Presenters

Information on our presenters for the 2026 conference will be updated here.


Chris Gray

IOQ President

Chris Gray has over three decades of experience in the quarrying industry and has been an active member of the Institute of Quarrying (IOQ) throughout his career. Starting his career in the UK in 1988, he progressed from a laboratory technician role to various management positions, including General Manager roles in New Zealand and Australia. Chris has been involved with the IOQ, serving in multiple capacities, including Chairman of the Auckland Branch and Treasurer of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Branch. Chris assumed the role of IOQ NZ (Inc.) President in July 2024. In 2023, he became a shareholder in Tracks, a civil construction company in Whakatane, New Zealand.

Welcome by IOQ President - Thursday 23 July, 8:00am


Wayne Scott

AQA CEO

AQA’s Chief Executive is Wayne Scott who took on the role in October 2018. Wayne also jointly acts as CEO of MinEx, which oversees health and safety for mining/extractive industries.

Welcome by AQA CEO - Thursday 23 July, 8:10am


Shamubeel Eaqub

Simplicity

Shamubeel Eaqub makes economics easy and fun. Shamubeel is the Chief Economist at Simplicity. He is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker. He graduated with Honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a CFA Charterholder.He has over two decades of experience as an economist in Wellington, Melbourne and Auckland in leading international banks and consultancy (ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners and Simplicity).He balances a portfolio of economics, consulting, public speaking, governance and family duties. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two sons.

Thursday 23 July, 9:00am


Rob Domotor

Orica

Senior Specialist Engineer – Technical Services Diploma of Mining - Federation University, Ballarat Diploma of Business - BSB51004 Frontline Management Diploma of Mechanical Engineering - Fitting, Turning, and Machining 25 years of experience in blasting for construction and extractive industries. Extensive experience with Quarries, Open Cut Metal Mines, Surface and Underground Construction blasting. Specialising in Close Proximity Blasting, Vibration management, and High Risk blasting management.

Marica Shaft - Snowy 2.0 Pumped Hydro Project - Friday 24 July, 9:30am


Ryan Burgess

Hydro Geochem Group

Ryan is a Principal Hydrogeologist with 14 years’ consulting experience, focused on hydrogeological aspects of mining, including mine waste facilities and cover systems. He has undertaken various roles, from project manager to technical specialist, on multidisciplinary teams responsible for the development, operation and/or closure of mines in Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America. Ryan advises on multiple aspects of mine water management including hydrogeology and surface water hydrology, mine dewatering and pit slope management, mine water supply, environmental assessments, groundwater contamination, and closure aspects. Through his varied experience, he is able to blend expert knowledge gained through field investigations with his accomplished modelling skills to support decision making for strategic and operational mine planning.

Nitrate Dynamics at Quarries - Friday 24 July, 11:30am


Ian Boothroyd

Boffa Miskell

I have well over three decades' experience in ecology: assessing and reviewing the environmental effects of small to large developments ranging from energy generation activities, extractive mining, roading, stormwater and sediment effects in urban and peri-urban subdivisions, and the effects of the discharge of treated wastewater to water. I have carried out extensive ecological surveys and provided resource management advice to national, regional and local governments, SOEs, private businesses and community groups. I have extensive knowledge of environmental practice in New Zealand and am familiar with environmental protocols, criteria and performance standards, as well as legislative frameworks for applications for resource consents. I have prepared applications for consents under both the COVID and the more recent Fast Track Approvals Act legislation, and applicable National Policy Statements. Through my work, I maintain a focus on project purpose and attaining acceptable environmental outcomes and consent conditions. My background is in freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity management. I have over 60 published scientific papers as well as several book chapters and popular articles; and have also presented at many national and international conferences. As an accredited and experienced environmental commissioner, with substantial experience as an expert witness, I've appeared at many resource consent hearings and in the Environment Court. I am also appointed as Freshwater Commissioner for the NZ Government.

From Careful to Compensation: Gaining ecological outcome efficiencies for the extractive sector - Friday 24 July, 12:00pm


Adam Willetts

Boffa Miskell

Adam has 20+ years’ experience in biosecurity/biodiversity management for both government and NGOs. Prior to joining Boffa Miskell Adam developed and directed his own ecological restoration consulting company. With a strong background in applied conservation/restoration Adam advises a wide range of clients, including community groups, private clients and councils. Adam has specialist experience and expertise in several fields of ecological management such as biosecurity, species protection/reintroduction, emerging technologies and research and development, with extensive project management capability. Adam advises on the science and technical advisory group for Bream Head Conservation Trust and was project lead on the highly successful, award winning community ecological restoration programme at Bream Head for eight years. During his time with Boffa Miskell Adam has developed key strategic and operational management plans for Predator Free NZ, regional and local council projects, national infrastructure projects, and for the extractive and renewable industry sectors. Adam has most recently been involved with regionally important consent mitigation projects specialising in biosecurity and ecology management planning (RMA/FTAA). Adam has also led field trials of new product development tools for predator control and ecological restoration as well as supported teams in ecological monitoring of native species as part of development mitigation and offsetting opportunities.

From Careful to Compensation: Gaining ecological outcome efficiencies for the extractive sector - Friday 24 July, 12:00pm


Clayton Hill

SLR Consulting

Clayton is a Technical Director and has over 23 years of experience in the quarry and mining industry in both the public and private sectors. As a Technical Director within the business, Clayton provides industry relevant assistance to clients in Australia and overseas focusing on quarry optimisation, efficiency improvement, acquisition and divestment, market assessments, materials testing, safety and health and operational advice. This advice guides clients in the creation and implementation of effective business strategies allowing for improved operational efficiencies, cost reductions and growth whilst reducing risk profiles. Clayton’s knowledge and practical industry experience within the quarry and mining industry both in operational and technical roles provides him with a unique set of skills to advise clients on a wide range of matters relating to the industry whilst providing a practical and commercial perspective to achieve the best possible outcome. Clayton has been involved in projects across Australia including as an expert witness (quarry operations and extractive industry) in the NSW Land and Environment Court and the Queensland Planning and Environment Court. Clayton has been a member of the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) since 2003. Clayton has held the positions of National President of the IQA between 2017 and 2019, International President between 2018 and 2019 and is an active member of the Queensland Branch, having been a Past Chairman (2011-2014) and is currently a branch committee member.

Lights, Camera, Action, Safety! - Friday 24 July, 2:45pm


Steve Davis

MC

Sponsored by RedBull Powder Co Ltd


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