Agenda – All times indicated are in EST

General Manager, North America,  CRU

Economist,  CRU

Veronika Akhmadieva is a regional Economist at CRU group, and I focus on the economic analysis and forecasting for the North America region. I hold a PhD in Economics and Finance specialising in econometrics and applied macroeconomics. My doctorate focuses on fiscal sustainability and balance of payments solvency, and in addition, covers topics such as income and price elasticities of trade and the macroeconomic impact of the euro. Before doing my PhD, I completed an MSc in Finance and Accounting at Imperial College Business School and a BSc (Honours) in Economics at Brunel University, for which I received a University Prize. Before joining CRU I worked at Birkbeck, University of London, since 2016, teaching modules such as applied statistics and econometrics, mathematics for finance, and international finance. I continue to lecture there part-time. In addition, during my years in academia I have presented her research at academic conferences and at internal and external seminars.

Analyst,  CRU
Devanshi Singh is a steel Raw Material Analyst for India from the Mumbai office of CRU. She has a graduated degree from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and has been working with CRU for the past 1.5 years.

Analyst,  CRU
Nikki Ni joined CRU in February 2020, following six years in commodities trade, quantitative and industry research. She formerly worked in a few MNEs including Glencore where she gained a wide knowledge of commodities, steelmaking industry and international trade. Her responsibilities involve analysis of Chinese domestic steel and ferroalloy markets and contributing to CRU’s Monitors and Outlooks. Nikki holds a BA in Beijing Language and Culture University in China and an MSc in Economics and Management at KU Leuven in Belgium.

Chief Executive Officer,  Mercury Resources LLC
Mercury Resources provides full supply chain services to the global metals, steel, and industrial commodity markets. Founded in 2016, Mercury Resources has diverse experience providing total solutions to producers, consumers, trading companies and banks involved in the commodity trade space.

Prior to joining Mercury Resources, Anton was Chief Executive Officer of CWT Commodities USA, the North American unit of the Singapore based global logistics and financial services company CWT Limited. Over his career Anton held positions at supply chain management companies and steamship lines including sales and marine operations.

Anton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation / Business Administration from The State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler where he also obtained his United States Merchant Marine License as a Third Mate. After his academic career at SUNY Maritime, Anton served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve in various units including as a junior officer in Naval Control of Shipping unit in New York.

Anton has lectured at several colleges and universities on the business of logistics including The State University of New York Maritime College, The United States Merchant Marine Academy, and Baruch College of the City University of New York.

Chief Executive Officer,  Mercury Resources LLC
Mercury Resources provides full supply chain services to the global metals, steel, and industrial commodity markets. Founded in 2016, Mercury Resources has diverse experience providing total solutions to producers, consumers, trading companies and banks involved in the commodity trade space.

Prior to joining Mercury Resources, Anton was Chief Executive Officer of CWT Commodities USA, the North American unit of the Singapore based global logistics and financial services company CWT Limited. Over his career Anton held positions at supply chain management companies and steamship lines including sales and marine operations.

Anton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation / Business Administration from The State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler where he also obtained his United States Merchant Marine License as a Third Mate. After his academic career at SUNY Maritime, Anton served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve in various units including as a junior officer in Naval Control of Shipping unit in New York.

Anton has lectured at several colleges and universities on the business of logistics including The State University of New York Maritime College, The United States Merchant Marine Academy, and Baruch College of the City University of New York.

Economist,  CRU

Veronika Akhmadieva is a regional Economist at CRU group, and I focus on the economic analysis and forecasting for the North America region. I hold a PhD in Economics and Finance specialising in econometrics and applied macroeconomics. My doctorate focuses on fiscal sustainability and balance of payments solvency, and in addition, covers topics such as income and price elasticities of trade and the macroeconomic impact of the euro. Before doing my PhD, I completed an MSc in Finance and Accounting at Imperial College Business School and a BSc (Honours) in Economics at Brunel University, for which I received a University Prize. Before joining CRU I worked at Birkbeck, University of London, since 2016, teaching modules such as applied statistics and econometrics, mathematics for finance, and international finance. I continue to lecture there part-time. In addition, during my years in academia I have presented her research at academic conferences and at internal and external seminars.

