Despite successful efforts to manage water usage more efficiently, tougher environmental rules are increasing miners’ costs and risks, particularly those operating in arid regions or close to populated communities.

The partnership with China Baowu Steel Group and Tsinghua University seeks to develop new ways to cut carbon emissions along the steelmaking supply chain.

BHP favours an internal hire, but is also open to external candidates, people familiar with the matter said.

Police said the companies presented fake documents backing the stability of the dam that collapsed in January.

The move follows a shipment ban imposed by the government in July.