Registrations now open! Click here to register
Call for abstracts is now open! Click here to submit your abstract.

Event Overview:

Registrations opening soon

  • Who? The event will be open to SMI and EAIT students (both MPhil and PhD) and a wider range of industry partners and sponsors, ensuring strong attendance and broader industry involvement.
  • When? Wed 16 July 2025–Thursday 17 July, 2025.
     
  • Where? Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, St. Lucia campus
     
  • What? The conference will feature a diverse range of presentation formats designed to cater to different aspects of student research:
    - Presentations: A combination of 10minute presentations with Q&A to allow for concise yet insightful sharing of research work.
    - Poster Presentations: A dedicated poster session will provide an opportunity for students to present research visually and engage with the audience – 5 min presentations.
    - Dedicated Industry Session: The conference will feature a dedicated session for industry representatives, focusing on company introductions and placement opportunities for HDR students. This will create opportunities for students to learn more about the mining industry and potential career paths
    Panel discussions: Several industry partners will be invited to participate in panel discussions on the dedicated topic.
    Keynote speakers: Several keynote speakers with extensive industrial experience will be invited to present in morning and Afternoon sessions. Keynote speakers should be chosen outside of UQ.

Conference Themes:

The conference themes encompass the entire mining project lifecycle—from planning to feasibility and production and closure—focusing on research challenges and innovative solutions within the following themes: 

  • The Environmental Management and Rehabilitation session offers a platform for MPhil and PhD studentsto showcase their cutting-edge research on minimizing and mitigating the environmental impact of mining.Presentations will highlight advancements in areas such as innovative remediation technologies,sustainable mining practices, ecological rehabilitation and monitoring, and the application of digital toolsfor environmental management and decision-making.
  • The Social Responsibility and Governance session provides students, particularly those engaged insocial sciences research, with opportunities to share their preliminary research findings with wideraudience in the mining sector. It aims to cover a variety of topics in social aspects of mining, including butnot limited to community engagement, displacement & resettlement, Indigenous rights, tailingsmanagement, and working conditions of miners.
  • The Safe and Sustainable Mineral Exploration, Extraction and Processing session brings togetherstudents to share their research and insights on improving safety and sustainability across the mineralsvalue chain. It explores advancements in technologies and approaches that address the challenges ofcomplex operations, with a focus on reducing environmental impacts, enhancing resource efficiency,integrating safety practices, and applying innovative tools or strategies throughout the mineral lifecycle—from exploration and extraction to milling and tailings management and reprocessing.

 

Sustainable Minerals Institute Next Generation 2025 HDR Student Conference

Wed 16 Jul 2025 8:00amThu 17 Jul 2025 4:30pm

Venue

St. Lucia campus, Brisbane.
Room: 
 Abel Smith Lecture Theatre (Building 23)

Sustainable Minerals Institute Next Generation

HDR Student Conference 2025

16 – 17 July 2025

Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, St Lucia Campus

Connecting Emerging Researchers and Industry Leaders to Shape the Future of Mining

The SMI Next Generation HDR Student Conference aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and industry engagement within the SMI and EAIT student communities doing research related to the minerals industry.

The conference is hosted by the Sustainable Minerals Institute Higher Degree by Research Candidate Advisory Committee and will feature a diverse range of presentation formats designed to cater to different aspects of student research:

Student Engagement:

  • Presentations: A combination of 10-minute presentations with Q&A to allow for concise yet insightful sharing of research work.
  • Poster Presentations: A dedicated poster session to provide an opportunity for students to present research visually and engage with the audience – 5 min presentations.

Industry Engagement:

  • Dedicated Industry Session: A dedicated session for industry representatives, focusing on company introductions and placement opportunities for HDR students. This will create opportunities for students to learn more about the mining industry and potential career paths.
  • Panel discussions: Several industry partners are participating in a panel discussion on the dedicated topic.
  • Keynote speakers: Several keynote speakers with extensive industrial experience will be invited to present in morning and Afternoon sessions. Keynote speakers should be chosen outside of UQ.

Registrations now open! Click here to register
Call for abstracts is now open! Click here to submit your abstract.

