Fluctuations in commodity prices (including sustained price shifts) and impacts of ongoing global economic volatility may negatively affect our results, including cash flows and asset values

The prices we obtain for our oil, gas and minerals are determined by, or linked to, prices in world markets, which have historically been subject to significant volatility. Our usual policy is to sell our products at the prevailing market prices. The diversity provided by our relatively broad portfolio of commodities does not necessarily insulate BHP from the effects of price changes. Fluctuations in commodity prices can occur due to price shifts reflecting underlying global economic and geopolitical factors, industry demand, increased supply due to the development of new productive resources or increased production from existing resources, technological change, product substitution and national tariffs. We are particularly exposed to price movements in minerals, oil and gas. For example, a US$1 per tonne decline in the average iron ore price and US$1 per barrel decline in the average oil price would have an estimated impact on FY2017 Profit after taxation from Continuing and Discontinued operations of US$142 million and US$48 million, respectively.

For more information in relation to commodity price impacts, refer to section 1.6.3. Volatility in global economic growth, particularly in developing economies, has the potential to adversely affect future demand and prices for commodities. The impact of sustained price shifts and short-term price volatility, including the effects of unwinding the sustained monetary stimulus in the United States, and uncertainty surrounding the details of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, creates the risk that our financial and operating results, including cash flows and asset values, will be materially and adversely affected by short- or long-term volatility in the prevailing prices of our products.

Our financial results may be negatively affected by exchange rate fluctuations

The geographic diversity of the countries in which our assets are located means that our assets, earnings and cash flows are influenced by a variety of currencies. Fluctuations in the exchange rates of those currencies may have a significant impact on our financial results. The US dollar is the currency in which the majority of our sales are denominated and the currency in which we present our financial performance. Operating costs are influenced by the currencies of those countries where our assets and facilities are located and also by those currencies in which the costs of imported equipment and services are determined.

Reduction in Chinese demand may negatively impact our results

The Chinese market has been driving global materials demand and pricing over the past decade. Sales into China generated US$18.9 billion (FY2016: US$13.2 billion) or 49.3 per cent (FY2016: 42.6 per cent) of our revenue in FY2017. FY2017 sales into China by commodity included 61 per cent Iron Ore, 22 per cent Copper, 16 per cent Coal and 1 per cent Nickel (reported in Group and Unallocated). A continued slowing in China's economic growth and demand could result in lower prices for our products and materially and adversely impact our results, including cash flows.

Actions by governments, regulation, political, community or social events, judicial or community activism or unrest in the countries where our assets are located could have a negative impact on our business

There are varying degrees of political, judicial and commercial stability and activism in the locations in which we have operated and non-operated assets around the globe. At the same time, our exposure to emerging markets may involve additional risks that could have an adverse effect on the profitability of an operation. Risks in the locations in which we have operated and non-operated assets could include terrorism, civil unrest, judicial activism, community challenge or opposition, regulatory investigation, nationalisation, protectionism, renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts, leases, permits or other agreements, imposts, controls or prohibitions on the production or use of certain products, restrictions on repatriation of earnings or capital and changes in laws and policy, as well as other unforeseeable risks. Risks relating to bribery and corruption, including possible delays or disruption resulting from a refusal to make so-called facilitation payments, may be prevalent in some of the countries where our assets are located. If any of our major assets are affected by one or more of these risks, it could have a material adverse effect on our assets in those countries, as well as BHP's overall operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Our operated and non-operated assets are based on material long-term investments that are dependent on long-term fiscal stability and could be adversely affected by changes in fiscal legislation, changes in interpretation of fiscal legislation, periodic challenges and disagreements with tax authorities and legal proceedings relating to fiscal matters. The natural resources industry continues to be regarded as a source of tax revenue and can also be adversely affected by broader fiscal measures applying to businesses generally. BHP is currently involved in a number of uncertain tax and royalty matters. For more information, refer to note 5 'Income tax expense' in section 5.

Our business could be adversely affected by new or evolving government regulations and international standards, such as controls on imports, exports, prices and greenhouse gas emissions. The nature of the industries in which we conduct business means many of our activities are highly regulated by laws relating to health, safety, environment and community impacts. Increasing requirements relating to regulatory, environmental, social or community engagement or approvals can potentially result in significant delays or interruptions and may adversely affect the economics of new mining and oil and gas projects, the expansion of existing assets and operations and the performance of our assets. As regulatory standards and expectations are constantly developing, we may be exposed to increased regulatory review, compliance costs to meet new operating and reporting standards and unforeseen closure and site rehabilitation expenses.

