BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is one of the ASX shares I would be happy to own heading into 2027.
The mining giant already has a collection of large, high-quality assets, but I think there are also some interesting growth opportunities ahead.
Here are three reasons I would buy BHP shares.
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Copper could become increasingly important
Copper is probably the part of BHP I am most interested in over the next decade.
The metal is needed across electricity networks, renewable energy, electric vehicles, data centres, and a wide range of other infrastructure.
At the same time, bringing major new copper mines into production can take many years.
That puts established producers such as BHP in a strong position.
The company already has significant copper operations and the expertise to invest further as demand grows. I think that could make copper a much bigger contributor to BHP over time.
Commodity prices will always move around, but I like owning an established producer rather than trying to guess which early-stage copper project might eventually succeed.
BHP is still investing for the future
I also like that BHP is not relying solely on its existing mines.
The company continues to put capital into projects that could support production for decades.
Its Jansen potash development in Canada is one example. Potash is used in fertiliser, giving BHP exposure to a market driven by global food production rather than the same forces that influence iron ore or copper.
For me, this is an interesting addition to the portfolio.
BHP already has enormous exposure to metals and minerals used in construction and industrial activity. Building a meaningful potash business could give it another source of earnings over the long term.
Major projects come with execution risks and require substantial investment before they begin generating returns.
But BHP has the financial strength to pursue opportunities of this scale, which is one of the reasons I am comfortable taking a long-term view.
Scale gives BHP plenty of options
The final reason is BHP's existing strength.
Its large iron ore operations can generate substantial cash flow when market conditions are supportive, while the company also has exposure to copper and other commodities.
That cash gives management choices.
BHP can reinvest in existing assets, develop new projects, pursue acquisitions when opportunities arise, strengthen the balance sheet, or return money to shareholders.
I think that flexibility is particularly valuable in mining, where commodity cycles can create opportunities for companies with the financial capacity to keep investing when conditions become more difficult.
There will still be weaker periods for commodity prices, and BHP's earnings and dividends will move around with them.
But I think its scale puts the company in a strong position to keep building the business through those cycles.
Foolish takeaway
BHP is the type of share I would be comfortable buying heading into 2027 and then leaving alone for years.
I like the growing copper opportunity, investment in new areas such as potash, and the financial strength of the existing business.
There will inevitably be ups and downs along the way, but I think BHP has plenty of ways to be a bigger and stronger company a decade from now.
