Speakers

Net Zero Emission Mining in Western Australia 2021:

Decarbonisation across the mining value chain

13 October 2021, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre + ONLINE

List of speakers presenting at the Net Zero Emission Mining WA Conference.

Additional information will be added as it becomes available.

Opening Panel Session

Hon Bill Johnston MLA

Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Corrective Services

The Hon Bill Johnston has been a Minister for the McGowan Labor Government since March 2017, and has previously been Minister for Commerce, Industrial Relations, Electoral Affairs, and Asian Engagement.

So far, his achievements include cutting red-tape for the mining industry, introducing the Work Health and Safety Bill (industrial manslaughter provisions) and assisting in revolutionising Western Australia’s energy system.

In Opposition he served as Shadow Minister for State Development and Energy from 2012, and Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum from 2013. He was a Member of the Economics and Industry Standing Committee and Deputy Chair of the Inquiry into Domestic Gas Prices from 2010 to 2011. Prior to entering Parliament, he was the State Secretary of WA Labor from 2001 until 2008, with responsibility for all State and Federal election campaigns.

Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC

Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry

The Hon Alannah MacTiernan, as Minister for Planning and Infrastructure from 2001 to 2008, was responsible for major projects across the State which required a change of thinking that was more than just building infrastructure but was a whole vision of a networked city, including the Mandurah rail line, the Forrest Highway, the Geraldton port and rail expansion and the Armadale town centre and Champion Lakes developments.

The Minister understands the unique role of government as an enabler of development and is committed to growing economic opportunities in our regional areas as well as bringing WA’s agricultural sector into the 21st century through innovation with a focus on long-term planning and investing in research science. She champions opportunities to support infrastructure development, innovation, accelerate emissions reduction, and create new long term job opportunities, particularly in regional Western Australia.

Since coming to office in 2017, Minister MacTiernan has been instrumental in driving the establishment of a renewable hydrogen industry in Western Australia.

Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA

Minister for Environment; Climate Action; Commerce

The Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson was first elected to WA Parliament in 2013 for the East Metropolitan Region. She then went on to win the lower house seat of Morley in 2017. In the McGowan Government’s first term, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations; Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet.

Amber-Jade was crucial in delivering Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. As the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices she oversaw extensive community consultation, a year-long parliamentary inquiry and debate, and finally the passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

Before entering Parliament, she was Assistant Secretary at United Voice.

Professor Peter Klinken AC

Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Professor Klinken is a leading Western Australian medical research scientist, highly regarded for his work in advancing the understanding of genes involved in leukemia, cancer and anaemia. His many research achievements include the discovery of a gene that suppresses the growth of tumours. After obtaining his PhD from The University of Western Australia (UWA), he undertook research at the US National Institutes of Health in Washington and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.

His previous roles have included Professor in Clinical Biochemistry at UWA; Director of Research at the Royal Perth Hospital; and the Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (previously the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research). Under his stewardship, the Perkins Institute attracted world-class national and international researchers to the State and made numerous acclaimed medical discoveries. He also spear-headed the development of two new state-of-the-art medical research facilities, Perkins North in Nedlands (QEII Medical Centre) and Perkins South in Murdoch (Fiona Stanley Hospital).

Professor Klinken brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of Chief Scientist. His input will support the Government in growing the State’s science industries to achieve future prosperity for Western Australians.

Conference speakers

Mr Shane Bannister

APAC Business Development Manager
Tesla

Shane is responsible for Tesla’s Business Development throughout Asia Pacific and South East Asia specialising in microgrids, remote grids and fringe of grid applications, which enable a transition to reliable, cost effective sustainable energy.

Shane has experience gathered across a broad range of engineering, project management and business development roles throughout the Asia Pacific region gained following his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2008.

Mr Nick Berry

Manager Government Relations
Fortescue Future Industries

Nick Berry commenced as Government Relations Manager at Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in 2021.

He brings diverse government advisory, consulting, and strategic experience from both the private and public sectors spanning nearly thirty years, including
as an officer in the Australian Regular Army, advisor to Federal Cabinet ministers and the Leader of the Opposition, risk and crisis management consultant to ASX100 and government clients and a senior executive in the NSW public service.

His interests are politics, reading, music and aviation and his passions are his beautiful wife and young children.

