SPEAKERS
Hear from our sensational, insightful speakers at our events: Gold Coast Gold (March 2025) and The Australian Gold Conference (October 2025)!
Gold Coast Gold 2025

Damien Keys
Damien is a geologist with 20 years experience in mining and exploration across a range of commodities. Damien has led teams to exploration success with Gold Fields Australia, Silver Lake Resources, Black Cat Syndicate and most recently at Spectrum Metals with the discovery of the Penny North Gold Mine. Damien has completed a PhD in Structural Geology at James Cook University in Townsville.

Roger Jackson
Roger Jackson, Executive Chairman of Vertex Minerals, brings 25+ years of mining expertise spanning exploration, operations, and governance. Also leading Ark Mines’ rare earth project and serving on QX Resources’ board, Roger champions innovation and sustainability in mining, making him a key voice in the sector’s future.

Paul Bennett
Medallion Metals
Mr. Bennett, a Mining Engineer with an MBA, brings 25 years of expertise in resource operations, development, and financing. With leadership roles at Newcrest, Western Metals, and Panoramic Resources, he’s a seasoned expert. His experience in equity and debt financing, plus board roles at NickelSearch and Horizon Gold, make him a highly knowledgeable industry leader.

Travis Schwertfeger
Travis Schwertfeger, a geologist with 20+ years of global experience, specializes in gold and copper projects across Australia, Africa, and the Americas. Formerly with Newmont Mining, Travis has held leadership roles, including Managing Director of Alicanto Minerals and Non-Executive Director at Exore Resources, showcasing his deep industry expertise and strategic vision.

Donald Garner
A geologist with 25+ years in the resources sector, Donald transformed Red River Resources into a $150M ASX-listed company with mining operations and exploration projects before his departure in 2021. With corporate finance experience at Deutsche Bank and on-the-ground roles in WA and overseas, Donald established Iltani Resources in 2022.

Richard Carlton
Richard Carlton is a senior executive with 30+ years in mining operations across Australia and internationally. With leadership roles at Edna May, Stawell Gold Mines, Waihi Gold Mine, and more, Richard has extensive experience in both gold and base metals, including key projects like Rosebery and Elura mines. His expertise also includes securing funding and developing new metallurgical processes.

Alexander Scanlon
Barton Gold
Alex is the founder of Barton Gold and a financial economist with 20 years’ experience in structured finance and mining advisory and investment. He was previously Managing Director of PARQ Capital Management and a Director with Lusona Capital, and before that an Executive in the Principal Investments Area of Barclays Capital. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

Sam Lawrie
Sam is a financial services professional with five years of experience spanning CFD broking, algorithmic trading, equities analysis, and bullion dealing. An advocate for precious metals since 2018, Sam has guided thousands of clients in understanding finance, economics, and metals investment. He holds a Commerce degree in Finance and Economics from Melbourne University.

Brian Chu
Brian W.B. Chu is the Founding Director of The Australian Gold Fund, delivering superior returns since 2019 and consistently outperforming benchmarks and leading precious metals funds. With a background in academia teaching finance, economics, and risk management, Brian is a trusted expert. He also authors precious metals investment newsletters for Fat Tail Investment Research.

Sean Russo
Since founding Noah’s Rule in 2004, Sean has been a hands-on, strategic advisor on the management of financial and commodity market risk and negotiations and oversight for hedging execution and debt funding. The team at Noah’s Rule has a strong track record in delivering be-spoke strategic risk advice to CEOs, CFO’s, company boards and senior management.

Daniel Want
Daniel, Chief Investment Officer and co-founder of Prerequisite Capital Management, brings 18 years of self-education and mentorship in investment management, leadership, and economics. With experience as Investment Strategist at an award-winning hedge fund and Portfolio Manager, Daniel leads PCM’s research, consulting, and investment management activities.

