Consulting and Clients in the Future World – Navigating the Changing Landscape
The AusIMM Consultants Society is excited to be hosting a one-day forum on Thursday, 24 October 2024 in Perth following the 2024 Mill Operators Conference. Registration is now open.
About this event
With the rapidly changing environment in which consultants and their valued clients operate, it is opportune to engage with industry-leading experts on the theme - 'Consulting and Clients in the Future World – Navigating the Changing Landscape.'
The Forum will commence with a morning session of presentations and a panel discussion on future-facing technologies including robotics, automation, data and reporting systems and the cybersecurity risks introduced by these technologies.
The afternoon session will focus more on the human challenges expected from the changing world we are racing headfirst into. We will consider topics including upskilling management and the workforce in this changing environment, ethics and ESG implications and how consultants can add value in preparing for and navigating the changing landscape.
An overview of the program for the Forum is provided below, as well as bios of confirmed speakers.
Please note that this event is fully catered for with morning and afternoon tea, lunch and coffee and tea provided.
We look forward to seeing you there, hearing from our range of expert presenters, and engaging directly with our experts and members in the two panel discussions.
While this has been many years in the making, notably since 2016, we are looking forward to continuing our engagement and supporting our members.
We are also pleased to announce the Mill Operators Conference will also be supporting the forum, ensuring a valuable continuation of industry insights and networking opportunities.
Program overview
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Time |
Session |
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08h00-08h40 |
Registration and Pre-Forum Networking |
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08h45 |
Forum Commencement Welcome - Introduction from the Consultants Society Chair, Ms Lisa Park |
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Morning Session – Theme |
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09h00 |
Keynote 1
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Theme: Consulting Commercialisation Presenter: Ms Phoebe Whattoff Title: Identifying and Exploiting Gaps in the Mining and Metals Abstract: The regulatory landscape in terms of environmental impact reporting for the mining and metals industry is continuously evolving at a global scale. The most recent change in Australia has been the announcement of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards, which focusses on quantifying scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions alongside scope 1 and 2. This presentation will dive into how Minviro indentified and exploited gaps in the environmental reporting market whilst enhancing the commercial value proposition of mining companies and managing the challenges we've encountered as consultants in the mining industry. A case study of Minviro's start-up creation and services development of life cycle analysis via consultancy, research and software will be presented and discussed. |
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09h30m |
Session 1 |
Theme : Changing standards and emerging regulatory issues Presenter: Ms Deborah Lord Title: Professional Standards and Emerging Regulatory Issues: How Can These Align? Abstract: Demands for increased reporting of ESG, and other emerging regulatory requirements means that Consultants need to remain updated on what’s expected. But we can also set the tone on what is practical and what presents challenges to Consultants and Clients. |
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9h50m
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Session 2
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Theme: Technology and Innovation Presenter: Mr Paul Hodkiewicz, Samarah Solutions Title: ‘Sensors in Mining Systems: What Are the New Opportunities for Consultants?’ Abstract: This talk will present examples of how new geoscience data can deliver better orebody knowledge for the downstream customers of the orebody, in mine planning, operations and processing. |
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10h10m |
Morning Tea – 30 mins |
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10h40m
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Session 3
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Theme: Info & reporting systems, data quality, digital twinning Presenter: Mr John Vagenas Title: Navigating the Perilous Digital Zone in Minerals Processing Abstract: Digital technology has evolved enormously over the last 30 years. Software vendors have harnessed new technology to make it easier than ever for owners and operators to analyses operations to detect issues and predict outcomes with an incredibly high degree of accuracy and speed. Despite this, many plants continue to use spreadsheets or legacy software. When even the smallest process improvement can deliver massive gains in efficiency, profit and sustainability, the potential of using digital tools to transform the minerals processing segment of the mining value chain is still grossly undervalued. Deployment of digital technology is typically run as a separate project, which requires a project team to be assembled with subject matter experts, consultants and operations teams across operational technology and processing departments. This presentation will outline some key waypoints and pitfalls on the journey that consultants are required to navigate - from gathering business requirements, selecting technology, implementation, change management and ongoing success. |
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11h00m |
Session 4 |
Theme: Cyber security, data management other? Presenter: Mr Shaun Barnett, Ever Nimble Title: Let’s Talk 2030: Australia’s Goal of Being the Most Cyber Secure Country. Abstract: Discover how Australia’s ambitious vision for 2030 aims to protect our critical infrastructure, including mining, through strengthened regulations, innovative technologies, skilled workforce development, and collaborative efforts. Additionally, we will delve into the proposed legislative and compliance changes under the Privacy Act, which will significantly impact the mining industry. These changes include enhanced security and data destruction obligations, expanded enforcement powers for courts, and new civil penalty provisions12. Gain valuable insights on implementing effective cybersecurity measures and strategies to safeguard operations and data in light of these upcoming reforms. |
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11h20m |
Morning Panel 3-4 people (from morning presenters) |
Lookahead – lumps & bumps or smooth sailing? Theme: Cyber security, other?
