About

Governance

Whilst the Centre’s administrative functions are based at the University of Newcastle, under the leadership of the Centre Director Centre operations and activities are directed and governed by an Executive Committee, Stakeholder Committee and two high-level advisory bodies – an Advisory Board and an International Advisory Panel. 

Executive Committee

COEMinerals Executive Committee comprises the Centre’s Director, Deputy Director, COO, Communications lead, Node Leaders and Deputy Node Leaders. The Executive Committee is responsible for:

  • Developing and implementing the strategic plan
  • Allocation of resources, and research priorities and support
  • Implementing policies and/​or procedures on equity and diversity, outreach & communication and Code of Conduct etc.
  • Strengthening internal links across the Centre and external links with industry and prominent research centres around the world
  • Reporting on Centre performance and KPIs
  • Operation of sub-committees (including the Research, Future Leaders and Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Committees)

COEMinerals Advisory Board

The COEMinerals Advisory Board provides advice and feedback on the Centre’s Strategic Plan, and where appropriate facilitates engagement and new opportunities:

Professor Simon Biggs (Advisory Board Chair), Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University, Australia

Professor Richard A. Williams, Vice Chancellor, Heriot-Watt University

Ms Denise Goldsworth AO, Chancellor, Edith Cowan University

Mr Andrew Hutchinson, General Manager, Critical Minerals Facilitation Office with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 

Professor Jacques Eksteen, Research Director of the Future Battery Industries CRC (FBICRC)

COEMinerals International Advisory Panel (IAP)

The IAP provides strategic advice to the Centre Executive with a view to assisting in the achievement of the Centre’s goals. The IAP reviews program reports as well as monitoring the progress and performance of projects being undertaken within the three Scientific Programs:

Professor Cyril O’Connor (International Panel Chair), Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Scholar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Dr Martin Rudolph, Head of Department of Processing of Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HZDR/HIF), Freiberg, Germany

Silvia Cristina Alves França, Director Centre for Mineral Technology (CETEM)

Dr Barun Gorain, President and CEO Ore2Metal Inc



The Centre has several Committees that make up the governance of the Centre, as outlined in the below diagram.

Centre activities are guided by a Strategic Plan, which is updated annually with input from Centre members, the International Advisory Panel and Advisory Board.