Professor Peter Knights is the Discipline Lead for Mining Engineering with the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. From 1996-2015 he was an Assistant and subsequently Associate Professor with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, based in Santiago, Chile. He holds a B.Eng. (Mech) from the University of Melbourne, a M.Eng (Systems) from RMIT University and a PhD (Mining) from McGill University, Canada. His research interests focus on mining systems, asset management and mine design and planning. Prof Knights developed the Jack-knife approach for classifying chronic unplanned maintenance downtime events, now incorporated into GE Wabtec’s APM software which is in regular use by a number of large mining companies. More recently, his work has focused on zero entry mining systems, safety improvements related to wheel and tyre handling for mining haul trucks, and mine design for ESG, a philosophy whereby ESG risks and opportunities are incorporated into early stage mine design.

Felipe Damasceno is a mining engineer with 10 years of experience in the mining industry, holding an MBA in Project Management and a Postgraduate Specialization in Finance. Currently working at Vale’s Mine Planning Technology Centre (CTPM). Solid background in open-pit mine planning (short, mid and long-term), mining operations and strategic project management with strong proficiency in mine planning softwares. Emphasis on strategic thinking and collaboration to foster innovative solutions that improve efficiency and generate value. Committed to apply an integrated perspective of the mineral resources and reserves value chain to support sustainable and profitable decision-making in the mining business.

Amit Suchak is a mining professional with over 17 years of experience across technical, operational, and strategic roles within BHP. He currently works as a Principal Mining Engineer in the Resource Centre of Excellence where he performs technical assurance activities on resource and reserve reporting across all BHP operations. His work focuses on providing guidance to Competent Persons (CPs) and Qualified Persons (QPs) to ensure high‑quality public declarations. Amit’s background covers mine planning from Life‑of‑Asset studies through tactical planning, with exposure across multiple commodities and mining methods. He has contributed to a range of major and minor projects, developing strong capability in technical assurance, mine optimisation, and integrated planning across diverse mining environments. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from India, a Master of Mining Engineering from the Western Australian School of Mines, and a First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate for Western Australia.

Mining engineer with twenty years of experience in mine operations and planning in large and medium mining. Mine opening specialist of gold and copper mines with various skills as: strategic analysis, through optimisation from the strategic to the operational identifying business cases that maximise value.

Branwen Price is a dedicated mining engineer whose career is defined by her expertise in strategic planning, modelling, and long‑horizon value optimization. With a strong analytical mindset and a passion for creating resilient, data‑driven frameworks, she has become a trusted leader in integrating geology, operations, and market dynamics into cohesive strategic plans. Her work focuses on improving decision‑quality across the mine lifecycle—ensuring that technical insight, economic modelling, and enterprise‑level strategy align to deliver sustainable long‑term value. Throughout her career, Branwen has championed cross‑disciplinary collaboration, helping organizations modernize their planning processes and adopt more agile, interoperable decision‑support systems. She is known for her ability to translate complex modelling outputs into clear recommendations that support capital allocation, portfolio optimization, and organizational alignment. Outside of her professional pursuits, Branwen finds balance and inspiration in the outdoors. An avid trail runner, she spends countless hours exploring mountain terrain, where the rhythm of running and the solitude of high alpine environments fuel her creativity and clarity of thought. Whether navigating rugged switchbacks or planning the next strategic initiative, she brings the same resilience, curiosity, and forward‑looking perspective to every challenge she meets.