Welcome
TULLY MATTHEWS
Policy Manager, NSW Minerals Council
NSW Minerals Council Update
DAVID SALIM
CEO & Principal Solicitor, Hetherington
Sponsor Welcome Address
Session 1 | Case Studies & Expert Insights
JONATHAN THOMPSON
Group Manager – Sustainability, Aurelia Metals
Presentation: From Discovery to Mining in 5 Years
Jonathan Thompson joined Aurelia in December 2014 as an Environmental Officer at the Hera Mine. He has held several roles within the company ahead of his current position of Group Manager – Sustainability. Mr Thompson joined Aurelia Metals from Perilya’s Broken Hill Mine.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (Honours) from La Trobe University.
During his tenure with Aurelia, Jonathan led the teams responsible for obtaining the State Significant Development Consent for the Federation and Great Cobar Projects. He was a key member in establishing the Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement over an Aurelia owned property. This Agreement was approved in 2022 and, at the time, it was the only Agreement on a Western Land Lease and the largest in NSW.
HEATH PORTEOUS
Exploration Manager, Cobalt Blue
Presentation: A Land Access Win at the Land and Environment Court
Heath Porteous is an exploration and resource development professional with over 17 years in the resources sector.
As Exploration Manager at Cobalt Blue Holdings, he has driven project development, feasibility studies, and resource growth for the Broken Hill Cobalt Project, leveraging his expertise in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and operational management.
ROMANA THEFS
ESG Decarbonisation Lead, Xenith Consulting
Presentation: What Happened to My Resource? Constraints to Resource Classification in NSW
Romana has extensive professional expertise in the areas of climate change, sustainability, and environmental compliance, encompassing roles held within both corporate and governmental settings.
In recent years, Romana has developed and implemented strategic sustainability plans and decarbonisation programs for clients, emphasising the alignment of business objectives with rapidly evolving climate change regulations and stakeholder expectations.
Romana’s experience also includes conducting comprehensive GHG measurement and assessments, identifying emerging trends to enhance sustainability strategies, and fostering crucial stakeholder relationships.
KATHERINE COURTNEY
Principal Advisor – Strategy and Growth, Xenith Consulting
Presentation: What Happened to My Resource? Constraints to Resource Classification in NSW
Katherine is a well-rounded resources industry professional with over 15 years’ experience across mining, exploration and government.
She possesses a passion for innovation and forward thinking to continue growing the mining industry, particularly in the areas of ESG and Mine Closure. These areas, along with industry advocacy and education for our future workforce also extend into her voluntary role as Vice-Chair of Women in Mining NSW.
Katherine’s experience includes mine site operational and exploration geology, commodity analysis and resource modelling in consulting roles, and industry development with the Department of Regional NSW.
SHANE HOLMES
Manager – Technical (South), , Xenith Consulting
Presentation: What Happened to My Resource? Constraints to Resource Classification in NSW
Shane has over 30 years of experience in mine development from concept to execution and mine closure, including mine plan optimisation, economic and environmental assessment and approvals.
As a JORC Reserves Competent Person, he has a focus on resource recovery, including measurement and reconciliation, assessment of the impacts of equipment selection and assessment of ROM factors.
Shane’s analytical skills relate to the evaluation and optimisation of mining projects, including assessment of social impacts to neighbouring communities and liaison with government regulators.
SAMANTHA DALY
Partner & Practice Group Head, Johnson Winter Slattery
Presentation: Renewable Energy & Exploration: Understanding Your Rights & Obligations
Samantha is a planning and environment partner specialising in the energy and resources, property and infrastructure industries.
She advises on all aspects of planning and environment regulation, including approvals, compliance, water, climate change, biodiversity and nature markets, native title, cultural heritage and pollution. She also has extensive experience advising the mining industry including on all aspects of mining law, tenement management and mine closure considerations. She also regularly assists clients in assessing project risks and provides practical advice for her clients in responding to regulatory investigations, as well as acting for her clients in planning and environment litigation.
Session 2 | Case Studies & Expert Insights
DAVID SALIM
CEO & Principal Solicitor, Hetherington
Presentation: Due Diligence for Successful M&A
David Salim is the CEO of Hetherington, a transformative leader with over 15 years of experience in the mining and resources sector. Rising through the ranks, David has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s evolution into a full-service firm in resources, positioning Hetherington it as a strategic partner.
David has established a reputation for delivering top-tier legal compliance, regulatory guidance, and strategic advice. His expertise extends across all Australian jurisdictions and internationally, advising publicly listed and privately-owned companies.
He is also a specialist in due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, particularly in drafting and advising on complex joint ventures and farm-in agreements. His stewardship of over 200 mining companies, both domestic and international, is a testament to his strategic insight and dedication to client success.
Moreover, David is a recognised expert in the VALMIN Code 2015 and the preparation of ASIC and ASX-compliant Independent Solicitor Reports.
David’s industry recognition speaks to his impact. As a finalist in the 2019 NSW Minerals Council’s Young Achiever Award and the 2020 Gender Diversity Advocate Award, he is not only a legal expert but also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.
