WA Mining Conference & Exhibition 2026 Exhibitor List

As associate publisher of Automotive Fleet Chris Brown covers all aspects of fleets, transportation, and mobility. Chris produces and emcees Bobit’s annual Fleet Week, which consists of the Global Fleet Conference, Fleet Forward Conference, and Fleet Safety Conference, along with related regional Fleet Forward Tour stops. Since 2006, Chris has also overseen, produced, and emceed the International Car Rental Show, the largest event serving the auto rental industry worldwide. Chris has won publishing awards for editorial excellence including a Jesse H. Neal Award, three Folio: Eddie Awards, and three Maggie Awards. As an internationally recognized expert on fleets and mobility, Chris has spoken at industry events in the U.S., Brazil, Ireland, and China. He has been sourced and quoted in national media such as Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Good Morning America, and National Public Radio.

Tania Constable PSM joined the Minerals Council of Australia in July 2018 where she is proud to promote and advocate for a strong, vibrant and innovative minerals industry in Australia. Prior to this, Tania was Chief Executive Officer of the CO2CRC (Collaborative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies) a leading global research organisation testing carbon capture and storage low emission technologies in Australia. Tania previously worked as chief adviser in the Personal and Retirement Income Division of Treasury, working on tax-related matters and has had a long association with resources and energy, holding various senior executive roles in the Australian Government. Tania had responsibility for policy advice to the Minister for Industry on oil and gas regulation, exploration and development, and sustainable mining activities. During this time Ms Constable also had the privilege of being the Australian Joint Commissioner and Sunrise Commissioner for Australia and Timor Leste leading joint activities on the development of the Joint Petroleum Development Area and Greater Sunrise Project. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2014 for outstanding public service in the development of Australia’s liquefied natural gas and other resource and energy industries.

With an interdisciplinary geoscience background and a passion for innovative low-impact mining, Romana Dew is a Senior Spatial Scientist in CSIRO’s Sustainable Mining Technologies Program. Her current work advances technologies that support mine waste valorisation and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU), aligning with global sustainability goals and future space exploration initiatives. Originally from South Australia, Romana has a dual Bachelor Arts and Science (Honours) and PhD in Geology. With 19 years of multidisciplinary GIS experience, she has worked in both the field and office across Australia and internationally for mining and energy, academia, government and environmental consulting. Romana actively promotes inclusivity with an executive role with Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Australasia (WOMEESA) and as a CSIRO STEM Professional in Schools, reflecting her passion for communication of science and information across disciplines, age groups and cultures.

Eric Lilford is an engineer (BEng, MScEng) and a minerals and energy economist (GDE–MinEc, PhD Eng–MinEc, Mathematical Modelling of Derivatives). He brings more than 30 years of international industry experience, having served in director and other senior management roles across the investment banking, mining, energy, and engineering services sectors. He spent 15 years in investment banking, where he worked in corporate finance and specialised finance, and served as a commodities analyst with a reputable equities boutique. Eric focuses on the economics of minerals and both conventional (including nuclear) and unconventional energy solutions. He specialises in the economic interpretation of existing and proposed government legislation in the resources sector. He currently serves on the panels of fiscal experts for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) (IISD/OECD).

Salwan Al‑Assafi is an experienced research and innovation leader with a strong background in advanced materials, decarbonisation technologies, and resource‑sector R&D. His career spans senior roles across research management, innovation strategy, and cross‑sector collaboration, where he has led high‑impact materials technology programs supporting mining, manufacturing, and environmental applications. Recognised for his ability to translate complex research into tangible commercial outcomes, Salwan brings deep technical insight alongside strategic leadership. In his role with MRIWA, he is focused on advancing innovative solutions that strengthen Western Australia’s critical minerals sector and open new pathways for sustainability, value creation, and long‑term industry resilience.

Geoff Batt is a Research Portfolio Manager with the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), working to deliver high-impact minerals research addressing government policy and industry priorities. Geoff leads strategic research interests for MRIWA in mineral exploration and and in support for industry participants in progressing towards net zero emissions from mining. He holds a PhD in Earth Science from the Australian National University (ANU) and an MBA from UWA, and is a passionate advocate for the accessibility and transferability of research innovation in the applied mining sector.

Stephen Land is a banking and finance specialist with more than 20 years of experience, gained working both in Australia and internationally. Stephen previously worked for major banks as an advisor and arranger to raise project and corporate financing across diverse industries and markets, as well as active portfolio and risk management. His transaction experience covers financial advisory, structuring, and execution of project finance facilities, along with extensive business development across geographies, the development of customised structures to meet specific client needs, plus restructuring and distribution of assets. Based in Sydney, Stephen commenced the role in May 2021.

Kate Flanagan is a senior operational and technology leader with deep experience across the global resources sector. Her career began in Western Australia’s Pilbara and has evolved across major mining organisations and regions, giving her a strong foundation in safety critical, asset intensive environments. Now Chief Technology & Information Officer at Hancock Iron Ore, Kate leads enterprise wide operational and information technology, bridging frontline realities with strategic digital transformation. She is recognised for building high performing, values led teams through a deliberate focus on culture and people, and for championing the responsible, ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence to ensure technology is safe, trusted and aligned with HIO’s values. Kate holds a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business from Edith Cowan University.