Infrastructure, such as rail, ports, power and water, is critical to our business operations. We have assets or potential development projects in countries where government-provided infrastructure or regulatory regimes for access to infrastructure, including our own privately operated infrastructure, may be inadequate, uncertain or subject to legislative change. The impact of climate change may increase competition for, and the regulation of, limited resources, such as power and water. These factors could materially and adversely affect the expansion of our business and ability of our assets to operate efficiently.

We own assets or interests in countries where land tenure can be uncertain and disputes may arise in relation to ownership and use, including in respect of Indigenous rights. For example, in Australia, the Native Title Act 1993 provides for the establishment and recognition of native title under certain circumstances.

New or evolving regulations and international standards are complex, difficult to predict and outside our control. Potential compliance costs, litigation expenses, regulatory delays, rehabilitation expenses and operational impacts and costs arising from government action, regulatory change and evolving standards could materially and adversely affect BHP's future results, prospects and our financial condition.

Failure to discover or acquire new resources, maintain reserves or develop new assets could negatively affect our future results and financial condition

The demand for our products and production from our assets results in existing reserves being depleted over time. As our revenues and profits are derived from our oil, gas and minerals assets, our future results and financial condition are directly related to the success of our exploration and acquisition efforts, and our ability to generate reserves to meet our future production requirements at a competitive cost. Exploration activity occurs adjacent to established assets and in new regions, in developed and less-developed countries. These activities may increase land tenure, infrastructure and related political risks. A failure in our ability to discover or acquire new resources, maintain reserves or develop new assets or operations in sufficient quantities to maintain or grow the current level of our reserves could negatively affect our results, financial condition and prospects. Deterioration in commodities pricing may make some existing reserves uneconomic. Our actual exploration drilling activities and future drilling budget will depend on our inventory size and quality, drilling results, commodity prices, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, lease expirations, land access, transportation pipelines, railroads and other infrastructure constraints, regulatory approvals and other factors.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating mineral and oil and gas reserves. Geological assumptions about our mineralisation that are valid at the time of estimation may change significantly when new information becomes available. Estimates of reserves that will be recovered, or the cost at which we anticipate reserves will be recovered, are based on uncertain assumptions. The uncertain global financial outlook may affect economic assumptions related to reserve recovery and may require reserve restatements. Reserve restatements could negatively affect our results and prospects.

Potential changes to our portfolio of assets through acquisitions and divestments may have a material adverse effect on our future results and financial condition

We regularly review the composition of our asset portfolio and from time-to-time may add assets to, or divest assets from, the portfolio. There are a number of risks associated with acquisitions or divestments. These include:

·     adverse market reaction to such changes or the timing or terms on which changes are made;

·     the imposition of adverse regulatory conditions and obligations;

·     commercial objectives not being achieved as expected;

·     unforeseen liabilities arising from changes to the portfolio;

·     sales revenues and operational performance not meeting our expectations;

·     anticipated synergies or cost savings being delayed or not being achieved;

·     inability to retain key staff and transaction-related costs being more than anticipated.

These factors could materially and adversely affect our reputation, future results and financial condition.

Increased costs and schedule delays may adversely affect our development projects

Although we devote significant time and resources to our project planning, approval and review processes, many of our development projects are highly complex and rely on factors that are outside our control, which may cause us to underestimate the cost or time required to complete a project. For instance, incidents or unexpected conditions encountered during development projects may cause setbacks or cost overruns, required licences, permits or authorisations to build a project may be unobtainable at anticipated costs, or may be obtained only after significant delay and market conditions may change, thereby making a project less profitable than initially projected.

In addition, we may fail to develop and manage projects as effectively as we anticipate and unforeseen challenges may emerge.

Any of these may result in increased capital costs and schedule delays at our development projects and materially and adversely affect anticipated financial returns.

