Over the last 30 years Ralph has been involved largely in mineral processing research and has managed CSIRO’s iron ore processing research for more than 20 years. He is currently a Chief Research Scientist in CSIRO Mineral Resources and is recognised throughout the Australian and overseas iron ore industries as an expert in iron ore processing and sampling.

Neil is currently the CEO of Acadia Iron, a Vancouver based company, which has the rights to licence the HIsmelt technology outside China, and is currently developing HIsmelt projects in North and South America, and Australasia. Previously the General Manager of Rio Tinto’s HIsmelt Corporation, Neil was responsible for the design and operation of the commercial scale HIsmelt plants in Western Australia and China. Prior to HIsmelt, Neil was involved in the design and commissioning of ironmaking plants in Europe, America and Asia for 20 years for Davy McKee. Neil graduated from Imperial College London, with a degree in Metallurgy, and recipient of the Charles Salter prize for excellence in metallurgy from the Royal School of Mines.

Olga has more than 15 years of experience at an international level, across multiple disciplines. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.), 2000 and M.Sc. (Hons.), 2002, in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing) from National Technical University (Ukraine) and a dual Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering/Material Science from BAYATI, Budapest/University of Miskolc, Hungary (2006). Olga has received numerous awards for her scientific work throughout her study, including an industrial Ph.D. scholarship. From 2007-2011, Olga held various academic positions at the University of Miskolc, Hungary, including Senior Lecturer at the Department of Production Engineering and Technology, and International Students and Research Partnership Coordinator. Olga’s research was focused on the development of Laser Melt Injection (LMI) technology for cutting tool applications within the manufacturing industry. She has published numerous technical papers in internationally recognised scientific journals. Olga joined AMIRA International in 2011 and is currently a Program Manager and Innovation Lead. She applies her technical knowledge, management skills and enthusiasm for innovation in developing high value multidisciplinary collaborative projects for the mining industry. Olga was involved in the development and oversight of already completed projects on TML for iron ore fines, Moisture measurement and control for iron ore conveyor systems. Olga’s current portfolio includes projects in Geophysics, Mine Engineering, and Metallurgy and Sustainability where she engages mining companies (including iron ore producers) on topics of common interest that deliver high value outcomes. Olga is a current member of the Innovative Non-invasive and Fully Acceptable Exploration Technologies (INFACT) Advisory Board, and the Advanced METS Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) Advisory Committee, University of Newcastle.

Kieren spent 10 years with CSIRO as a Senior Research Scientist researching the nature of the mining industry’s social licence to operate in Australia and around the world. He has led the development of Reflexivity, a CSIRO company created to deliver this science to mining companies and the communities they work alongside. To date, the Reflexivity ‘Local Voices’ platform has been deployed in Western Australia across the Pilbara, Goldfields, South West and Perth, providing data-driven social performance insights to support more constructive community relationships. He is a social and organisational psychologist by training and leads a diverse team of people located in Brisbane, Melbourne, Dampier and Sao Paulo, Brazil.