Session 1 I Opening Plenary
| Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
| 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Hall B, Plenary |
Speaker
Indigenous Elder
Welcome to Country
9:30 AM - 9:35 AMBiography
Elyse Bosch
Conference Chair
Official welcome and opening remarks
9:35 AM - 9:40 AMBiography
Stephen Durkin
CEO
AusIMM
Welcome from AusIMM
9:40 AM - 9:45 AMBiography
University of Queensland
UQ Keynote
9:45 AM - 10:05 AMBiography
Kate Sommerville
General Manager Hay Point Coal Terminal
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
Opening Plenary
10:05 AM - 10:30 AMBiography
Kate Sommerville is General Manager of Hay Point Coal Terminal and a senior mining, operations and transformation leader with more than 30 years' experience spanning underground and open-cut mining, processing, business improvement, supply chain and executive leadership roles across Australia, North America, Africa and South America. She has held technical, operational, consulting, corporate and general management positions across multiple commodities and global operations.
Kate is recognised for leading complex operational and cultural transformations, including mine and business turnarounds, closure and repurposing strategies, operating system implementation and organisational performance improvement. She combines global operational experience with contemporary leadership thinking gained through MIT's Chief Operating Officer program, focused on supply chain, digital transformation and AI, and Oxford's Women Transforming Leadership program. Kate is a Fellow and Chartered Professional of AusIMM and served six years as an elected AusIMM Director. She is passionate about helping leaders connect people, systems and technology to build high-performing organisations and navigate the future of mining.
Session Chair
Session 1 I Q&A
10:30 AM - 11:00 AMBiography