If our liquidity and cash flow deteriorate significantly it could adversely affect our ability to fund our major capital programs

We seek to maintain a strong balance sheet. However, fluctuations in commodity prices and ongoing global economic volatility could materially and adversely affect our future cash flows and ability to access capital from financial markets at acceptable pricing. If our key financial ratios and credit ratings are not maintained, our liquidity and cash reserves, interest rate costs on borrowed debt, future access to financial capital markets and the ability to fund current and future major capital projects could be adversely affected.

We may not fully recover our investments in mining, oil and gas assets, which may require financial write-downs

One or more of our assets may be adversely affected by changed market or industry structures, commodity prices, technical operating difficulties, inability to recover our mineral, oil or gas reserves and increased operating cost levels. These may cause us to fail to recover all or a portion of our investment in mining, oil and gas assets and may require financial write-downs, including goodwill, adversely affecting our financial results.

The commercial counterparties we transact with may not meet their obligations, which may negatively affect our results

We contract with many commercial and financial counterparties, including end-customers, suppliers and financial institutions in the context of global financial markets that remain volatile. We maintain a 'one book' approach with commercial counterparties to make sure all credit exposures are quantified and assessed consistently. However, our existing counterparty credit controls may not prevent a material loss due to credit exposure to a major customer segment or financial counterparty. In addition, customers, suppliers, contractors or joint venture partners may fail to perform against existing contracts and obligations. Non-supply of key inputs, such as tyres, mining and mobile equipment, diesel and other key consumables, may unfavourably impact costs and production at our assets. These factors could negatively affect our financial condition and results of assets.

Unexpected natural and operational catastrophes may adversely impact our assets

We have onshore and offshore extractive, processing and logistical operations in many geographic locations. Our key port facilities are located at Coloso and Antofagasta in Chile and Port Hedland and Hay Point in Australia. We have four underground mines, including one underground coal mine. Our operational processes may be subject to operational accidents, such as port and shipping incidents, underground mine and processing plant fire and explosion, open-cut pit wall or tailings/waste storage facility failures, loss of power supply, railroad incidents, loss of well control, environmental pollution, mechanical critical equipment failures and cyber security attacks on BHP's infrastructure. Our minerals and oil and gas assets may also be subject to unexpected natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis. Our Western Australia Iron Ore, Queensland Coal and Gulf of Mexico oil and gas assets are located in areas subject to cyclones or hurricanes. Our Chilean copper and Peruvian base metals assets are located in a known earthquake and tsunami zone. Based on our risk management and the limited value of external insurance in the natural resource sector, our risk financing (insurance) approach is to minimise or not to purchase external insurance for certain risks, including property damage and business interruption, sabotage and terrorism, marine cargo, construction, primary public liability and employee benefits. Existing business continuity plans may not provide protection for all the costs that arise from such events, including clean-up costs, litigation and other claims. The impact of these events could lead to disruptions in production, increased costs and loss of facilities. Where external insurance is purchased, third party claims arising from these events may exceed the limit of liability of the insurance policies we have in place. Additionally, any uninsured or underinsured losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of assets.

Breaches in, or failures of, our information technology may adversely impact our business activities

We maintain and increasingly rely on information technology (IT) systems, consisting of digital infrastructure, applications and networks to support our business activities. These systems may be subject to security breaches (e.g. cyber-crime or activists) or other incidents (e.g. from negligence) that can result in misappropriation of funds, increased health and safety risks to people, disruption to our assets, environmental damage, poor product quality, loss of intellectual property, disclosure of commercially or personally sensitive information, legal or regulatory breaches and liability, other costs and reputational damage.

Evolving convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks across industries, including ours, present additional cyber-related risk as traditionally IT networks have focused on availability of service to the enterprise.

Our potential liability from litigation and other actions resulting from the Samarco dam failure is subject to significant uncertainty and cannot be reliably estimated at this time, but could have a material adverse impact on our business

On 5 November 2015, the Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) iron ore operations experienced a tailings dam failure that resulted in a release of mine tailings, flooding the communities of Bento Rodrigues, Gesteira and Paracatu and impacting other communities downstream and the environment of the Rio Doce basin. Samarco is a joint venture owned equally by BHP Billiton Brasil Limitada (BHP Billiton Brasil) and Vale S.A. (Vale). For information on the Samarco dam failure, refer to section 1.7.

The Samarco dam failure and subsequent suspension of Samarco's mining and processing operations continue to impact our financial results and will be disclosed as an exceptional item for the year ended 30 June 2017, as described in 1.7 and in note 3 'Significant events - Samarco dam failure' in section 5.

