Vanessa Lickfold (PhD, FAusIMM)

Head of Surface Mining Centre of Excellence, Rio Tinto

Vanessa Lickfold is an experienced mining executive and company director with a career spanning leadership roles across major mining companies, consultancies, and industry organisations.

In her current role, as the Head of Surface Mining Centre of Excellence at Rio Tinto, Vanessa provides strategic direction for the mining discipline, supporting improvements in operational efficiency and guiding advancements in technology.

Previously, she founded ReGenOre Pty Ltd, consultancy focused on mining value chain strategies, working with clients such as Agnico Eagle, Newmont and Fortescue Metals Group.  Her career includes senior roles at BHP, Hatch and Anglo American, where she managed early mining studies, geoscience divisions and business development strategies and led multi-horizon mine planning initiatives.

With a PhD in Economic Geology and executive education from Stanford and Cambridge Universities, Vanessa combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of business strategy and management.

She has authored and co-authored many technical papers and is a Fellow of both the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Society for Economic Geologists.  She also serves as an Independent Director of the Australian Battery Industry Association, contributing to the development of sustainable practices in the sector.

Vanessa mentors through the International Women in Resources Mentoring Programme and was recognised among the 100 most inspirational women in mining in 2016.  She brings a transformational and strategic approach to mining, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation.