Chris Jackson

Senior Ventilation Engineer | Howden Ventsim

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Chris Jackson is a Senior Ventilation Engineer with Howden Ventsim. With a deep background in applied mine ventilation engineering, he specializes in complex 3D ventilation modeling, troubleshooting underground airflow challenges, and providing high-level technical support and training to Ventsim users worldwide.

Key Expertise:

• Advanced 3D Ventilation Modeling
• Technical Training & User Support
• Underground Airflow Optimization

Jose Pinedo

Ventsim Sales Manager | Howden Ventsim

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Jose Pinedo is the Ventsim Sales Manager at Howden Ventsim. He is responsible for driving global sales strategies, managing key client relationships, and ensuring mining operations worldwide have access to industry-leading ventilation simulation tools. Jose works closely with mining professionals to understand their operational needs and provide tailored software solutions.

Key Expertise:

• Technical Software Sales
• Global Business Development
• Client Relationship Management

Chris McGuire

Senior Process Engineer | Hatch

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Chris McGuire is an experienced Senior Process Engineer at Hatch with over 15 years of expertise in the mining and metals industry. He specializes in the design, optimization, and commissioning of complex mineral processing plants and hydrometallurgical facilities across Australia and international markets.

Key Expertise:

• Process Flowsheet Development & Optimization
• Comminution & Flotation Circuit Design
• Project Management & EPCM Delivery
• Operational Readiness & Plant Commissioning

Marle Hooman

Managing Director | BBE Consulting Australasia

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Marle Hooman is the Managing Director of BBE Consulting Australasia and current President of the Mine Ventilation Society of Australia (2025–2026). A chemical engineer turned mining specialist, she has over 17 years of experience in the design and execution of complex ventilation, refrigeration, and cooling systems for both surface and underground mines globally.

Key Expertise:

• Underground Mine Ventilation & Refrigeration Design
• Mine Heat Load & Airflow Simulations (VUMA3D, Ventsim)
• Feasibility Studies & Detailed Engineering (EPCM)
• Underground Bulk Air Heat Exchanger Optimization

Melissa Brown

Refrigeration Engineer | Hatch, LKAB

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Melissa Brown is a highly skilled Refrigeration Engineer with experience spanning global engineering consultancy at Hatch and operational applications at LKAB. She specializes in the design, implementation, and optimization of industrial refrigeration and cooling systems essential for maintaining safe and sustainable underground mining environments.

Key Expertise:

• Mine Refrigeration & Cooling Systems
• Underground Thermal Management
• Sustainable Engineering Solutions

Michael Shearer

Ventilation and Compliance Engineer | Mine Ventilation Society

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Michael Shearer is a highly skilled Ventilation and Compliance Engineer representing the Mine Ventilation Society. His work focuses on ensuring safe underground environments, strictly adhering to regulatory compliance, and optimizing ventilation systems for both operational efficiency and worker health.

Key Expertise:

• Mine Ventilation Engineering
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety Standards
• Underground Air Quality Management

Liu Yu Bing

Lecturer | Laboratory of Electro Magnetic Radiation, CUMT

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Liu Yu Bing is a Lecturer at the Laboratory of Electro Magnetic Radiation at CUMT (China University of Mining and Technology). Their research and work focus on the application of electromagnetic radiation technologies and monitoring within mining environments.

Key Expertise:

• Electromagnetic Radiation Analysis
• Geophysical Monitoring Systems
• Mining Hazard Forecasting

John Bowling

Principal Consultant | SRK Consulting

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John Bowling is a Principal Consultant at SRK Consulting. With extensive experience in the mining sector, he provides high-level strategic guidance, technical reviews, and independent engineering solutions to mining operations globally. His focus is on optimizing mine design, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating operational risks for complex projects.

Key Expertise:

• Strategic Mine Planning & Design
• Technical Due Diligence & Auditing
• Operational Risk Management

Glenn Savage

Global Mining Specialist

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Glenn Savage is a Global Mining Specialist with extensive international experience across the mining sector. He specializes in driving operational excellence, implementing industry best practices, and integrating innovative technologies to optimize mining operations worldwide.

