TEAM

You Can Trust

Chris L.

CEO

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

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.

Neil P.

Head of Strategic Relationships

Neil is a mining investment and strategy professional with extensive experience in project evaluation, corporate strategy, business development, and cross-border collaboration. He began his career with BHP, where he developed strong capabilities across investment assessment, strategic analysis, commercial negotiations, and transaction execution. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in mining projects and investment opportunities ranging from USD 50 million to USD 7 billion, building deep expertise in asset identification, value assessment, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development.

At VI Group, Neil is based in the Beijing office and travels regularly between China and Australia. In his role, he supports Chinese investors seeking exposure to the Australian mining sector, helping connect capital with quality mining assets and project owners in a clear and efficient manner. He also brings practical experience working with Traditional Owners in Australia, an increasingly important capability in the context of ESG, social licence, and long-term project development.

Lily L.

Head of Intl Partnerships

Dr. Lily possesses a profound international academic background and extensive experience in cross-border collaboration. She has been actively involved in the fields of mining engineering, international exchange, and talent development. She graduated from the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), with a primary focus on the application of computational rock mechanics in mining and energy engineering.

Throughout her career, Lily worked at Mining One Pty Ltd, an Australian mining consultancy, and gained substantial field experience at Glencore, where she participated deeply in numerous mining engineering research and technical projects. Subsequently, she joined Dalian University of Technology, engaging in teaching and scientific research, where she independently developed an open-pit slope monitoring and early warning platform. She has also been invited as an Adjunct Lecturer at UNSW and Monash University in Australia, consistently promoting academic exchanges and professional cooperation between China and Australia.

Beyond her professional work, Lily has always been committed to international talent development and cross-industry resource integration. She has organized exchange programs for young engineers, assisted Chinese enterprises in connecting with overseas professionals, and actively supported Chinese scholars and students in exploring international development opportunities in Australia.

Cristain P.

ESG Advisor

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

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

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

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

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

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.

CREDENTIALS

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

Partnering with asset owners, we enhance value, attract aligned capital, connect upstream and downstream partners, and deliver outcomes – please contact us for a confidential discussion.

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:

BACK TO TOP

Scroll to Top