Keynote speaker

Jan Kwak B.Eng, M.Eng, Ing, FAusIMM

Managing Director, Hatch

Keynote title

New flowsheets for a new era

Keynote synopsis

Society continues to require metals and materials as it transitions to a new, more sustainable economy. The energy transition requires the mining industry to supply a range of critical minerals, but it can’t do it the way it has been done in the past. The increasing environmental stress on natural air, land and water systems due to growing demand for metals is not sustainable without rethinking the approach to mineral extraction, processing, recycling and waste. New flowsheets are needed! The circular economy will be a key economic growth engine for decades to come, requiring new ways of thinking about mining, supply chains and markets. This transformation requires innovation at all levels from technology, to business strategy to market structure and policy. This keynote provides strategic insight and examples of the technologies that will reshape the mining industry and the commercialization path required. Re-examining process fundamentals, process intensities, the hierarchy of controls, and market structure under the lens of the new economy opens up new possibilities for value creation. Examples from commodities including Nickel, Lithium, and Rare Earths are given.

Biography

Jan is passionate about positive change in the mining industry. Over his 30 years with Hatch, Jan has developed an in-depth, hands-on understanding of the relationships between business strategy and project development. Jan has managed every aspect of the design, construction, commissioning and operation of large mines and metallurgical facilities, from the study phase through detailed design to commissioning and operations. He is skilled at guiding project teams in delivering the desired project benefits to clients, including his expertise in the development and implementation of new technology projects from pilot plant studies through all engineering phases, construction, commissioning and plant operations.

As Managing Director of Hatch in Australia-Asia, Jan oversees an estimated 1500 staff on more than 200 projects. He is also chair of Australia’s Green Hydrogen Consortium, which seeks to investigate mining sector decarbonisation, and is a director of EnviroMets, a Queensland government initiative to find new value for post mining land.