South African-born man set to run the biggest miner in the world

BHP announced that Brandon Craig has been selected to lead the world’s biggest mining company, succeeding Mike Henry as the company’s CEO in July 2026.

Craig currently serves as BHP’s President Americas, leading the company’s growth strategy in future-facing commodities across Canada, the United States and South America.

On Wednesday, 18 March, BHP informed shareholders that Henry will step down after six years at the helm.

Henry joined BHP permanently in 2003 and has been a member of its executive team since 2011.

Prior to joining the mining giant, he worked in the resources industry in Canada, Japan and Australia, with the CEO having over 30 years of experience in the global mining and petroleum industry.

He took the reins at BHP in 2020 and has been credited with streamlining the company’s operations and intensifying its focus on future-facing commodities like copper and potash.

“During Henry’s tenure as CEO, BHP established its track record of sector-leading operational performance, with BHP’s Western Australia Iron Ore business securing and growing its lead as the world’s lowest cost major iron ore producer,” the company said.

“BHP has become a simpler company, with a more resilient and growth-oriented portfolio through demerging its Petroleum business, high-grading its coal business, simplifying its listing structure and pivoting towards growth in copper and potash, both future-facing commodities.”

Under Henry’s leadership, BHP established itself as the world’s largest copper producer, with over half of the miner’s recent half-year earnings sourced from copper and a significant volume of growth in the pipeline. 

“This, coupled with BHP’s soon-to-be-commissioned potash mine, leaves the company well placed to deliver high-margin growth into the future,” BHP said.

During his tenure, average total Shareholder Returns have been around 17% per annum, and BHP returned roughly $80 billion to shareholders.

“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of BHP and to have worked with so many truly talented people. I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Henry said.

“BHP is a safer and higher performing company and is better positioned for future growth. We are creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders, our supply chain, partners, and our communities.”

He also praised the incoming CEO, saying he is an excellent choice to lead the company.

The new CEO

Craig joined BHP in the early 2000s, serving as a marketing manager in the Stainless Steel customer sector group.

Over the nearly two decades that followed, he continued to climb the ranks within the company, holding various roles spanning the fields of maintenance, marketing, human resources and operations management.

In 2024, he was made President of BHP’s Americas division, a role in which he, like Henry, has been credited with increasing the company’s focus on future-facing commodities like copper and potash.

Born in South Africa, Craig attended the University of Natal, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Leadership.

“Brandon brings more than 25 years of operational and corporate leadership experience at BHP to the role,” the company said in announcing his appointment as CEO.

“It is an honour and privilege to succeed Mike Henry as CEO of BHP. Thanks to his leadership, BHP is well-positioned for the future,” Craig said. 

“Mike will be remembered for his strategic decision-making, portfolio transformation, operational excellence and focus on safety and high-performance culture.”

“As incoming CEO, I am committed to leading the talented and hard-working people who make BHP a great company and continuing to generate long-term value for all our shareholders.” 

“I will work tirelessly with the board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”

Craig will take the reins on 1 July 2026, with BHP chair Ross McEwan saying his extensive experience, discipline and focus will continue to drive BHP’s high-performance culture and advance the company’s unrivalled pipeline of growth options to maximise shareholder returns.