BHP reported in its annual filing that 109 workers either lost their jobs or resigned during the 2025-26 financial year following investigations into sexual harassment allegations. The mining company confirmed 113 cases of sexual harassment, the highest number recorded since 2023. The confirmed instances predominantly involved indecent touching, stalking, grooming, and sexually aggressive comments and jokes directed at colleagues.
The company noted that 104 additional sexual harassment reports were not investigated due to insufficient information or requests from affected individuals. BHP stated that allegations are examined by an independent ethics team separate from its operational divisions. The company did not provide geographic details regarding where the confirmed cases occurred across its global operations, which include major iron ore and copper projects in Australia, North America, and South America.
The disclosures emerge amid increasing scrutiny of remote work environments within the mining sector, where female workers have publicly raised concerns about systemic harassment, violence, and retaliation. Previous parliamentary inquiries and reports from the sex discrimination commissioner have documented patterns of sexual assault, bullying, racism, and sexism throughout the mining industry, particularly at isolated project sites where workers remain for extended periods. Employment experts attribute the heightened risk in such environments to factors including geographic isolation, hierarchical workplace structures, gender imbalances, and the convergence of work and living spaces.
Three separate class actions are currently proceeding through courts against BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue, alleging widespread sexual harassment and sex discrimination at remote work sites. Additionally, BHP reported that 22 individuals responsible for racial harassment had their employment terminated or resigned during the same financial year. The company’s disclosure of these matters occurred alongside announcement of a substantial US$9.8 billion annual net profit and increased dividend payments, reflecting strong financial performance driven by elevated copper prices and growing demand for the metal in renewable energy and data center applications.
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