Brisbane Forum - Global Mining Guidelines Group

GMG BRISBANE FORUM

July 16-17, 2025

Join mining leaders, technology innovators, and operational experts at the GMG Brisbane Forum 2025, a dynamic two-day event focused on shaping the future of underground and integrated mining operations.
Designed for highly interactive and honest conversation, this forum brings together speakers and participants from around the world to tackle mining’s biggest challenges and opportunities. With a program built around the innovation priorities of the Brisbane mining ecosystem, sessions will spotlight critical themes including decarbonization and electrification, AI and data integration, emerging technologies, and full-site operational integration.

Through collaborative panels, technical presentations, and working sessions, attendees will dive into real-world innovations transforming mining performance, safety, and sustainability. Whether you’re navigating digital transformation, deploying new technologies, or driving operational excellence, the GMG Brisbane Forum offers a unique platform to engage with peers, share knowledge, and help define the next chapter of mining.
Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of mining.

Schedule

July 16 (AM) | Decarbonization and Electrification: The Path Forward

How Electrification Can Play a Role in Decarbonisation

The need for decarbonisation across Australia’s industrial sectors is clear; however, the path to achieve this is not. Electrification is an important component of future energy systems yet relies on new technologies, infrastructure, and use patterns to be achievable. Further, not all industrial energy loads are suitable for electrification, with other low-carbon pathways required. This talk will explore the opportunities and challenges for electrification across Australia’s industrial sectors and how this might have impacts on the mining value chain.

Working Session | Decarbonization: Working Together on Practical Solutions

Now only 5 years away from 2030, what is it going to take to achieve those emissions targets and beyond? During this working session participants will work together to identify practical solutions to achieve success.

Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer – Another Tool in Mining’s Zero Emissions Transition

Panel | Is it the right time for decarbonization and electrification—and what’s next?

This panel will explore how mining operations are balancing immediate decarbonization actions with long-term strategies. Topics include wireless charging, renewable integration, fleet transitions, and building the infrastructure for low-carbon operations—while questioning whether today’s solutions are enough for the future.

Panelists to date:

Aaron Innis, Manager, Automation, Imvelo (Moderator)
Allan Morton, Executive Director, enviroMETS
Patrick Marshall, Vice President Technology, MacLean Engineering Australia
Sarah de Vries, Principal Consultant – Electrification, Snowden Optiro

Advancing Mining Electrification: Insights from a 2025 Technology Demonstration

Electrification plays a critical role in the mining industry’s decarbonization efforts, yet challenges such as infrastructure scalability, battery weight, and cross-OEM compatibility remain significant hurdles. One approach being developed to address these challenges involves dynamic charging systems capable of supporting mixed-OEM haul fleets in motion.

In 2025, a technology demonstration at the Queensland Proving Grounds will showcase a hybrid diesel-electric pathway designed to help accelerate the transition toward full electrification. James Oliver, CEO of BluVein, will provide an overview of this collaborative, OEM-agnostic approach and discuss how it aims to support lighter battery designs, reduce infrastructure demands, and contribute to mining’s broader net-zero goals.

Nose to Tail Mining: A Circular Solution for Sand Supply and Tailings Reduction at Scale

The mining industry faces two pressing challenges: the unsustainable global demand for aggregates—such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone—and the escalating risks associated with mine tailings, especially in the context of the energy transition. However, a transformative solution lies at the intersection of these two challenges. This presentation introduces ore-sand, a clean, fit-for-purpose byproduct derived from mineral processing circuits at predominantly metal ore mines. Ore-sand is a circular economy solution that offers a scalable and sustainable alternative to natural sand while significantly reducing mine tailings volumes. This innovative approach not only addresses critical environmental and social concerns but also provides economic benefits by creating new business opportunities and reducing tailings management costs. Case studies from Vale’s Brucutu mine and Newmont’s Cadia mine demonstrate the practical applications and potential of ore-sand production. By adopting the nose to tail mining paradigm, the mining sector can seize a compelling opportunity to redefine its role in sustainable development, maximising value and resource utilisation while decreasing impacts and risks via tailings reduction.