Head of Steel Analysis, North America,  CRU
Josh Spoores Joined CRU in 2012. Mr Spoores is head of steel analysis in North America and editor of CRU’s market leading Steel Sheet Monitor and Steel Monitor. He also forecasts prices, demand, production and trade of sheet and plate products for both Canada and the US for CRU’s steel sheet and plate market outlooks. Prior to this role at CRU, he was a Senior Marketing Analyst at Severstal North America, founder of Steel Reality, a forward-looking market analysis firm using a models-based approach for flat rolled and plate steel. He was also the Market Research Manager at Majestic Steel USA, one of the largest flat rolled service centres in the USA. He has a BSc in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.

Senior Analyst Ore and Ferroalloys,  CRU
Clare Hanna joined CRU in August 2019 and currently works as a Senior Analyst covering Manganese Ore and Ferroalloys and is Editor of the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor.

Ms Hanna has over 30 years’ experience in the steel industry with British Steel, Tata Steel and Corus in a range of strategy, sales, marketing and procurement roles. Recent responsibilities include business development for wire rod and, prior to that,  lead buyer ferroalloys for Tata Steel Group.  

She holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and BA Honours degree in Economics from Leeds University. 

Senior Sales Manager,  Assore Ltd

Sonja joined Ore & Metal Company Ltd, a Division of Assore Ltd, in 2004 as part of the marketing and sales team responsible for all Assmang’s products worldwide.  Over the span of her career she has been involved in the sales of Chrome Ore and Alloy, Iron Ore, Manganese Ore as well as Manganese Alloys.  The majority of which she spent in Manganese. She is the Senior Sales Manager of the Manganese Alloy Sales Division responsible for the sales strategy for a two South African Ferromanganese smelters as well as a Ferromanganese smelter in Malaysia owned either fully or jointly by Assmang, which is a JV between Assore and African Rainbow Minerals.  Sonja holds a Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics from the University in South Africa.

COO,  HiTest Sand, Inc.
James May has a BS/MS in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science and a MBA Sloan School of Business. He has worked for 10 years in GM cast iron foundries including metallurgist and supervision. Mr May spent 5 years with Foote Mineral in ferroalloys production as a superintendent plant manager. He also spent 20 years with Dow Corning in Silicon Tech as Director, Procurement Director, General Manager. Companies owned by Mr May: May Engineering Co., Midand Silicon Co. and May Global Business Group – Silicon and ferroalloys process technology, operations, sales and procurement. Partner in HiTest Sand Inc. quartz mining.

Senior Vice President,  CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU International in April 1996. Based in the United States, he specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. In addition to the manganese ferroalloy cost data service, Mr de Linde is the principal author of CRU's silicon metal market outlook and silicon cost data service reports. Mr de Linde also is a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor. He earned an MSc Degree in Mineral Economics from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA and holds an MBA (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen, Norway.

VP - Commercial,  AmeriTi Manufacturing Company
Matthew Schmink is the Vice President of Commercial Activities at AmeriTi Manufacturing Company. AmeriTi Manufacturing produces ferrotitanium, titanium scrap products, titanium hydride-dehydride powder, and titanium parts via investment casting and metal injection molding. The company is in Detroit, Michigan where it employs 140 people. Mr. Schmink began his career in telecommunications following completion of his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the AmeriTi team in 2006 and has served in a variety of roles within the organization. In 2015, Mr. Schmink completed a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

Director,  US Vanadium
Terrance T. Perles joined US Steel Corporation in 1980 as a Construction Management Engineer and held assignments at the company’s steel mills in Homestead and Clairton, Pennsylvania. In 1988, Mr. Perles joined vanadium producer Stratcor and during his 20-year tenure held positions in sales, marketing and senior management. By 2006, the EVRAZ Group had acquired controlling interest in Stratcor and Mr. Perles joined East Metals S.A. of Lugano Switzerland, the trading arm of the EVRAZ Group. In March 2010, Mr. Perles established TTP Squared, Inc., a metals industry consulting firm serving both producers and consumers of vanadium chemicals and alloys. In May 2012 Mr. Perles joined the senior management team of Atlantic Ltd., owners and operators of the Windimurra vanadium project in Western Australia. In 2019 Mr Perles and a group of investors formed US Vanadium LLC for the purpose of acquiring Evraz Stratcor Inc and the vanadium production facility in Hot Springs Arkansas. Mr. Perles holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh

