Driving sustainable investment in African Mining

Tim O'Connor

Group Exploration Officer BHP

Tim O’Connor is the Group Exploration Officer at BHP. 
In his current role, Tim has accountability for BHP’s global Exploration efforts – including the innovative Xplor incubator. Prior to stepping into the Exploration, Tim led the Resource Centre of Excellence and Legacy Assets - with functional accountability for Geoscience, Resource Engineering, Tailings and Processing across the group, as well as operational accountability for 24 mine sites in various states of closure.  
A strong believer in the solving complex challenges across the value chain, Tim led the integration of the OZ Minerals business into BHP following its acquisition in 2023.   
Tim has been at BHP since 2006 and has worked in both the Petroleum and Minerals businesses – holding senior roles in Strategy, Exploration and Production.  Tim has degrees in both Geology and Geophysics from Boston College. 


2025 Agenda Sessions

What does an explorer of the future look like? New approach, new investment opportunities?

  • Will the next generation of geologists approach exploration differently?
  • What role will technology play in reducing timelines for new discoveries?
  • The investor view: what is needed to increase investor interest at exploration stage, and could this lead to increased longer-term investment spend?
  • How important is sustainability to next gen explorers, and investors?

Tuesday 04 February 11:15 - 12:00 CTICC1

Disruptive Discussions

Add to calendar 02/04/2025 11:15 02/04/2025 12:00 What does an explorer of the future look like? New approach, new investment opportunities?
  • Will the next generation of geologists approach exploration differently?
  • What role will technology play in reducing timelines for new discoveries?
  • The investor view: what is needed to increase investor interest at exploration stage, and could this lead to increased longer-term investment spend?
  • How important is sustainability to next gen explorers, and investors?
CTICC1 Africa/Johannesburg