BHP Billiton would need to gradually move away from mining coal if carbon capture and storage technologies do not prove successful, according to chief executive Andrew Mackenzie.

Speaking on the ABC Radio on Tuesday, Mr Mackenzie said BHP mined coal for an economic return and was not committed to the commodity for any other reason.

The Indian government doesn't want Australian coal. Credit:Peter Braig

"We are not committed to develop coal any more than we are committed to developing copper or potash, we make those decisions on an economic basis because they are the things we can put our people to work on so we can get a higher return for our shareholders," he said.

"If the world moves much more quickly into a green horizon, we end up investing in other things, so (you should) value our company as much on our skills as you value (it) on our options for development."