Mining and processing operations remain suspended following the dam failure. Samarco is currently progressing plans to resume operations; however, significant uncertainties surrounding the nature and timing of any resumption of operations remain, including as a result of Samarco's significant debt obligations. For financial information relating to Samarco, refer to note 29 'Investments accounted for using the equity method' in section 5.

BHP Billiton Brasil is among the defendants named in a number of legal proceedings initiated by individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporations and governmental entities in Brazilian federal and state courts following the Samarco dam failure. The other defendants include Samarco, Vale and Fundação Renova. The lawsuits seek various remedies, including rehabilitation costs, compensation to injured individuals and families of the deceased, recovery of personal and property losses, moral damages and injunctive relief.

Among the claims brought against BHP Billiton Brasil is a public civil claim commenced by the Federal Government of Brazil, the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, and certain other public authorities (Brazilian Authorities) on 30 November 2015, seeking the establishment of a fund of up to R$20 billion (approximately US$6.1 billion) in aggregate for clean-up costs and damages and a R$155 billion (approximately US$47 billion) claim brought by the Federal Public Prosecution Service on 3 May 2016 for reparation, compensation and moral damages in relation to the Samarco dam failure.  Given the status of these proceedings, it is not possible at this time to provide a range of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures for BHP Billiton Brasil. For further details on some of the legal proceedings relating to the Samarco dam failure, refer to section 6.

On 2 March 2016, BHP Billiton Brasil, together with Vale and Samarco, entered into a Framework Agreement (Framework Agreement) with the Brazilian Authorities to establish a foundation ( Fundação Renova) that will develop and execute environmental and socio-economic programs to remediate and provide compensation for damage caused by the Samarco dam failure. The Framework Agreement was ratified by the Conciliation Chamber of the Federal Court of Appeal in Brasilia on 5 May 2016, suspending the R$20 billion public civil claim. However, on 30 June 2016, the Superior Court of Justice issued a preliminary order (Interim Order) suspending the 5 May 2016 ratification of the Framework Agreement and reinstating the R$20 billion public civil claim. BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco and the Federal Government have appealed the Interim Order before the Superior Court of Justice.

In light of the significant uncertainties surrounding the nature and timing of ongoing future operations at Samarco and based on currently available information, at 30 June 2017, BHP recognised a provision of US$1.1 billion, before tax and after discounting (30 June 2016, US$1.2 billion), in respect of BHP Billiton Brasil's obligations under the Framework Agreement.

The measurement of the provision requires the use of estimates and assumptions and may be affected by, among other factors, potential changes in scope of work and funding amounts required under the Framework Agreement, including further technical analysis required under the Preliminary Agreement (referred to below), the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with Federal Prosecutors, costs incurred in respect of programs delivered, resolution of uncertainty in respect of operational restart, updates to discount and foreign exchange rates, resolution of existing and potential legal claims and the status of the Framework Agreement. As a result, future actual expenditures may differ from the amounts currently provided and changes to key assumptions and estimates could result in a material impact on the amount of the provision in future reporting periods.

On 18 January 2017, BHP Billiton Brasil, together with Vale and Samarco, entered into a Preliminary Agreement with the Federal Prosecutors' Office in Brazil, which outlines the process and timeline for further negotiations towards a settlement regarding the R$20 billion public civil claim and the R$155 billion public civil claim. While a final decision by the Court on the issue of ratification of the Framework Agreement is pending, the Preliminary Agreement suspends a R$1.2 billion (approximately US$365 million) injunction order under the R$20 billion public civil claim. The Preliminary Agreement also requests suspension of the public civil claim, with a decision from the Court pending. The R$1.2 billion injunction order may be reinstated if a final settlement arrangement is not agreed by 30 October 2017. Given the status of these proceedings, it is not possible at this time to provide a range of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures for BHP Billiton Brasil.

With regard to the Preliminary Agreement, the 12^th Federal Court of Belo Horizonte suspended the R$155 billion claim, including a R$7.7 billion (approximately US$2.3 billion) injunction request.  However, proceedings may be resumed if a final settlement agreement is not agreed by 30 October 2017.  Given the status of these proceedings, it is not possible at this time to provide a range of possible outcomes or a reliable estimate of potential future exposures for BHP Billiton Brasil.

