Rami Ghattas, Processing Manager, Aurelia
Rami is the Processing Manager at Aurelia metals – Dargues Gold Mine, responsible for the processing plant and TSF operation and maintenance. Rami is a qualified Chemical Engineer specialised in mineral processing. Rami has previously held multiple operational and technical roles across different base metals and gold mines in Australia working for Glencore, CBH Resources and Evolution Mining. Rami resides with his family in the beautiful historic town of Braidwood and been spending his spare time exploring the magical untouched sapphire coast of South Eastern NSW.
Aaron Brannigan, CVO GM, Newcrest Cadia Valley Operations
Aaron Brannigan is the General Manager of Newcrest’s Cadia Valley Operations in Orange NSW, Australia.
Aaron has 30 years’ experience in mining operations across Southern Africa, Canada, Peru, Laos and Australia, and is a recognised leading practice manager with expertise in safe, innovative and practical results.
Leonnardo Probst, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Consultant
Leonnardo is a geologist from the Federal University of Ouro Preto. He has more than 19 years of experience working as a geotechnical engineer focused on the mining and hydropower market.
He worked in consulting companies on projects of open pits, tailings dams and tailings piles in different phases of projects. He also has extensive experience in large mining companies, in open pits and underground mines. Working on the design of new projects, monitoring of geotechnical structures, sizing and quality control of support systems.
Since 2019 he has been working at GroundProbe Brazil as a senior geotechnical engineer focused on the tailings dam market, providing technical support, consulting, applicability studies and training to consumers.
David Brett, Senior Technical Director GHD
David is recognized as a leading dam engineer in Australia, with nearly 50 years of experience in design, construction and operation of water and tailings dams. David is an experienced trainer holding TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Mike Rankin, Certified Training Provider, WTA
Mike has 40 years of experience in the Water Industry across Australia and 40 years of experience as an operator manager and trainer. Mike is a Director of Water Training Australia.
Hugh Thompson, Senior Manager Technical Services, Harmony SE Asia
35 yr mining professional with wide experience in the feasibility, development and operations of mining projects in Australia, Asia-Pacific, Africa and South America. In roles as diverse as underground handheld miner, mining engineer and through to country manager for a start-up services company. These roles have embraced new technologies and change, consistently reducing risk and improving project economics and operational outcomes. I have led numerous multi-discipline projects, working with professionals from backgrounds such as; Environmental, Community, Geology, Mining, Processing, Infrastructure and Corporate aspects of projects. Currently, I am based in Brisbane, assisting with the Hidden Valley mining operations.
Michelle Black, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, WSP et al
Michelle is a Principal Engineering Geologist at WSP. Michelle has 23 years of experience in geotechnical investigation, design management of civil and mining infrastructure as well as mine subsidence assessments. Michelle’s experience includes slope stability assessments, geotechnical risk assessments, geotechnical design for construction of residential and commercial buildings as well as design and construction of mining structures such as tailings and water dams, CHPPs, MIAs and haul road pavements. Michelle has also worked on design and construction of road and rail infrastructure for transport clients. Michelle’s role in these projects includes project management, organization and management of site investigations, inspection and management of dams, data analysis for design of dams, embankments, slopes, footings, rail formations and road pavements.
Carlos Vanegas, Manager Metallurgy, Rasp Mine, CBH Resources
Carlos is the Manager Metallurgy at Broken Hill Operations, responsible for ore processing, concentrate production and tailings management. Carlos has previously held research, consultancy, and technical operational roles in the metallurgy field in Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales. Carlos is going through a steep learning curve on tailings management. Carlos and his wife Monica have three very young boys; therefore, he has no spare time for hobbies.
Xavier Hill, Inspector of Mines, NSW Resources Regulator, Department of Regional NSW
Xavier Hill is a mining engineer with 18 years experience with the last 6 having been working as an inspector for the NSW resources regulator. Prior to this he has worked in a series of production and technical roles for both open cut and underground mining projects in Australia and overseas. Xavier has extensive experience managing tailings dams in sensitive environmental areas and making changes to the mining process in order to optimise the management of tailings. Xavier holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering, MBA and a Graduate Certificate of finance.
Mike Gunner, Engineer Tailings and Dams, Rio Tinto
Mike is a Responsible Dams Engineer for Rio Tinto Iron Ore with 20 years’ experience in the industry. Mike has been responsible for the operation and governance of 12 tailings storage facilities for Rio Tinto over the past 3 years ensuring that operational activities meet the design intent and internal and external requirements are met or exceeded. A civil engineer and EA Chartered Engineer, Mike previously held roles as a consultant overseeing the design and construction of tailings facilities as well as major civil projects such as highways, aerodromes, and industrial reclamation. He and his wife Tiff have been married for 6 years and have two young children with a third due later this year. His spare time is mainly spent with the family, but he finds time to relax on long runs or catching up with friends for a beer.
