BHP’s incoming CEO met with Chinalco boss in China this week

Reuters | April 9, 2026 | 6:55 am Top Companies Australia China Aluminum Iron Ore

Incoming BHP CEO faces deals, China, spending test

Brandon Craig. (Image courtesy of Brandon Craig | LinkedIn.)

BHP Group’s incoming CEO, Brandon Craig, met with the chairman of Chinalco in Beijing this week and discussed further cooperation, the Chinese aluminum giant said on Thursday.

Craig’s trip to China is a focus of interest to investors as the mining giant has been locked in a pricing battle with its biggest customer, China’s Mineral Resources Group. CMRG has banned its steel mills from buying several of BHP’s products as the two hammer out annual supply terms.

Craig said last month that he would be focused on strengthening the company’s relationships in China.

Chinalco chairman Duan Xiangdong met with Craig on Wednesday and told him that he hoped both companies could cooperate further, according to a company WeChat post.

BHP did not have immediate comment.

Craig will take up his new appointment on July 1.

(By Amy Lv, Lewis Jackson and Melanie Burton; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)