Senior Consultant,  CRU
Willis Thomas joined CRU Consulting in February 2017. He has worked in the metals industry for more than five years, in pricing, sales, production, and procurement activities. Since joining he has worked with a range of commodities including Tin, Zinc, Potash, Phosphates, Pig Iron, and Wire and Cable. Previously, Willis was the Inside Sales and Production Manager at Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of solder and other non-ferrous wires. There he focused on daily metal pricing for raw and finished products, metals purchasing, and the management of production operations. Before this he worked in economic development with a focus on business outreach and retention. Willis holds an MS in Finance from Colorado State University and a BA in Political Science from Washington & Jefferson College.

Partner,  Sidley Austin
Arnoud Willems leads the EU trade and customs team and co-founded Sidley’s office in Brussels. Mr Willems represents the interests of companies in high-profile trade matters and advises clients on strategies for solving market access problems and resolving other disputes that affect their business. With respect to the latter, he is a leading advocate of companies challenging EU anti-dumping regulations, with an exceptional success rate in such cases before the national and European Courts. Since 2000, Mr Willems has been continuously involved in anti-dumping cases concerning ferroalloys like silicon, ferrosilicon, ferrochrome and silicon manganese.

CEO,  Largo Resources
Graduate of UFMG in Mineral Engineering; Joint MBA from Ohio University & FGV in Business Management, Engineering Economics from FDC, Advanced Finances through FGV and the Advanced Management Program through FDC in conjunction with INSEAD. Paulo brings 36 years of experience in the area of mining, having found considerable success in his work with the Minerações Brasileiras Reunidas - MBR, the AMG Group, Magnesita and Anglo American. Currently, Paulo is the CEO of Largo Resources, a Canadian enterprise operating in Brazil as a subsidiary of Largo Vanádio de Maracás which, with 7 years of operations, has become the worldwide gold standard in Vanadium production. Paulo's leadership is structured around the people and individuals he leads, creating values, optimizing results and bolstering a sense of socio-environmental responsibility.

President & CEO,  Global Energy Metals Corporation

Mitchell Smith is the founder and President & CEO of Global Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV:GEMC), a company offering investment exposure through a diversified global portfolio of cobalt assets in safe, mining-friendly jurisdictions alongside key strategic partners.

Having been involved directly in the cobalt space for over a decade, Mr. Smith was an early adopter in the battery space and recognized the proliferation and mainstream appetite for rechargeable battery powered devices and electric vehicles and the critical role that the metals associated with these sectors play.

He is an accomplished executive and business development professional with deep experience and proven success developing and executing on corporate strategies, marketing relationships and maximizing business opportunities for long-term engagement and strategic relationships. Mr. Smith has negotiated and structured off-take agreements for cobalt material and built relationships with Chinese battery manufacturer intermediaries and facilitated commerce by arranging mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and engineering and procurement construction contracts.

Mr. Smith is also a director of a number of public companies listed in Canada and London.

Vice President - Marketing,  Ambatovy - Dynatec Madagascar SA

Mr. Neatby has been involved in the metals business for over 35 years with Noranda Inc., then Avalon Advanced Materials and currently with Ambatovy Joint Venture in Madagascar, where he is Vice-President of Marketing. His commercial expertise ranges from base metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) to minor metals (Co, Mo, Li) to more exotic elements such as rare earths. Mr. Neatby has been a member of the LME Zinc Committee and former Chairman of the UK Copper Development Association and of the Rare Earth Technology Alliance. Mr. Neatby is Canadian and has worked in Toronto and London and is currently working in Madagascar

Senior Consultant,  CRU
Willis Thomas joined CRU Consulting in February 2017. He has worked in the metals industry for more than five years, in pricing, sales, production, and procurement activities. Since joining he has worked with a range of commodities including Tin, Zinc, Potash, Phosphates, Pig Iron, and Wire and Cable. Previously, Willis was the Inside Sales and Production Manager at Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of solder and other non-ferrous wires. There he focused on daily metal pricing for raw and finished products, metals purchasing, and the management of production operations. Before this he worked in economic development with a focus on business outreach and retention. Willis holds an MS in Finance from Colorado State University and a BA in Political Science from Washington & Jefferson College.

