Event MC & Speakers to be announced...

We are working to bring you an exciting line up of speakers in 2025. As these are locked in we will be announcing them here and via our regular newsletters.
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Introducing our 2025 MC's

Dr Heather Sparks

Manager Grants and Engagement, Geological Survey of Queensland

Dr Heather Sparks is a geologist with a diverse background in the minerals industry, academia, and government. Heather completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia in Canada, before moving to Australia to complete her PhD at the Australian National University in metamorphic economic geochemistry. She has worked in exploration from the Canadian Arctic to the Wet Tropics in Queensland. She has worked in two Geological Surveys, the Geological Survey of Canada, and the Geological Survey of Queensland. In her current role, Heather is responsible for managing a team that deliver several funding initiatives, along with industry engagement activities, to enable and support mineral exploration in Queensland.

Shane Goodwin

Co-Owner and Director of SC Group

Shane Goodwin is Co-Owner and Director of SC Group, a specialist consultancy providing strategic advisory services across stakeholder engagement, corporate property, and community relations. With over two decades of experience in the resources sector, Shane has held senior roles with New Century Resources, MMG Limited, and Barrick Gold Corporation. He has led major initiatives in corporate affairs, government relations, and social performance across Australia and internationally. Shane is also a Director of Gladstone Ports Corporation, where he chairs the People, Performance & Culture Committee, helping to guide the organisation’s leadership, workforce strategy, and culture.

Introducing our 2025 Speakers

This year, we are doing a deep dive into the Pipeline projects in and around Mount Isa in the North West Minerals Province.

Speakers from a variety of these pipeline projects will be presenting about their activities and where their projects are up to. For some, they are in exploration phase, for others it's pre-production and for others its diversifying and developing current deposits. We will be hearing about partnerships that are being signed to ensure productivity and viability.

Speakers are loaded here once we have their information. Please keep checking back for more as they are shared.

John Cotter

Managing Director, North West Phosphate

He has more than 20 years’ experience in major projects across Australia and is a recognised expert in the field of infrastructure planning.

Having been raised on a cattle property west of Gympie, John brings to the role a unique understanding of the importance of investing in agriculture, resources and drought proofing regions as a key pillar for economic growth and it is for that reason that he was a seed investor in North West Phosphate. John has continued to fund the development of North West Phosphate and committed to improving fertilisers for farming regions across Queensland and Australia

After working in private practice and listed property, he founded the Flinders Group, a specialised project management consulting firm which grew to over 150 staff across Australia. In 2014 Flinders Group was sold to global engineering firm Arcadis. In 2016, John founded Initiative Capital to provide private equity and expertise to infrastructure.

John has a Bachelor of Urban Planning, a Masters in Applied Finance and a Diploma of Project Management. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director as the Royal Agricultural and Industry Association.

https://www.nwphos.com/

Johannes Van Heerden

Group Chief Operating Officer - Business Development & Growth - Harmony SE Asia

Johannes was appointed Group Chief Operating Officer, Business Development and Growth in February 2023. His focus includes leading the Eva Copper Mine Project into development, progressing the Wafi-Golpu Project in Papua New Guinea (a joint venture with Newmont) and pursuing further growth opportunities in Africa, South East Asia and Australia.

Johannes joined Harmony in 1998 and was appointed the Chief Financial Officer for Harmony South East Asia in 2003. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Harmony’s South East Asia operations from 2008 to 2023

Paul Holden

Lead - Critical Minerals Queensland

Paul Holden currently serves as the head of Critical Minerals Queensland (CMQ), where he leads the state’s efforts to become a global leader in the critical minerals sector. Tasked with executing Queensland’s Critical Minerals Strategy, Paul is driving initiatives to unlock the state’s vast mineral wealth. His leadership focuses on building strong partnerships across government, industry, and communities to fast-track project approvals and create sustainable jobs, especially in regional hubs like Townsville and Mount Isa.

With over 25 years of experience in senior executive roles, including at the Office of the Coordinator-General and the Department of State Development, Paul has a proven track record in delivering major infrastructure and resource projects. He is highly skilled in navigating regulatory frameworks, securing project financing, and facilitating complex stakeholder negotiations. Paul’s extensive expertise covers sectors such as minerals, water, agriculture, and tourism, making him a trusted figure in Queensland’s development landscape.

Originally from Mount Isa, and currently living in Townsville, Paul is deeply passionate about fostering economic growth in regional Queensland. Under his leadership, CMQ is not only driving investment in critical minerals but also promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, positioning Queensland as a sustainable powerhouse in the global energy transition.

https://www.nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au/mining-exploration/initiatives/critical-minerals

Dr. Helen Degeling

Project Acquisition Manager, Cobalt Blue

Dr Helen Degeling is a PhD qualified geologist with over 18 years experience in industry, academia and government. She has worked as an exploration geologist and Exploration Manager in gold and base metals throughout Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, as well as consulting to a variety of mineral explorers and producers both domestically and abroad. As the Director, Minerals Geoscience for the geological survey of Queensland she initiated the Queensland Governments Circular Economy, Secondary Productivity, traceability and Sustainable REE processing programs. Helen is a passionate advocate for the growth and evolution of the minerals sector in line with the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation and adoption of ESG standards globally.

