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Session 6a

Stream A
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
10:35 AM - 12:30 PM

Speaker

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Diane Dowdell
Executive Consultant
Slr Consulting

ESG Due Diligence in a Volatile Market: Aligning Global Standards with Business Objectives and Lender Expectations

Biography

Diane specialises in ESG strategy and assurance for resource companies, supporting project financing, development and operations. With over 20 years of experience in environmental management, social performance, and government affairs, she has advised constructors, operators, investors, and lenders on resource and infrastructure projects worldwide. Her expertise includes strategic planning, risk assessment, approvals, compliance, and reporting, with hands-on experience across Australia, Europe, and the Americas. She has contributed to ESG compliance in due diligence and feasibility studies, aligning with global frameworks such as the Equator Principles, IFC, and World Bank standards. Diane has also conducted technical reviews and audits of mining and processing facilities in Africa and the Americas. Throughout her career, she has worked across project phases, acting as a relationship and environmental specialist to address complex social and environmental challenges affecting project delivery.
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Mr Zachary Hearne
Manager - Mine Closure
IGO Nova Pty Ltd

A first principles-based approach to evaluating the environmental performance of nickel and cobalt materials production for the battery supply chain.

Biography

Zac is currently the Processing, Maintenance, and Engineering Manager at IGO Nova, having held several roles at IGO including as a Plant Metallurgist at the Jaguar Copper-Zinc and Nova Nickel-Copper-Cobalt operations, Project Metallurgist on the IGO Nickel Sulfate Pre-Feasibility study, Lead Technical Services Metallurgist providing technical assistance to IGO' Business Development team in M&A, and as Processing Superintendent at Nova. Zac graduated Curtin University in 2014 with a bachelors double degree in Chemical Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy, and is completing a postgraduate research degree on nickel and cobalt processing which is funded by the Future Battery Industries CRC in collaboration with Murdoch University in the project ‘Advancing Certification and Improving Life-Cycle Analysis for Market Advantage’.
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Ms Celia Hayes
Partner - Sustainability
Deloitte

Regenerating Nature: Mining’s Natural Contribution to a Circular Economy

Biography

Celia is a geologist by training and has spent the majority of her career working within the mining and metals sector - both in operational, corporate and advisory roles. Now at Deloitte, Celia leads a WA-based sustainability and climate change team, with a focus on supporting clients on key agendas - climate change, natural systems and circular economy. She looks to bring an operations-centric view to industry level sustainability issues and opportunities and loves working with clients on the transition from plan to action.
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Mr Geoff Deans
Director
Modifying Factors

Frankenstein’s and Fairy Tales: Accelerating Discovery to Delivery

Biography

With over 20 years of experience in the mining and infrastructure sectors, Geoff has held significant roles, including Project Director for the $1.25 billion Carrapateena Block Cave Expansion and Group Manager for Social Performance at OZ Minerals. His expertise in managing multi-factor risks and stakeholder impacts led him to found Modifying Factors, aiming to help organisations navigate the complexities of modern project development. Under his leadership, Modifying Factors provides services such as project strategy, scenario planning, governance, multi-factor risk management, and ESG compliance, with a focus on sectors including resources, renewables, and infrastructure.
Narelle Wolfe
AusIMM

AusIMM ESG Paper

Biography

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