Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.

Alistair Stephens is a seasoned mining and resources executive with over 35 years of global experience. He has led companies through the full project lifecycle—from exploration and feasibility to funding, development, and operations. Alistair brings a rare combination of technical depth and commercial insight, underpinned by a clear focus on sustainability, innovation, and energy efficiency in modern mining.

Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.

Quentin Hill is CEO of the Advanced Materials and Battery Council, a member organisation and leading voice for the Australian battery supply chain whose purpose is to grow battery industry capability and size to the benefit of the Australian economy, the transition to net zero and its members. The AMBC advises government on policy, promotes the industry and accelerates commercialisation and scale up in the sector through collaboration between research and industry. Quentin brings experience as Managing Director of Australia’s first mover in green steel resource projects, to grow the support and impact of the AMBC and lift visibility of the sector by promoting its members’ bold industry visions to government, investors and the wider community. Quentin is a geologist with 25 yrs experience in mineral exploration, project development and business leadership across the resources industry, government and construction.

Joshua is an Associate Professor at QUT and the Director of the Energy Storage Research Gorup. He has a PhD in energy and process engineering specialising in nano-materials synthesis, optimisation and characterisation. He has over 16 years of research and development experience in industry and academia, primarily focused in the fields of battery energy storage and renewable energy generation. Joshua has managed multiple battery energy storage related projects commercially and at QUT and has expertise in battery control systems design as well as materials development, characterisation and electrochemical testing. Joshua has authored several peer reviewed publications in the fields of materials synthesis and advanced characterisation.

Alan was originally trained as a Metallurgist in the Anglo Platinum graduate program in South Africa. He has held senior roles in the hydrometallurgical processing industry in: operations technical management sustaining capital management and engineering testwork, geometallurgy and piloting project development and delivery study management and business development. Alan has had key leadership accountability in commissioning and ramp up of several major start-ups including Ravensthorpe with BHP, and Murrin Murrin with Anaconda Nickel. In both the service and client side of the industry for over 4 decades, he has been responsible for large teams in a variety of jurisdictions and cultures including Madagascar, Australia and South Africa and has led studies and project developments located in multiple countries. These include Russia, Columbia, Canada, Senegal, Namibia and the DRC. Direct commodity experience includes nickel, lithium, uranium, copper, gold, cobalt and the Platinum Group Metals, across many processing technologies. Alan is passionate about creating safe working environments, mentoring, bridging cultures and using technology to improve living standards, processing efficiency and responsible development of critical minerals projects. His professional interests include finding optimal pathways to predictable project development via sound study processes by identifying risks and resolving key options early. He is currently a study manager with IGO where he is a team member responsible for implementing business strategy. Alan states that he is still learning and strongly believes in team collaboration for best business outcomes, subscribing to the adage that no single person can know everything.

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.