Tony Locantro
Tony has 25 years of experience in investment management, financial planning, and stock selection. Specializing in both bull and bear markets, Tony’s understanding of market psychology has guided countless investors and organizations to success. Featured in top Australian publications, he is a trusted expert in the small-cap market space.

Susan McDonald
Susan, a qualified accountant and mother of three, has a unique perspective shaped by growing up on a cattle property in North-West Queensland. After running a butcher shop chain and studying commerce and economics, she was elected to the Australian Senate in 2019. As the Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Susan is dedicated to growing Queensland’s productive regions. Based in Townsville, she is the Coalition’s northernmost Senator.

Shae Russell
Shae has been an equities analyst with a focus on investment writing for 15 years; the last eight of which has centred on the domestic and international mining sector. She’s now bringing this expertise to enhance and strengthen Mining.com.au‘s role as Australia’s leading source of mining news.

Rob Murdoch
Rob Murdoch, Principal Consultant, brings over 52 years of experience in resource project management, including leading the Medhiabad Zinc Project and developing gold mines across Australia. With expertise in capital raising, exploration success, and negotiations, Rob has raised over $100M for global resource projects.

Jeremy (Jez) Reid
Jeremy is the Director at PMT Refinery Pty Ltd, overseeing refining, assay services, bullion sales, and the company’s asset transfer service in collaboration with the Singapore Precious Metal Exchange. With a background in leadership, law enforcement, and forensics, Jeremy is committed to operational excellence and innovation within the precious metals industry. His career began in the Royal Navy, followed by law enforcement in the UK and Australia and is passionate about fitness and animal welfare.

Justin Haines
Justin was appointed CEO of Great Divide Mining Ltd on July 4, 2022, and brings 30+ years’ expertise in managing and consulting on diverse mining and exploration projects across Australia and Asia-Pacific. He oversees project coordination, from planning to governance. With a track record of resource deployment and leading technical and financial planning, Justin held key roles at Hawsons Iron Limited, 42 Mining, Leigh Creek Energy Limited, and Carbon Energy Limited. He holds a Masters in Mining Engineering from UNSW, a Graduate Diploma in Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science from QUT. He’s a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Ian Holland
Ian has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry and was recently the Managing Director of Navarre Minerals Limited. He was responsible for acquiring the Mt. Carlton Mine and Crush Creek project and transitioning the company from explorer to producer.
Ian is a qualified geologist and holds a Masters of Minerals Geoscience and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment in addition to a Degree in Geology, and has experience at the Mount Isa Mines, Mount Gordon Copper Mine and Renison Tin Mine in addition to the Fosterville Gold Mine.
The Australian Gold Conference 2025

Roger Jackson
Roger Jackson, Executive Chairman of Vertex Minerals, brings 25+ years of mining expertise spanning exploration, operations, and governance. Also leading Ark Mines’ rare earth project and serving on QX Resources’ board, Roger champions innovation and sustainability in mining, making him a key voice in the sector’s future.

Alexander Scanlon
Barton Gold
Alex is the founder of Barton Gold and a financial economist with 20 years of experience in financial analysis, mining advisory, and investment. Formerly Managing Director at PARQ Capital and a Director at Lusona Capital, Alex specializes in corporate advisory and investments in natural resources. He holds degrees from Santa Clara University, Oxford, and Cambridge.

Damien Keys
Damien is a geologist with 20 years experience in mining and exploration across a range of commodities. Damien has led teams to exploration success with Gold Fields Australia, Silver Lake Resources, Black Cat Syndicate and most recently at Spectrum Metals with the discovery of the Penny North Gold Mine. Damien has completed a PhD in Structural Geology at James Cook University in Townsville.

Paul Bennett
Medallion Metals
Mr. Bennett, a Mining Engineer with an MBA, brings 25 years of expertise in resource operations, development, and financing. With leadership roles at Newcrest, Western Metals, and Panoramic Resources, he’s a seasoned expert. His experience in equity and debt financing, plus board roles at NickelSearch and Horizon Gold, make him a highly knowledgeable industry leader.