Caitlin is the Technical Services Manager and Chief Geologist at Hillgrove Resources, where she has worked for the past 6 years on the development and now the operation of the Kanmantoo Underground Mine. Caitlin is a geologist with over 15 years experience who has worked on Mine Sites and Exploration Programs around South Australia in both Copper and Gold deposits.

Rick earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Flinders University in 2003. In 2007 and 2008, he worked as a borehole logger at Heathgate Resources’ Beverley Uranium Mine. After graduating with First Class Honours in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics from the University of Adelaide in 2009, he joined BMA as a geologist in 2010. He served as a Mine Geologist at Blackwater and Goonyella Riverside metallurgical coal mines until 2016, while studying part-time to complete a Master of Science in Geostatistics at the University of Adelaide. From 2016 to 2021, Rick worked as a mining engineer in BHP’s Brisbane office, focusing on coal blending and reconciliation. Since mid-2021, Rick has worked as a Geometallurgist with BHP Coal and is currently pursuing a PhD in Mathematics part-time at the University of Queensland. Over his 15-year career with BHP, he has held diverse roles in geology, mining engineering, and geometallurgy.

Phil has worked in the mining industry for over 20 years. He has held technical roles in both open cut and underground operations and has experience in a range of different commodities in a variety of geological settings. His 12 years of site experience has been complimented by 8 years consulting experience where he supported clients on operations both in Australia and overseas. Phil holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geology and has completed a Graduate Certificate in Geostatistics. He is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is a recognised Competent Person in the evaluation and estimation of narrow vein gold, narrow vein and stratiform tin, and stratiform, IOCG and porphyry copper deposits. Currently, Phil is Principal Resource Geologist with Evolution Mining, providing guidance and technical assistance to operations across a variety of mining and resource geology processes.

Ian Lipton is a geological consultant with broad mining expertise based on 40 years of experience in mining geology, resource evaluation, geometallurgy, and exploration, covering a wide range of commodities and mining operations. Ian has worked on more than 20 nickel laterite projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Turkey, Colombia, Australia, New Caledonia, Guatemala, and Brazil. Ian is an authority on density measurement and the author of several papers describing best practices for density measurement and modelling. Ian has been promoting Geometallurgy for project improvement for 20 years and has completed geometallurgical projects for commodities such as gold, copper, lead-zinc, nickel and iron ore. Projects have included multivariate classification of ore types, quantitative estimation of sulphide mineral species, and prediction of flotation recovery, acid-leach recovery, and comminution characteristics using machine learning. The topic of this paper provided an opportunity to combine these three areas of experience.

Joseph Mead is an experienced Senior Mine Geologist with over a decade of hands-on expertise in underground operations across Western Australia. Currently based at Northern Star Resources’ Mount Charlotte site, Joseph leads a large technical geology team, driving operational excellence through robust geological modelling, mine-to-mill reconciliation, and a strong safety-first approach. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology from Curtin University’s Western Australian School of Mines and serves on the committee of the WASM Alumni. He is passionate about integrating technical precision with practical field application and about mentoring the next generation of professionals. His approach to geology is mirrored in his personal life: hands-on, thoughtful, and always evolving. When not underground, Joseph enjoys life in regional Western Australia with his family, a thriving veggie garden, home brew and his bike.

Hugh is the Geology Superintendent at DEVELOP Global’s Woodlawn Mine in New South Wales, where he is building the operational geology framework to support production ramp-up and long-term growth. With over a decade of experience across junior explorers and developers through to mid-tier and major mining companies, he has worked on base, precious and bulk commodity projects in exploration and production environments. He was part of the discovery team for the Federation deposit, an experience that shaped his approach to integrating structural geology, geochemistry and geometallurgy into practical mining decisions. Passionate about building high-performing technical teams, Hugh focuses on strengthening the link between orebody knowledge and operational execution, bringing a pragmatic, systems-driven perspective to modern operational geology.

Phil has worked in the mining industry for over 20 years. He has held technical roles in both open cut and underground operations and has experience in a range of different commodities in a variety of geological settings. His 12 years of site experience has been complimented by 8 years consulting experience where he supported clients on operations both in Australia and overseas. Phil holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geology and has completed a Graduate Certificate in Geostatistics. He is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is a recognised Competent Person in the evaluation and estimation of narrow vein gold, narrow vein and stratiform tin, and stratiform, IOCG and porphyry copper deposits. Currently, Phil is Principal Resource Geologist with Evolution Mining, providing guidance and technical assistance to operations across a variety of mining and resource geology processes.