July 16 (PM) | Seamless Horizons: Connecting Value Chains in Mining Across Space and Time

Working Session | Shifting to a Systems Approach to Mine Design and Operations

Adopting a systems-based approach can transform mine design and operations, improving efficiency, sustainability, risk management, and long-term value, while fostering greater resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. Participants will define key elements such as data integration, stakeholder collaboration, operational flexibility, and consideration of environmental and social factors, and explore how these elements work together to create a more holistic approach.

Rethinking Mine Design

Safe Mixed Fleet Operations

Panel | Beyond the Mine: Building Connected Value Chains for the Future

As mining operations become more interconnected with global industries, supply chains, and emerging technologies, traditional hub-and-spoke models are no longer sufficient. This panel will explore how the industry can transition to a fully networked value chain—one that spans space, adapts over time, and remains resilient amid geopolitical shifts and supply chain disruptions. What will it take for mining to move beyond isolated operations and actively contribute to a broader, integrated ecosystem?

Panelists to date:

Elliot Duff, Robotics Research Consultant (Moderator)
Neville Plint, CEO, Mining3/Helen Degeling, Director of Geosciences & Sustainability, Mining3
Serkan Saydam, Professor, University of New South Wales

July 17 (AM) | Harnessing AI and Applications of Data

Transforming Gold Operations with Scientific AI

Intellisense.io will present the results of Cowal Gold Operations’ (Evolution Mining) implementation of scientific AI to optimize gold recovery. The digital solution connects the mine to the plant, enabling real-time material and influence tracking to maximize flotation and leaching circuit performance. The presentation will cover the journey of AI adoption, the results achieved, and the lessons learned.

Working Session | AI in Mining: Tackling Industry Challenges with Smart Solutions

As the industry navigates increasing complexities—ranging from operational inefficiencies and workforce shortages to sustainability goals and real-time decision-making—AI and data analytics are proving to be game-changers. Participants will work together to identify actionable strategies for integrating AI into mining operations.

Ore Body Knowledge

GMG AI WG Projects

Trustworthy AI for Mining

AI is a powerful tool, but with great power comes great responsibility. In our personal lives we know it is affecting what we see and when we see it. Our AI in our personal lives shapes our perceptions of AI and what it can and can’t do well, and our perceptions of trustworthiness. Arguably much of the impact on our personal lives has been achieved by stealth with little to no mention of AI in the various software applications that drive our entertainment selections, news feeds and even job recommendations. In contrast, mining software companies typically call out the role of AI in the technological solutions to solve problems ranging from image recognition, categorisation, prediction and optimisation. Do we have different expectations of trustworthiness when we are professionally accountable for the outputs and recommendations from AI applications? If professionals need to trust AI to accept and recommend using it to make decisions, then how can we as an industry engender trust in AI technology. The alternative is to ignore human factors and force change. In this presentation I will share PETRA’s experiences from extreme transparency to full autonomous implementation and the nuance and complexity that human factors bring to technological advancement in our industry.

AI Open Discussion | AI, Ethics, and Resilience in a Changing World

As global dynamics shift, mining companies face new challenges—from supply chain disruptions to resource nationalism and evolving ethical expectations. This panel will explore how AI can be leveraged to navigate these complexities, drive more agile decision-making, and uphold ethical standards in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

July 17 (PM) | New Technologies and Approaches for Maximum Impact

The Open Mining Format (OMF)

Zero Entry Mining

Working Session | Achieving Value Through New Technology: Are you Ready?

Industry is striving to increase productivity with improved safety and environmental performance. New technologies are emerging and mining companies are committed to progress within the next few years. What will it take to be prepared to embrace new technologies and processes? We need to work together and help build the new paradigm for mine operations.

The Uptake of Novel, Efficient Technology within the Mining System

There is a strong drive to introduce far more efficient equipment into the mining process. One of the most called-for being low-energy comminution for mineral liberation. Motivated by this driver, many novel devices are on offer, from microwave and electrical disintegration to high-intensity crushing devices. What tends to be overlooked, is that any new device only has value within the system of the mining process flowsheet. Thus, the integration of the equipment into overall process performance is considered to be a critical aspect of evaluating and progressing new technology. This should span ore characterisation – ore variability in daily operation and long-term mine plan; mine plan modified to suit the new process and cut off grade(s); blending or streaming or ore types; location and size of buffers; dealing with deleterious elements; different options the equipment offers for recovery methods (particle size, dry, coarse recovery, regrind, …); impact on tailings storage (especially tailings dams); water recovery; and environmental impact. All of these are strongly influenced by the dynamics of the process, which should be captured in design and simulation systems.

