TEAM
You Can Trust
Chris L.
CEO
FAusIMM, CP (Mining), SSE, FCMM, RPEQ, PMP, MAICD
Chris is a highly accomplished mining executive with nearly two decades of experience in the global mining industry, specialising in leading mining projects from exploration to production. As a Fellow and Chartered Professional of AusIMM, a Registered Professional Engineer (RPEQ), and a committee member of The Australia China Business Council (ACBC), Chris is recognised for his deep cross-border expertise and ability to bridge industry collaboration between Australia and China.
He has held senior leadership roles in both Australian and Chinese resource companies, including Northern Star Resources, AngloGold Ashanti, and Yuxin Holdings Group, where he served as Vice President. Most recently, he was Managing Director & CEO of Chinova Resources. In these roles, he has driven operational excellence, M&A transactions, and sustainable growth across gold, copper, and base metal projects, with a strong focus on cross-border collaboration between Australia and China.
Justin N.
Strategy Advisor
AUSIMM, MIEAust, M. Eng(Civil), M. AppSc
Justin N. is a seasoned mining executive with over 30 years of management experience, having led numerous multinational mining operations and multi-billion-dollar capital investment projects. He has delivered major projects for top-tier mining companies including Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, CITIC Pacific, and AngloGold Ashanti, with deep expertise in project execution, strategic growth, and managing operations in high-risk jurisdictions. As a global expert in the full project and commercial management cycle, Justin has successfully delivered individual investments exceeding USD $3 billion and concurrent mega-project portfolios valued at up to USD $15 billion.
Eduardo Z.
South America Advisor
Eduardo Z. is a senior executive with over 35 years of international leadership experience in the mining industry, managing the full lifecycle of mineral exploration, development, financing, and operations. He has held senior leadership roles at renowned mining companies including Antofagasta, Barrick, Kinross, Goldcorp, and Grupo Minero Bacis, and previously served as Senior Vice President at Bear Creek Mining and Venture Partner at 30N Capital. Eduardo has successfully led the development and execution of multiple multi-billion-dollar projects, facilitated TSX listings, and completed several cross-border acquisitions. He holds a NACD Certified Directorship and dual degrees in Electrical and Industrial Engineering, with proven expertise in driving strategic growth and value creation in complex jurisdictions.
Cristain P.
ESG Advisor
B. Econ & Business, M. in Dev Econ, MBA
Cristian is a senior economist with over 20 years of experience advising global mining investments, specialising in copper projects, ESG strategies, and socio-economic impact assessments. His expertise lies in evaluating political, economic, and stakeholder risks that impact mining investment decisions.
Throughout his career, he has held senior roles at BHP, Barrick, Citibank, and The University of Queensland’s Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining. He has also led over 50 large-scale consultancy assignments across Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and North America—bringing both a global perspective and a nuanced understanding of local realities.
Peter C.
Corporate Advisor
B. Eng(Min), MBA
Peter is an engaging, approachable and driven mining leader with over 18 years of experience delivering excellence in operations, project studies and experience in M&A across a diverse portfolio of locations and commodities. He has a strong track record in leading major greenfield and brownfield projects from feasibility to execution, with deep expertise in mine construction, operational ramp-up, and strategic optimisation.
As a seasoned mining consultant, he has led greenfield and brownfield projects from studies to execution, while driving operational optimisation and strategic growth. He has successfully managed multi-million-dollar underground and open-pit projects, including shaft sinking, infrastructure upgrades, and operational transformation programs, while driving safety, productivity, and long-term value creation.
Andrew H.
Operational Advisor
B.Eng (Min), FCMM, M.AusIMM, GAICD
Andrew is a strategic mining leader with over 15 years of experience in extensive operational and technical expertise across Australia and international markets, including experience at PanAust Ltd with a Chinese background. He brings a broad experience across multiple mining and processing methods in multiple commodities, ranging from resource definition through studies, operations, community, closure and change management.
He has held senior roles with PYBAR Mining Services and Redpath Australia, where he drove operational excellence, contract management, and complex project execution. As a respected strategic leader with strong collaboration and mentoring capability, he has successfully led operations, project studies, and change management initiatives across multiple commodities and mining methods.
Yibo Z.
Technical Advisor
B. Eng(Min),FCMM
Yibo is a mining Engineer with 12 years of experience in underground hard rock mining in Australia, complemented by extensive consulting expertise and strong familiarity with both Chinese and Australian technical standards and terminology. His cross-cultural technical insight and bilingual capability make him adept at bridging Chinese and Australian mining practices, ensuring efficient project execution and strategic collaboration.
