Prof Ismet Canbulat has over 25 years of experience in operations, research, consultancy, management, and academia. He has BSc, MSc and PhD Mining Engineering degrees. He is currently Professor, Head of School and Kenneth Finlay Chair of Rock Mechanics at the School of Mining Engineering at UNSW Sydney. Ismet’s principle research interests and expertise lie in rock mechanics theory and application. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, a member of International Society for Rock Mechanics, the Australian Geomechanics Society and Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Professor Peter Knights is Professor and Discipline Leader for Mining Engineering with the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. 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 systems safety, value chain integration and asset management.

Rebecca Knol is Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, the leading industry association representing the resources sector in South Australia. The sector is the powerhouse of the State’s economy generating $5.9 billion in direct and indirect spending, the equivalent of one dollar in every twenty dollars; and directly employing 1 in every 33 South Australians. Following a refresh of SACOMEs strategic focus and member value proposition, Rebecca has overseen consolidation and success at SACOME. Rebecca continues to position SACOME at the forefront of policy and advocacy leadership in South Australia with a particular focus on strategic state growth initiatives.

Matthew Jeffries is the General Manager of Workforce and Innovation at the Minerals Council of Australia responsible for increasing employment pathways, the Minerals Tertiary Education Council and to develop supportive regulatory frameworks to allow the adoption of productivity enhancing technology. Matthew has over 15 years’ experience as a public policy professional focused on the resource industry and major project. He helped develop the legislative framework for the CSG to LNG industry in Queensland and let regulatory affairs for the Santos GLNG project. Prior to joining the Minerals Council in 2021, Matthew was Chief of Staff to the Queensland Opposition Leader. Matthew has a Master degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Queensland and undergraduate qualifications in economics and employee relations.

Vlad Kecojevic is the Robert E. Murray Chair and Professor of Mining Engineering at West Virginia University (WVU). He serves as the Secretary-General of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP), and he was 2015-2016 SOMP President. He has served as the President of West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, SME Program Chair, Chair of the SME Coal and Energy Division, and he is the SME Fellow. His research areas of expertise include surface mining, surface mine safety, information technology and environmental issues in surface mining.