Anders Hedqvist, Head of Strategic Projects | Epiroc
Anders Hedqvist has been active in the Mining and Construction industry and within OEM for about 30 years, mostly in senior and executive R&D-positions in both Surface and Underground applications. Electrification of products, solutions and applications is a key strategic area and Epiroc is in the frontline of this transformation in the industry. In his role he is also driving collaboration and sustainability related activities to secure sustainable productivity for stakeholders in Mining and Construction where the electric transformation is an enabler.
Andrew Scott, Lead – Robotics and Automation, Prominent Hill | BHP
Andrew has been involved in the mining innovation arena since the very beginning of his career over 30 years’ ago. Having studied biotechnology and computer science at the University of Queensland, he was drawn to the mining industry as a means of funding his ongoing study. As a young field assistant, he quickly found himself fulfilling the role of “go-to” person for any new technology that needed to be investigated or implemented. If ever he felt that a position within a company wasn’t giving him technology exposure, Andrew discovered that he would engineer himself into those roles. One example is when Michelle Ash became Chief Innovation Officer at Barrick, he made sure that he was on her team delivering on their digital strategy as Senior Director Innovation.
Andrew was at the beginning of GMG becoming the first GMG Incoming Chairman, with Tim Skinner as Chairman, to then follow Tim as Chairman, Outgoing Chairman and Working Groups Chair and thoroughly enjoys working with motivated and passionate people to improve the industry through collaboration, guidelines, and innovation.
As Senior Director, Innovation/Digital Mining at Barrick, Andrew had the scope of providing technology support for the entire mining process, which includes everything from exploration, feasibility, construction, production, reconciliation, through mine closure.
Ultimately Andrew is focused to make the world a better place through innovation and appropriate use of technology! Develop deep symbiotic collaboration to stimulate, promote and realize positive outcomes for humanity and the planet earth.
Photo to come
Atif Waheed, Mining Engineer (Development) | LKAB
Bio to come
Hans Wahlquist, Global Director Product Management | Epiroc (Mobilaris)
Hans is passionate about the digitalization of underground mines and innovation, all with the goal to make mines more productive and safer. Hans has a broad global network within the mining community and have visited numerous mines in all continents.
Today, Hans is responsible for the Product management of the Mobilaris product family within the Digital Solutions Division at Epiroc and before that, Hans started the mining part of Mobilaris AB in 2012 (that later was acquired by Epiroc in 2021). Before entering the mining industry at Mobilaris, Hans held various management positions in the telecom industry during 20 years for Ericsson and Tieto.
Jarkko Holappa, Offering Cybersecurity Lead | Sandvik
Mr. Jarkko Holappa is Offering Cybersecurity Lead in Sandvik. In his current role Jarkko is responsible for developing a cybersecurity framework and management system for Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ digital offering. Jarkko received his degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Oulu, Finland in 2001. Jarkko has 20+ years’ experience in information security and risk management in critical infrastructure.
Before joining Sandvik Jarkko Holappa has worked in various consultancy roles for security critical companies. Projects have included risk analysis and audits for various industrial systems in strictly regulated industry domains e.g.in energy sector and logistics, using e.g. IEC 62443 and IEC 61508 as auditing and development framework. Duties have also included multiple information security management areas e.g. development and implementation of incident response process, supplier management and auditing frameworks.
Mikael Ramström, Vice President R&D, Digital Solutions Division | Epiroc
Mikael Ramström graduated from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden with a M.Sc. in Electrical engineering in 1992. Mikael worked for five years control and automation system for the European Space Agency (ESA). Since 1999 Mikael has been working for Epiroc, former Atlas Copco Mining and Rock Excavation, and currently holds a position as Vice President, Epiroc Digital Solutions division with responsibility for R&D incl. Product Management. Since 2013 Sherpa to Epiroc CEO Helena Hedblom in the European Union Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials. Mikael has been involved in the European Knowledge and Innovation Community, EIT RawMaterials since 2011 and been Chairman for EIT RawMaterials Northern Co-Location Centre in Luleå.
In addition, Mikael has been a member of the board to Nordic Rock Tech Centre AB, Mobilaris MCE AB as well as a member to the board of SMI, a Strategic Innovation Programme for the Swedish Mining and Metal Producing Industry. During 2017 – 2023 Mikael was member of the board to Luleå University of Technology.
Rikard Mäki, Manager, Autonomous Haulage Project Department | Boliden
Rikard Mäki has a strong research and R&D management background in on-road and off-road vehicle engineering. Experience in leading both national and international research projects with agencies such as Swedish Energy Agency, Sweden’s Innovation Agency and California Energy Commission.
Rikard is managing strategic projects related to implementation of Mining Equipment and Systems at Boliden Mines. Projects include Electrification of vehicles, Mine automation, Fleet management and Mining equipment.
In his current role, Rikard is Department manager for the Autonomous Hauling System Implementation Project in the Aitik Copper Mine. The project is employing in total around 50 persons from Boliden, Hesselberg Maskin and Komatsu.
Rikard is also supporting the external research portfolio at Boliden Mines with projects related to mining methods, digitalization, automation and electrification.
Rohin Shah, Sustainability Consultant | Minviro
Rohin is a mining engineer turned life cycle assessment practitioner in the energy transition sector. He now works to quantify the environmental impacts of mining & refining of critical minerals, battery manufacturing and recycling and mitigation strategies. He has worked in gold, iron ore, diamonds, nickel/cobalt and met coal. supporting the external research portfolio at Boliden Mines with projects related to mining methods, digitalization, automation and electrification.
Per Hasselberg, Electromobility Special Projects Director | Volvo Trucks
Per Hasselberg serves as the Electromobility Special Projects Director at Volvo Trucks. He holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Per has been a valuable member of the Volvo Group since 2004, contributing to various analytical roles within Research and Development, Product Management, and Commercialization.
He is passionate about driving the progress in climate-neutral transports, finding innovative complete transport solutions with the customer in focus.
Per is responsible for the “collaboration programme” an initiative introduced by Volvo Trucks a few years ago to expedite the transition towards fossil-free transportation. This endeavor involves hands-on collaboration projects and partnerships involving stakeholders from all sectors of the comprehensive transport ecosystem. Engaging with real-life cases in close proximity to customers and partners has greatly accelerated the learnings and the distribution of knowledge.
Before joining the Volvo Group, Per worked as a structural engineer in both the automotive and civil engineering domains. He was born in 1975 and pursued formal education, obtaining a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and an Engineering degree in buildings and constructions, both from Chalmers University of Technology.