CONFERENCE THEMES

The conference themes encompass the entire mining project lifecycle—from planning to feasibility and production and closure—focusing on research challenges and innovative solutions within the following themes:

  • The Environmental Management and Rehabilitation session offers a platform for HDR researchers to showcase their cutting-edge research on minimising and mitigating the environmental impact of mining. Presentations will highlight advancements in areas such as innovative remediation technologies, sustainable mining practices, ecological rehabilitation and monitoring, and the application of digital tools for environmental management and decision-making.
  • The Social Responsibility and Governancesession offers those engaged in social sciences research opportunities to share their preliminary research findings with a wider audience in the mining sector. It aims to cover a variety of topics in social aspects of mining, including but not limited to community engagement, displacement & resettlement, Indigenous rights, tailings management, and working conditions of miners.
  • The Safe and Sustainable Mineral Exploration, Extraction and Processing session brings together research and insights on improving safety and sustainability across the minerals value chain. It explores advancements in technologies and approaches that address the challenges of complex operations, with a focus on reducing environmental impacts, enhancing resource efficiency, integrating safety practices, and applying innovative tools or strategies throughout the mineral lifecycle—from exploration and extraction to milling and tailings management and reprocessing.

REGISTRATION

Registration for the SMI Next Generation HDR Student Conference is now open! All HDR students, academic staff, and industry guests are welcome to attend in this two-day event celebrating innovative research in the minerals industry.

Details:

How to Register:
Please complete your registration via the link above. Early registration is encouraged as spaces may be limited. Further event details, including the full program and venue information, will be shared with registered participants closer to the event date.

Note: All presenting authors must register to attend the conference.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We are now accepting abstract submissions for the SMI Next Generation Student Conference, a two-day event dedicated to highlighting HDR student research in the minerals industry. This is your opportunity to present your work, through an oral presentation or poster session, to a diverse audience of fellow researchers, academic staff, and industry representatives.

Abstracts that focus on research challenges and innovative solutions within the following themes will be welcomed:

  • Environmental Management and Rehabilitation
  • Social Responsibility and Governance
  • Safe and Sustainable Mineral Exploration, Extraction and Processing

Timeline:

Abstract submission deadline: June 9, 2025, 11:59 PM AEST

Abstract decision notification: TBA

Submission Instructions:

Please submit your abstract through this link: https://forms.office.com/r/5MrFysf0Sv

You must select your preferred presentation format: oral presentation or poster

  • Submission must follow the format outlined in the abstract template (Abstract Template-SMINextGen2025.docx) //please upload file
  • Once your abstract is accepted, please follow the presentation and poster preparation guidelines that will be provided after the committee approves your submission.

PRESENTATION AND POSTER GUIDELINES

This conference provides a platform for disseminating high-quality research, emerging innovations, and interdisciplinary perspectives across the minerals industry. Further details will be shared with the authors of accepted abstracts.

Oral Presentation Guidelines

  • Standard presentations should be 10 minutes long, followed by 5 minutes for Q&A (strictly observed).
  • Prepare slides in 16:9 widescreen format (PowerPoint or PDF).
  • Begin with a title slide that includes presenter name(s), affiliation(s), and presentation title.
  • Use clear, readable fonts and keep text minimal to enhance audience engagement.

Poster Presentation Guidelines

  • Presenters must be available during the designated poster session for a 5-minute oral discussion and Q&A.
  • Posters should be maximum A0 size (841mm x 1189mm), portrait orientation.
  • The title, author(s), and affiliation(s) must be clearly displayed at the top.
  • Text should be legible from at least 1 meter away.
  •  Posters must be printed and brought to the venue by the presenter; mounting materials will be provided.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Theme:Social Responsibility and Governance

Fiona Sartain is the Head of Sustainability at MMG Limited. With a strong background in the mining industry and social enterprises, she leads MMG's global Sustainability Framework and programme of work, overseeing corporate sustainability strategies and their implementation across MMG’s global portfolio. This includes managing internal and external sustainability and ESG reporting, providing guidance across MMG's operations. In her interim role, she provides leadership of the Social Performance portfolio, focusing on MMG's Social Performance Standard and Human Rights Framework. Her prior experience includes work at MMG Las Bambas in Peru, where she contributed to the development of the social performance strategy, reporting and project delivery. Fiona is bilingual in English and Spanish and has extensive experience in social enterprises and NGOs, with a focus on sustainability, human rights and conflict resolution, both internationally and in Australia.

