Rossen is an expert in open pit design and mine planning with strong research, operational, and consultancy experience. Recognised for his world-class research innovations and ability to improve significantly the cash flows of open pit mine projects. He obtained PhD and MSc degrees in Mining Engineering. He was invited and worked as a Senior Research Fellow with the University of Queensland. The outcome of his research was the development of a highly effective scheduling method, which implements successfully for the first time in Mining Engineering Practice the principle of waste deferment. His method has the potential to increase the NPV and ore reserve of any open pit mine project up to 35% depending on the stripping ratio. The research career of Rossen got a further development with the Queensland University of Technology and CRC Mining. The operational experience of Rossen includes his work for AngloCoal as a Senior Mining Engineer, Bayan Resources as a Manager Mine Planning, Vale Australia as a Senior Mining Engineer, Ma’aden Saudi Mining Company as an Expert Business Performance, and St Barbara Simberi Gold Operations as a Superintendent Mine Planning. At present he works for AusGEMCO Pty Ltd as a Director Mining and Consultant.

M. Gadiile is a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, specializing in mine optimization and strategic planning. Their research focuses on developing frameworks for hardrock stope leaching systems, integrating data-driven approaches to enhance quantitative decision making and sustainable operational efficiency. Their work aims to bridge conventional mining methods with innovative extraction techniques to facilitate data-driven decisions for complex ore bodies, while advancing ESG objectives in the mining sector.

Reza Shahin (Ph.D.) serves as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Polytechnique Montreal. His research interests encompass supply chain management, optimization, operations research, and transportation science. His Ph.D. focus was on integrating ad hoc stops into public transport in which the flexibil-ity of demand responsive transit was merged with the low cost of public transportation, providing a door-to-door pick-up and drop-off to customers.

Fabián Manríquez León holds a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering (2020) from the University of Chile, where he also earned a Master’s degree in Mining (2015) and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Mining Engineering (2015). He has held academic positions at Universidad Central, the University of Chile, and Universidad Católica del Norte. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, based at the San Joaquín Campus in Santiago, Chile. His teaching experience spans both undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as mine planning, open-pit mine design, underground mining, mineral deposit evaluation, and loading and hauling systems. His research focuses on the application of mixed-integer linear programming for the generation and optimization of mining schedules, the optimized design of open-pit mines, and the simulation of mining systems.

Ali Soofastaei is a globally recognized technology leader and AI strategist with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, advanced analytics, and sustainable innovation across the mining, energy, and industrial sectors. He has held senior roles at industry giants including Newmont, Vale, BHP, CRC Mining, and Shell, where he led enterprise-scale programs that leveraged AI, machine learning, and real-time data systems to drive measurable improvements in operational efficiency, fuel optimization, and emissions reduction. Ali holds a PhD in applied AI in mining from the University of Queensland. His research and professional work focus on applied AI in complex industrial environments, with proven outcomes such as $80 M+ in annual savings and over 40% improvements in data integrity and process efficiency. He is a seasoned digital transformation programs leader known for building high-performing global teams and fostering innovation ecosystems. A passionate data evangelist, Ali excels in translating technical insights into strategic business value. His contributions have shaped Centres of Excellence, influenced executive decisions, and advanced sustainability goals. He continues to champion ethical AI integration and data-driven transformation globally.