David’s strategic vision, combined with his ability to build trust-based relationships, has positioned him as a respected voice in the industry. A devoted husband and father, David is also deeply committed to social impact, actively supporting Autism Spectrum Australia and Children Hospital initiatives.
SCOTT KEENAN
Director Public Affairs, NSW Minerals Council
Presentation: The Evolution of Media and Stakeholder Engagement
Scott is a leader in brand strategy and content creation for the mining industry, delivering impactful public information campaigns that inform, educate and influence decision-making at all levels.
This is coupled with his strong commercial background having held Board and advisory roles in the mining sector, where he led significant approvals and engagement processes for major projects in New South Wales.
His work reaches millions of people a year on social media, TV and radio. He produced the first-ever live underground TV and radio broadcasts and has headed up the iconic Voice for Mining partnership with the Newcastle Knights for 12+ years.
In addition to work in mining, Scott has produced the award-winning interior design podcast At Home with Lauren Keenan, hosted a sports podcast The Off Season with The Knighted and is founder and head of the peloton at the Leisure Coast Cycle Club.
Whether engaging with stakeholders or building brands, Scott creates compelling content and campaigns that build support and make a lasting impact.
TIMOTHY MORISSON
Executive Chairman, Trigg Minerals
Presentation: Capital Strategies to Deliver our Antimony Portfolio
Tim Morrison has more than twenty years’ experience in early stage resource company capital offerings and funding activities.
Tim has actively worked across the capital markets in both private venture funds management and public listed markets and has been involved in raising significant capital for listed and unlisted companies in various sectors.
TONY TRUELOVE
Chief Operating Officer, First Tin
Presentation: Advancing One of the World’s Largest Tin Deposits: First Tin’s Road to Production
Tony is a geologist and experienced company director who graduated from Adelaide University in 1982 with a BSc (First Class Honours).
He is currently COO of LSE (Standard Board) listed First Tin Plc and Director of its 100% owned Australia subsidiary Taronga Mines Pty Ltd.
Previous experience includes floating and serving as Managing Director of an ASX listed company and prior to that, senior positions with major and mid cap companies Billiton, Newmont, Newcrest and Delta Gold.
Tony has over 40 years of experience in the resource industry covering project acquisition, mineral exploration, feasibility studies and mine geology.
He has been involved with the discovery and definition of over 15 million ounces of gold and 300,000 tonnes of tin and has experience exploring for a wide variety of metals Worldwide.
Tony is currently overseeing the EIS and permitting of the Taronga tin deposit, located in northeastern NSW, and optimisation of a recently completed (2024) feasibility study on that deposit.
Government Updates
GEORGINA BEATTIE
Deputy Secretary, NSW Resources
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Georgina Bettie has a strong background in Public Sector leadership, strategy, reform and industry development. As leader Georgina brings a wealth of leadership experience to NSW Resources.
As Deputy Secretary of NSW Resources, Ms Beattie oversees decisions about the State’s mineral and petroleum resources, investment in the sector, the policy and strategic framework for exploration and mining in NSW, effective regulation and the acquisition and analysis of geoscientific data.
Georgina joined NSW Resources in early 2021 after a broad career driving economic development in NSW. Prior to that, she held leadership roles in regional economic development in the NSW Government and has strong relationships with industry and community stakeholders.
Georgina is committed to deliver reform and initiatives that will boost exploration and mining investment safely and sustainably, with a strong focus on customer service.
JENNY EHMSEN
Principal Compliance Auditor, NSW Resources – Resources Regulator
Presentation: Compliance Trends & Rehabilitation Signoff: Insights, Tips, and Case Studies for Timely Completion
SALLY FRANCO
Principal Project Officer Business Improvement, NSW Resources – Resources Regulator
Presentation: The Importance of Community Consultation
Thank you to our event sponsors for their continued support.
Gold | Naming Rights Sponsor
With offices across Australia, Hetherington is a market leader and specialist in Tenement Management, Environmental Consulting, and Mining Law. For over 35 years, we have specialised in assisting exploration and mining companies achieve their commercial goals. Our reach extends across Australia, and globally to countries such as Canada, USA, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and India.
Managing tenements, planning, and navigating environmental approvals and compliance requirements involves intricate and specialised knowledge encompassing various domains. Our service offerings include audits, legal Due Diligence for acquisitions and Prospectus listings, activity approvals, Native Title extinguishment and negotiation, landholder management, arbitration, and all levels of government liaison.
Silver | Networking Drinks Sponsor
Alkane Resources is an Australian gold production, development and exploration company with projects and operations in Central West NSW. The company holds several highly prospective gold and copper tenements in the region.
Current gold production is from Tomingley Gold Operations, an open pit and underground gold mine southwest of Dubbo with extensive resources. Alkane continues to advance gold exploration projects in the tenement areas around Tomingley.
Alkane’s Boda-Kaiser Project, located north of Wellington, is founded on two large, gold-copper porphyry resources with potential to support a long-term, bulk-tonnage development. Ongoing regional exploration indicates it may lie within a broader gold-copper province.
