Michelle Ash, Technology Executive OzMinerals, has made significant contributions to the mining sector with a focus on Innovation Strategy, Technology and Digital Transformation. As Chair of the Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG), Michelle has contributed to develop best practices and guidelines for the implementation of technology and socially enabled changes in the mining industry. She is also on the board or advisory board of several start-ups such as Railveyor and OffWorld, and part of industry boards in Canada and Australia such as CMIC, AUSIMM International and Mirarco. Previously she was CEO GEOVIA, Dassault Systèmes where she helped develop industry leading capabilities in virtual twin experiences helping clients evolve through digital transformation and to help deliver sustainable solutions to the sector. Prior to that Michelle was Chief Innovation Officer at Barrick Gold Corporation where she oversaw the company’s innovation program, looking both at how innovation can drive productivity in the existing business as well as how it can be harnessed to deliver alternative business models. Michelle was named to the 2016 list of “100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” by Women in Mining UK and won the Technology Innovator of the Year Award by Mines and Technology in 2019. She holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an Executive MBA from the Melbourne Business School; as well as a degree in Psychology from Deakin University.

Pieter is the Business Director for Process IQ. He completed his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering and two post-graduate degrees in metallurgy and technology management at the University of Pretoria. Since immigrating to Australia in early 2000, Pieter has introduced several new technologies in the mining industry, the latest of which is applying the Industrial Internet of things in innovative ways. Pieter has been instrumental in a new joint venture between Process IQ and Orway Minerals Consultants (OMC) – Orway IQ which provides remote optimisation consulting for mineral processing plants through MillROC. He is an active member of the AusIMM for the past 17 years and he is a committee member for the AusIMM Metallurgical Society (MetSoc).

Penny is a mining engineer and the founder and CEO of mining AI software company PETRA Data Science. Penny worked on mine sites for five years before obtaining her Queensland 1st Class Mine Managers’ Certificate of Competency. It was during her time working in the underground and open pit mines of WA and Tasmania that she learnt how geological uncertainty affects our ability to mine to plan. This experience led her to PhD studies and formal training in data analysis and modelling, where her she proved the benefits of sites building their own data models instead of relying upon generalised empirical models. In 2015, Penny founded PETRA with the hypothesis that using machine learning to feedback 10s to 100s of millions of tonnes of actual mine performance data to build site-specific operating models enables low cost and long-term mine-to-mill value creation. Five years later PETRA’s flagship product, MAXTA digital twin mine value chain optimisation does exactly that.

Reg commenced his career some 25 years ago at the original Telfer Operation in WA, where brand new shovels and wheel barrows were eagerly purchased in readiness for the Summer Metallurgy vacation student program. A Graduate position at the Bronzewing gold mine (which was sold twice in his three years there) was followed by a couple of years as Plant Metallurgist at the KCGM Gidji Roaster. Reg, his wife Juls and two daughters (Vada 21mths & Tess 3mths) then packed up to commission Barrick’s Cowal Gold Mine in NSW as the Senior Metallurgist. After three challenging and memorable years Reg and his family returned back to WA to settle in Albany. Now with a third daughter Emmy who was born in Wagga Wagga and whom he often threatens to return to NSW if WA continues to shut its borders. Taking up a position at the Granny Smith mine as Metallurgy Superintendent, Reg was involved in turning a gold plant which was regularly described as “The Land that Time Forgot” into a world class processing and mining operation. With the divestment of Barricks Australian assets in 2013, Reg now works for Gold Fields as the Regional Metallurgy Manager, regularly visiting and working alongside the Processing teams at each of the four sites. Valuing the back to basic principles, championing the Graduate Metallurgist training program and challenging the site Plant and Senior Metallurgists with those famous words – “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?”