Ms Megan Born

Head of Analytics & Reporting
Energetics

Leading Energetics’ Analytics and Reporting solution, Megan has accountability for quality of project delivery across all projects within the solution, overseeing inventory development, emissions forecasting and modelling for Science-based Target Initiative, decarbonisation strategies and scenario modelling for Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).

Megan’s expertise is in translating complex datasets into meaningful insights to assist clients with making data-driven decisions, from grid decarbonisation and Australia’s national emissions trajectory to scenario analysis and net zero pathways.

Mr Ray Chatfield

Global Technical Manager
Alcoa

Ray Chatfield is the Global Technical Manager for Energy for Alcoa’s six alumina refineries.  Energy is Alcoa’s largest annual commodity spend in their refineries.

Ray has over 35 years experience in alumina refining with Alcoa based in Australia and the USA, focussing on refinery continuous improvement programs, creep, brownfield and greenfield expansion studies.

For the past decade he has managed Alcoa’s energy continuous improvement program. He also investigates alternative  energy opportunities and leads the refining decarbonisation team.

Dr John Clout

Professor of Practice in Pyrometallurgy
Kalgoorlie Metals Research Laboratory, WA School of Mines, Curtin University

Dr John Clout is an internationally recognised expert in relating ore and concentrate properties to their high temperature process performance across several commodities (Fe, V, Ni, Au). He has worked in research (previously at CSIRO), WA mining operations as well as consulting to steelmills.

Dr John Clout has been appointed the Professor of Practice in Pyrometallurgy at the new Kalgoorlie Metals Research Laboratory, based at Curtin’s Kalgoorlie campus, where he will bring real-world experience to the laboratory’s teaching and research, aiming to make a significant contribution to carbon neutral metals production in WA.

Ms Joanne McDonald

Company Secretary and Head of Corporate Affairs
IGO Limited

Joanne joined IGO in 2015 and has over 17 years’ experience as a company secretarial professional working for listed companies in Australia and the UK. Prior to joining IGO, Joanne held positions with Paladin Energy Ltd and Unilever plc.

Joanne is currently a WA State Councillor for the Governance Institute of Australia and a Director of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

Ms Kaylene Gulich PSM

Chief Executive Officer
Western Australian Treasury Corporation

Commencing as CEO of WATC in February 2019, Ms Gulich has extensive experience in public policy, knowledge of financial markets and expertise in the Western Australian economy.

She has previously held senior roles within the Department of Treasury, as both the Executive Director of the Economic business unit and the Executive Director for Infrastructure and Finance.

As well as being a member of CPA Australia and the AICD, Ms Gulich is currently a Director on VenuesWest’s Board and holds the position as Treasurer for IPAA WA.

Mr Dale Henderson

Chief Operations Officer
Pilbara Minerals Limited

Mr Henderson is an engineer with experience in both mine operations and development in the resources sector. This experience has included brown-fields and green-fields environments across a number of commodities in both metals and on-shore hydrocarbons.

He has worked for a range of major resource operators including; Fortescue Metals Group, Rio Tinto, Chevron, and Occidental Petroleum. Prior to joining Pilbara Minerals, Mr Henderson held leadership roles with Fortescue Metals Group in mine operations and project development.

Mr Henderson commenced with Pilbara Minerals in 2017 to lead the delivery of the operations and development objectives for the company.

Mr Darren Hill

General Manager for Commercial & Business Development
Horizon Power

Darren Hill is tasked with delivering clean, innovative energy solutions that meet customer needs and ensure business sustainability through growth in our regional communities. These goals are delivered through a strong framework for planning, asset investment and project delivery.

With qualifications in Information Technology and Electronic Engineering he has extensive experience in strategic leadership across telecommunications, gas and electricity utilities.

Darren is also a Director on the Board for the International Microgrids Association and Boundary Power, a company that delivers renewable energy solutions and asset management services..

Mr Mike Houlahan

Chief Financial Officer
Horizon Power

Mike Houlahan leads the Finance and Corporate Services division, holding responsibility for finance, corporate strategy, environmental sustainability, procurement and supply chain portfolios.

Mike leads the exploration and realisation of strategic growth opportunities to deliver cleaner, greener energy solutions for regional growth and development. These include electric vehicles and their infrastructure, strategic opportunities for the use of hydrogen, increasing customer involvement in highly distributed energy systems. Mike led the development of Horizon Power’s approach to Climate Change and roadmap, focusing not only on emissions reduction and climate resilience, but also community resilience.

