Dr Liming Lu is currently a Chief Scientist leading CSIRO R&D in iron ore agglomeration and high temperature behaviour of iron ore agglomerates in blast furnace and other alternative ironmaking processes. Liming received his PhD degree from the University of New South Wales in 2001 and has more than 30 years’ R&D experience in the characterisation, processing and evaluation of iron ores, metallurgical coals and light metals. Liming is the editor of 2015 and 2021 editions of the Elsevier Iron ore book and published more than 160 papers. Liming is also an international technical expert of ISO Technical Committee for physical testing of iron ore, and the recipient of 2020 CSIRO Mineral Resources Life Achievement Award, 2019 Sawamura Award from the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan (ISIJ) and 2003 Josef S Kapitan Award from American Iron and Steel Society (AIST).

Mr. Shinya Kato is a Senior Manager with 26 years of professional experience in the ironmaking division at JFE Steel Corporation, Japan. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for ironmaking operations and technical management at domestic and overseas sites. For the past three years, he has been working at JFE Steel’s headquarters as a member of the Technical Solution Department, where he is involved in providing technical support and solutions related to ironmaking processes.His extensive operational experience and practical expertise contribute to improving productivity, operational stability, and overall performance across ironmaking operations.

Dr Nathan Webster is a Principal Research Scientist and the Group Leader of the Microbeam and Diffraction Group of the Characterisation Program in CSIRO Mineral Resources. He has significant expertise and experience in X-ray diffraction-based quantitative mineral and material phase analysis, including clay identification and quantification, as well as in-situ diffraction analysis to characterise the evolution of mineral and/or material phase chemistry as a function of temperature, pressure and atmosphere. Nathan has authored more than 80 journal publications, 1 book chapter, 10 conference proceedings publications, and has an H-index of 26. He has also authored more than 100 reports for industrial clients.

Natalie Ware has a science degree from the University of Newcastle and has worked at CSIRO since 1998. She has mainly worked mainly in iron ore processing on a number of projects involving beneficiation, characterisation and agglomeration. The main forcus of her work now is laboratory scale sintering.

John has 34 years of experience in iron ore from research, industry to consulting. Main areas of interest are in iron ore characterisation, beneficiation, iron ore sintering and pelletising and lump quality. Currently undertaking consulting work as well as actively involved in publishing research as part of an Adjunct Professor role at Curtin University WA School of Mines and co-research work with the CSIRO.