Page 172 - Annual Report 2020

4.13 Political donations 4.18 Share capital, restrictions

We maintain a position of impartiality with respect to party politics on transfer of shares and other
and do not make political contributions or expenditure/donations additional information
for political purposes to any political party, politician, elected
official or candidate for public office. We do, however, contribute Information relating to BHP Group Plc’s share capital structure,
to the public debate of policy issues that may affect BHP in the restrictions on the holding or transfer of its securities or on the
countries in which we operate. exercise of voting rights attaching to such securities, certain
No political contributions/donations for political purposes were agreements triggered on a change of control and the existence
made by BHP to any political party, politician, elected official or of branches of BHP outside of the United Kingdom, is set out in
(1)
candidate for public office during FY2020. the following sections:
• Section 1.9.1 (Our locations)
4.14 Exploration, research and • Section 4.2 (Share capital and buy-back programs)
• Section 7.3 (Organisational structure)
development • Section 7.4 (Material contracts)
• Section 7.5 (Constitution)
Companies within the Group carry out exploration and research
and development necessary to support their activities. Details are • Section 7.6 (Share ownership)
provided in sections 1.5.3, 1.9 to 1.11 and 6.4. • Section 7.9 (Government regulations)
• Note 15 ‘Share capital’ and note 24 ‘Employee share ownership
plans’ in section 5
4.15 ASIC Instrument 2016/191 As at the date of this Directors’ Report, there were 14,978,955
BHP Group Limited is an entity to which Australian Securities unvested equity awards outstanding in relation to BHP Group
and Investments Commission (ASIC) Corporations (Rounding in Limited ordinary shares held by 15,795 holders and 364,889
Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191 dated 24 March unvested equity awards outstanding in relation to BHP Group Plc
2016 applies. Amounts in this Directors’ Report and the Financial ordinary shares held by 998 holders. The expiry dates of these
Statements, except estimates of future expenditure or where unvested equity awards range between April 2021 and August 2024
otherwise indicated, have been rounded to the nearest million and there is no exercise price. No options over unissued shares
dollars in accordance with ASIC Instrument 2016/191. or unissued interests in BHP have been granted since the end of
FY2020 and no shares or interests were issued as a result of the
exercise of an option over unissued shares or interests since the
4.16 Proceedings on behalf of BHP end of FY2020. Further details are set out in note 24 ‘Employee
Group Limited share ownership plans’ in section 5. Details of movements in share
capital during and since the end of FY2020 are set out in note 15
No proceedings have been brought on behalf of BHP Group ‘Share capital’ in section 5.
Limited, nor has any application been made, under section 237 The Directors’ Report is approved in accordance with a resolution
of the Australian Corporations Act 2001. of the Board.
4.17 Performance in relation to
environmental regulation

BHP seeks to be compliant with all applicable environmental laws Ken MacKenzie Mike Henry
and regulations relevant to its operations. We monitor compliance Chair Chief Executive Officer
on a regular basis, including through external and internal means, Dated: 3 September 2020
to minimise the risk of non-compliance. For more information on
BHP’s performance in relation to health, safety and the
environment, refer to section 1.7.
Fines and prosecutions
For the purposes of section 299 (1)(f) of the Australian Corporations
Act 2001, in FY2020 BHP levied six fines in relation to Australian
environmental laws and regulations at our operated assets, the
total amount payable being US$216,229. Two fines were received at
Blackwater: noise exceedance (US$9,123) and mine affected water
(US$8,937). One fine was received at Goonyella: unauthorised
release (US$135,733) and one fine at Saraji: tailings pipeline
breach (US$8,830). One fine was received at NSWEC: dust event
(US$10,198) and one fine at Nickel West: mining disturbance
footprint non adherence (US$43,408).
Greenhouse gas emissions
Regulations made under the UK Companies Act 2006 requires BHP,
to the extent practicable, to obtain relevant information on the
Group’s annual quantity of greenhouse gas emissions, which is
reported in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and the Group’s
energy consumption. In accordance with those UK requirements,
information on BHP’s total FY2020 greenhouse gas emissions and
intensity and energy consumption has been included in sections
1.4.8, 1.7.8 and 6.6.
For more information on environmental performance, including
environmental regulation, refer to section 1.7.

(1) Note that Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) disclosure requirements are
broad, such that amounts that are not political donations can be reportable for
AEC purposes. For example, where a political party or organisation owns shares
in BHP, the AEC filing requires the political party or organisation to disclose the
dividend payments received in respect of their shareholding.

170 BHP Annual Report 2020