Keynote speaker

Dr Chris Vernon

Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO

Biography

Since completing a PhD in radiation chemistry and spectroscopy 37 years ago, Chris has been performing and leading applied R&D in minerals processing and refining, principally hydrometallurgy, both in industry and for the last 28 years, at CSIRO.  His experience in leading CSIRO’s processing program has given him a broad understanding of the application of R&D to almost every mineral commodity in Australia.  Chris is currently Chief Research Consultant at CSIRO, specialising in critical minerals, and with a view to downstream processing.  He chairs the National Critical Minerals R&D Hub’s Operations Group and Advisory committees, is a member of two Standards Australia committees, and contributes broadly to the national conversation on developing critical minerals and associated value-adding industries.