Dr. Christian Both serves as an Optimization Specialist at Newmont Corporation, where he develops and implements advanced optimization workflows across the company’s global operations to unlock enterprise value and enhance strategic decision-making. Previously, Christian was a researcher at the COSMO – Stochastic Mine Planning Laboratory at McGill University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering. His research at COSMO focused on the simultaneous stochastic optimization of mining complexes, specifically integrating geometallurgical modeling and real-time production data to improve mine planning under uncertainty. He is dedicated to bridging the gap between innovative computing technologies and industrial applications to solve the mining industry's most complex challenges.

Cecilia Artica is a Geologist with over 25 years of international experience across copper, gold, and polymetallic projects and mining operations, spanning the mining value chain from exploration and resource definition through technical studies and production. She specialises in Mineral Resource estimation, geometallurgical modelling, and orebody knowledge, and was formally trained in Resource estimation by Dr Harry Parker. She leads and supports multidisciplinary teams in geological evaluation and resource confidence reviews, and has contributed to technical due diligence, project audits, and asset evaluations across South America, North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, supporting investment and governance decisions. Cecilia holds a Master’s degree in Economic Geology and is finalising an MPhil in Geometallurgy at The University of Queensland. Her research integrates machine learning and conditional simulation to develop predictive geometallurgical models that quantify and communicate uncertainty. Her recent work focuses on modelling hardness and carbon distribution under uncertainty using machine learning and geostatistical simulation. Cecilia is a Fellow of the AusIMM (CP) and a Qualified Person (SME), and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.