This presentation highlights how this may be addressed in an integrated manner by improving the tools at our disposal and developing new capability as required.

Close the Adoption Gap for Critical Solutions on Sites! Michelin Mining and HINDSITE Digitised Work Management Case Study

Every great product or system has reduced benefits and adoption when stakeholders don’t have digitised standard work at their fingertips. Hear how Michelin Mining used HINDSITE’s digitised Work management solution to halve the unavailability of their safety and production critical system MEMS across sites.

Panel | Are Fundamentals Still Relevant—Or Just Industry Nostalgia?

This panel will challenge the mining industry’s “back to basics” narrative, debating whether the focus should be on rebuilding foundational skills and processes or fully embracing new technologies without looking back. Panelists will explore how the industry can balance hard-earned experience with innovation to move forward sustainably and effectively.

Panelists to date:

Neville Plint, CEO, Mining3 (Moderator)
Dominic Stoll, Solutions Manager, Mipac
Ross McAree, Head of School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland
Todd Myers, Principal Business Process Management Consultant, Crucible Mining

Speakers

Aaron Innis, Manager, Automation, Imvelo

Aaron Innis is a seasoned professional in mining automation and operational technology with over 13 years of experience delivering Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) and Fleet Management Systems (FMS) across multiple regions, including the USA and Australia. Aaron has led large-scale deployments with various OEM fleets, driving operational readiness, technology change management, and continuous improvement programs that have delivered significant safety and productivity gains. His expertise spans network infrastructure, remote operations centre development, and integrating automation into complex mining environments.

Allan Morton, Executive Director, enviroMETS

Allan Morton is an experienced consultant and company director with advisory roles across private, non-profit, and publicly listed organizations in Australia and New Zealand. With a background in engineering, business management, and executive education from Harvard Business School, Allan specializes in strategic business development across sectors such as mining, manufacturing, logistics, and agri-business.

He has a strong track record in building collaborative industry clusters, aligning diverse stakeholders—including SMEs, corporates, government, and academia—to achieve shared goals. Allan currently leads enviroMETS (Qld), a non-profit focused on transforming post-mining land and communities. Under his leadership, the organization is positioning Queensland as a global hub for sustainable post-mining land use solutions.

Andrew Scott, Ambassador, GMG

Bio to come.

Cailli Knievel, Underground Manager / Principal Mining Engineer AMC Consultants

Cailli is a highly skilled mining engineer with over 30 years of experience, including 20 years of site-based roles in Australia, Africa, Europe, South America and the USA, as well as a further ten years in various corporate and consulting roles. Cailli joined AMC as Underground Manager and Principal Mining Engineer in October 2024. Prior to this, Cailli was the Manager of Mine Planning at AngloGold Ashanti Australia from 2020 to 2024, where she was responsible for the underground mine planning function for the Australian operations. Cailli played a crucial role in developing the regional strategy and ensuring the business objectives of the strategic mine plan were met.

From 2018 to 2020, Cailli was the Chief Engineer at Nevada Gold Mines, overseeing the long-term planning, infrastructure, and hydrology groups at Cortez, and planning, survey, geotechnical, and projects at Leeville. Her earlier roles include Director of Underground Mining at Newmont Mining Corporation, Technical Services Manager at Troy Resources NL, and Planning Manager at Orvana Minerals Corporation. Throughout Cailli’s career, she has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to innovation and data management in mining operations.

Daniel Bourke, Mining Services Development Manager, Michelin

Daniel’s professional journey began with a decade-long tenure at Hyatt Hotels, where he honed his skills in hospitality management and built a foundation of excellence in customer service and operational efficiency. Following this, he spent nine years with Inchcape Automotive, where he further developed his expertise in the automotive sector, focusing on enhancing customer experiences and driving business growth.

For the past 13 years, Daniel has been a key figure at Michelin, holding various senior management positions. His proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders is a testament to his exceptional communication skills. Daniel excels in unifying team members towards shared goals, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

Daniel’s strategic thinking expertise has been instrumental in guiding multi-disciplinary teams, enabling them to navigate complex challenges and present information in a clear and comprehensible manner. His leadership style is characterized by a commitment to adhering to industrial safety protocols and Safe Work Procedures, with a steadfast dedication to creating a zero-harm culture.

