Ben Silverwood, Technical Services Lead, Senior Spatial Data Specialist and Chief UAV Pilot Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic), Remote Pilot Licence (CASA) Ben is Verterra’s Technical Services Lead. As a Senior Spatial Data Specialist his development focus is utilisation of UAV aerial imagery and in particular, the integration of proximal, near remote and remote data analysis for characterisation and modelling of landscape function and crop growth applied to precision agriculture, natural resource management and mine revegetation. Ben has advanced skills in GIS and spatial data analysis, Artificial Intelligence, and machine learning.

Katie Burkell B.Sc. P.Eng. is Civil Engineer specializing in mining technology and innovation, with a strong focus on geotechnical monitoring and integrated software solutions. At Cambio Earth, she plays a key role in driving the development and application of advanced data-driven platforms that enhance safety, efficiency, and decision-making across mine sites. Katie brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach informed by her hands-on experience and deep industry insight. She’ll be presenting on the integration of surveillance, monitoring, and inspection technologies, offering a forward-looking view on how mine sites can optimize ground control through smarter systems.

Mr. Adams has worked in the engineering industry since 1985. As an engineer, he has specialized in applied earth sciences and the design of environmental controls (civil engineering solutions). Mr. Adams' current focus is on mining, including decommissioning and rehabilitation (closure) planning as well as support of permitting, operating facilities or expansion. He has conducted: soil and groundwater investigations; design, specification generation and implementation of earthworks solutions (remedial excavations, site grading, cap installations); design installation and operation of in-situ remediation systems and engineered controls; stakeholder consultation and negotiations; risk management; risk communication; combined geotechnical / environmental site investigations; historical reviews; groundwater, contaminant, and risk assessment modelling; environmental forensics; and environmental economics. Mr. Adams’ projects have spanned mine sites, landfills, heavy industrial facilities (incl. rail yards), DND facilities, salvage yards, petroleum processing and distribution facilities, pipelines and support facilities, petroleum (pipeline, tanker truck and domestic) spill sites, salt storage facilities, national parks and institutions.

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.

Glen is a geologist from Tucson, Arizona with industry experience in exploration and mine geology and environmental geology with companies in Australia and North America. She has worked in New South Wales as an environmental geologist and in Western Australia and Nevada, USA in mine and exploration geology. Recently, she has joined EGI where she has been working on acid rock drainage management studies and solutions for mine sites across Australia and Asia. She has a BSc in Geology from Juniata College in Pennsylvania, USA, where she co-authored research on isotope tracing of copper contamination from mine tailings in China.