Theme: Environmental Management and Rehabilitation

Dr. Evelyn Mervine is a geoscientist and carbon management expert. She has extensive experience working in the mining industry in Australia, North America, South America, and Africa. She currently works as a Carbon Mitigation Principal at Anglo American and is also an Adjunct Fellow in the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland. Dr. Mervine has extensive experience leading collaborative industry-academia projects, with a focus on carbon mineralization and carbon accounting. She has a B.A. degree in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College, an M.Sc. degree in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, and a Ph.D. degree in Marine Geology that was jointly awarded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Mervine's book "Rocks & Minerals: An Illustrated Field Guide" was published by HarperCollins in 2023. 

Theme: Safe and Sustainable Mineral Exploration, Extraction and Processing

Roxanne O’Donnell is a Senior Metallurgist with 10 years’ experience in the mining industry across both production and project roles. She has worked with a range of commodities, including base metals and gold, contributing to operations at sites in Australia and across the globe. With a strong foundation in flotation and mineralogy, Roxanne specialises in developing and implementing efficient, data-driven solutions tailored to complex metallurgical challenges. Her passion lies in optimising processes and driving innovation to improve performance and recovery outcomes. Known for her analytical mindset and hands-on approach, she thrives in dynamic environments where critical thinking and adaptability are key. Roxanne is committed to continuous improvement and enjoys collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful, sustainable results

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

The SMI Next Generation Student Conference offers a dynamic two-day program designed to showcase student research, promote knowledge exchange, and foster professional connections. The schedule features keynote addresses, technical sessions, poster presentations, and opportunities for networking with peers, academic mentors, and industry partners. Below is the detailed program for each day:

Day 1

Time

Activity

08:00 – 09:00

Registration and Morning Tea 

09:00 – 09:15

Opening Remarks & Conference Overview 

09:15 – 10:00

Keynote Speech

10:00 – 10:45

Technical Session

10:45 – 11:15

Morning Coffee Break 

11:15 – 12:00

Technical Session

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break 

13:00 – 13:45

Keynote Speech Theme

13:45 – 14:30

Technical Session

14:30 – 15:00

Afternoon Coffee Break 

15:00 – 15:45

Technical Session

15:45 – 16:30

Posters Session 

16:30 – 18:00

Networking session

Day 2

Time

Activity

08:30 – 09:00

Registration and Morning Tea 

09:00 – 10:30

Industrial partners panel discussion 

10:30 – 11:00

Morning Coffee Break 

11:00 – 12:00

Placement related session

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break 

13:00 – 13:45

Keynote Speech Theme

13:45 – 14:30

Technical Session

14:30 – 15:00

Afternoon tea

15:00 – 15:45

Technical Session

15:45 – 16:15

Poster presentation

16:15 – 16:30

Closing remarks

SPONSORS

We are currently seeking sponsors to support this event and help us celebrate academic excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

Sponsorship is a great way to increase your organisation’s visibility, connect with emerging researchers and industry leaders, and show your support for the research community.

If your organisation is interested in partnering with us, please get in touch.

This page will be updated soon

For any inquiries or interest, please email: smihdrcac@uq.edu.au

CONTACT US

Contact details:

Please send an email to smihdrcac@uq.edu.au

Conference organisers 

SMI HDR Candidate Advisory Committee Members 

Name

Work area

Dion Weatherley

SMI HDR Director

Kenta Matsumoto

Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining

Adithyanti Febriana

Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation

Ge Song

Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation

Yasanga Suduweli Kondage

Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry

Abdulraheem Anumah

Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry

Bora Aska

Global Centre for Mineral Security

Hernandi Albeto Octaviano

Global Centre for Mineral Security

Joy Marisol Maniaul

Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

Anna Skliar

Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

Yifei Lin

Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre

Loreto Codoceo

Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre

Enrique Saez

WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre

Andres Ortega

WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre