Sagar Rahangdale is a seasoned Manufacturing and Mining IT professional with over 13 years of experience working with different manufacturing and mining plants. Specializing in Level 2 and 3 of ISA 95 for manufacturing, he has a proven track record of driving smart or connected factories initiatives implementation with different tools and technologies. With over a decade of experience in MES/MOM and IT, OT area, he has an expertise in manufacturing processes, digital shifts, Production, Warehouse, Quality and Maintenance management in manufacturing as well as in mine site and processing plants. He frequently speaks at industry conferences on topics related to Digitization in mining, Mine Operations Management, helping mining companies navigate the fast-evolving tech landscape. When not immersed in technology, Sagar enjoys playing outdoor sports and listening music. Sagar currently resides in Singapore with his family.

Luciana Maia holds a degree in Mining Engineering from the Federal University of Pará (2013). She is currently working at Dawson Coal Mine in Central Queensland, where she is responsible for delivering efficient designs to enhance machine performance and operational effectiveness. She also holds an MBA in Finance and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Mining, Metallurgy, and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. With extensive experience in mine planning and scheduling, particularly in open-pit strip mining. She has participated in several improvement projects, contributing to innovative and sustainable mining solutions.

Shi Zhao began his research in mechatronics and robotics as a Master by Research student at the University of Adelaide, in the School of Mechanical Engineering, in 2007. Upon completion of his master's, he continued his studies and, in 2016, completed his PhD thesis titled ‘3D Real-Time Stockpile Mapping and Modelling with Accurate Quality Calculation Using Voxels’. Shi's association with the PRIF Mining Consortium began in 2019, focusing on developing a novel stockyard management system that utilizes current mining operational data sets to improve quality control, in collaboration with industry partner Eka and end-user partner BHP. His research interests include mobile robotics and its applications, machine vision, and control systems.

Professional with 7 years of multidisciplinary experience, having worked professionally from different perspectives in topics related to the environmental and mineral areas. Has experience in assessing and investigating environmental liabilities, soil and groundwater contamination, as well as in the management of geospatial data applied in the preparation of socio-environmental studies, in environmental management applied to large-scale projects in the mining context, such as pipeline replacement and earthmoving, and also in mineral research and exploration, long-term project management and planning. Currently, holds the position of junior engineer at Mineração Paragominas S.A (MPSA), a company of the Norsk Hydro group, where he is responsible for the management and analysis of geospatial data, as well as the due diligence of environmental licensing processes related to mineral research and exploration activities, as well as the due diligence of projects aimed at the long-term planning of the mine.

Sude Nil Topal is a senior Mining Engineering student at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, expected to graduate in 2025. Her academic focus lies in mine planning and simulation. She has a passion for integrating innovative methodologies into mining practices to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. Sude Nil has completed internships at leading organizations, including TÜPRAG (El Dorado Gold), Anagold (SSR Mining), and DAMA Engineering. During these experiences, she worked on various aspects such as blasting design, process optimization, and mine planning, gaining experience with industry-standard software like Micromine, Rocscience and Whittle. Currently, she is leading a TÜBİTAK-funded project focused on simulating and assessing the dependencies between mine road quality and mine road design parameters. This research aims to create a Mine Road Quality Index (MRQI) to optimize mine road performance. Fluent in English and equipped with analytical and technical skills, Sude Nil is dedicated to advancing her knowledge and contributing to sustainable solutions in the mining industry.