Welcome to Country
Refiti Tovi, Turrbal | Gubbi Gubbi | Ningy Ningy | Gamilaraay

Welcome from the Conference Chair
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

AusIMM Address
Stephen Durkin, AusIMM

Opening Address
Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans

In Conversation with Stephen Durkin FAusIMM and The Hon. David Crisafulli MP
Stephen Durkin, AusIMM

The US-Australia critical minerals framework in action
Consul General Jeremy Cornforth, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia

Keynote Presentation | What is so critical about critical minerals?
Christiane Brendel, KPMG

Q&A + Discussion (Session 1)
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Beyond the flowsheet: Scaling ultra-high purity alumina for semiconductor and AI infrastructure
Rob Williamson, Alpha HPA

From strategy to scale: Why critical minerals innovation stalls between pilot and bankability
Donna Kitsos, Rata Group

Midstream in Australia: Ambition vs reality - Confronting the structural constraints
Namali Mackay, Critical Minerals Association Australia (CMAA)

Demystifying the midstream bottleneck: An analytical framework for critical minerals policies
Dorothea Ramizo, Curtin University - Perth

From approval to operation: How reform can accelerate Australia's critical minerals pipeline
Mark Breitfuss, Onterris Australia

Q&A + Discussion (Session 2A)
Harry Turner, AusIMM

The impact of co-occurring ions (potassium, sodium, and calcium) in the recovery of lithium hydroxide from lithium liquors using electrodialysis
Joseph Nsiah, Murdoch University

Selective flocculation-flotation of fine spodumene: Recovering lithium from particles currently lost to tailings
Danni Luo, Core Resources

Electrolysis-based conversion for sustainable lithium refining
Clive Brereton, Noram Electrolysis Systems Inc

Impact of high sodium in lithium brine processing
Bernadette Currie, Betallurgy Consulting

Improving lithium recovery by minimizing the ultrafines generation
Yogesh Reja, Derrick

Q&A + Discussion (Session 2B)
Michael Hart, Sedgman

Social licence and critical minerals: Comparative insights from Australian and Canadian public attitude surveys
Kieren Moffat, Voconiq

Beyond the E: The important role of social and governance in critical minerals
Mellissa Case, Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd

Beyond social licence: First Nations partnership as critical project infrastructure
Jyi Lawton, AEMEE

Licensing the social licence - Managing SLO in Australia’s critical minerals industry: Towards a just energy transition
Riasat Noor, Monash University

Q&A + Discussion (Session 3A)
Narelle Wolfe, AusIMM

In-situ recovery of rare earth elements from ionic adsorption clay deposits: Technology comparison, capital intensity and the emerging ex-China development pathway
Lucas Bullen, Altris Engineering

Beneficiation strategies for rare earth minerals from clay-hosted ores: A critical review
Faith Agbenyo, Curtin University - Kalgoorlie

Economic considerations in the processing of clay hosted rare earth deposits in Australia
James Quinn, ANSTO

An alternate approach: Heap leach flowsheet development for ASM’s Dubbo rare earths project
David Hunter, Core Resources Pty Ltd

Q&A + Discussion (Session 3B)
Wayne Dicinoski, Australian Strategic Materials

DFAT Briefing
Simon Clayton, Agriculture and Non-Tariff-Barriers Branch in the Office of Global Trade Negotiations

Panel Discussion | Global perspectives on critical minerals
Panel Discussion,

Moderator
David Proud, Sedgman

Panellist
Taishi Sato, Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Panellist
Lance Domm, British High Commission in Canberra

Panellist
Patrick Fullenwarth, French Embassy in Australia

Panellist
Govind Goenka, Pacific Continental Resources

Panellist
Kristie Young, Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd, Livium Ltd, Tasmea Ltd, MinEx CRC

Day 1 Closing Remarks
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Guest Speaker
Mikaela Jade, Indigital

Guest Speaker
Gavin Martin, WSP Australia

Facilitator
Jenny Agnew, Sedgman Pty Ltd

Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Leigh Slomp, Rio Tinto Lithium

In Conversation with Stephen Durkin FAusIMM and The Hon. Dale Last MP
Honourable Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines; Minister for Manufacturing; Minister for Regional and Rural Development

Keynote Presentation | Betting on the overlooked: Tivan’s journey from explorer to developer
Christine Charles, Tivan

Keynote Presentation | Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) CRC: Catalysing Australia’s sovereign refining capability
Neville Plint, Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)

Q&A + Discussion (Session 5)
Leigh Slomp, Rio Tinto Lithium

Accelerated project delivery strengthens global competitiveness
Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland

Transparent market design for lithium: Order books, price normalisation and quality adjusted auctions
Lichoo Tay, Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre

Transparent market design for lithium: Order books, price normalisation and quality adjusted auctions
Rowan Fenn, Rise-X

Achieving bankability in critical minerals: Market, offtake and financing considerations
Govind Goenka, Pacific Continental Resources

Technology risk addressal in valuing assets containing novel commodity processing technologies
Nidhi Dhirenbhai Parmar, Hatch - Australia Brisbane

An investor perspective on critical minerals opportunities
Mitch Rawlins, Critical Minerals Queensland

Q&A + Discussion (Session 6A)
Kylee Millen, Primero Group

From exploration to refining: Is Australia innovating where value is created?
Robert Wulff, Griffith Hack Lawyers

Supporting Australia’s critical minerals strategy through applied processing research
Keith Barnard, CSIRO

Modelling scenarios for future mineral supply considering uncertain exploration outcomes and ESG risks
Stephen Northey, University of Technology Sydney

Stockpiling or recycling? Country-specific strategies for EV battery mineral security
Yitian Wang, Monash University