Mohsen Askari, Head of Consulting and Data Science, Adasa Systems
Dr. Mohsen Askari is the head of consulting and data science at Adasa Systems. He is also a mechanical engineer with more than 15 years of experience implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning in structural damage detection and safety monitoring including towers, bridges as well as 18 dams in NSW”.
Xuebo Zhou, Manager Data and Insights, Water NSW
‘Xuebo is a surveyor at WaterNSW. He has worked at WaterNSW for about 9 years. Most of his survey works are monitoring surveys such as dam monitoring surveys. As the assets of WaterNSW are across NSW, he enjoys working at different parts of NSW. (The views are amazing!) In the past two years, he has been working on the initiative of monitoring dams using satellite-based InSAR at WaterNSW. He is so a dog/cat person, even he does not have one due to allergies.’
Wendy Carlisle, Senior Engineer, Red Earth Engineering
Wendy is a senior engineer at Red Earth Engineering. With a background in hydrology and civil engineering, she is now involved in operational tailings management and dam design at several of Red Earth’s EoR sites. Through this role she is involved in TARP monitoring and decisions around tailings deposition, mud-farming, and water management.
Wendy is passionate about sharing knowledge of open-source data and tools, and finding better ways of communicating the technical. In her spare time she likes to explore the open-access mountains of this country’s beautiful national parks.
Wesley Herweynen, Senior Tailings Engineer, GHD
Wes is a Senior Tailings Engineer with GHD based in their Hobart office. Since graduating from the University of Tasmania in 2015, Wes has built a career in tailings engineering and enjoys the many interesting challenges the industry presents. He has been involved in all aspects of tailings engineering, from planning to design to operation support and closure. Wes also holds a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Colorado State University, where he spent two years studying and working. Wes and his wife Georgia reside in Hobart and have an 8-month-old son that keeps them very busy. In his spare time, Wes enjoys spending time with his family and getting outside in beautiful Tasmania.
Dave Hume, Projects and Technical General Manager, Aeris Resources
David is a Mining Engineer with 35 years’ experience predominantly in base metals and gold sectors at mines in Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia, and roles including mine engineering, operational management, project development and management of studies. He was recently appointed to the role of Group General Manager of Project Studies and Technical Services having previously held the role of General Manager of the Tritton Copper Mine.
David is married with 3 daughters and 1 granddaughter and lives in SE Queensland.
Mark Chapman, Managing Director, IGS
Mark graduated from RMIT University with First Class Honours in 2007 and completed a Masters of Engineering Science (Geotechnical) at UNSW in 2016.
He has worked for Geotechnical Engineering contractors since 2006 on wide variety of civil infrastructure, building and mining projects across Australia, particularly on projects involving soft soils. Roles in these projects include: geotechnical engineering design, project management, testing, verification and quality assurance.
In more recent times Mark has focused on site investigations through his work with Insitu Geotech Services (IGS) where his is the Managing Director overseeing the company’s in situ testing and sampling developments and activities.
Andy Warwick, National Product Manager, Global Synthetics
Andy is the National Products Manager for Global Synthetics.
Andy is responsible for all mining & rail construction nationwide, & all Landfill and Erosion control in QLD and internationally.
Outside of the applications Andy is also tasked with new technologies from around the world, from technical assessment, marketing launch, working with consultants and equally the operators in how to use and install.
Prior to coming to Australia Andy was the International Sales Director over 10 years, for 2 major geosynthetic manufacturing companies selling and educating from S’ America Europe, Africa, Russia and Asia. While also sitting on various international committees.
Married for 18 years with 3 teenagers. Loves the ocean and patrols at his SLSC as well as educating young lads in the art of Rugby Union
Anthony Paul, Director, PUMP N SEAL
Anthony is a Director of PUMPNSEAL Australia responsible for new pump product development and application. Being a co-founder of the business 22 years ago, Anthony’s 30+ years’ experience, has given him a greater understanding of the mining and mineral processing industry. Originally qualified as a Mechanical Fitter/Machinist, Anthony quickly realized there was more fun to be had in pumping rather than working on locomotives. 10 years ago, PUMPNSEAL started looking for better methods of returning water off TSFs and in the process developed innovative decant pumping packages that they now supply globally from their Perth facility. When he is not at work or following directions from his wife and three daughters Anthony can sometimes be found messing around on boats or windsurfing.