30 percent over the past four years. A significant portion of that growth has come from the Escondida mine in Chile, one of the largest copper operations globally.
Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry said the production increase positioned the company to benefit from recent price gains in copper and gold.
“This is allowing us to maximise increased earnings from the recent run-up in copper prices as well as gold,” Henry said in a statement.
Copper demand has strengthened as governments invest heavily in expanding electrical networks to support renewable energy integration and electric vehicle adoption. The metal plays a critical role in power transmission, battery systems and industrial applications.
Henry said BHP remains confident in its long-term copper outlook, citing expansion opportunities across Chile, Argentina, Arizona and South Australia.
“With four compelling growth options across these regions, we are well positioned to capture forecast higher long-term copper prices,” he said.
Beyond copper, the company also reported record first-half iron ore shipments from Western Australia, further supporting overall revenue growth.
Looking ahead, BHP expects the global economy to expand by about three percent in 2026. The company highlighted China’s economic resilience after achieving its approximate five percent growth target last year, while noting continued strong performance from India.
“We are optimistic that the economic backdrop remains supportive for our key commodities,” Henry said.
The results underscore BHP’s strategic shift toward commodities linked to electrification and energy transition, with copper increasingly central to its earnings profile.