Key Expertise:

• Global Mine Optimization
• Technology & System Integration
• Operational Best Practices

Florian Michelin

Managing Director | Howden Ventsim Australia

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Florian Michelin is an experienced Mechanical Engineer and Managing Director specializing in computational fluid dynamics and the development of industry-leading mining ventilation and piping simulation software.

Key Expertise:

• Ventilation on Demand (VOD)
• Software Development & Algorithm Optimization
• Mine Ventilation & Pumpsim Design

Darryl Witow

Ventilation Specialist | Hatch

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Darryl Witow is a highly experienced Senior Ventilation Specialist at Hatch with over 35 years of expertise in the mining and metals industry. Based in Canada, he is a recognized authority in the design and optimization of complex underground ventilation systems for some of the world's largest mining projects.

Key Expertise:

• Primary & Secondary Ventilation System Design
• Mine Air Heating & Cooling Systems
• Feasibility Studies & Detailed Engineering (EPCM)
• Ventilation on Demand (VOD) Implementation

Daniel Sepúlveda

Senior Ventilation Engineer | Palaris

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Daniel Sepúlveda is an experienced Senior Ventilation Engineer at Palaris with over 6 years of experience in the resource industry. He is a qualified Ventsim Software Instructor who has trained over 100 professionals globally and specializes in delivering innovative solutions for complex underground mining projects across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Key Expertise:

• Mine Ventilation Design & Infrastructure
• Heat Modeling & Simulation (Ventsim)
• Gas Management & Air Quality Monitoring
• Ventilation Control Strategies & Energy Management

Cheng Jianwei

Professor | Key Laboratory of Gas and Dust Explosion Prevention, CUMT

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Cheng Jianwei is a Professor at the Key Laboratory of Gas and Dust Explosion Prevention at CUMT (China University of Mining and Technology). His research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of, and advanced preventative strategies for, gas and combustible dust explosions in underground mining environments to enhance overall mine safety.

Key Expertise:

• Gas and Dust Explosion Mechanics
• Mine Safety Engineering & Risk Mitigation
• Hazardous Gas Monitoring and Control

Basil Beamish

Managing Director | B# Mining Services

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Basil Beamish is the Managing Director of B# Mining Services. With extensive leadership experience in the mining sector, he provides expert consulting and specialized services to improve mine safety, operational efficiency, and hazard risk management, particularly in areas like spontaneous combustion and mine gases.

Key Expertise:

• Strategic Mine Management
• Spontaneous Combustion & Hazard Assessment
• Risk Mitigation & Mining Consulting

Dr. Adrianus "Adrian" Halim

Senior Lecturer | Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

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Dr. Adrianus Halim is a Senior Lecturer in Mining and Rock Engineering at Luleå University of Technology with over 25 years of experience as a researcher, consultant, and site engineer across Australia, Indonesia, and the EU. He is a leading expert in underground ventilation systems, specifically focusing on the transition to carbon-neutral mining through electrification.

Key Expertise:

• Electrification of Mining Fleets & Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
• Underground Mine Ventilation Design & Surveying
• Ventilation on Demand (VOD) & Energy Optimization
• Caving Mines Geomechanics

Lisa Andrews

Senior Mine Consultant | Mining Plus

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Lisa Andrews is an experienced Senior Mine Consultant with specialized expertise in ventilation modeling and software integrations such as Deswik and Ventsim.

Key Expertise:

• Ventilation Design
• Process Mapping
• Software Workflow Integration

Jenni Hooli

PhD Candidate | Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

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Jenni Hooli is a Doctoral Student in Mining and Rock Engineering at Luleå University of Technology. Her research is central to the NEXGEN SIMS project, where she focuses on the operational integration of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in underground mining to achieve zero-carbon targets.

