BHP Appoints Brandon Craig as New CEO, Succeeding Mike Henry

Mining powerhouse BHP Group has named Brandon Craig as its next Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mike Henry, who is stepping down after more than six years leading the global resources giant. The leadership transition takes effect on July 1, marking a significant moment for one of the world's largest mining companies.

Craig, 53, currently serves as President of BHP's Americas division and previously headed its Western Australia iron ore operations for three years. His dual experience across BHP's two most critical business units positions him well for the demands of the top job. A naturalized Australian originally from South Africa, Craig holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Business Leadership, both from the University of Natal. Investment analyst Andy Forster of Sydney-based Argo Investments described Craig as "super impressive," noting that the Americas division represents BHP's most strategically important growth frontier in the coming years.

The appointment arrives as the global mining industry undergoes a generational leadership overhaul, driven by mounting pressures including geopolitical uncertainty, the rise of artificial intelligence in operations, and surging demand for critical minerals essential to the clean energy transition. Major miners such as Barrick Mining, Newmont Corporation, South32, and Rio Tinto have all installed new CEOs within the past year.

Central to BHP's future strategy is copper, the most efficient conductive metal powering the energy transition. Under Henry's leadership, BHP rose to become the world's top copper producer. Henry also restructured BHP's asset portfolio by exiting petroleum, ending its dual UK listing, and pivoting toward high-demand commodities like potash and copper, which drove the majority of BHP's profits in its most recent half-year results.

Craig inherits a company with a robust pipeline of opportunities, including copper development projects in South Australia, Argentina, and Chile's Escondida mine — the world's largest copper operation.