Director - CESCO

Osvaldo Urzúa is Director at CESCO and a senior expert in mining policy, innovation, and sustainable development, with over 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors. He holds a PhD in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Sussex, an MBA from ESADE, and a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Chile. Osvaldo has held key leadership roles at BHP for over a decade, both at operational and corporate levels in Santiago and Melbourne, including Head of Government Relations for BHP Americas and Head of Corporate Affairs at Minera Escondida. In these roles, he led high-impact initiatives such as BHP’s Social Value strategy, the World Class Supplier Programme, and the CREO Antofagasta Programme focused on improving quality of life in mining regions. He currently works as an independent consultant for leading international mining companies and contributes to the development of Chile’s national mining policy. His experience spans mining, innovation, collective action, and shared value, with a strong focus on aligning industry development with societal and environmental priorities. Osvaldo has also served on multiple boards, including Fundación Chile, CEIM, and CESCO, and remains actively involved in academic activities across several universities in Chile. With a unique combination of policy, corporate, and advisory experience, Osvaldo provides a comprehensive perspective on how mining can evolve through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable value creation.