In addition, government inquiries and investigations relating to the Samarco dam failure have been commenced by numerous agencies of the Brazilian Government. Other lawsuits and investigations are at the early stages of proceedings, including a shareholder action in the United States against BHP and a Samarco bondholder action in the United States against Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton Brasil and BHP. For more information on the shareholder and bondholder actions and other lawsuits relating to the Samarco dam failure, refer to section 6.5. Additional lawsuits and government investigations relating to the Samarco dam failure may be brought against BHP Billiton Brasil and possibly other BHP entities in Brazil or other jurisdictions.

While additional retention structures have been completed, the potential remains for further release or downstream movement of tailings material, which may result in additional claims, fines and proceedings (or impact existing proceedings) and may also have additional consequences on the environment and the feasibility, timing and scope of any restart of Samarco operations.

Our potential costs and liabilities in relation to the Samarco dam failure are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and cannot be reliably estimated at this time. The total amounts that we may be required to pay will be dependent on many factors, including the timing and nature of a potential restart of operations at Samarco, the number of claims that become payable, the quantum of any fines levied, the outcome of litigation and the amount and timing of payments under any judgements or settlements. Nevertheless, such potential costs and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, competitive position, cash flows, prospects, liquidity and shareholder returns.

Cost pressures and reduced productivity could negatively impact our operating margins and expansion plans

Cost pressures may continue to occur across the resources industry. As the prices for our products are determined by the global commodity markets, we do not generally have the ability to offset these cost pressures through corresponding price increases, which can adversely affect our operating margins. Although our efforts to reduce costs and a number of key cost inputs are commodity price-linked, the inability to reduce costs and a timing lag could materially and adversely impact our operating margins for an extended period.

Some of our assets, such as those producing copper, are energy or water intensive. As a result, BHP's costs and earnings could be materially and adversely affected by rising costs or supply interruptions. These could include the unavailability of energy, fuel or water due to a variety of reasons, including fluctuations in climate, inadequate infrastructure capacity, interruptions in supply due to equipment failure or other causes and the inability to extend supply contracts on economic terms.

Many of our Australian employees have conditions of employment, including wages, governed by the operation of the Australian Fair Work Act 2009. Conditions of employment are often contained within collective agreements that are required to be renegotiated on expiry (typically every three to four years). In some instances, under the operation of the Fair Work Act, it can be expected that unions will pursue increases to conditions of employment, including wages, and/or claims for greater union involvement in business decision-making.

In circumstances where a collective agreement is being renegotiated, industrial action is permitted under the Fair Work Act. Industrial action and any subsequent settlement to mitigate associated commercial damage can adversely affect productivity and customer perceptions as a reliable supplier, and contribute to increases in costs.

The industrial relations environment in Chile remains challenging and it is possible that we will see further disruptions. Recent changes to labour legislation in Chile have resulted in the right to have a single negotiating body across different operations owned by a single company. This change may lead to a higher risk of operational stoppages that can contribute to an increase in costs and a reduction in productivity.

More broadly, cost and productivity pressures on BHP and our contractors and sub-contractors may increase the risk of industrial action and employment litigation.

These factors could lead to increased operating costs at existing assets, interruptions or delays and could negatively impact our operating margins and expansion plans.

Non-operated assets have their own management and operating standards, joint venture partners or other companies managing those non-operated assets may take action contrary to our standards or fail to adopt standards equivalent to BHP's standards, and commercial counterparties may not comply with our standards

We have interests in assets which are operated and managed by joint venture partners or by other companies. Those joint venture partners or other companies have their own management and operating standards, controls and procedures, including health, safety, environment and community (HSEC) standards and may take action contrary to BHP's management and operating standards, controls and procedures. Failure by those joint venture partners or other companies to adopt equivalent standards, controls and procedures at these non-operated assets could lead to higher costs and reduced production, litigation and regulatory action, delays or interruptions and adversely impact our results, prospects and reputation.

Commercial counterparties, such as our suppliers, contractors and customers, may not comply with our HSEC standards or other standards we apply, causing adverse reputational, legal and financial impacts.

Safety, health, environmental and community impacts, incidents or accidents may adversely affect our people, assets and reputation or licence to operate