Speakers
CRC TiME Speakers
Michelle Adams
Michelle Adams is a member of the Wuthathi nation and leads Traditional Owner partnership development in site rehabilitation activities at BHPs Yandi Mine Site in Western Australia. She brings extensive experience across operations, policy development, and land rehabilitation, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and sustainable outcomes. Michelle's current role works in partnership with Traditional Owners, supporting Indigenous employment pathways and ensuring rehabilitation programs deliver long-term environmental and community value.
Michelle Adams
Principal, Site Rehabilitation (partnrships), BHP
Dr Sakshi Hazuria Anderson
Sr. Lecturer, Curtin University
Dr Guy Boggs
Guy has extensive experience providing leadership in innovation and actively working at the interface of industry and research. Guy has led the delivery of large Australian Government funded programs driving knowledge development and industry practice change.
An experienced research leader, Guy holds a PhD completed on post-mine landform design and has an extensive publication record authoring over 50 books, book chapters and journal articles on spatial science and natural resource management.
Guy is committed to enabling a new vision for mine closure and positive post-mine transitions through effective stakeholder engagement, research planning and innovative solutions.
Dr Guy Boggs
CEO, CRC TiME
Dr Natalie Brown
Natalie Brown is the leader of Program 1: Regional Economic Development. She is an Assistant Professor within the UWA Law School, lecturing on Property Law and Administrative Law for the Juris Doctor program. She’s worked closely with Alex Gardner on CRC TiME Project 1.3 ‘Mapping the regulation of mine closure’ and has published on Pilbara iron ore State agreements with relation to mine closure regulation and mine dewatering, as well as pedagogy in law.
Her PhD identified a legal hiatus in the Pilbara iron ore WA State agreements, in that some agreements may not confer rights to dispose of excess mine dewater and some mines have not been required to undertake a Part IV review under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA). She’s previously worked with the then Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety providing internal department advice interpreting mining and safety legislation.
Dr Natalie Brown
Program 1 Leader, University of Western Australia
Gowan Bush
Senior Engagement Coordinator (Northern Australia), CRC TiME
Christine Charles
CRC TiME Board Director
Dr Joanne Chong
Commissioner, Productivity Commission, Australian Government
Miriam Clark
VP Global Strategy & Business Growth, Okane Consultants
Dr Lucy Commander
Alcoa’s Research Manager who oversees the Forest Research Centre, Lucy is a leader and restoration seed ecologist with more than two decades of experience advancing native plant conservation, mine rehabilitation and ecological restoration. Her career spans academia, government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. Lucy has played a central role in shaping national best practice guidelines, and is committed to connecting people with nature and strengthening the science–practice interface.
Dr Lucy Commander
Research Manager, Alcoa of Australia Limited
Lexi Connors
Lexi commenced her PhD at the University of Queensland in 2024, researching Indigenous-led regional transition and economic diversification in remote post-mining regions. Her work focuses on East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, exploring how mine closure planning, governance, and collaborative decision-making can support sustainable futures beyond mining. In 2022, she completed a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management at Monash University, where her thesis examined opportunities and barriers for Indigenous tourism development in East Arnhem Land.
Lexi Connors
PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland
Paul De lono
Department for Energy and Mining (SA)
Kia Dowell
Gelganyem
Anthony Feigl
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (Victoria)
Tira Foran
CSIRO
Prof David Giles
Director: Future Industries Institute, Adelaide University, Future Industries Institute
Brett Heyward
The University of Queensland
Sarah Holcombe
The University of Queensland
Mr Zane Hughes
Academic Lead And Course Coordinator - Mine Closure And Transtion, Curtin University and CRC Timee
Federica Lannan
Research Economist, Productivity Commission, Australian Government
Amberley Laverick
PhD Candidate, University of Western Australia
Jyi Lawton
Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration
Prof. Eric Lilford
Dr Eric Lilford (Professor) is an engineer and a minerals and energy economist. As Deputy Head of School and integral to the Minerals and Energy Economics Masters degree programme at Curtin University, he has an engineering- economics-focussed interest covering minerals, energy, economic interpretation of government policies (fiscal policies) and applying derivative instruments to quantify unknown-unknowns (intangible uncertainties). Beyond a decade in academia, he has extensive international industry experience in senior management roles in the mining, energy and engineering industries, including as MD and CEO of listed and non-listed companies. His +30 years, non-academic resources experience includes mining exploration and production, project development, investment banking, Government negotiating and conference addresses across the world. He is well-versed in commodities within Sub-Sahara Africa and notably in gold, copper and cobalt where has managed and developed numerous mineral opportunities.
