Introducing Our Keynote Speakers for the 17th Mill Operators Conference

AusIMM is proud to announce the 17th iteration of the Mill Operators Conference, set to take place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19-21 October 2026.

This years conference will feature a comprehensive three-day program, highlighting presentations from some of the industry's brightest minds. Delegates can look forward to a range of presentations showcasing shareable outcomes, best practices, and specific case studies on new technologies and innovations within mill operations, all organised under these key themes.

The selection process for accepted paper spots was highly competitive, ensuring high-quality content for all attendees. Presentations will be limited to single sessions, allowing ample time for discussion at the conclusion of each session.

In line with our commitment to bringing together the best and brightest in the field, we are thrilled to introduce our keynote speakers. These distinguished leaders will provide invaluable insights and expertise, setting the tone for an inspiring and informative conference:

Brian Puntland, Managing Director | Principal Metallurgist, Orway Mineral Consultants

Brian has over 30 years of experience in the minerals processing sector, specialising in comminution. He has a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University and is a Fellow of the AUSIMM.

He is the Managing Director of Orway Mineral Consultants based in Australia and led the Company's expansion into North America, establishing an office in Toronto, Canada. Prior to his work as a consultant, Brian worked in the gold mining industry in Western Australia.

In his current position, he provides specialist consulting services in flowsheet design, process engineering, gold technologies and plant optimisation, in addition to his management duties.

Brian is also a founding director of OrwayIQ, delivering MillROC to clients around the globe and is a non-executive director of Lycopodium Minerals APAC.

Martin Lynch, Industry Expert, University of Queensland

Martin Lynch is a graduate of The University of Queensland where he earned a BE Chemical Engineering, after which he worked in a variety of operational and analytical roles in several mining companies, including Rio Tinto and Iluka Resources.  In 2009 he became the owner and manager of a small business specialising in solar hot water, solar power and energy storage.  He sold the business in 2024, and since then has been pursuing a PhD at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute.  He has an interest in how the business of mining is driven by events and trends in the broader economy, on which he has written several academic papers and a book, Mining in World History.