Richard Rast

CEO
Highland Materials, Inc.

Richard Rast leads the Highland team and partners who are focused on product validation, engineering/construction, plant operations, supply and offtake, and financing/funding. Prior to Highland, Rast started, developed, and subsequently sold three successful businesses. His technical expertise includes planning, design, construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing, industrial and commercial facilities; facility decarbonization, renewable energy development; environmental compliance and remediation. Financial expertise includes debt, tax equity, incentives, and private equity. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech.

Marco Levi

CEO
Ferroglobe

Benoist Ollivier

CTIO & Deputy CEO
Ferroglobe

Dr. Benoist Ollivier is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and Deputy CEO at Ferroglobe. With over 35 years of experience in technical and operational roles at both plant and corporate levels, he brings deep industry expertise and leadership. Dr. Ollivier holds multiple Master of Science degrees in Geology and Engineering Design, as well as a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.Previously serving as Chief Operating Officer of Ferroglobe, he has built a strong technical foundation through diverse roles in production and operations. In his current position, he oversees Innovation, Technology, Continuous Improvement, Sustainability, and EH&S.

Gabriella Tranell

Professor
NTNU

MSc, Geotechnology, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, 1992 PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Australia, 1999 Senior Researcher/Research Manager, SINTEF, Norway, 1999-2008 Professor, Process Metallurgy, NTNU, Norway, 2009-

Casper van der Eijk

Senior Scientist
SINTEF

Casper van der Eijk is senior researcher in the Process Metallurgy and Raw Materials group at SINTEF. SINTEF is a research institute in Norway with over 2000 employees. Casper has a M.Sc. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Delft University of Technology (1994). Besides that, he has a Ph.D. in Metallurgy from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1999). He is the centre director for the “Zero Emissions Metal Production” research centre in Norway.

Anne Gry Messenlien

R&D Engineer
Elkem

Harry Rong

Senior Specialist, Silicon
Elkem

Dr. Harry M. Rong has a PhD in Inorganic chemistry in 1992 from the Technical University of Trondheim (NTH), Norway. He joined Elkem in 1991 and except for a short stay as Research Manager at SINTEF in 1996-1997 ha have had several positions in the Elkem organization. He 40 years experience with silicon related topics and he has worked with application of silicon, conversion of ferrosilicon furnaces, production in silicon furnaces, refining of silicon, leaching and purification of silicon, LCA calculations for silicon production, etc. He is founder (together with Professor H. A. Øye) of the conference series Silicon for the Chemical and Solar Industry.

Lukasz Banasik

Member of the Board, CTO
ReAlloys

Dr. Reiner Haus

Managing Director
Dorfner ANZAPLAN GmbH

For decades Dr. Haus´s focus is on specialty minerals and rare metals with a strong academic background in Engineering Geology and Mineral Processing. After his PhD he held senior research manager positions at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass.In 2000 he was appointed Managing Director and in 2010 became shareholder of Dorfner Anzaplan GmbH, a leading independent analytical, consulting and engineering firm in critical minerals and metals based in Germany with projects globally. Dr. Haus completed his EMBA in 2005 and recently became Chairman of newly established ANZAPLAN UK, based in Great Britain.

Mingming Dong

Sales Director
Dadi Juneng Angola Silicon Industry Co., Ltd

Master of Materials Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University3 years of experience in the silicon metal , 6 years of research experience in the new energyindustry.a deep understanding of the new energy industry and be familiar with companies in the upstreamand downstream of the new energy industrya deep understanding and comprehension of the market dynamics , customer demands, and salesstrategies of the metal silicon.

Arnoud Willems

Partner
King & Spalding LLP

Arnoud Willems is a Partner in the International Trade Team of King & Spalding. Arnoud advises clients on all aspects of trade law, including trade remedies, customs, trade compliance, and trade agreements. With over 30 years of experience, he is a trusted adviser to entrepreneurs, executives, and diplomats with an unparalleled network. Arnoud deeply understands how trade rules shape global flows of capital, investment, goods, technology, and services, especially with respect to competitiveness, and the application of trade rules to various sectors. He helps clients navigate complex rules, manage their risks, and become more successful in their long-term strategy.

Dr Till Reek

CTO
Tokai Cobex

Alex Christopher

Senior Analyst
CRU

Alex joined CRU in June 2021 and is a Senior Analyst in the Aluminium Team, based in London. He has previous experience in the CRU Multi Commodity Team and as an Exploration Geologist working for a private equity group with global interests. At CRU, Alex is part of the Aluminium team; he is responsible for primary aluminium supply analysis and the Aluminium Long Term Market Outlook. During his time in the Multi Commodity Team, he was responsible for the day-to-day delivery of content to strategic partner Fitch Ratings, the delivery of cross-commodity insights and analysis as well as a regular support for projects across the business. As a mineral exploration geologist Alex worked on projects in multiple mining jurisdictions including Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Montenegro and Arizona. During this time, he was exposed to several different mineral deposits and commodities, including gold, zinc, lead, silver, nickel, copper and cobalt. Alex holds an MSc in Mining Geology from the Camborne School of Mines (University of Exeter) and an MSci in Geoscience with A Year of International Study from Royal Holloway, University of London. His International Year was spent at the University of Toronto. Alex also serves on the Executive Committee of Young Mining Professionals (YMP) London  a chapter of growing international association of young mining professionals.

Valdiney Domingos

CEO & Founder
Si&MEx Solutions GmbH

Yidan Wang

International marketing and sales
LAPSEN

Director of International Liaison Office - Silicon Subsection of China Iron and Steel Association Director of the External Liaison Office - China Lime Association Head of international sales, LAPSEN GROUP 14 years working experience in Metallurgical industry, lime and cement industry and ferroalloy industry

Jorn de Linde

Senior Vice President
CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU in April 1996.Based in the United States, Jorn specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. He is the principal author of CRU's Silicon Metal Market Outlook and Silicon Cost data service reports.Jorn is also a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor.Jorn 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.

Simon Price

Director, Energy Transition
CRU

Simon more than 25 years' experience in the renewable energy and technology sectors, as a business and technology analyst, CEO, and editor of several business publications.