BHP and JX Metals Corporation sign MoU for green enabling partnership

BHP (ASX:BHP) and JX Metals Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pursue the development of a green enabling partnership.

This partnership is aimed at supporting both companies’ ambitions of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the copper supply chain and making the copper supply chain more sustainable.

Through the partnership, BHP and JX Metals will support the continued development of a responsible copper supply chain through enhancing traceability and material origin verification.

Additionally, the green enabling partnership proposes to advocate for circular economy and GHG emissions reduction through copper concentrates and sulphuric acid between both parties.

BHP’s chief commercial officer Vandita Pant said the company looks forward to work with JX Metals.

“We recognise that solutions are not developed in silos, and partnership and collaboration with our customers and partners across the value chain often bring about the best and most sustainable outcomes in pursuit of these goals,” she said.

“We look forward to working with JX Metals on the green enabling partnership that aims to support further GHG emissions reductions in the supply chain for copper, one of the most critical minerals in the journey towards global net zero ambitions.”

JX Metals director and deputy chief executive Kazuhiro Hori said partnerships are essential to reduce GHG emissions.

“Our efforts to produce more sustainable copper are centred on green hybrid smelting at the Saganoseki Smelter and Refinery, and partnerships with upstream sectors are essential to reduce our scope 3 GHG emissions reported by JX Metals in copper concentrate production and transportation,” he said.

“We will respond to our stakeholders’ needs by enhancing our ESG efforts in upstream sectors through this partnership with BHP, a vital responsibility for JX Metals.”