Sonia Scarselli
VP BHP Xplor
Sonia Scarselli leads BHP’s robust Metals Exploration division and BHP’s innovative accelerator program, BHP Xplor, with a focus on creating transformative and collaborative approaches to further expand the company’s future growth options. She was appointed VP of BHP Xplor in June 2022 and her remit was expanded through this new role to include leadership of the Exploration organisation in September 2023.
As VP of BHP Xplor, Sonia pioneered the development and successful implementation of Xplor, a minerals exploration accelerator program seeking early-stage critical minerals concepts. This program expands BHP’s search space and complements exploration channels to establish a larger, diversified portfolio that can increase the chance of success for adding new resources.
Since joining BHP in 2012, Sonia has held several leadership positions through her tenure within BHP Petroleum, including: VP of Exploration and Appraisal, Head of Algeria, and Exploration Manager for Trinidad and Tobago.
Sonia started her career at ExxonMobil UK and holds a master’s degree in Geological Science from Università degli studi di Perugia, a PhD in Geology from ETH Zurich and an MBA from the London Business School. She serves as advisor in Deep Energy Capital, LLP, CEOs Against Cancer Chapter, and the AAPG Advisory Council.
2024 Agenda Sessions
Disruptive Discussion - Africa exploration pipelines - why so empty?
- The future of mining depends on exploring for, and discovering new deposits now – why then is so little investment being made into the last truly untapped mineral-rich continent?
- How do we address the major prohibitors preventing exploration spend? – political instability, safety concerns, and a lack of transparent data
- Unless radical change is achieved to address limited exploration spend, will Africa miss out on the opportunity to meet global demand for critical minerals needed to drive the planet’s green transformation?
- Which African countries are defying the limited exploration trend, and why?
Monday 05 February 15:35 - 16:20 Disruptors Stage
Disruptive Discussions
- The future of mining depends on exploring for, and discovering new deposits now – why then is so little investment being made into the last truly untapped mineral-rich continent?
- How do we address the major prohibitors preventing exploration spend? – political instability, safety concerns, and a lack of transparent data
- Unless radical change is achieved to address limited exploration spend, will Africa miss out on the opportunity to meet global demand for critical minerals needed to drive the planet’s green transformation?
- Which African countries are defying the limited exploration trend, and why?