Xuefan Zhou is a PhD candidate at Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, The University of Queensland. She has extensive experience in the characterization and analysis of materials including steels, minerals, and alloys. Her current research focuses on the analysis and evaluation of slags associated with direct reduced iron, using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods to understand the relationships between slag structure and properties. This work aims to support process optimisation and the development of sustainable, low-carbon ironmaking technologies.

Nichole Maistry is a senior engineer at Mintek in the Mineral Processing Department. She obtained her MSc Engineering in Metallurgy and Materials from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as a National Certificate in management from Duke Corporate Education. She is also a member of The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Prior to starting at Mintek, she worked at ArcelorMittal for six years. During this time, she worked at the sinter plant and the blast furnace where she gained valuable experience in processing of ferrous commodities.

Technical Executive in Mine Tailings at WSP Australia with over 20 years of experience in geotechnical engineering applied to civil and mining projects. Mavi is a highly experienced specialist in tailings and dam engineering, with a strong background in site characterization, stability analysis, and advanced numerical modelling, including liquefaction susceptibility assessments of mine waste facilities. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A.Sc. in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC), where her research focused on the mechanical characterization of natural low-plasticity silts and tailings. Her career includes extensive involvement in both in situ and laboratory investigation programs, with a particular emphasis on advanced testing and interpretation for tailings dams and foundation systems. Mavi contributed to major mining projects across Canada, Chile, Peru, and the United States. Her experience spans the full project lifecycle, including site investigation, design, construction support, and performance assessment of dams and tailings storage facilities. She is also actively involved in advanced geotechnical laboratory practice, serving as a subject matter expert and reviewer for specialized testing programs supporting both academic research and industry applications. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Research Assistant at UBC and as a Project Engineer in Colombia, building a strong foundation in both research and applied geotechnics. Mavi is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC), as well as with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).

Eleanor Morton is an RMIT PhD student based at CSIRO Mineral Resources focusing on fundamental characterisation of high-impurity goethite ores. She has worked in a research geology setting throughout her undergraduate years and is highly interested in a sustainable future for Australia's mining industry.

Filipe leads ArcelorMittal’s mining and resources research portfolio as Portfolio Leader, steering global R&D strategy and partnerships to accelerate low‑carbon growth. He oversees technology and innovation programs across laboratories in France, Spain, Brazil, Canada, and the USA, advancing solutions that decarbonise the value chain and enable circular‑economy outcomes. His remit spans technical marketing for iron ore and support to commercial teams, with a strong emphasis on applying digitalization and AI to elevate performance, resilience, and sustainability across mining and primary processing.

My name is Qu Shijuan, a PhD candidate in Mining Engineering at Central South University, specialising in iron ore agglomeration, low-carbon and hydrogen metallurgy. As project lead, I have successfully managed and completed multiple industrial R&D collaborations with international and domestic enterprises, including sintering technology research with ArcelorMittal, cold-bonded briquette performance evaluation for Vale, and pellet development for China Baowu Steel Group. These outcomes have effectively enhanced the comprehensive utilisation value of iron ore fines, providing technological support for the low-carbon and green development of the steel industry. I have received the FMG Scholarship, Central South University's First-Class Scholarship, and the honourary title of ‘Outstanding Student’. In terms of academic achievements, I have published two papers and obtained one authorised invention patent. Having accumulated solid research and practical experience in the field of efficient iron ore resource utilisation, I remain committed to advancing technological innovation and sustainable development within the industry.

Felix Heinicke is a senior process manager at Köppern, working with HPGRs for more than 18 years.