BHP has opened applications for its 2025 BHP Xplor accelerator programme, targeting early-stage companies in the critical minerals exploration sector.

This programme aims to discover essential minerals needed for a sustainable future.

The six-month initiative offers participants up to $500,000 (A$740,783) in equity-free funding, expert mentorship and access to BHP's extensive network.

It aims to expedite the participants' exploration prospects and establish long-term partnerships between BHP and explorers.

BHP has teamed up with three of the programme’s alumni since its inception, setting industry standards for collaboration and mutual value creation between major mining companies and junior explorers.

For BHP, the programme is a strategic move to diversify its exploration portfolio and drive growth by tapping into new geographies and geological concepts.

The application window for the BHP Xplor 2025 cohort is set from 2 September to 9 October 2024.

BHP Xplor and exploration vice-president Sonia Scarselli said: “Xplor in 2024 was an unforgettable journey filled with growth, innovation and discovery.

“The programme applications doubled from 2023 to 2024, and we are excited to see who will come forward for our 2025 programme.

“The increased demand for critical metals presents a unique opportunity for junior explorers, but success requires strong two-way partnerships built on trust. Xplor is a boldly different way of thinking, it is about shared vision. We believe this approach will help us to be better as an exploration industry and expedite the discovery of critical minerals required for a greener future.”

Last year, BHP chose seven companies to speed up the exploration of copper and nickel through BHP Xplor.