Daniel Roberts, Research Director, Energy Technologies, CSIRO

Daniel is a Research Director with CSIRO’s Energy business, based in Brisbane. He leads CSIRO’s work in solar, CO2 capture and utilisation, hydrogen and carriers, and bioenergy, with a focus on decarbonising the heavy industry, transport, and electricity sectors. 

Elliot Duff, Robotics Research Consultant

For over 25 years, I have specialized in advancing field robotics and developing commercial navigation systems that enable large machines to operate autonomously in complex, unstructured environments. My work led to the creation of Zebedee, the world’s first handheld mobile 3D mapping system. I later became Research Director of CSIRO’s Autonomous Systems Program, overseeing projects in field robotics, sensor networks, and cognitive systems, and managing the emerging market portfolios of Spatial AI and the Industrial Internet. Today, I am an independent research consultant with a deep passion for robotics, innovation, and advanced manufacturing in Australia.

Erik Isokangas, Research Director, Mining3

Bio to come

Francisco (Pancho) Reyes, Senior Data Scientist, IntelliSense

Francisco is an Electrical Engineer by training from the Catholic University of Chile, with a Masters in Process Control from the same University. He also holds a PhD in Mineral Processing from Imperial College London.
Francisco has more than 12 years of experience leading and working in Research and Development for the Mining Industry having worked in stockpile, comminution, flotation and leaching projects in Chile, the UK and Australia. In 2019 he moved to Australia to work as a Research Fellow at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and he now works as a Senior Data Scientist at IntelliSense.io.

Francisco’s areas of interest are the characterisation of mineral samples using X-ray micro tomography and the modelling, simulation and control of mineral processing equipment using advanced predictive methods.

Gavin Yeates, Principal, Gavin Yeates Consulting

Gavin is an established mining industry executive and leader in mine operations, technical leadership and corporate governance. A 36-year career with BHP where he moved from operations to projects, to senior executive roles leading the groupwide technical functions including geoscience, mining, metallurgy and technology.

He led the development of a Board level global technology strategy prior to “retiring” in 2016. In his “retirement” he consults to mining companies and METs companies, Governments and research organisations. Gavin has contributed at Board level for CRC Ore, the AusIMM and AMIRA as well as being a member of the JORC committee for over a decade. Gavin brings a deep understanding of the mining industry, and its professionals, along with a vision for the future of mining.

James Oliver, CEO, BluVein

James Oliver grew up in the cane fields of Mackay, where early exposure to heavy equipment shaped his hands-on approach to innovation. A mechanical engineer passionate about practical design and real-world solutions, he has spent his career leading step-change technologies that drive productivity, safety, and sustainability for some of the world’s largest companies.

As CEO of BluVein, Oliver pioneers electrification and automation in heavy industry, developing dynamic charging solutions that enable practical diesel transition. His leadership emphasizes collaboration with mining majors, OEMs, and commercialization partners to deliver innovations that create real-world impact.

A proven leader in industrial technology and manufacturing, James is committed to making sustainable industry a viable reality, ensuring new technologies deliver measurable results from the ground up.

Juliana Segura-Salazar, Research Fellow at Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland

Juliana is a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. Her interdisciplinary research is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability and circularity of mineral resources supply through innovation. Juliana focuses on developing sustainable, circular solutions, such as OreSand, to address the global sustainability challenges associated with sand supply and conventional mine waste management.

Her work experience includes co-leading applied research projects in collaboration with the mining industry in Brazil, Europe, and Australia. She worked as a Research Assistant at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and later at Imperial College London, working on the Horizon 2020 IMPaCT project from 2019 to 2020. She remains affiliated with Imperial College through an honorary position.

Juliana has contributed as a peer reviewer for ten international journals. She is an Editorial Board Member of Geoenergy, a co-owned journal of the Geological Society and the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). She was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Responsible Resource Use in 2023-2024

Justin Meade, Head of Product Management, Deswik

Justin is a seasoned product management professional with nearly 2 decades of experience delivering software technology to the mining market. He has a record of building products that deliver value, solving real problems and a deep understanding of the importance of customer focus.