He remains on the panel of experts for the IMF (fiscal regimes), the World Bank and the IGF (OECD), and provides bespoke training programmes to governments and industry practitioners in the minerals and energy economics sectors predominantly around fiscal regime constructs as well as the economic interpretation of fiscal policies. He continues to guide resources companies strategically as a consultant or as a Board Director.
Prof. Eric Lilford
Deputy Head Of School, Energy Engineering, Wasm, Curtin University
Dr Kathryn Linge
Kathryn Linge is a Senior Scientist at ChemCentre, undertaking fundamental and applied research in environmental and public health, including mine pit lake water quality, dust source apportionment, and microplastic characterisation.
Dr Kathryn Linge
Senior Scientist, Chemcentre
Prof. Sharon Mascher
Kathryn Linge is a Senior Scientist at ChemCentre, undertaking fundamental and applied research in environmental and public health, including mine pit lake water quality, dust source apportionment, and microplastic characterisation.
Prof. Sharon Mascher
Co-lead Program 1 / Dean Law School, UWA/CRC TiME
Prof. Bryan Maybee
Associate Professor/program Lead, WA School of Mines/CRC TiME
Prof. Eric Lilford
Dr Eric Lilford (Professor) is an engineer and a minerals and energy economist. As Deputy Head of School and integral to the Minerals and Energy Economics Masters degree programme at Curtin University, he has an engineering- economics-focussed interest covering minerals, energy, economic interpretation of government policies (fiscal policies) and applying derivative instruments to quantify unknown-unknowns (intangible uncertainties). Beyond a decade in academia, he has extensive international industry experience in senior management roles in the mining, energy and engineering industries, including as MD and CEO of listed and non-listed companies. His +30 years, non-academic resources experience includes mining exploration and production, project development, investment banking, Government negotiating and conference addresses across the world. He is well-versed in commodities within Sub-Sahara Africa and notably in gold, copper and cobalt where has managed and developed numerous mineral opportunities.
He remains on the panel of experts for the IMF (fiscal regimes), the World Bank and the IGF (OECD), and provides bespoke training programmes to governments and industry practitioners in the minerals and energy economics sectors predominantly around fiscal regime constructs as well as the economic interpretation of fiscal policies. He continues to guide resources companies strategically as a consultant or as a Board Director.
Dr Dominic McAffee
Tom Measham
Research Director, CRC TiME
Chris Meikle
SLR Consulting
Vern Newton
Heidelberg Material’s National Property Manager, Vern Newton, plays a critical role in the organisations’ operations and involvement in key projects, as well as its focus on environmental sustainability.
Vern has extensive experience in quarrying, mining, and operations management across Australia. Vern is also heavily involved in key roles in aligning industry practices with environmental outcomes.
Vern’s areas of expertise include working for several construction material and mining companies in senior roles encompassing Operations, Logistics, Budgeting, Strategic Planning and Marketing within the Kimberley, Pilbara, South West, Goldfields and Metropolitan area of WA and Australia as a whole. He has been involved in driving sustainable policies within corporate organisations including developing Energy Management Policy for a large Australian construction materials company, which resulted in the company being the first of its industry type to sign up for the Australian Greenhouse Challenge with the Federal Government.
One of his significant achievements includes fostering partnerships between industry and scientific institutions to improve restoration outcomes, particularly in Banksia woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain. His efforts have earned multiple environmental awards, including Golden Geckos, and have emphasised the importance of integrating restoration principles into governmental and industrial frameworks. In 2024 Vern was awarded the Institute of Quarrying (IQA) National Gold Environment and the United Nations Association (UNAAWA) UN Day Environment Award for his contribution to improving environmental outcomes.
Vern also engages in public policy advocacy and has been involved in publications supporting biodiversity and ecological restoration efforts
Vern also serves as Vice Chairperson Society for Ecological Restoration, Director at the WA Biodiversity Science Institute and Chair of the Dept of Mines, Petroleum, and Exploration- “Mine Rehabilitation Fund (MRF)”.
Vern Newton
National Property Manager, Heidelberg Materials
Prof. Eric Lilford
Dr Eric Lilford (Professor) is an engineer and a minerals and energy economist. As Deputy Head of School and integral to the Minerals and Energy Economics Masters degree programme at Curtin University, he has an engineering- economics-focussed interest covering minerals, energy, economic interpretation of government policies (fiscal policies) and applying derivative instruments to quantify unknown-unknowns (intangible uncertainties). Beyond a decade in academia, he has extensive international industry experience in senior management roles in the mining, energy and engineering industries, including as MD and CEO of listed and non-listed companies. His +30 years, non-academic resources experience includes mining exploration and production, project development, investment banking, Government negotiating and conference addresses across the world. He is well-versed in commodities within Sub-Sahara Africa and notably in gold, copper and cobalt where has managed and developed numerous mineral opportunities.