Key Expertise:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) & Fleet Electrification
• Discrete Event Simulation (DES) for Mining Operations
• Underground Mine Productivity & Operational Analysis
• Sustainable Mining & Emissions Reduction

Martin Griffith

Software Team Leader | Howden Ventsim

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Dr. Martin Griffith is a specialized Mechanical and Computational Engineer and Software Team Leader with over 20 years of experience in fluid dynamics and numerical simulation. Based in Helsinki, he leads software development initiatives for the Ventsim suite, focusing on advanced simulation features for underground mining environments.

Key Expertise:

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) & Aerodynamics
• Heat and Vehicle Modeling (EV & Battery Fire Simulation)
• Numerical Analysis & Algorithm Development

Andrew Branch

Director | BBE Projects (BBE Group)

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Andrew Branch is a Director and Managing Director at BBE Projects, a division of the BBE Group specializing in the turnkey design, engineering, and construction of mine ventilation and refrigeration systems. He has extensive experience managing large-scale, international cooling projects, including the successful remote execution of major refrigeration plants in Canada and South Africa.

Key Expertise:

• Turnkey Mine Refrigeration & Cooling Plant Construction
• Project Management & Remote Commissioning
• Deep Mine Heat Load Mitigation & Ventilation Design
• EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management) Collaboration

Dan Pearce

Director | MineSol Pty Ltd

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Dan Pearce is the Director of MineSol Pty Ltd and a highly qualified mine ventilation specialist with over a decade of experience in the Australian underground coal mining sector. He is a certified Statutory Ventilation Officer and a Deputy of Underground Coal Mines, bringing deep technical knowledge to mine safety and operational efficiency.

Key Expertise:

• Underground Coal Mine Ventilation Design
• Statutory Compliance & Ventilation Officer Duties
• Explosives Management (Blasting Explosives User License)
• Project Management & Operational Leadership

Jeff Norris

Senior Ventilation Engineer | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

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Jeff Norris is a highly experienced Senior Ventilation Engineer at Agnico Eagle Mines, currently based at the Fosterville Gold Mine. He specializes in the design and management of complex primary ventilation systems for deep underground operations, focusing on heat management and regulatory compliance.

Key Expertise:

• Deep Mine Ventilation Design & Planning
• Heat Stress Management & Refrigeration
• Secondary Ventilation Systems Optimization
• Underground Fire Simulation & Emergency Response

Jan Theiler

B# Mining Services

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Basil Beamish is a recognized expert in the field of spontaneous combustion hazard assessment for both coal and metal sulphides. As the Managing Director of B# Mining Services, he provides industry-leading strategies for hazard likelihood analysis and advanced gas monitoring methodologies.

MG Mynhardt

Principal Engineer - Global Mine Cooling | Howden

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MG Mynhardt is the Principal Engineer for Global Mine Cooling at Howden. With extensive expertise in underground thermal management, he leads the design, engineering, and implementation of large-scale refrigeration and cooling systems critical for maintaining safe and productive environments in deep mining operations worldwide.

Key Expertise:

• Underground Mine Cooling & Refrigeration
• Thermal Environment Management
• Ventilation System Integration

Anu Martikainen

(Section Manager) | Hatch, LKAB

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Lisa Andrews is an experienced Senior Mine Consultant with specialized expertise in ventilation modeling and software integrations such as Deswik and Ventsim.

Key Expertise:

• Ventilation Design
• Process Mapping
• Software Workflow Integration

Description:

CFD analysis and advanced design tools are increasingly critical in mine ventilation projects where maximizing airflow utilization of existing shafts and high‑velocity airways is required. This course provides engineers and technologists with the skills to identify applications that warrant advanced analysis, along with a practical overview of available tools and the key input data required for effective use.

The course will address design and operational considerations including mine shaft conveyance stability, flow behavior at primary fan stations, and the accuracy and limitations of primary ventilation circuit pressure‑loss calculations. Real‑world case studies will be presented to highlight key findings, common pitfalls, and lessons learned.