He is a strong communicator and collaborator, skilled in leveraging data and user feedback to drive product strategy and roadmap.

Having worked in Product and Portfolio Management in Enterprise and small businesses in North America and Australia, he excels at building and leading high-performing teams.

He is driven by his passion for creating innovative and impactful solutions.

Liam Scanlan, MD and Co-founder, HINDSITE Industries

Despite starting life out as a banker and lawyer – eventually found his place in Mining as a Mining Engineer and improvement specialist across BHP. He worked for the Secretariat on Standard Work as well as technology and improvement projects from Fleet Management to IROCs. He also ran operational dispatch teams. The challenges he saw in the business and the sector led him to co-founding HINDSITE almost 7 years ago to better digitise work management, standard work and service delivery across Mining, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Government. Their product is now used out on almost every mine-site around the world by the miner or at least one of their OEMs or Service Providers.

Malcolm Powell, Emeritus Professor, University of Queensland

Emeritus Prof Malcolm Powell (FAusIMM) has applied fundamental comminution research to design and process improvement on over 70 mines worldwide during 40 years at Mintek, leader comminution at Centre for Minerals Research UCT, Professor of comminution at University of Queensland, and now independently. He’s supervised 32 Master and Doctoral thesis students to graduation. He’s led many collaborative research projects, including AMIRA P9, Programs in collaborative Research Centres: CSRP and CRC ORE, and founded the Anglo American Centre for Sustainable Comminution. He’s regularly invited as a plenary and Keynote speaker globally to international conferences (IMPC, ESCC, MEI). He’s published over 250 papers (H-index 28) and has presented in as many conferences worldwide. He founded in 2012 and is President of the Global Comminution Collaborative of leading researchers on five continents.

Neil Godber, Senior Geophysicist, Anglo American

Bio to come

Neville Plint, CEO, Mining3

Dr Neville Plint is a visionary leader in the mining industry, renowned for his innovative strategies and forward-thinking approach. With over 30 years of experience in the sector, Neville has established himself as a trailblazer in driving sustainable growth and technological advancements. Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer at Mining3, Neville is at the forefront of revolutionising mining practices through cutting-edge research and development initiatives. Under his leadership, Mining3 has made significant strides in driving technological advancements and fostering collaboration within the industry. Neville has a global reputation in the mining sector and has broad demonstrated experience in the mining and resource industry. His career has focused on improving operational performance on mining sites by developing and implementing new technologies, whilst establishing a global network of research professionals in academic institutes, mining companies and research organisations.

Neville has extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of the mining sector. Dr. Plint was the Institute Director, Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), at The University of Queensland. Whilst at Anglo American, Neville held multiple leadership roles, including Chief Scientist, Head of Business Improvement Projects, and Head of Research and Development. Dr. Plint also held positions as board member and Director of Mining3; Managing Director of KTech with his unwavering dedication to innovation and sustainability, Neville continues to shape the mining industry’s future, driving positive change and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Patrick Marshall, Vice President Technology, MacLean Engineering Australia

Patrick graduated from the University of Queensland with an Honours Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He joined MacLean in 2018, having worked at mining operations across Australia and Canada in roles spanning operational excellence, technology implementation, digital transformation, equipment automation, asset management and mobile equipment maintenance. Leveraging his experience in the mining industry, Patrick is now on the MacLean executive and is committed to delivering industry leading equipment solutions with technolo

Penny Stewart, CEO, Petra Data Science

Dr Penny Stewart is a mining engineer, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Engineering and founder and CEO of mining AI software company Petra Data Science. Penny worked on mine sites for five years in Tasmania and Western Australia before obtaining her Queensland 1st Class Mine Managers’ Certificate of Competency. She commenced PhD studies at UQ’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, where she received the Ian Morley prize for Best Minerals Engineering Postgraduate student. In 2009, she instigated the application of self-organising maps (neural networks) for the study of SLC recovery analysis. In June 2015, Penny founded PETRA to extract value from mining data. PETRA is a world leading provider of machine learning and optimisation solutions to the global mining industry, including their flagship MAXTATM digital twin value chain optimisation suite. In 2016, PETRA collaborated with Newcrest Mining to develop and deploy some of the mining industry’s first machine learning algorithms.

