Robert is a professional IP expert with over 36 years in the intellectual property space. He works with and develops IP strategies for a wide variety of organisations focused on chemical, process and mechanical engineering and the applied chemistry fields, particularly the building and resources industries, clean and efficient energy technologies, steel, water and waste treatment, packaging and closure systems and agricultural technologies.

Dr Keith Barnard is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Mineral Resources, with over 30 years of experience in hydrometallurgical research. A Research Group Leader for 13 years, he has led teams across various mineral processing activities including base and precious metals, lithium, graphite, gold and alumina. Keith has consistently focused research towards delivering commercially relevant outcomes, including CSIRO’s engagement with BHP Nickel West, directly leading to Australia’s first battery-grade nickel sulphate facility. He also spearheaded strategic partnerships with Tivan Ltd, Panasonic Energy Corporation, and Curtin University/MRIWA, advancing critical minerals processing and battery precursor production aligned with national priorities and future industry needs.

Dr Stephen Northey is a Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Australia. For over a decade he has been focusing on developing a quantitative understanding of how the mineral sector intersects with sustainable development outcomes and how this may change into the future. As part of this he has visited mining and metal operations in multiple continents, conducted long-term scenario modelling of mineral and metal supply chains and resource depletion, developed datasets for energy use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions throughout these sectors, and sought to understand the real-world implications of sustainability indicator design and the emerging reporting and assurance systems for responsible supply. He is active in international communities for advancing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and standards, and is also a Director of the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society’s (ALCAS) board of directors.

Yitian Wang is a PhD candidate in the Department of Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University. Her research focuses on energy and environmental economics, with a particular interest in critical minerals, supply chain security, and the clean energy transition. Her current work explores how geopolitical risks and policy-related uncertainties influence investment decisions and supply dynamics in critical mineral markets. She is especially interested in how strategies such as stockpiling and recycling can strengthen the resilience of critical mineral supply chains. More broadly, her research examines policy-relevant issues related to energy security, the clean energy transition, energy poverty, and sustainable development. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of how economic policy can support secure, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

Rowan Fenn is the Founder and CEO of Rise-X, whose Ecosystem Orchestration Platform optimises and automates the flow of goods and services across global trade networks. Rise-X serves clients in energy, mining, defence, healthcare, telecommunications, and transport and logistics, improving the systems behind global trade to drive productivity, strengthen resilience and reduce systemic risk. Rowan is a co-founder of QuayChain, serves on the board of ADP Clear, and contributes to the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP). He is a member of his Parish Council in Oxford, UK, where he lives with his wife Lindsay and their two children, Ethan and Harrison.

David McMillan, MEng (Mining), GCert (Mining Finance), FAusIMM (CP), RPEQ, is Practice Leader, Mining Advisory at SLR Consulting. With more than 35 years of international mining experience, David has led major feasibility studies, technical due diligence reviews, mine planning projects and investment assessments across a range of commodities and jurisdictions. He is recognised for his expertise in managing multidisciplinary teams and supporting strategic decision-making for mining companies and financiers. As part of SLR's global Mining Advisory practice, David contributes to projects supporting the responsible development of critical minerals required for the energy transition.