Project Evaluation: From Study to Sign-Off

Presented by AusIMM and the AusIMM Sydney Branch, with Event Partner IMARC, this workshop explores how mining projects are studied, evaluated and reviewed from scoping through to final investment decision

About this event

Through technical presentations, industry case studies and discussion, participants will gain practical insights into risk, governance, assurance and project valuation across the study lifecycle.

Project evaluation is about more than developing a technically sound and financially robust business case. Successful projects rely on effective governance, multidisciplinary collaboration, disciplined management of risk and opportunity, and the ability to challenge assumptions as studies progress.

Program

The workshop features four technical presentations delivered by industry specialists, followed by facilitated discussion and a closing panel session.

• From study process to investment decision
  Examine how study processes support confident and defensible investment decisions, and explore the market, commercial and organisational factors that influence project outcomes.

• Risk, opportunity and the inevitable challenge
  Learn practical approaches to identifying and managing risk and opportunity throughout the study lifecycle, including responding effectively when project assumptions or conditions change.

• Technical assurance and corporate governance
  Explore the role of data, interpretation, modelling, forecasting and reporting in project evaluation, and understand how effective assurance frameworks build confidence in study outcomes.

• Communicating outcomes and valuations to stakeholders
  Understand how uncertainty in project assumptions influences value, and learn how to communicate study findings effectively to boards, investment committees and other stakeholders.

Who it is for

Study managers and technical leads in geology, mining engineering and metallurgy delivering scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Corporate development professionals, equity analysts, fund managers and investment specialists assessing project value. Independent reviewers and consultants providing benchmarking, assurance or due diligence. Mid-career practitioners moving into project evaluation or project leadership.

Your registration includes a complimentary IMARC Visitor Expo Pass for Day 3, giving you access to the IMARC Exhibition Hall for the remainder of the day.

Privacy and consent

By registering for the AusIMM Technical Workshop at IMARC 2026, you consent to AusIMM sharing your registration details with Beacon Events for the sole purpose of facilitating your IMARC 2026 registration and event administration purposes. Your information will not be used for marketing or other purposes without your consent.

Registrants will receive a registration link from Beacon Events to access ICC Sydney for the AusIMM workshop and to claim their complimentary IMARC Visitor Expo Pass.

Speaker/s

Karl van Olden

FAusIMM

Director, AMC Consultants

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Karl has more than 25 years’ mining industry experience with substantial experience in diverse mining environments in operational, technical, consulting, and corporate roles. Expertise and skills across the mining business process and a trusted advisor to executives in the mining industry. Karl also has leadership experience and a solid track record in senior roles for multi-national resource companies and as a manager developing business and technical capability in recognized industry-leading consultancies. He has been a project sponsor, a project manager, a technical lead and a contributor to well over 500 diverse, world-wide mining industry assignments. These span feasibility studies, strategic analysis, business planning, Ore Reserve Estimates, due diligence reviews, expert reports, minerals project valuations and operational optimization.

Mark Noppé

FAusIMM(CP)

W H Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland

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A member since 1998, Mark has been involved in AusIMM branch, society, conference / workshop and Award committees. Mark has supported professional development and standards through mentoring programs and the presentation of papers, talks and training at conferences and online platforms, including facilitation of the well-received online JORC Code reporting course. A Fellow and Chartered Professional (Geoscience), Mark’s contribution in the consulting sector was recognised with the AusIMM Charles Marshall Professional Excellence Award in 2019. Mark has mentored with the AusIMM, IMNIS and the International Women in Mining programs.

As a recognised leader in the consulting industry, Mark has held Board roles within various consulting companies since 2009, including Managing Director of Xstract Mining Consultants (2009-2012), Director of SRK (Australasia) in 2016, Chair and a Practice Leader in 2017, Director and Exco member of SRK (Global) in 2018, Managing Director of SRK (Australasia) 2019-2022, Director of SRK (Asia) in 2020, and Group Chair of SRK (Global) (2021-2022). Mark has been with The University of Queensland since late 2022. Mark is a non-executive director of junior explorer Litchfield Minerals.

Mark was elected to the AusIMM Board from 2021 and contributes to the Board and Board committees and AusIMM members through his broad industry and professional services experience, contracting and governance exposure, familiarity with marketing and professional development activities, and in particular his interpersonal and communication style.

Lisa Park

GAICD FAusIMM(CP) RPEQ

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Lisa has over 30 years in the mining industry, predominantly in base and precious metals. Project Development roles in minerals processing, pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy including supporting utilities and specialty reagent plants, as a technical specialist and project manager/director. She also supports as a competent person for ASX reporting and qualified person for TSX technical reports.

Ranging from the perspectives of the mining company, engineering company, and due diligence team, Lisa has actively driven the project gamut from exploration to construction. With a risk management orientation, Lisa has consulted on projects over the last 20+ years.

Lisa has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Melbourne, a Masters in Applied Finance from Queensland University of Technology and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a Fellow of the AusIMM and chartered professional (Management and Metallurgy), past Chair of the ConSoc committee, member of the CPPC and registered professional engineer in Queensland.

Lisa has a keen interest, with her fellow past and present ConSoc members, in sharing accumulated knowledge of project development processes. With the steering committee, developing and presenting the Study Processes for Resource projects course, published the Study Processes Handbook and currently developing the Study Processes guideline.