Mining giant BHP to spur NEVs in China

Mining giant BHP Group said it will support the growth of electric vehicles or EVs in China, the world's largest auto market.

One of its top executives said on Tuesday that BHP is anticipating more growth opportunities in the country amid urbanization.

BHP, he said, sees China's new energy vehicle or NEV revolution as a big opportunity. "We aim to increase our exposure in the years to come, and are committed to the building of the broader electric vehicle ecosystem in China," said Huw McKay, chief economist at BHP.

As the new energy vehicles in China are to become more prevalent in the years to come, the company is committed to further increase its presence in the country and supply more reliable, sustainable supply of raw materials such as nickel for batteries, he said.

BHP, he said, anticipates that demand for nickel from the battery sector will grow by over 500 percent in the coming decade.

"BHP has a business that's very complementary to China, as the country's extraordinarily successful urbanization and industrialization drive over the last 40 years has led to a mutually beneficial relationship in steel, copper and energy commodities," he said.

"The next wave of Chinese development, characterized by late-stage urbanization, high-value manufacturing like new energy vehicles, emissions and energy intensity reduction, will breathe fresh life into traditional commodities and open up a range of new areas of mutual interest."

China has become the most important partner, the largest market, as well as an increasingly significant supplier of goods and services for BHP, he said.