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12h20m -13h20m |
Lunch – 1 hour |
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Afternoon Session – Theme |
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13h20m |
Keynote 2
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Theme: Leadership Presenter: Mr Paul Harper Title: Dealing With a Rapid Evolving and Complex Industry – A Consultants Perspective Abstract: This presentation examines the evolution of the workforce, technology, and leadership over the past three decades. It explores the current challenges faced by consultants and clients in a dynamic industry, with a focus on the critical roles of people and leadership. It highlights the factors that contribute to successful consultancy services, emphasising the importance of aligning consulting strategies with clients’ goals and solutions to their problems. By doing so, consultants can ensure their services are both relevant and effective. |
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13h55m |
Session 5 |
Theme: Industry Skills Presenter: Ms Kate Hobbs Title: Mining, METS & Consultants - Our Industry’s Professional Workforce Mix. Abstract: This presentation will overview Australia's mining workforce, the blend of occupations, communities of practice and consulting roles across the mining value chain. |
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14h20m |
Session 6 |
Theme: Business Development and Brand Building Presenter: Mr Karl Van Olden Title: Personal Branding and Business Development in a Consulting Role Abstract: Building and maintaining a personal brand and developing business as a minerals industry consultant can be a daunting concept. This presentation unpacks the components of personal brand building, providing perspectives and techniques to improve, whether you are planning on entering the field, are currently an independant consultants or working in a large consulting organisation. |
| 14h40m | Afternoon Tea – 20 mins | |
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15h00m
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Session 7
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Theme: Upskilling Management and Our Workforce Presenter: Mr Alex Goldrick, Managing Director, Goldrick Title: People, Your Competitive Advantage Abstract : In the highly competitive world of consulting, sustaining relevance to clients is paramount. This presentation will explore how a growth mindset is essential for consulting leaders to evolve continuously. By adopting this mindset, leaders can build and maintain a team of A-Players, ensuring their firm not only meets but exceeds client expectations. Learn strategies to foster this mindset within your team and harness the true potential of your people, turning them into your most significant competitive advantage. |
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15h20m |
Session 8
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Theme: Ethics in ESG Presenter/s: Mr Bruce Harvey / Mr Geoff Deans Title: Can You Dig It - Modifying Factors and Multi-Factor Risk Abstract: The resources sector is offered confusing advice from numerous performance, reporting and disclosure frameworks, and legal standards often lag public expectations. Against this contradictory backdrop, developing an understanding of the ethical implications of project impacts is crucial to obtaining a 'social license' to operate', formalised within land use agreements and permits. The Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code update Exposure Draft (JORC 2024a), amongst other things, modernises disclosure requirements for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters as a class of Modifying Factors. The update Code is a response to greater complexity, lower risk appetites and demands for greater transparency from financiers, regulators and the public. The update Code maintains its original principles of Transparency, Materiality, and Competence. By requiring project disclosures of all material ESG and other matters, it enables stakeholders to evaluate the ethics, risks, and merits as they progress. Multi-factor risks, such as cumulative uncertainties arising from ancillary developments, can greatly affect project value and are rarely considered. Competence 'in context' is essential for properly assessing materiality. For advanced projects, this requires multidisciplinary teamwork, and the updated Codes also requires competent persons and specialists to lodge CVs of Record on the JORC website. Overall, the updated Code ensures advanced project studies go beyond being geological assessments with Modifying Factors on the side. The updated Code offers a full disclosure road map and is complemented by the comprehensive studies framework set out in the AusIMM Study Processes Handbook (AusIMM 2024b).
