Session 10a
Stream A
Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
10:35 AM - 12:30 PM |
Speaker
Ms Rebecca Pohrib
Principal Mineralogist
BHP
Mineralogical Domaining for Resource Characterisation
Biography
Rebecca Pohrib is a Principal Mineralogist at BHP Nickel West, specializing in mineralogy. With 15 years of experience, her expertise spans process mineralogy and, more recently, mineralogy in resource definition and exploration. After graduating with Honours from the University of Adelaide, Rebecca embarked on a career that has allowed her to advance mineralogical practices significantly.
In her current role, Rebecca has been instrumental in commissioning, operating, and validating mineralogical instrumentation, ensuring precise analysis and reporting. One of the highlights of her career has been mineralogy domaining on a deposit scale, a testament to her dedication and skill. She remains committed to advocating for the critical importance of mineralogy in mining.
Mr Ashley McAleese
CEO
Masan High-tech Materials
Pioneering Sustainable Industrial Transformation: Developing a Critical Minerals Technology Hub at Masan High-Tech’s Nui Phao Operations in Northern Vietnam.
Biography
To be completed.
Nasir Shaik
Technical Sales Consultant
Honeywell
Real-Time Data Integration: Enhancing Industry 4.0 Mining
Biography
Nasir Shaik is a seasoned Technical Solutions Consultant at Honeywell, based in Brisbane, QLD, with over 15 years of experience in industrial automation for mining, metals, and minerals. Having led numerous control system projects, Nasir excels in designing Control system architectures using best practices in DCS, SCADA, and IIoT, enabling real-time data integration for operational excellence. Since joining Honeywell in 2012, he has driven digitalization as a Lead Engineer and Project Manager, delivering innovative solutions across the project lifecycle—from design to commissioning. He has executed a number of projects focused on optimizing data-driven automation workflows. Nasir’s expertise in industrial network architecture and Industry 4.0 innovations—digital twins, edge computing, and AI—empowers him to advance mining digitalization. At the Critical Minerals conference, he presents a white paper on real-time data integration, sharing network design strategies for smart mining. A passionate advocate for sustainable automation, Nasir mentors young engineers and champions eco-efficient solutions to balance profitability with environmental stewardship in the global mining sector.
Dr Siyu Hu
Senior Research Scientist
CSIRO-mineral Resources
Data integration of hyperspectral and whole-rock geochemistry: new insights into Mt Weld Carbonatite-hosted REE deposit
Biography
Dr Siyu Hu is a senior research scientist in Mineral Resources of CSIRO. She is a passionate geologist with a profound enthusiasm for cultivating inspirational leadership skills. With a decade of experience in ore deposit research, specifically focusing on critical metals such as Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Vanadium (V), she has developed expertise in leveraging scientific studies to advance the comprehension of orebodies for mineral industry. She is also interested in applying innovative combinations of cutting-edge analytical techniques to understand orebodies, assisting the mineral industry in discovering more critical metal resources for our future, and facilitating the transition towards a low-carbon society.
Dr Richard Yong
Research Scientist
CSIRO
The quantitative measurement of lithium in hard rock ores using nuclear magnetic resonance
Biography
I am a physicist and Team Leader at the CSIRO responsible for the development of magnetic resonance technologies for the mining industry. I have a particular interest in the development of bulk sensing techniques for monitoring, ore-sorting and grade-control applications. My work over the last 10 years has focused on the quantification of chalcopyrite in hard rock ores on conveyor belts and in haul trucks using magnetic resonance. I have also developed sensing technologies for the security industry, namely the detection of nitrogen in narcotics and explosives.
Recently, I have begun to implement nuclear magnetic resonance for the bulk quantification of lithium in hard rock pegmatite ores.
