BHP has selected seven companies to help accelerate global copper and nickel exploration through its Xplor programme.

The seven companies have been selected to receive funding and support under the BHP Xplor accelerator programme, which is designed to help provide participants with the opportunity to accelerate their growth and the potential to establish a long-term partnership with BHP and its global network of partners.

The programme will offer candidates funding, in-kind services, mentorship and coaching, as well as opportunities with BHP’s network of suppliers and service providers.

“We are amazed by the diversity and quality of the submissions we reviewed and selected. We are confident that the BHP Xplor programme will support the seven companies chosen to accelerate their concepts and ideas, to help take them to the next level,” BHP Xplor VP Sonia Scarselli said.

BHP Xplor will also provide BHP with the opportunity to access some of the most exciting exploration prospects globally, including new geographies, helping to drive its pipeline of new opportunities to shape its future asset portfolio.

BHP chief development officer Johan van Jaarsveld said that through this programme, BHP hoped to create disruptive results in copper and nickel exploration by identifying new concepts, leveraging new data and testing opportunities at a much faster pace than discoveries to date.

Each company will receive up to $500 000 cash payment from BHP, together with access to a network of internal and external experts to help guide development across technical, business and operational aspects of the company.

The seven companies selected to join the BHP Xplor accelerator programme are ASX-listed Impact Minerals, ASX-listed Nordic Nickel, ASX-listed Kingrose Mining, privately held Tutume Metals, Aisan Battery Metals, Red Ox Copper, and Bronzite Exploration Corp.