Mike is a director of Boundary Power, Horizon Power’s joint venture with Ampcontrol.

Mr Peter Mann

Energy and Emissions Practice Lead
Partners in Performance

Peter Mann is a strategic advisor with 25 years’ experience across a wide range of industries and has conducted energy and GHG strategy reviews for oil and gas majors, power utilities, large miners, and renewable energy companies. He is regularly sought out to drive alignment amongst stakeholders with complex and conflicting objectives.

Prior to joining PiP, Peter worked with Boston Consulting Group, Worley Parsons and Montgomery Watson Harza (now Stantec).

Ms Kylah Morrison

General Manager – Western Australia & South Australia
METS Ignited

Kylah has over 14 years’ experience working in the oil & gas industry, for indigenous organisations, not-for-profits, and running start-ups. From 2016 to 2019 Kylah championed regional economic development through the local Chamber of Commerce and as Founding Chairperson of the Pilbara Universities Centre.

Living and working for nine years in Karratha, Kylah has a deep understanding of risks and challenges faced by remote and regional Australia. She holds a Master of Engineering Management, as well as being an AICD graduate.

Kylah is a Non Executive Director for Province Resources.

Mr Graeme Ovens

VP Operations Australia
Gold Fields

Graeme is mining professional with over 40 years’ experience in gold mining across Australia, having worked in NSW and Western Australia. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering from UNSW and has a strong processing background. In more recent times Graeme has worked in general operations management and being involved in the development of several new large throughput mines in NSW and WA.

Graeme previously worked for Barrick Gold before joining Gold Fields in early 2014 initially as General Manager at St Ives before being appointed Vice President Operations for Australia in 2017

Ms Nicole Roocke

Chief Executive Officer
Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA)

Appointed CEO of MRIWA in November 2018, Nicole spent the previous 15 years at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia coordinating industry input on a variety of government regulatory and policy issues and facilitating collaboration within the resources sector.

Nicole holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from UWA and a Master of Risk Management from UNSW.

Ms Miriam Stanborough

Chair
Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) Board

Miriam is a chemical engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in the minerals processing industry, across commodities including copper, uranium, gold, silver, alumina and mineral sands. Miriam is currently Group Manager – Productivity and Innovation with Monadelphous.

Miriam has held roles in technical development, production management, project management, business improvement, HR & diversity strategy, and sales and marketing.

Mr Jai Thomas

Assistant Coordinator, Strategic and Consumer Policy
Energy Policy WA

Jai Thomas oversees Energy Policy WA’s work program on customer and retail policy, contribution to national energy policy, whole-of-government initiatives relating to energy, and the regulation of emerging energy service models.

Prior to this, Jai held the role of Program Director – Energy Transformation, and was responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the energy transformation work program on behalf of the Energy Transformation Taskforce, including leading the development of the Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap.

Jai is an energy sector professional with expertise in electricity regulation and distributed energy projects, and has held regulatory and project delivery roles at both Horizon Power and Western Power.

Ms Zoe von Batenburg

Director Business Development & Transactions
Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Zoe von Batenburg is an Investment Director in the Transactions and Business Development team with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and specialises in the identification and execution of investment opportunities.

Zoe leads ARENA’s low emissions metals investment focus area. Prior to joining ARENA, Zoe specialised in providing valuations and transaction advice in the financial services sector.

Mr Rob Wilson

Executive Director – Resources and WA
Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Robert Wilson is Head of Western Australia and Resources at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, working to accelerate the development of clean energy investment opportunities in Western Australia.

Robert has extensive experience throughout the business investment cycle, from concept through to operations, as well as mergers and acquisitions, advisory and commercial experience across the renewables, infrastructure and resources sectors.

Robert has held leadership positions in the Macquarie Capital’s African infrastructure business and Atlas Iron, and worked on the establishment of Climate Investor One, a European climate fund focused on emerging markets.

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and an MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Mr Mark Zwitser

Director
Latitude Partners

Mark Zwitser has worked across a broad range of senior industry roles with extensive experience throughout the investment cycle, from concept through to operation.

Mark is an experienced professional and has worked directly in a business development capacity for project sponsors as well as project finance banks, private equity investment funds and in an advisory capacity on opportunities based in Australasia, North America and London across the infrastructure, energy and oil & gas sectors.

Mark is passionate about working with people and organisations seeking to grow in complex environments.