Peter Knights, Professor, University of Queensland

Professor Peter Knights is Professor and Discipline Leader for Mining with the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. He is listed within the top 2% of influential Mining and Metallurgical Academics by a 2021 Ranking conducted by Stanford University. From 2006-2015 he held the BMA Chair in Mining. From 1996-2015 he was an Assistant and subsequently Associate Professor with the Catholic University of Chile, based in Santiago, Chile. His research interests focus on innovative mining systems with an emphasis on decarbonisation technologies and asset management. He leads a research group comprised of 2 academic staff and 4 PhD and M.Phil. students.

Prof. Knights has an extensive history of research collaboration with industry. In Chile, Prof Knights produced a series of pioneering papers that applied statistical cost modelling to quantify unscheduled/scheduled maintenance ratios for mobile mining equipment. He developed the Jack-knife approach for classifying chronic unplanned maintenance downtime events, now incorporated into GE Wabtec’s APS software which is in regular use by a number of large mining companies. Whilst Program Leader for the Smart Mining Systems group for CRCMining (2005-2014) Prof. Knights led the development of ValueTree software that was later adopted for use by Rio Tinto Iron Ore and is now available as a software product from Concerto Analytics. Prof. Knights also led a team evaluating the use of fully mobile in-pit crushing conveyor systems (FMIPCC) in large surface mines. This includes the development of an integrated Time Usage Model and a novel algorithm for determining ultimate pit limits for metalliferous mines employing FMIPCC systems. More recently, his work has focused on zero entry mining systems and decarbonisation options for materials haulage in surface mining.

Pieter van Schalkwyk, CEO, XMPro

Pieter van Schalkwyk is a visionary engineer and technologist at the forefront of industrial digital transformation. As the CEO and Founder of XMPro, he pioneers innovations in Smart Manufacturing, Digital Twins, and Industrial AI. His expertise lies in developing Multi Agent Generative Systems (MAGS) for industrial applications, creating AI agents with advanced reasoning capabilities to augment human operators and significantly enhance productivity in complex industrial environments.

Expertise and Leadership

Chair: OMG Joint AI Working Group, Digital Twin Consortium
Chair: Composability Framework Subgroup, Digital Twin Consortium
Steering Committee Member: AI and Advanced Applications of Data Working Group, Global Mining Guidelines Group

Pieter’s thought leadership spans Digital Twins, IIoT, AI/ML, and Industrial Blockchain applications. He is the creator of the widely-adopted Digital Twin Capabilities Periodic Table and co-author of “Building Industrial Digital Twins” (Packt, 2021).

Robin Burgess-Limerick, Professorial Research Fellow, University of Queensland

Experienced human factors and ergonomics researcher and consultant across a range of industries particularly mining. Previous projects in the areas of mining automation, equipment design to reduce injury risks, manual task risk management, and whole body vibration measurement and management.

Chief investigator on research projects > $11M, author of > 100 refereed papers, chapters and books (see http://about.uq.edu.au/experts/125). Certified professional member (CPE), past-president and Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia.

Currently seconded to the BHP Think and Act Differently team with support from the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer and the Commonwealth Government through the Trailblazer Universities Program to undertake a Human Systems Integration project.

Ross McAree, Head of School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland

Professor Ross McAree is head the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. His research is in mining automation where he has worked on the development of technologies for automation of excavators and bulldozers with major OEMs.  He has secured over $20M in research funding since 2017 to support his work.  Professor McAree. is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE).

Sarah de Vries, Principal Consultant - Electrification, Snowden Optiro

Sarah is an experienced underground and open pit mining engineer, with significant operational and study experience. For the last 8 years she has specialised in mine electrification, including 5 years of open pit trolley assist design and operational experience with First Quantum Minerals in Zambia, 6 months providing trolley assist expertise to Fortescue in Australia, and 15 months at IGO Limited in Australia working on the Cosmos Underground Electrification Study. She was co-author of the IGO / Perenti / ABB White Paper “Making electrified underground mining a reality”, published in 2024.

Serkan Saydam, Professor, University of New South Wales

Professor Serkan Saydam is Chair of Mining Engineering at UNSW’s School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering. With a background that includes academic and industry roles in Turkiye, South Africa, and Australia, his research focuses on addressing complex challenges in the mining industry, including space resources, ground control, mining systems, and technology integration.