Principal Consultant,  CRU

Director of Sales,  Exotech Inc
Joel Nields is Director of Purchasing and Sales of Tantalum, Niobium, Hafnium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Tungsten, Titanium, and Vanadium scrap for Exotech, Inc. He is an MMTA Board Director and a Member Company Delegate in the Tantalum and Niobium International Study Center

Managing Director,  Advanced Alloys Services Ltd
Stephen Hall graduated with Materials Science and Engineering Honours Degree from University of Wales Swansea in 1998. After graduating, Stephen spent nine years in the heat treatment industry working for TTI Group Ltd. (now Hauck Heat Treatment). At the Cheltenham plant Stephen worked as Quality Manager and later as Plant Manager. Stephen then joined PCC for just under 10 years, firstly at Special Metals Wiggin Ltd., as Manufacturing Improvement Group Manager followed by Metals Manager. Stephen then moved over to sister company, Caledonian Alloys, holding positions of Commercial Director and then Director of Sales and Strategic Planning. Stephen joined Advanced Alloy Services Ltd. as Managing Director in September 2016 and in 2019 completed an MBO to become the owner of the business and has recently set-up Advanced Revert LLC, a Joint Venture business based in Virginia.

Senior Consultant,  CRU
Willis Thomas joined CRU Consulting in February 2017. He has worked in the metals industry for more than five years, in pricing, sales, production, and procurement activities. Since joining he has worked with a range of commodities including Tin, Zinc, Potash, Phosphates, Pig Iron, and Wire and Cable. Previously, Willis was the Inside Sales and Production Manager at Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of solder and other non-ferrous wires. There he focused on daily metal pricing for raw and finished products, metals purchasing, and the management of production operations. Before this he worked in economic development with a focus on business outreach and retention. Willis holds an MS in Finance from Colorado State University and a BA in Political Science from Washington & Jefferson College.

Vice President,  RM Metals
Sam Desai is the Vice President of RM Metals. He graduated with a Doctorate degree from the University of Sciences in Philadelphia in 2000. After working 2 years in the health care field, he joined RM Metals on a full-time basis as a salesman in 2001. Over the years, he has helped expand RM Metals product line to include stainless steel flat rolled, scrap, bars and pipe/tubing. Currently, he devotes majority of his time to sales and marketing of stainless steel worldwide.

Director, Economics and Statistics,  ISSF
Mr. Hasenclever has been the Director of Economics & Statistics and Long Products at the ISSF International Stainless Steel Forum in Brussels since 2014. He has more than 17 years of experience in stainless steel.

Having grown up in Germany, India, Taiwan, the USA and Brazil he started his professional career in 1995 in New York City at Ferrostaal Inc. in international steel and raw material trade and subsequently became a board member assistant in the German corporate headquarters of Ferrostaal AG. After working in the management of the metal market place www.steelscreen.com he joined ThyssenKrupp in 2001. There he held several senior management positions in ThyssenKrupp group companies, foremost at ThyssenKrupp Stainless AG with the focus on stainless steel project management, consultancy, strategy and raw material studies.

Mr. Hasenclever holds a MS in Geography, Sinology and Economics from the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.

Principal Consultant,  CRU

Panos Kotseras is CRU’s lead stainless steel market analyst and Editor of Stainless Steel Flat Products Market Outlook and Stainless Steel Flat Products Monitor. Panos started his career in commercial roles with copper and aluminium fabricators in the 2000s. He joined CRU in 2008 as a copper demand and wire & cable analyst. Panos moved to CRU’s NiSSSA team (Nickel, Stainless Steel and Special Alloys) in 2011, assuming the lead analyst role for cobalt and molybdenum. In 2015, Panos moved on to Rio Tinto Copper focusing on marketing intelligence analysis in the space of copper by-products, especially molybdenum. He rejoined CRU in 2018. Panos holds a first degree in Economics, an MSc in Finance and Commodities, and an MBA.