References AusIMM (2024a). ESG Professional Certificate Course, 2024 https://www.ausimm.com/courses/professional-certificates/esg-and-social-responsibility/?_ga=2.130520907.593627966.1717620068-118186696.1618897156&_gac=1.50062804.1717620068.CjwKCAjwmYCzBhA6EiwAxFwfgIgeq0SoignlfeAylte7-Ivgv0jzWCIj_kx2y5nEUCFMaxgAf-RccxoCf6gQAvD_BwE AusIMM (2024b). Study Processes Handbook Monograph 35. https://www.ausimm.com/publications/monograph/monograph-35---study-processes-handbook/ |
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15h40m – 16h40m |
Afternoon Panel All afternoon presenters & Keynote |
Clients and Consultants (or Engineers and Consultants) Ethical consulting and Value Adding – responsibilities vs expectations |
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17h00m |
Forum Close |
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Speaker/s
Deborah Lord
Deborah is a Director of valuation consultancy VRM, and ASX-listed companies
Lunnon Metals and E79 Gold. In 2023 she the first woman to receive the AusIMM’s Presidents Award in its 50-year history.
Formerly BHP Head of Resource Governance, Deborah managed resources and
reserves reporting across the minerals portfolio and regulatory compliance for
multiple securities exchanges (ASX, NYSE, LSE, JSE).
Before that, Deborah spent 17 years at SRK Consulting in Australia and Chile after working with Placer Dome and WMC Resources.
Paul Harper
With more than 15 years in the consulting sector as a business leader as well as providing advisory services in his areas of expertise has developed an extensive network and maintain a broad focus on current activities and key issues in the industry. Also participated in a variety of industry support roles such as a Director of AusIMM, Chairman of the International Mine Management and Project Evaluation conferences, Melbourne Branch and Publication committees. Councillor of MCA (Vic), committee member for Awards, IMARC and Underground Operators conferences, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Fulfilled several senior roles including Global Head of Mining Anglo American, CEO AMC Consultants, Mining Practice Lead Advisian, Operations Manager Clough Engineering, Mine Manager at Northparkes and Renison Tin Mines, and Chief Mining Engineer at Mt Lyell Copper Mine.
Karl van Olden
Karl is a Fellow of the AusIMM and is a trusted advisor to a growing list of company executives.
Karl has qualifications in engineering, economics and an MBA.
Specialties: Mining Engineer, Underground, Open Pit, Ore Reserve estimation, Mine Planning, Feasibility studies, Deep Level Wits Gold, Operational Management, Project and Technical team management.
Kate Hobbs
People often comment on Kate’s ability to bring fun and personal development into a high-stakes, high-stress environment, particularly when the team is managing a complex challenge with many diverse perspectives.
Kate has a broad range of experience from operational, project and consulting roles across a variety of industries, including over twenty years in the resources sector. She has degrees in Marketing, International Studies and a Master of Mining Engineering. Kate is also a qualified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate, and a Fellow of the SA Leadership Institute’s Governors Leadership Foundation.