Additional topics include system effect in primary fan installations, design considerations for seasonal air‑density variation, and control‑system authority and linearization. Emphasis is placed on practical application, informed decision‑making, and understanding when advanced tools add value versus when simpler methods are sufficient.

Description:

Understanding the principles that influence the need for mechanical refrigeration will be discussed. How these systems work, their location at surface vs underground, what they consist of will be discussed in Part 1. Part 2 will look at practical applications installed globally in mines ranging from 1km to 4km below surface.

Description:

• workshop will provide a practical, risk-based approach to developing and maintaining a mine-specific, living Ventilation Basis of Design (BoD).
• Building on the accompanying IMVC 2026 paper, the session will focus on how ventilation hazards—such as heat, contaminants, pressure differentials and airflow constraints—translate into explicit design criteria and, ultimately, into very different infrastructure, energy and cost outcomes.
• Through real mining examples and guided exercises, participants will explore how commonly adopted “good practice values for temperature limits, air velocities, shaft pressures and heat loads can lead to inconsistent or sub-optimal designs when not clearly justified and documented.
• The workshop will also address how existing infrastructure, equipment performance, rock properties, conveyors and operational constraints should be incorporated into a robust Basis of Design.

Attendees will gain:

• A clear understanding of what constitutes an effective ventilation Basis of Design,
• A structured framework to create or audit BoDs in their own operations,
• Insight into how poorly defined design bases increase technical and operational risk, and
• F25Practical guidance on developing BoDs that are transparent, traceable and suitable for third-party review.

Description:

The use of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in underground mines has a significant influence on the mine ventilation system. BEVs do not emit gases and emit significantly less heat than equivalent diesel-powered machines. However, since the use of BEVs in underground mines is relatively new, its influence upon the mine ventilation system is still not well understood. This workshop will outline the known and unknown aspects, and what needs to be done to make BEVs as standard production equipment in underground hard rock mines. The content is based on the outcomes of presenters' past projects funded by the European Union (EU), Swedish government, and OZ Minerals/BHP that includes field measurements in underground hard rock mines in Sweden, Finland, and Poland, as well as simulations of underground hard rock mines in Finland, Poland, and Australia. Outcomes of similar projects carried out in several Canadian mines will also be outlined in this workshop.

Description:

In this work shop, Ventsim DESIGN's developpers will take the attendees through the steps required to efficiently build, calibrate and extend a ventilation model. The workshop will be run as a step by step guide allowing the attendees to follow along using training licenses. Key or little known features will be highlighted in the process.

Description:

In this work shop, Ventsim DESIGN's developpers will take the attendees through the steps required to efficiently build, calibrate and extend a ventilation model. The workshop will be run as a step by step guide allowing the attendees to follow along using training licenses. Key or little known features will be highlighted in the process.

Description:

• Strategies for organizing measurements, manpower, order for surveying a large mine
• Reconciling data with changing conditions
• Organizing larger datasets

Description:

Consideration for sustainable technologies in mine ventilation applications has become increasingly important with operating cost sensitivities and corporate sustainability targets. This workshop will provide an overview of available alternative technologies for mine air heating and cooling applications and discuss key considerations for assessing their feasibility of implementation in comparison to traditional technologies. Insights from real-world installations will be provided. Example technologies include: absorption chillers, mine air heat exchange and cryogenic cooling.

Description:

This workshop aims to provide the Ventilation Engineer with a working knowledge of the equipment that drives and conditions ventilation systems. At the completion of this workshop Ventilation Engineers will know what the options are, know what inputs are required and how to assess those options for optimal selection and implementation.