He has published over 250 papers, supervised 20 PhD students, and secured more than $15M in research funding. Prof Saydam is also the founder and chair of the AusIMM International Future Mining Conference Series and co-chair of the AusRock Conference and Off-Earth Mining Forums.

He holds leadership roles in global mining organizations, including SOMP and ISRM, and has received multiple awards for his research and teaching excellence.

Todd Myers, Principal Business Process Management Consultant, Crucible Mining

Todd Myers is a mining industry leader with deep experience in operational technology, business improvement, and project delivery. He is the co-founder of Crucible Mining, a consulting and software firm developing advanced analytics tools to drive productivity and performance across the sector.

Todd has led major technology initiatives, including the rollout of an autonomous haulage system at Goonyella Mine, and held leadership roles at New Hope Group and Batchfire Resources. He holds degrees in Mining Engineering, Applied Finance, and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Known for bridging operational insight with strategic innovation, Todd brings a practical and future-focused perspective to the “Are Fundamentals Still Relevant?” panel.

And yes, he ran this bio through ChatGPT. But he also deleted the bolding, emojis, and em dashes, just to make sure he’s still focused on the fundamentals.

Related Events

July 15 (8 am) | GMG In-Person Workshop: Underground Communications Infrastructure

This technical workshop will focus on the later stages of the underground communications infrastructure lifecycle, supporting the development of GMG’s updated industry guideline.

Click here for more information and to register.

July 15 (1 PM) | GMG in-Person Workshop: Implementing BEVs in Surface Mining: Definition Workshop

Electrifying surface fleets is a critical step toward achieving mining’s decarbonization goals—but implementing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) at scale comes with major technical and operational challenges.

Click here for more information and to register.

july 18 (8 AM) | GMG in-person workshop: Rethinking Mine Design: Building a More Agile, Future-Ready Approach

Mine design decisions shape everything—from how we extract value and manage risk to how flexible our operations are in the face of uncertainty. Yet most design processes remain rigid, locked in early, and optimized for narrow objectives like NPV. It’s time to challenge that.

Click here for more information and to register.

July 18 (1 PM) | GMG in-Person Workshop: Zero Entry Mining: Workshop on Mining Methods & Processes

Zero entry mining is a bold vision: mining without people underground. It aims to eliminate exposure to health and safety risks while unlocking new orebodies, reducing operational and financial risk, and enabling radically more efficient mining systems.
This workshop will launch two key discussion papers in GMG’s Zero Entry Mining series—focused on the methods and processes that could make zero entry mining possible.

Click here for more information and to register.

GMG Events

Join us at another one of our webinars or workshops. Click here to see the calendar of events.

Tour

Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies (CSIRO Pullenvale Site)

Join us for a tour of QCAT, a world class research and development precinct recognised for the excellence of its contribution to the mining, energy and manufacturing industries. Their mission is to generate products and processes of high value to Australia’s mineral, energy resources, and manufacturing industries with particular focus on those resources and industries located in Queensland. Today, QCAT is home to over 400 researchers.

GMG BRISBANE FORUM

July 16-17, 2025

Schedule

Daniel Roberts

Erik Isokangas

James Oliver

Juliana Segura-Salazar

Cailli Knievel

Robin Burgess-Limerick

Francisco (Pancho) Reyes

Gavin Yeates

Pieter van Schalkwyk

Penny Stewart

Justin Meade

Neil Godber

Peter Knights

Andrew Scott

Malcolm Powell

Liam Scanlan

Daniel Bourke

Speakers

Aaron Innis

Allan Morton

Andrew Scott

Cailli Knievel

Daniel Bourke

Daniel Roberts

Elliot Duff

Erik Isokangas

Francisco (Pancho) Reyes

Gavin Yeates

James Oliver

Juliana Segura-Salazar

Justin Meade

Liam Scanlan

Malcolm Powell

Neil Godber

Neville Plint

Patrick Marshall

Penny Stewart

Peter Knights

Pieter van Schalkwyk

Robin Burgess-Limerick

Ross McAree

Sarah de Vries

Serkan Saydam

Todd Myers

Related Events

Tour

Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies (CSIRO Pullenvale Site)

Date: July 15, 2025

Time: 9 AM – 12:30 PM

Organizing Committee

Sponsors