He remains on the panel of experts for the IMF (fiscal regimes), the World Bank and the IGF (OECD), and provides bespoke training programmes to governments and industry practitioners in the minerals and energy economics sectors predominantly around fiscal regime constructs as well as the economic interpretation of fiscal policies. He continues to guide resources companies strategically as a consultant or as a Board Director.
Jess Reeves
Project Lead, Federation University Australia
Dr Rebecca Rey
Bec is a research translation specialist with expertise in stakeholder engagement and communications. She holds a PhD from UWA and a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from LSE.
With a focus on research communications within the higher education sector, Bec brings expertise in both translating complex concepts to myriad audiences and building relationships with stakeholders in government, universities, NGOs, not-for-profits and business.
She was previously Vice Chair of Propel Youth Arts WA and led communications and stakeholder engagement at the UWA Public Policy Institute.
Dr Rebecca Rey
Communications And Research Translation Manager, CRC TiME
Dr Danielle Risbey
General Manager - Mine Closure & Environmental Services, Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE)
Prof. Eric Lilford
Dr Eric Lilford (Professor) is an engineer and a minerals and energy economist. As Deputy Head of School and integral to the Minerals and Energy Economics Masters degree programme at Curtin University, he has an engineering- economics-focussed interest covering minerals, energy, economic interpretation of government policies (fiscal policies) and applying derivative instruments to quantify unknown-unknowns (intangible uncertainties). Beyond a decade in academia, he has extensive international industry experience in senior management roles in the mining, energy and engineering industries, including as MD and CEO of listed and non-listed companies. His +30 years, non-academic resources experience includes mining exploration and production, project development, investment banking, Government negotiating and conference addresses across the world. He is well-versed in commodities within Sub-Sahara Africa and notably in gold, copper and cobalt where has managed and developed numerous mineral opportunities.
He remains on the panel of experts for the IMF (fiscal regimes), the World Bank and the IGF (OECD), and provides bespoke training programmes to governments and industry practitioners in the minerals and energy economics sectors predominantly around fiscal regime constructs as well as the economic interpretation of fiscal policies. He continues to guide resources companies strategically as a consultant or as a Board Director.
Dr Agnes Samper
Program Leader, CRC TiME
Dr Aneeq Sarwar
Dr Aneeq Sarwar is Senior Manager, Workforce Planning and Policy at Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance. He leads their research, policy, and data functions
Dr Aneeq Sarwar
Senior Manager, Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance Ltd
Prof. Raquel Tardin-Coelho
Raquel is an Associate Professor with the School of Molecular and Life Sciences and an expert member of the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes – UNESCO. She has significant experience in Integrated Planning and Design, grounded in the preservation, conservation, and regeneration of cultural and natural landscapes. Her work focuses on NatureCulture systems to develop solutions that achieve sustainable, resilient realities by engaging local people (especially traditional communities) and providing evidence to support dialogue among stakeholders and rightsholders. Raquel has collaborated with Indigenous Australian communities in Western Australia on projects such as mapping cultural landscape values, Indigenous participatory action research, and Indigenous-led regional cumulative effects assessment and management. Her professional experience in Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Asia provides her with a solid foundation for addressing national and international issues from a multicultural perspective.
Prof. Raquel Tardin-Coelho
Assoc. Prof., Curtin University
Prof. Erkan Topal
Prof. Erkan Topal
Prof Topal is a mining engineer with a Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Mineral Economics, MSc and PhD. Degree in Mining Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in U.S.A.
He has worked in several different countries on different projects and positions including U.S.A, Canada, Sweden, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Australia. He has seconded to Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan as a founding dean where he has established a new School named School of Mining and Geosciences. He has also previously served for five years as Head of Mining Engineering Department at the WA School of Mines, Curtin University.
His main research interests are in mine planning and optimization, AI-enabled intelligent mining systems, mineral and energy economics. He has been a principal investigator on numerous research projects. He is a world leading expert in the field of mine planning and optimization. Some of his internationally recognized research includes underground mine scheduling with stope boundary optimization, mine waste dump design with pit optimisation, Application of the Real Options in Engineering Design and Decision Making. Prof Topal’s work on optimum waste dump planning was the winner of the science and engineering prize at the 2015 Curtin Commercial Innovation Awards.
He is in the editorial board of five scientific journals in the area of mining including editor-in-chief role for the International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment Journal since 2013 and has published well over 150 papers in reputed journals and refereed conference proceedings. His publications resulted in over 8,600 citations and being listed in the top 2% scientist list from Elsevier-Stanford since 2020.