Strengthening Australia’s critical minerals competitiveness: LCA and supply chain data as strategic trade tools
Rowan Fenn, Rise-X

Q&A + Discussion (Session 6B)
David McMillan, SLR Consulting

Partnerships as enablers of integrated rare earth supply chains: Lessons from emerging industry models
Annaliese Eames, Australian Strategic Materials

Strengthening Indo-Pacific critical mineral supply chains: Opportunities for regional collaboration in the battery ecosystem
Amandeep Gill, Hatch - Australia Brisbane

Digging into Australia’s ‘sweet spot’ on critical minerals
Sam Taylor, GHD

A regional blueprint for Australia’s critical minerals future: The Mackay & Greater Whitsunday model
Jodie Thompson, Greater Whitsunday Alliance

Critical minerals in an age of strategic fragmentation: From resource endowment to industrial delivery
Vlado Vivoda, The University of Queensland

Q&A + Discussion (Session 7A)
Andrew Curtis, Sedgman

Collaborative assessment of legacy materials: Potential to improve environmental outcomes and unlock copper and cobalt value at Mt Oxide
Mark Longbottom, True North Copper Pty Ltd

From discovery to development: A beneficiation-first approach for the Jupiter clay-hosted REE deposit
Thi Thu Hien Dinh, Critica Limited

Critical mineralogy – Where client’s needs meet real world mineral assemblages
Carsten Laukamp, CSIRO

Novel fluorescence for spodumene imaging
Aaron Baensch, TeraGlo

Distribution and controls on critical minerals at Rosebery, Western Tasmania; From deposit to concentrate
Corey Jago, The University Of Queensland - Sustainable Minerals Institute - Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

Q&A + Discussion (Session 7B)
Mark Noppe, AusIMM

Q&A + Discussion (Session 8)
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Panel Discussion | Common user processing facilities; White elephant or essential infrastructure?
Panel Discussion,

Moderator
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Panellist
Wayne Dicinoski, Australian Strategic Materials

Panellist
Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland

Panellist
Nicole Roocke, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia

Panellist
Nicola Semler, Critical Minerals Group Limited

Panellist
Sam Taylor, GHD

Day 2 Closing Remarks
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Day 3 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Keynote Presentation | From critical minerals to critical value
Cameron Kaufman, Coreo

Q&A + Discussion (Session 9)
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Panel Discussion | The top priorities for your critical minerals ESG agenda
Panel Discussion,

Moderator
Juleen Brown, AusIMM

Panellist
Mikaela Jade, Indigital

Panellist
Chris McCombe, Minerals Council of Australia

Panellist
Lauren McGregor, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation

Panellist
Narelle Wolfe, AusIMM

Accelerating regional development through place-based approaches: Baseline studies to de-risk critical mineral projects – A Julia Creek – Richmond critical minerals zone case study
Ben Johns, Critical Minerals Queensland

Baseline environmental studies for the development of oil shale-hosted vanadium projects
Mansour Edraki, The University of Queensland

Revalorising historical tin mine wastes: A sustainable source of In, Sn, Sb, W and Bi
Steve Chingwaru, University of Queensland

Integrating mine waste remediation with the material demands of the sustainable energy transition
Lauren Roper, Queensland University Of Technology

A circular economy approach for critical mineral recovery and high-performance geopolymer production from mine tailings
Nawshad Haque, CSIRO

Q&A + Discussion (Session 10A)
Mohsen Yahyaei, The University of Queensland

Selective leaching of rare earth elements from NdFeB magnet waste using salt solution
Nawshad Haque, CSIRO

Upgrading rare earth from clay deposits in Western Australia: Mineralogical controls via physical and thermochemical treatments
Quang Thinh Tran, Curtin University - Perth

Optical sorting for coarse REE pre-concentration by ink-coating and magnetic lifting
Hongli Su, Delft University of Technology

Thermal pretreatment for selective recovery of rare earth elements from permanent magnet waste
Ren Tao, Royal Institute of Technology

Effect of low temperature alkaline treatment on the oxidation of end-of-life NdFeB
Rakesh Velpoor, Swinburne University of Technology

Q&A + Discussion (Session 10B)
Allan Costine, CSIRO

Global maps showing country shares of critical minerals production in mining and processing stages
Sean Xun, USGS

Can we get serious now? Securing Australia’s critical minerals future
Lachy Haynes, PwC

Critical minerals for energy and supply network risks in the Indo-Pacific
Benjamin McLellan, Kyoto University

Redrawing the investment map: Government intervention and the evolution of critical minerals transactions for ASX companies
Charles Schofield, AJ & Co Lawyers

Comparable results, credible trade: Accreditation, standards and national capability in critical minerals
Diane Hobday, National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA)

Q&A + Discussion (Session 11A)
Leigh Slomp, Rio Tinto Lithium

OpenCu: An open-source framework for evaluating renewables integration in the copper value chain
Rasmeet Singh, University of New South Wales(UNSW) - School of Minerals and Energy Resources

An investigation into the current leading solid state battery chemistry options; the precursor materials and the processing requirements
Andrew Millar, Idemitsu Australia Pty Ltd

Unlocking secondary resources requires a new way of thinking
Sara Couperthwaite, Queensland University of Technology

Selective copper recovery from acid mine drainage using ion-exchange technologies
John Outram, Queensland University Of Technology

Q&A + Discussion (Session 11B)
Veronica Gray, Queensland University Of Technology

Keynote Presentation | Critical metal inventory of Australia's mine waste - What's next? From aspiration to delivery
Anita Parbhakar-Fox, Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd

Q&A + Discussion (Session 12)
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

Awards & Conference Close
Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair