BHP (formerly BHP Billiton) — Ethics Grade D+

BHP (formerly BHP Billiton) receives an overall ethics grade of D+ (38/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Mining & Metals. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 60
• privacy: 85
• consumer: 70
• environment: 25
• humanRights: 35

Documented incidents (3)

• Mariana Dam Collapse (high, 2015) — The Samarco tailings dam, co-owned by BHP, collapsed in Brazil, releasing 40 million cubic meters of toxic sludge into the Rio Doce. The disaster killed 19 people, destroyed entire villages, and polluted the Atlantic Ocean 400 miles away.
• Olympic Games Bribery (medium, 2015) — BHP was fined by the SEC for failing to implement internal controls after inviting dozens of foreign government officials to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which was deemed an attempt to influence regulatory permissions.
• Threats to Heritage Sites (medium, 2020) — Following the Juukan Gorge disaster (by Rio Tinto), BHP came under fire for having permits to destroy at least 40 ancient Aboriginal heritage sites in the Pilbara. The company later paused these plans under intense public pressure.

Documented good deeds

• Net Zero Operational Goals — BHP has established a target to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operations by 2050 and has significantly divested from thermal coal.

Ethical alternatives

• Fortescue Metals Group — More aggressive and transparent transition toward 'Green Iron' and renewable energy integration.