Professor Rick Valenta
Director, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Rick leads research to improve the discovery, mining, and processing of hydrothermal ore deposits, as well as understanding and mapping the risks associated with future mineral supply.
He began his career as a petroleum geologist before completing a PhD in structural and economic geology. After 4 years as a lecturer at Monash University he then transitioned to a 23-year career in industry roles including Chief Geologist, Chief Operating Officer, and multiple CEO roles.
Companies and exploration teams under his direction have been involved in a significant number of mineral discoveries of copper, uranium, and gold, as well as several transformative company transactions.
Throughout his career, Rick has held senior executive roles in teams which have raised over $150m in venture capital investment, leading to the creation of over $2b in shareholder value.
He has been at the Sustainable Minerals Institute since 2017, and Director since September 2022, where he leads the SMI's vision to understand and optimise the role of resources in global sustainability.
Igniting mining innovation: paving the way for future exploration
As the move toward cleaner technologies progresses, the metals and mining sector are being put to the test: it needs to provide the vast quantities of raw materials required for the energy transition.
Key takeaways:
- Establishing a competitive advantage through data-driven insights into critical minerals
- Offering precision tools to explore deposits and open untapped opportunities
- Gaining a deeper understanding of geological information, featuring immersive graphics, interactive maps, and downloadable 3D models and databases