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 37 years, Erick has been involved in iron ore research from Australia, Brazil, India, South and West Africa and Sweden. He is the co-chairman and editor of the International Iron Ore Conference since 2002.

Professional Mining & Mechanical Engineer / Project Manager / Owners Team Representative with over 18 years in the Mining Industry working for exploration and mining companies. Track record across both mine development and engineering roles, studies, project planning and supervision, engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, project management and owners team roles. Delivery of solutions for greenfield / brownfield projects exceeding US$2Billion and project valuations (NPV) exceeding US$1Billion. Multi commodity experience – iron ore, coal, cobalt, copper, gold, potash, nickel, rare earths scandium, and uranium.

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 36 years, Erick has been involved in iron ore research from Australia, Brazil, India, South and West Africa and Sweden. He is the co-chairman and editor of the International Iron Ore Conference since 2002.

A senior resources industry professional with over 23 years’ experience since graduating with BSc. Applied Geology (Hons). Leigh has held several senior management roles responsible for all aspects of Geology and the broader technical services disciplines, including as Global Manager Resources and Exploration for ArcelorMittal. Leigh has always kept one foot outside the geology box which has enabled me to develop a much broader understanding of the technical requirements across the value chain and the internal complexities and issues faced by mining companies. Leigh was the first International AusIMM Representative for the UK, inaugurating and chairing the AusIMM UK Committee from early 2020 to 2022. Leigh has been a Member of the AusIMM for 18 years, the last 2 as a Fellow, and he is also a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.

Lance Karlson works as Principal Improvement for BHP's WAIO Geoscience team, where he focuses upon improvements to drilling, earthworks and geophysics. He is a geologist with 14 years experience in iron ore, coal and coal seam gas. He is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Western Australia, where his thesis explores the use of new drill technologies in geological modelling.

I am an enthusiastic geoscientist with global experience, working in Mineral Exploration across commodities and deposit types, (orogenic gold deposits, lithium in pegmatites, REE-rich carbonatites, iron ore, Ti-Zr heavy sands, F-Pb-Zn-Ag deposits). I have developed a keen interest for regolith geosciences. Throughout my career I have acquired a robust understanding of the Mining Industry and its challenges as well as the importance of scientific research in addressing them. I am a team worker with exceptional communication skills and experience in collaborating with colleagues from a wide variety of disciplinary and cultural backgrounds.