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BHP has selected ten companies for its 2026 Xplor programme, the largest cohort since its launch in 2023. This year's intake includes six exploration organizations and four technology firms from North America, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia, focusing on early-stage exploration and technology development.

Participants will each receive a $500,000 equity-free grant and access to mentoring and technical support from BHP specialists. Notable companies include Canada's FrontierX, which is exploring uranium potential, and Australia's Litchfield Minerals, which is advancing its copper-zinc project in the Northern Territory.

The programme aims to support innovative approaches to mineral discovery, integrating modern geophysics and AI technologies. The 2026 cohort reflects the evolving landscape of exploration, emphasizing collaboration in remote and complex geological environments. BHP's partnership with Litchfield is expected to enhance geological understanding and refine exploration models.