Workshop: Climate proofing Australia’s critical minerals

Join the AusIMM Melbourne Branch and The University of Melbourne for their workshop: Climate proofing Australia’s critical minerals.

About this event

Following the recent release of Australia first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan, it’s clear that the Australian ming sector faces some major challenges in the coming years. Extreme weather events (cyclones, floods, bushfires) are already disrupting supply chains, reducing production, and delaying exports of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.

This workshop, co-hosted by AusIMM Melbourne Branch and The University of Melbourne, will bring together researchers, mining professionals, and industry leaders to explore practical strategies for building resilience into Australia Critical Mineral supply chains. Learn how advanced climate modeling and real-world case studies can help protect your operations and secure Australia’s role as a global leader in critical mineral supplies. 

Speaker/s

Robin Batterham

Kernot Professor - Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne

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Professor Robin Batterham holds the position of Kernot Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Melbourne. He is the past President of the Academy of Technology and Engineering (2007-2012), former Chief Scientist of Australia (1999-2005) and for over 20 years Global Head of Innovation (and other positions) in Rio Tinto. He has twice chaired the International Mineral Processing Congress, Chairs the selection panels for both the Australia India Strategic Research Fund and the Australia China Strategic Research Fund and chaired the International Energy Agency Expert Group on Science for Energy. He has wide interests including the application of mesoscience to mining, dewatering of tailings and elimination of tailings through in-place leaching.

Dr Tim Werner

Senior Lecturer, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; The University of Melbourne

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Tim Werner is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. Werner's research expertise encompasses environmental engineering, geographical science, economic geology, physical geography and conservation biology. His interests span many topics, including mineral supply chain resilience and dynamics, land use changes, resource economics and governance, material recycling and waste management, and energy transition pathways. His current focus revolves around examining land use impacts of mining critical minerals.

Associate Professor Mark Quigley

Associate Professor, Earthquake Sciences, School of Earth Sciences; The University of Melbourne

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Mark Quigley is Associate Professor of Earthquake Science in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Mark is an active research scientist with peer-reviewed scientific articles on topics primarily related to earthquake geology, active tectonics, climate change and landscape processes. In 2014, Mark became the first scientist outside of America to be awarded the Geological Society of America Public Service Award. In 2011 Mark was awarded the New Zealand Prime Minister's Prize for Science Communication and the New Zealand Association of Scientists Science Communication Award for his work in communicating earthquake science to the public in the aftermath of the Darfield and Christchurch earthquakes.

Dr Linden Ashcroft

Senior Lecturer, School of Geography, Eart and Atmospheric Sciences; The University of Melbourne

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Linden Ashcroft is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Her career has spanned the academic, non for profit and government sectors, including a stint at the Bureau of Meteorology. Her research focuses on historical climatology, using pre-1900 documents and weather observations to improve understanding of Australia’s past climate so we can better prepare for the future. Linden has received numerous awards for her research and community engagement including the 2020 Australian and Meteorological Society Science Outreach award, a Victorian Tall Poppy award from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, and the 2024 Faculty of Science Dean's Award for Excellence in Engagement.

Tom Savige

Associate Lecturer, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; The University of Melbourne

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Tom Savige is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Tom is a geographer and spatial scientist with expertise spanning geomorphology, geology, natural hazard management, and human–environment interactions. His research investigates the risks that natural hazards pose to critical mineral production and supply chains, both historically and in future scenarios. Tom utilises GIS to analyse and represent complex relationships among people, place, and environment.

Dr Peter Standish

FAusIMM

Consulting Director, Risk Mentor - Canberra ACT

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Peter Standish is the consulting lead for Risk Mentor - a company specialising in providing risk and control services to resource and other sector operations. Peter has consulted on environmental and operational considerations during feasibility planning, construction of mines and plant, operational safety and effectiveness, mine closure considerations and streamlining operations. Peter was instrumental in bringing Control Framework thinking to resource sector operation - developing solutions for critical risks across surface and underground mines. Of particular interest for the Climate Proofing workshop is Peter's earlier work in developing emergency response, continuity and contingency plans, and Trigger Action Response Plans for extreme weather events.