In her current role as Project Acquisition Manager for Cobalt Blue, Helen aims to realise the opportunities for green metal extraction from mine waste to support the energy transition.

https://cobaltblueholdings.com/

Nicole Duguid

Policy Director for Resources, Community, and Queensland Exploration Council, Queensland Resources Council

Nicole Duguid is the Queensland Resources Council’s Policy Director for Resources, Community, and Queensland Exploration Council. Nicole has a Bachelor of Applied Science, Grad., Diploma Education, and a Master of Business Administration.

Nicole is an accomplished executive leader with a career spanning various high-impact roles, including CEO of Regional Development Australia (Mackay Isaac Whitsunday), Chief Operating Officer at Whitsunday Regional Council, and Director of Infrastructure Policy for the Queensland Government.

Nicole specialises in advocacy and strategic advice on national and state agendas, particularly in advancing regional economic development in Australia. With a strong background in long-term strategic planning, she is passionate about leading diverse teams to achieve impactful outcomes for Queensland's resource communities.

https://www.qrc.org.au/

Kate Dickson

Queensland Director and Head of National Operations - AMEC

Kate brings a unique perspective and extensive experience to the resources industry, understanding both the private and public sectors. She collaborates closely with stakeholders to drive AMEC’s Strategic Plan, ensuring positive outcomes for AMEC members and the broader community. Kate is committed to upholding AMEC’s advocacy traditions and actively engages stakeholders in this mission. Her background and experience have instilled in her the belief that the right policy levers are key to making a lasting impact in the resources industry.

Ben McInerney

General Manager and Senior Site Executive, Eloise Copper Mine

Ben has over 25 years of experience in metalliferous mining operations throughout Australia and 14 years in Executive management roles including AIC Mines, FMR Investments and Evolution Mining. Ben holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering, a First Class Mine Managers Certificate and a Senior Site Executive Certificate in Queensland. In his 5 years at Eloise, he has witnessed firsthand an operation that was on the brink of closure, to not only recover, but have the best long-term outlook in its 30 years of existence.

Tim Rose

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Mount Isa City Council

Tim Rose is the current Chief Executive Officer of Mount Isa City Council. He is a former CEO of Local Buy Pty Ltd, Burnett Shire Council and Bowen Shire Council, as well as a former acting CEO of Diamantina Shire, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire, and Quilpie Shire councils. Tim has a Bachelor of Business, an MBA and is a graduate from the Institute of Company Directors. Tim is passionate about regional Queensland and has spent a fair proportion of his career pursuing economic development opportunities through his work in local government that will allow the communities to reach their full potential.

https://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/

Peta MacRae

Mayor - Mount Isa

Peta MacRae is the current Mayor of Mount Isa. Before being elected as Mayor in 2024, she served as a Councillor for eight years, occupying the portfolios of sport and recreation, tourism and events, youth, community engagement, the pool, and the library. Mayor MacRae’s priorities for the local area are strengthening the economy through encouraging diversity of business, growing our own through educational opportunities and professional development, and creating an appealing and liveable city to attract residents and visitors alike. Mayor MacRae says, “The pending closure of Glencore’s underground operations is a huge loss for Mount Isa, but as one door is closing, others are opening to protect our workforce, diversify our economy and build the industries, infrastructure and services we need for the future”.

https://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/Home

Maria James

CEO - MITEZ

Maria James is the CEO of MITEZ, a member based advocacy peak regional development organisation for the North West corridor. Previous to this she spent more than a decade at Port of Townsville managing the trade and business development unit. Maria began her career as a graduate economist with the Commonwealth Department of Defence, but then spent almost 20 years working in both the UK and USA in further education and International Rugby administration before settling in Townsville with her family.

A born and bred North Queenslander, Tully to be specific, Maria is passionate about Northern Australia and being part of it's development. She sits on the RDA Townsville and North West Committee, the Athletics North Queensland board, The CopperString Regional Reference Group and the Premier's Queensland Leaders Forum. .

Dr Grant Ballantyne

Director, Technical Solutions - Ausenco

Grant is a Technical Director at Ausenco providing critical input at the front-end of engineering design projects, consulting with operations, coordinating the technical excellence groups, and assessing the economics of enhanced process technologies.

Grant is also a Director of CEEC International and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland. Grant completed a Bachelor of Engineering and a PhD at the University of Queensland. In 2019 he won the CEEC medal and in 2017 he was awarded the Minerals Engineering Young person of the year award

https://www.ausenco.com/

Trevor Shaw

Manager Australian Exploration MIM Resource Development Mount Isa Mines – A Glencore Company

Trevor Shaw is an Exploration Geologist with more than 25 years’ resources industry experience. As the Manager – Australian Exploration for Glencore’s Queensland Metals, Trevor oversees all aspects of the exploration strategy and operations across the Mount Isa Mines assets.

Over the past 18 years, Trevor’s exploration team explored tenements throughout the Mount Isa Inlier, managing Joint Ventures over 9,500km2 of tenure in North West Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Current exploration efforts are primarily focused towards the discovery of satellite feed, Life of Asset extensions for the Queensland Metals Mining and Metallurgical assets with a renewed focus upon regional Zn and Cu Exploration from Mt Isa to McArthur River.

Trevor serves on the QRC Exploration and Tenures Committee, the Advisory Board for the Centre of Ore Deposits and Earth Sciences (CODES) – University of Tasmania, and as the Advisory Board Chair for the Economic Geology Research Centre – (EGRU) – James Cook University.

https://www.glencore.com.au/

Event MC & Speakers to be announced...

Introducing our 2025 MC's

Introducing our 2025 Speakers

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