BHP is using AI with Microsoft to speed up copper extraction from existing mines, aiming to grow supply as new deposits become harder to develop.

What happened: On June 3, 2026, BHP announced a collaboration with Microsoft and Prescience Insilico to discover advanced copper leaching solutions using AI agents and high-performance computing. The team screened more than half a million molecules and used tens of thousands of quantum chemistry calculations before selecting candidates for laboratory testing in Australia.

Why it matters: BHP, the world's largest copper producer, is trying to boost copper output from its existing operations because new ore deposits are becoming harder and more expensive to develop. The company has already increased copper production by around 30% since 2021, and this AI effort signals the company is looking to efficiency gains to meet its growth targets without major new mine discoveries.

What to watch: BHP's copper business is expected to grow around 5% per year on average, with attributable copper production rising to about 2 million tonnes per year by 2035. The results of the laboratory testing in Australia will determine whether this AI-screened approach can meaningfully accelerate extraction improvements.