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BHP is stepping up efforts to get to the bottom of a corruption scandal involving its coal operations in Queensland after swinging the axe on dozens of contractors.

The contractors shown the door so far were all hired for work at the Saraji mine. Four other mines in BHP’s coal stable are under scrutiny amid allegations of widespread corruption over a number of years.

The BHP investigation, revealed by The Australian, remains in its early stages, with suggestions the contractor sackings will spread across the BMA coal business owned in partnership with Mitsubishi.

There are allegations one contractor became abusive and threatening when a BHP manager who suspected corruption asked to see invoice and timesheet details.

BHP launched its investigation on the back of one of its managers raising the alarm.

A whistleblower who contacted The Australian on Thursday alleged corruption was widespread and said they had raised concerns with police and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the whistleblower said tens of millions of dollars were involved over the past five years.

“There are others who are willing to come forward to expose what has been happening over a period of years. BHP has dropped the ball,” the person said.

It remains unclear if any BHP employees have been sacked at Saraji or from other parts of the BMA business.

BHP’s response to date includes instructing international labour hire firm Hays to remove 26...

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