Mark is a metallurgist with 25 years of mineral processing experience in Australia, Asia, North and South America. He has worked in brownfield and greenfield projects across various commodities, including base and precious metals, phosphate, and most recently, graphite. He is currently employed as Chief Technical Officer with Graphinex, a battery anode manufacturer developing the Esmeralda Graphite Mine in North Queensland and the Townsville Battery Anode Refinery. Before this, Mark was Senior Study Manager at Sedgman, managing the DFS and PFS for the Mt Lyell Copper Gold Processing Plant Restart for New Century Resources in Tasmania. Prior to this, Mark was Principal Metallurgist for MMG, working at the Las Bambas Copper Mine in Peru, the Sepon Copper Mine in Laos and the Rosebery polymetallic mine in Tasmania. He has also worked for BHP and South 32. Mark holds a Bachelor in Metallurgical Engineering and an MBA in International Finance, and has a proven record of delivering studies, projects and process improvements.

Phil is a Senior Executive Adviser in GHD’s Advisory practice with over 35 years’ experience, providing strategic advice to the energy and resources sector relating to project – concept development, planning, studies and execution. Phil’s role across the energy and resources sector also includes work in asset investment, mergers and acquisition, especially with relation to infrastructure and logistics assets.

Helen Degeling is a PhD qualified geologist with over 18 years’ experience in industry, academia and government. She has worked as an exploration geologist and Exploration Manager in gold and base metals throughout Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, as well as consulting to a variety of mineral explorers and producers both domestically and abroad. During a stint with government as the Director, Minerals Geoscience for the Geological Survey of Queensland she initiated the Queensland Government’s Circular Economy, Secondary Prospectivity, traceability and Sustainable REE processing programs.

Lachy Haynes is a partner in PwC's Energy Transition practice who leads PwC's efforts to accelerate Australia's critical minerals opportunity. Lachy is a founding member of the global Future Fuels and Critical Minerals networks at PwC. Lachy is curious about disruptive forces that drive change in market structures. He is adept at identifying and evaluating emerging themes and developing and activating growth strategies. He advises clients on strategic energy transition and circular economy options and opportunities. Lachy has worked in London (responsible for client projects across Africa) and Santiago, where he developed a resources-focused practice for a global consulting firm.

Aaron is a highly experienced geologist and resource estimation practitioner who is responsible for ERM’s Resources team in the Asia Pacific region. Core competencies include resource estimation, technical review and audit, mining geology, and both project and team management. Aaron has significant mine production experience, having worked at both underground and open pit operations over the first 15 years of his career. A further 15 years of consulting experience, both within Australia and internationally, has led to broad technical knowledge. Aaron has experience with many styles of mineralisation and can provide Competent Person sign-off under the JORC Code for a vast array of deposits.