Kate was most recently at Core Lithium as Acting GM Growth and Exploration, helping to strengthen their pipeline of growth opportunities as the company progresses through a period of rapid transformation. The time with Core followed a five-year period of working with OZ Minerals across a variety of roles, including as Prominent Hill’s Studies Manager. It was in this role that Kate led the innovative PHOX study to reimagine the mine’s future, with the resulting $600m expansion project securing an additional two decades of mine life via the installation of a hoisting shaft.
Kate is passionate about ensuring different perspectives are heard and, through her ability to influence change within the industry, was recognised in 2020 as one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (WIM100). This follows being awarded the AusIMM’s Minerals Sector Service Award in 2019 in recognition of the role she has played in driving progress within the AusIMM, particularly in the diversity and inclusion space.
Paul Hodkiewicz
He completed BSc and MSc degrees in geology and structural geology in the US and a PhD in economic geology at the University of Western Australia. Paul is currently an independent consultant, advisor and mentor based in Perth.
Phoebe Whattoff
Phoebe is known for her contributions to academia and research, with publications exploring the environmental implications of battery manufacturing and raw material supply chains. Of notable significance is Phoebe's invaluable insights into Li-ion battery cell and pack manufacturing and recycling processes. Her expertise offers invaluable guidance in navigating the complexities of sustainable practices within these critical industries.
John Vagenas
John is a fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and has also served as an Alternate Director of Austmine (October 2019 – Dec 2023). He supports and contributes to a range of industry events and publications. This has included presenting as keynote speaker for Metplant 2023, on global best practice metallurgical plant design and operating strategies, as well as AusIMM’s 2021 thought-leadership series and 2022 series on technology and decarbonisation.
John’s key areas of expertise include:
- Metallurgical accounting, production reporting and process optimisation: John is a subject matter expert and has consulted globally to some of the world’s most complex mining and minerals processes. He has built and tested hundreds of steady-state and dynamic process simulation models using his extensive knowledge across Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, Au, U, PGM’s, Li, Va to name a few.
- Digital transformation: he has practical and in-depth understanding of the technology challenges faced by the sector and what is required to ensure continued growth and profitability.
- Sustainability/ESG objectives: he has implemented ESG measurement and optimisation solutions for several of the world’s most successful mining and metals organisations and is actively working to fast-tracking the sector’s overall evolution in this area.
- Mining’s skills shortage: he believes strongly in the need to make mining more attractive to the next generation of talented workers, and currently facilitates a range of graduate/mentoring opportunities to support this.
Bruce Harvey
He is an Adjunct Professor at the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland and an independent company director. For six years he delivered a course called ‘Leading Sustainable Enterprises’ at the MBA School of the University of Otago in NZ.
Bruce is an active member of the AusIMM. He facilitated the development of the Institute’s Social Responsibility Framework and the Environment and Social Performance competency development tool. He developed and leads delivery of the AusIMM ESG and Social Responsibility Professional Certificate course and the Operationalising ESG course in the Mine Operations course series. He contributed to the Permitting, Environment and Social chapter of the AusIMM Study Processes Handbook.
Geoff Deans
Previously serving as Project Director for the Carrapateena Block Cave Expansion and Growth, as well as holding the role of Principal Advisor for Land Access and the inaugural Group Manager Social Performance at a prominent global minerals corporation, Geoff embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by founding Modifying Factors in 2023. His career is marked by a meticulous approach to evaluating and mitigating the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of modifying factors on projects and their stakeholders.
Geoff is a member of the AusIMM, actively contributing to the field by developing and delivering content for the AusIMM ESG and Social Responsibility Professional Certificate program, as well as the Operationalising ESG course within the Mine Operations course series.
Alex Goldrick
As an executive search consultant with over 20 years of experience servicing clients within heavy industrial market sectors, Alex has extensive experience advising engineering, technical and technology consulting clients around organisational development and leadership talent acquisition.
Shaun Barnett
Date and Time
8.00am – 5.00pm (UTC+08:00)
Venue
Cost
Non-AusIMM member: AUD$385