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Session 2D - Circular economy and reusing materials

Life of Mine
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:10 PM

Speaker

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Ms Erin Littlewood
Principal Consultant - Sustainability Lead
IEMA

Integrating Circular Economy Principles into Mine Closure Planning

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Abstract

Biography

Erin Littlewood is a sustainability and strategy expert with extensive experience across the public and private sectors. As Principal Consultant and Sustainability Lead at IEMA, Erin provides businesses with strategic insights and practical solutions to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, manage risks, and capitalise on sustainability opportunities. Erin leads IEMA’s sustainability advisory service line, partnering with organisations to develop resilient strategies aligned with global best practice. Her expertise includes ESG reporting, climate risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and nature-positive initiatives. She focuses on building robust sustainability frameworks that enhance compliance, mitigate risks, and strengthen the social licence to operate. An advocate for innovation in mine closure, Erin integrates advanced tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and climate scenario analysis into decision-making. Her work ensures sustainable closure planning and optimised post-mining land use that benefits communities and ecosystems alike. With a collaborative approach and deep subject matter expertise, Erin supports the mining sector in achieving meaningful, long-term environmental and societal outcomes. Her goal is to help clients set new benchmarks for sustainable mining operations and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving regulatory and environmental landscape.
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Dr Ana Fernandez-Iglesias
Director Sustainable Mining Portfolio
ArcelorMittal R&D

Circularity in Mining: Innovation Strategies for Tailings as a Resource

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Abstract

Biography

Dr. Prof. Ana Fernandez-Iglesias Chemical Engineer specializing in environmental sustainability, she holds a PhD in the sustainability of mining waste management. With over 17 years of R&D experience in the steel and mining industry, her focus has always been on technological innovation for sustainability and the circular economy. She is currently the Director of the Sustainable Mining Portfolio at ArcelorMittal Mining R&D, where she coordinates all R&D projects related to sustainability in ArcelorMittal's iron ore mines worldwide. Prior to this role, she led dedicated R&D teams, labs, and pilot plants focused on optimizing resource sustainability through technology. She also enjoys teaching at the University of Oviedo, promoting STEM careers among young students, and exploring the circular economy beyond mining. This includes her role as a specialist at the Greening The Islands Foundation, which supports the sustainability of islands worldwide.
Nathan Blight
GM Studies
Tellus

Sandy Ridge – a master-planned precinct with regional residue management enabling future material circularity

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Abstract

Biography

Steve is an experienced project executive with a passion for creating value by delivering innovative infrastructure solutions to global problems. Over the last 20 years, he has held leadership positions on a broad range of developments across the mining, property, transport, and waste sectors – in Europe, Asia and Australia. He seeks to build collaborative, high-performing teams with the requisite skills and experience to drive results for clients, whether they be internal or external to the Tellus business. At Tellus, Steve led the feasibility and construction phases of the Sandy Ridge project which was delivered during the Covid-19 outbreak. Despite the challenges that the pandemic presented, Australia’s first commercial scale geological repository was commissioned under budget, to schedule and with no lost time injuries. Steve has previously worked for BHP, Newcrest and Atlas, as well as multinational consulting companies Golder Associates (now WSP) and Halcrow Group (now Jacobs). He is a mining engineering graduate of Camborne School of Mines and a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
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Mr Tonny Gultom
Director of Harita Nickel Group
Nickel Company

Utilization ex-pit Mine as Backfill Facility for Nickel Waste Management in Western Obi Island Project.

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Abstract

Biography

The Director of Harita Nickel Group with over 30 years of experience in the mining industry—covering copper, gold, bauxite, nickel, and coal—as well as in refinery operations, including alumina, pyrometallurgy (RKEF), and hydrometallurgy (HPAL). Tonny Gultom has specialized in project development, management, operations and HSE. He is also expertise in IFC Performance Standards and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) since 2015. He was once an international consultant in due diligence, capacity building, environmental management, and water resources, with extensive hands-on field experience. Long-term project assignments: North Maluku (10 years), Sumbawa (10 years), North Sulawesi (7 years), and West Java (7 years).
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