Dr. Eugene Donskoi graduated with MSc in physics and engineering from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and with a PhD on the mathematical modelling of coal based direct reduction of iron ores, from the Queensland University of Technology. He has over 20 years experience in direct reduction, mineral processing and characterisation. Currently he is a project leader and principal research scientist in CSIRO Mineral Resources. His main activities are in optical image analysis of iron ore, sinter, pellets and coke; textural and structural characterisation; prediction of downstream processing and direct reduction.

Patrick graduated with an M.Sc. degree in economic geology from the Freiberg University of Mining in Germany. During his studies he collaborated with Rio Tinto Exploration focusing on high-grade iron ore targets in the southern Hamersley region. Since 2016 he is employed as a research scientist in Freiberg working on the genesis of different kinds of mineralisation reaching from hydrothermal vein-type deposits to apatite iron ore. In collaboration with the Swedish iron ore producer LKAB he currently focusses on the process mineralogy of exploration targets near Kiruna. Besides his research he is responsible for teaching bachelor and master students in economic geology and petrology in theory as well as in the field.

Ray is graduate from the School of Mines Ballarat and Melbourne University and has 50 years experience in the industry in operations, research and engineering management. He has experience at the Savage River magnetite operation and engineering design and project management in base metal and iron ore projects. He has conducted and managed scoping and pre-feasibility studies on the Hawsons Iron Project and is currently the Project Director for the continuing development of the project. The project is currently going through the environmental approval process and bankable feasibility study.

Dr Erick Ramanaidou is the Commodity Research Leader for iron ore in the Discovery Program in CSIRO Mineral Resources. Erick is based at the Australian Resource Research Centre (ARRC) in Perth, Western Australia. In the last 30 years, Erick has been involved with iron ore deposits from Australia, Sweden, Brazil, South and West Africa. He is co-chairman and editor of the International Iron Ore Conference since 2002.