Principal Analyst,  CRU
Nikhil Shah is responsible for primary nickel analysis at CRU. Prior to this he has gained extensive experience in aluminium and through leadership of CRU’s research on alumina, bauxite, carbon and energy. He has previously been responsible for CRU’s aluminium analysis and contributed to the development of cost models. He also contributes to CRU’s single client work and regularly presents at major industry gatherings. He holds a Masters degree from University of London in Business Economics.

General Manager, Global Sales and Marketing,  Climax Molybdenum
Chris Gnann is the General Manager, Sales and Marketing. Chris joined Climax Molybdenum in 2007 following a 21-year career in the United States Air Force where he led several complex business organizations. He has held sales management, sales & operations planning, and commercial operations roles within Climax. Chris holds a Master of Science degree from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Campbell University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia.

Managing Director,  DCX Chrome – Groupe Delachaux
Yoran Guenegou joined DCX Chrome – Delachaux group in 2009, after various positions held in sales management for oil & gas laboratory equipment, and civil explosives. Mr Guenegou holds an engineering degree in chemical engineering from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon, France and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He is currently work as Managing Director of the company.

Metals and Miing Analyst,  Telf AG

Graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) with a master degree in Finance.

Worked at GPB as an M&A analyst in charge of execution of mid-cap transactions. Participated in more than 20 sell- and buy-side transactions as well as in preparation of several IPOs.

Worked at Novatek as a manager at Strategy department covering Yamal and Arctic LNG projects. Was in charge of investment analysis of projects submitted to the Investment committee and the Board of Directors. Developed a stress-test model for the Company and an optimization plan for the launch of new capacities.

At Telf AG I am in charge of metals and mining coverage with the focus on ferroalloys and base metals as well as evaluation of investment projects.

General Manager, Global Sales and Marketing,  Climax Molybdenum
Chris Gnann is the General Manager, Sales and Marketing. Chris joined Climax Molybdenum in 2007 following a 21-year career in the United States Air Force where he led several complex business organizations. He has held sales management, sales & operations planning, and commercial operations roles within Climax. Chris holds a Master of Science degree from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Campbell University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia.

Principal Analyst,  CRU
Nikhil Shah is responsible for primary nickel analysis at CRU. Prior to this he has gained extensive experience in aluminium and through leadership of CRU’s research on alumina, bauxite, carbon and energy. He has previously been responsible for CRU’s aluminium analysis and contributed to the development of cost models. He also contributes to CRU’s single client work and regularly presents at major industry gatherings. He holds a Masters degree from University of London in Business Economics.

Principal Consultant,  CRU

Panos Kotseras is CRU’s lead stainless steel market analyst and Editor of Stainless Steel Flat Products Market Outlook and Stainless Steel Flat Products Monitor. Panos started his career in commercial roles with copper and aluminium fabricators in the 2000s. He joined CRU in 2008 as a copper demand and wire & cable analyst. Panos moved to CRU’s NiSSSA team (Nickel, Stainless Steel and Special Alloys) in 2011, assuming the lead analyst role for cobalt and molybdenum. In 2015, Panos moved on to Rio Tinto Copper focusing on marketing intelligence analysis in the space of copper by-products, especially molybdenum. He rejoined CRU in 2018. Panos holds a first degree in Economics, an MSc in Finance and Commodities, and an MBA.

Managing Director,  DCX Chrome – Groupe Delachaux
Yoran Guenegou joined DCX Chrome – Delachaux group in 2009, after various positions held in sales management for oil & gas laboratory equipment, and civil explosives. Mr Guenegou holds an engineering degree in chemical engineering from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon, France and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He is currently work as Managing Director of the company.

Metals and Miing Analyst,  Telf AG

Graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) with a master degree in Finance.

Worked at GPB as an M&A analyst in charge of execution of mid-cap transactions. Participated in more than 20 sell- and buy-side transactions as well as in preparation of several IPOs.

Worked at Novatek as a manager at Strategy department covering Yamal and Arctic LNG projects. Was in charge of investment analysis of projects submitted to the Investment committee and the Board of Directors. Developed a stress-test model for the Company and an optimization plan for the launch of new capacities.

At Telf AG I am in charge of metals and mining coverage with the focus on ferroalloys and base metals as well as evaluation of investment projects.