S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining shares are up sharply on Monday, with the materials sector the second-best performer of the 11 sectors.
Materials shares are up 1% amid BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) setting a new all-time record at $62.95 per share today.
Australia is at the start of a new mining boom, with 5 key drivers behind a commodities super cycle underway today.
Several commodities have risen substantially over the past 12 months.
Gold has lifted 34%, silver has soared 117%, copper is 33% higher, iron ore is up 10%, and lithium has ripped 192%.
The new mining growth cycle became evident last year, with ASX 200 materials shares soaring 32%.
Let's take a look at three ASX mining shares with buy recommendations from the experts.
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BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The BHP share price is $62.75, up 0.7% today, and up 37% in the calendar year to date (YTD).
John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a buy rating on this ASX 200 copper and iron ore giant.
Athanasiou comments (courtesy The Bull):
Iron ore sales continue to drive earnings, but the key long term story is copper, where demand is structurally supported by electrification, grid investment and artificial intelligence related infrastructure.
Consequently, it gradually shifts BHP from a traditional cyclical miner towards a more diversified industrial metals compounder.
Cash generation remains strong, supporting consistent dividends and capital management. The balance sheet is conservative, allowing flexibility through the cycle.
While iron ore is still exposed to Chinese demand volatility, BHP's scale and low cost positioning provide downside protection.
Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)
The Unico Silver share price is 62 cents, up 6% today, and down 29% YTD.
Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX silver share.
Bui comments (courtesy The Bull):
This silver explorer is advancing high grade deposits in Argentina's Santa Cruz province.
The Joaquin project recently delivered a 143 per cent resource increase to 167 million ounces of silver equivalent since acquiring it in October 2024.
The latest update was achieved from just 27,723 metres of drilling at a discovery cost of US11 cents per ounce.
Silver demand is structurally supported by solar, electrification and green technology, giving USL direct leverage to a rising commodity.
With the resource growing rapidly and development progressing, the investment case is building.
Southern Cross Gold Consolidated CDI (ASX: SX2)
This ASX gold share is $10.32 apiece, up 6.7% today, and down 11.3% YTD.
Shaw and Partners gives Southern Cross Gold shares a buy rating with a 12-month price target of $14.40.
This implies a near-40% upside ahead.
Shaw and Partners analyst Alex Barkley said:
Our base case forecasts support our Buy Recommendation, with an implied ~40% stock upside.
We also find substantial project upside potential at Sunday Creek.
Geological extension potential could extend mine life or importantly, allow a larger mining capacity.
Any project expansion returns could be supercharged by the remarkable ~9g/t AuEq site grade.
Key upcoming catalysts include ongoing drilling, an Exploration Target update in Q2 CY26, and a maiden Resource in Q1 CY27.
