Yongjun is RSC’s Principal Geoscientist. He brings over 15 years of experience in geochemistry and economic geology, with an internationally recognised reputation in mineral systems. He was previously a Senior Geochronologist and Isotope Specialist, Manager of Geochronology and Isotope Geology, and Manager of Geochronology and Geochemistry at the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA), for nine years. In collaboration with Geoscience Australia and various universities, he produced the first state-wide multi-isotope maps (Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and O) of Western Australia, released to the public in GeoView, which provided valuable new tools for regional exploration targeting across various mineral systems. Prior to joining GSWA Yongjun spent seven years doing PhD and working at the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) as a Research Fellow. During his time at CET, he led multi-team projects investigating porphyry Cu deposits in regions such as Tibet, Iran, South China, and Central Asia. He pioneered a new exploration tool in collaboration with Rio Tinto, BHP, UWA, and Curtin University, harnessing zircon compositions as pathfinders for porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au deposits. Yongjun has authored over 100 publications and received the Waldemar Lindgren Award from the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). He has extensive multicommodity experience (Cu, Au, Li) and field experience across Western Australia, the Superior Craton in Canada, the Tethyan, and the Central Asian metallogenic belts in Asia. Yongjun is an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Exploration Targeting and serves on the SEG Fellowship Admissions Committee as well as Treasurer of Geoconferences (WA) Inc.

Dr Heta Lampinen works with a wide range of Earth observation data, including hyperspectral, geochemical and geophysical survey data to facilitate geological, structural and mineral mapping across multiple scales on the surface and subsurface. Heta's technical skills include operating hyperspectral core and field sensors, advanced hyperspectral data processing and integration with complimentary geoscience data. Heta is excited to be working in projects that link mineral information from hyperspectral airborne and satellite images with in-situ mineralogy, and their applications for mineral systems analysis.

Dr Jessica Walsh is the Project Leader for the ‘Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources’ project within the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development (R&D) Hub (the Hub), in the Mineral Potential of Australia Section at Geoscience Australia. Her work includes contributing new knowledge on Australia’s rare earth element (REE) mineral potential on a national-scale, with a focus on clay-hosted REE mineral deposits found in Australia. Jess has been involved in the high purity silica (HPS) project within the Hub at Geoscience Australia. This work is ongoing, and includes undertaking a detailed mineral potential study of HPS to identify the favourable geology and regions across Australia that have the greatest potential to supply raw material suitable for the production of silicon. Previous to this, Jess worked as a critical minerals postdoctoral researcher within the Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre at The University of Adelaide, where she focused on how and where deposits of critical metals, such as REEs (specifically unconformity-related REE deposits), are formed within the Australian continent

Over a distinguished two decades at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clint has become a critical member of the Ore Enrichment Technologies and In-situ resource utilization teams Commencing in 2003 in mineral research, Clint has consistently been at the forefront of innovation within CSIRO. His work in electrical impedance spectrography for dilute magnetite concentration detection has established important steps in detection methodologies regarding magnetite loses and dense medium control. Furthermore, Clint’s in-depth studies on natural gamma radiation have unveiled crucial information relevant to the advancement of mineral exploration. Complementing this, his pursuit in mineral process optimization, focusing on flotation, screening and centrifuge dewatering, have charted new territories in resource utilization and optimization techniques, underscoring a sustainable approach to mineral extraction. With an unwavering commitment to health and safety excellence and an astute analytical acumen, Clint's contributions to the Mineral Resources group as a testament to his dedication to CSIRO and excellence in scientific research.

Professional Geologist (P.Geo) specialized in project management, resource estimation and exploration targeting with 15+ years in management, grassroots & brownfields exploration, advanced drilling, mine geology and project evaluation in various countries. QP in ultramafic-hosted Ni-Cu-PGE deposits, porphyry Cu-Au-Mo, VMS, lithium, and coal deposits. Strong expertise in Machine Learning application to exploration targeting and mineral processing.

Professor Ismet Canbulat is a mining engineer with over 30 years of experience in research, consultancy, management, on-site and academia. He has BSc, MSc and PhD degrees. He is currently Professor and Kenneth Finlay Chair of Rock Mechanics at the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, UNSW Sydney. His principle research interests and expertise lie in rock mechanics theory and application, ground control and rock mass classification, design of ground support systems, numerical modelling in addition to other areas in mining engineering including mine design, layout selection and geotechnical impact assessment, risk management and advanced risk based design and evaluation, ground stability aspects of mine closure and subsidence assessment. Ismet is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and, a member of the Australian Geomechanics Society, International Society for Rock Mechanics, Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (USA).