Fans:

• Fan types
• Fan system auxiliary equipment
• Application of fans in Primary & Booster mining ventilation systems
• Fan system pressure loss calculations, equating ventilation modelling pressure to Fan pressure
• Assessing fan system input power, ensuring ventilation modelling is utilising true input system efficiency
• Surface fan system noise calculations and specifying noise requirements

Cooling:

• Assessing and specifying design criteria
• Cooling system types, refrigeration machine options, bulk air cooler options, heat rejection options
• Application of cooling systems
• Trade off analysis for preferred option

Description:

Mine gas explosion is one of the most feared hazards in the coal industry worldwide. More often one gas explosion related accident can cause the death of multiple coal miners. In this workshop, the following goals are made for improving the safety in mines: (1) to summarize and update technical information on strategic importance of controlling the underground mine atmosphere to avoid any explosion risks; (2) to develop risk assessment models which are good for analysing the explosive atmosphere in mines. (3) to present any mitigation and protection methods, focusing on developing explosion suppression inhibitors and engineering measures to enhance the anti-explosion capacity of underground facilities.

Description:

This workshop will be presented as two modules. The first module will cover spontaneous combustion hazard potential and hazard likelihood assessment of both coal and metal sulphides. Operational examples will be used to show attendees how to formally assess their spontaneous combustion hazard likelihood under site-specific conditions. The second module will cover coal mine gas monitoring including initial gas evolution testing for assessing key indicators of coal self-heating, optimising the use of carbon monoxide gas indicators and practical TARP trigger setting based on sensitivity analysis. Attendees will be provided with operational examples of the latest application of assessing self-heating status in underground coal mines.

Description:

Workshop Summary: Practical Demonstration and Use of Mine Ventilation Equipment – Pros and Cons for Practitioners This workshop provides a hands-on, practical exploration of the most commonly used and new mine ventilation equipment in contemporary mining operations. Attendees will engage directly with instruments and technologies used for airflow measurement, gas monitoring, pressure surveys, ducting systems, auxiliary ventilation setups, and real-time monitoring platforms. Through guided demonstrations, participants will assess the operational strengths and limitations of each device or system, gaining a realistic and practitioner-focused understanding of how ventilation tools perform in field environments.

The session bridges theory with practice by showcasing how equipment behaves under actual operating conditions, highlighting factors such as accuracy, durability, calibration needs, environmental influences, and suitability for different mining and tunnelling contexts. Participants will also examine common pitfalls, troubleshooting approaches, and criteria for selecting the right equipment for specific ventilation tasks.

Benefits for Attendees

1. Hands‑On Experience With Real Equipment
   Practice using key ventilation instruments rather than only learning about them theoretically. Observe real-time performance differences between tools and brands.
2. Improved Technical Competence
   Strengthen practical skills in airflow, gas, and pressure measurement. Gain confidence in interpreting instrument outputs and understanding measurement uncertainty.
3. Clear Understanding of Pros and Cons
   Learn the operational advantages and constraints of each piece of equipment. Identify common failure points and develop strategies for avoiding incorrect or misleading data collection.
4. Better Equipment Selection for Field Tasks
   Understand which tools are most suitable for production areas, development headings, shaft work, or emergency situations.
   Compare cost, maintenance requirements, and reliability to support procurement decisions.
5. Enhanced Safety and Compliance Knowledge
   See how proper equipment use directly affects statutory compliance and workplace health and safety outcomes.
   Learn to recognise abnormal ventilation conditions more effectively through accurate measurement techniques.
6. Peer Learning and Professional Networking
   Share experiences with other practitioners facing similar operational challenges. Benchmark your approach and learn from real case studies and best-practice examples.
7. Immediate Application Back on Site
   Walk away with practical insights that can be applied on shift, during inspections, surveys, or investigations.
   Reduce downtime and improve data quality through better tool handling and field techniques.

Description:

How to use the deswik to ventsim export function and using process maps to speed up the process/keep it consistent, including time stamping from the schedule to create different stages. - EXPORT LAYERS ETC

Description:

Based on the analysis of complex mining conditions and severe disaster risks—particularly the coupling factors in gas-related hazards—this presentation introduces a cloud-based big data monitoring and early-warning platform. It demonstrates how mining safety data can be effectively utilized for risk identification and proactive supervision, thereby enhancing overall safety management and inspection in underground coal mines.