Stuart is an underground mining professional with more than 20 years’ experience across manufacturing, operations, and engineering disciplines. An electrician by trade, he has completed further qualifications in hazardous area electrical management and installation, as well as mining electrical engineering. These qualifications have enabled him to hold an Underground Electrical Engineering Manager appointment and progress into senior engineering roles, including Engineering Superintendent and Engineering and Maintenance Manager for a prominent coal company. Stuart also has significant experience in the manufacture of underground mining equipment, including building and commissioning a range of development equipment and longwall systems, with particular expertise in certification and certified equipment installation. Most recently, Stuart held the position of Operations Manager at Komatsu’s Parkhurst manufacturing facility, where he drove a strong and structured culture focused on safety and productivity. Stuart’s current role is Regional Manager – QLD for Komatsu Mining. His vision is to provide the underground mining community with fit-for-purpose equipment, offer practical assistance, be part of the solution to customer challenges, and share in their success.

Helen Gibson is the Vice President for Komatsu’s underground soft rock business across Australasia, based out of Rutherford in NSW. Helen has a Masters in Mining Engineering from Camborne School of Mines in the UK and is also a qualified Human Resources professional, having spent her early career in Human Resource and Learning & Development. Helen joined Komatsu in 2011 and during her time has progressed through various roles within the underground business, gaining international experience in human resources, service, customer account management, and strategy. Her most recent role, before coming to Australia, was a three-year stint as General Manager of Komatsu’s underground soft rock business in India, rounding off a total of seven years supporting the growth in this market. Helen is committed to solving customers’ challenges and is passionate about advancing automation technologies in underground mining, recognising their potential to drive safety, efficiency and long-term sustainability for our industry. In 2024, Helen was recognised as a WIM100 (Women In Mining), a prestigious cohort of 100 global inspirational women in mining and continues to work to further contribute to empowering women in their careers in the mining industry.