How BHP Has Made its Mine in Chile Fully Autonomous

Mining giant BHP has transformed the Escondida Norte pit in Chile into a fully autonomous operation.

Located 170 km southeast of Antofagasta in northern Chile, Escondida is a copper porphyry deposit that has been in operation since 1990.

It is the world’s largest producer of copper concentrates and cathodes.  

The mine has two major pits – Escondida and Escondida Norte – feeding three concentrator plants and two leaching operations.

BHP says: “With a remaining life of several decades and a resource base of over 26 billion tonnes, Escondida is positioned to help lead copper production well into the future.”

Facts and figures

The company adds: “As global demand for copper accelerates, fuelled by electrification, renewable energy and digital infrastructure, BHP is committed to producing this critical resource more safely, efficiently and sustainably.

“The Escondida Norte pit is now fully autonomous making it one of the first large-scale mines in the world to achieve this milestone.”

Key facts include:

• 33 autonomous trucks and 11 autonomous drills operate across the pit
• 30% of Escondida’s production comes from the autonomous zone
• Over 350,000 tonnes of material is moved daily
• More than 5,000 workers are trained in new technologies
• 64% female participation in autonomy-related roles.

BHP says: “These achievements reduce risk, enhance productivity and create a safer working environment.”

BHP adds that autonomous operations at Escondida are “not just about technology – they represent a strategic response to industry challenges such as declining ore grades and increasing operational complexity”.

The company goes on: “As we grow our copper production, we remain focused on safety, sustainability, and innovation - building a future where technology and people work hand in hand to deliver the resources the world needs.”

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The autonomous operations are alongside other developments in the area of electrification.

In November, two battery-electric haul trucks arrived at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Australia, marking the start of on-site testing of Caterpillar’s battery-electric technology.

Australia’s first purpose-built battery-electric heavy haulage locomotives also arrived in Western Australia for trials on the Western Australia Iron Ore rail network.

A strong half-year for BHP

The news about the autonomous pit came as BHP released a report on its performance in the second half of 2025.

H2 included a number of records for the business, according to BHP CEO Mike Henry.

He said: “BHP delivered another half of very strong performance with operational records at our copper and iron ore assets.

“This was achieved safely and in a positive commodity price environment, with copper prices up 32% and iron ore prices 4% higher year on year.”

Mike selected highlights including:

• Increased FY26 group copper production guidance off the back of stronger delivery
• Escondida achieved record concentrator throughput
• Antamina, Peru, has also lifted its production guidance
• Spence copper mine, Chile, and Copper SA are tracking to plan, with Copper SA achieving record refined gold output.
• Western Australia Iron Ore achieved record first half production and shipments
• Volumes from Samarco, Brazil, rose as a result of strong operational performance.

Potash production

The Jansen potash project in Canada is on track to begin production in mid-2027.

At the same time, momentum moderated in H2 CY25, notably in construction, manufacturing and infrastructure investments.

Mike said: “India is emerging as a key engine of demand, with strong domestic activity sustaining steel and rising copper needs.

Forecast global growth in 2026 is around 3%, creating a positive backdrop for commodity demand.”

He added: “BHP enters the second half of FY26 with strong operating momentum.

“We’re investing for the decade ahead, with a significant copper growth pipeline and a pathway to ~2 Mt of attributable copper production in the 2030s.”