BHP backs WA community development

BHP (ASX: BHP) has released its 2024 Community Development Report, showcasing ways the company is generating social value for its people, partners, communities, local economies and the environment.

In FY24 BHP’s total community development expenditure in WA was over $894m, the highest on record for the company.

BHP says it has been focused on creating new opportunities for its supply chain over recent years, including Traditional Owner and Indigenous businesses.

“Our WA Iron Ore (WAIO) asset spent nearly $465m with 113 Indigenous vendors in FY24, surpassing our WAIO Indigenous and Traditional Owner direct spend target,” BHP said in a statement.

BHP spent $237m directly with 68 Traditional Owner vendors and $590m with 330 local suppliers.

“Our Local Buying Program represented $57m of that spend, and accounted for 250 suppliers, enabling us to create relationships between our operations and small businesses,” BHP said.

“We supported a range of community projects in FY24 across WAIO and Nickel West, with $47.5m invested in initiatives across WA focused on the Pilbara, Goldfields and Kwinana.”

BHP provided over 50 community grants across Newman, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Kambalda, Leinster, Coolgardie and Kwinana with grants of up to $20,000 to invest in grassroots initiatives.