Worker Fatality at Newmont’s Tanami Gold Mine
BHP has announced the selection of ten junior exploration and technology companies for its 2026 Xplor program. This year marks the largest cohort since the program’s inception. Now in its fourth year, the Xplor program aims to enhance early-stage mineral exploration by integrating geological insights, data analytics, and technological innovation.
Highlights of BHP’s 2026 Xplor Program
This year’s program emphasizes collaboration across various disciplines to improve mineral system understanding. As exploration ventures into remote and geologically intricate regions, combining expertise is crucial for effective discovery. Tim O’Connor, BHP’s group exploration officer, notes that new tools and methodologies are transforming early-stage exploration.
Financial Support for Innovation
Each selected company will receive an equity-free grant of approximately $717,000. They will also benefit from structured mentoring and access to BHP specialists in exploration, technology, and commercial functions.
Selected Participants of Xplor 2026
- FrontierX: A Canadian uranium exploration company focused on preliminary project development and geological understanding.
- Litchfield Minerals: An Australian company targeting copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold in the Northern Territory, specifically its Oonagalabi project.
- Orion Minerals: An exploration firm in South Africa concentrating on copper and zinc assets.
- Otrera Resources: Focused on sediment-hosted copper systems, advancing new targets through modern geological approaches.
- PT GeoFix: An Indonesian consultancy applying proprietary tools for copper-gold exploration concepts.
- Utah Geological Survey (UGS): The primary geoscience organization in Utah, leading a regional mineral systems analysis for the Great Basin.
- RadiXplore: An Australian technology firm employing AI to analyze exploration records and increasing discovery efficiency.
- Mineural: A Canadian company using AI to help exploration teams prioritize mineral targets effectively.
- VectOres Science: A US-based firm developing tools to enhance mineral exploration without initial drilling.
- Discovery Genomics: A Canadian tech company leveraging DNA sequencing to identify buried mineral systems.
Future Prospects
Marley Palin, head of BHP Xplor, highlighted the dynamic nature of early-stage discovery, stating that innovative ideas are emerging across various sectors. The program fosters a unique collaborative environment, anticipating significant advancements from the participating teams in the coming months.
This initiative underscores BHP’s commitment to revolutionizing mineral exploration through technology and collaboration, paving the way for future-facing commodities.