Worked in a range of roles, including Senior Mining Engineer/Alternate Underground Manager, Senior Production Engineer, Senior Planning Engineer, Production Engineer, Mining Engineer and Open Pit Mining Engineer. He has extensive expertise in mine design, scheduling, production management, and major infrastructure projects across both greenfield and brownfield operations.
Ken W.
Technical Advisor
B. Eng(Min), CP(Mining), RPEQ
Ken is a senior mining engineer with more than 12 years of experience, specialising in both metal and coal mining operations.
Starting his career as a top graduate recruited by Rio Tinto, Ken quickly demonstrated exceptional technical and leadership capabilities, taking on key roles in production, planning, and project management. He has consistently driven operational efficiency, optimised mine planning, and delivered strategic project outcomes across diverse mining sectors.
Daniel Y.
Technical Advisor
B. Eng(Min), GradCert PMgt, MAusIMM
Daniel is a highly motivated and results-driven bilingual senior Mining Engineer with over 9 years of comprehensive experience across both metalliferous (underground gold, copper) and open-pit (coal) mining sectors, with proficiency in end-to-end technical mine management.
Possessing deep technical expertise spanning underground ventilation, production management, drill & blast (UG & OP), and short-to-long-term mine planning & optimisation. Proven ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders to drive project success. Eager to leverage a robust analytical skillset and proactive approach to teamwork and complex problem-solving to deliver significant value.
Haitao M.
IT Manager
Haitao is a seasoned IT manager with a solid 26 years under his belt in the IT industry, including 8 years as an IT manager in the mining sector.
During his time as IT Manager at Silvercorp Group, he successfully spearheaded the deep integration of information technology with mining operations. He achieved breakthrough results in optimising financial accounting systems, settling mining and excavation projects, and enhancing mine safety.
Olivia L.
Marketing Coordinator
Olivia is a creative and data-driven marketing specialist with experience across SEO, social media strategy, and video production. Skilled in creating high-performing content, including blogs, social media posts and promotional videos that drive engagement and brand visibility. Currently serving as Marketing Coordinator at VI Group, managing content strategy and daily operations across multiple social media accounts.
Strong understanding of both Western and Asian digital platforms, with hands-on experience in campaign optimisation and audience research. Passionate about aligning content with brand voice and driving measurable results. She thrives in fast-paced environments, balancing creativity with analytical thinking to support business growth. She is always eager to explore emerging trends and tools to stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.
Paul J.
Data Analyst
Paul is currently a postgraduate student in Information Systems at The University of Queensland and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science from The University of Sydney. He possesses a strong technical foundation in data analysis, with proficiency in SQL, R, and Python programming languages. He is also experienced in web scraping, enabling efficient collection and processing of data from diverse online sources.
At VI Group, Paul serves as a Data Analyst and IT Support specialist, where he is responsible for conducting comprehensive data analysis and providing technical support to the team. His expertise lies in transforming complex data into actionable insights that drive informed business decisions. He is dedicated to leveraging data-driven approaches to solve practical challenges and continuously seeks opportunities for professional growth and innovation.
Global Mining Expertise and Credentials
VI Group’s team brings together extensive experience in the global mining industry, spanning exploration, mine planning, operations, business strategy, and corporate leadership. With a proven track record across Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, our professionals have played key roles in developing, optimizing, and managing mining projects at every stage. We hold top-tier academic qualifications and professional certifications, including First Class Mine Manager’s Certificates, Site Senior Executive (SSE) Certification, and JORC & VALMIN Code Reporting Professional Certification, ensuring our ability to drive innovation and sustainability in mining operations.
Technical and Operational Excellence
Our technical team consists of highly experienced mining engineers and geologists with a strong background in mine planning, operations, and project evaluation. We have consistently delivered 15-30% efficiency improvements in project execution and have evaluated over 50 global mining projects, supporting M&A decisions, feasibility studies, and due diligence. Our expertise spans multiple commodities, including gold, copper, lead, zinc, and coal, enabling us to optimize mining operations across various sectors.
3. Strategic Business and Financial Leadership.
Strategic Business and Financial Leadership
Our business advisors bring deep knowledge in mining finance, strategic planning, and corporate development. We have led major exploration projects and acquisitions, developed resource industry cost estimation models, and provided financial modelling and cost analysis to support investment decisions. Key qualifications include Fellow & Chartered Professional (Mining) – AusIMM, Registered Practicing Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ), and Project Management Professional (PMP), further providing deep industry insights and expert guidance in the mining industry.
CONTACT
We look forward to communicating and collaborating with you!
Email:info@vigroup.com.au
Website:www.vigroup.com.au
Address:201/66 High Street, Toowong QLD, Australia 4066
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form: