- Experienced mining executive to
lead State’s premier minerals research body - Vanessa Torres succeeds Miriam
Stanborough in role - Appointments drive innovation and
research excellence in Western Australia
Mines and Petroleum
Minister David Michael today announced the appointment of Dr Vanessa Torres as
the new chair of the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
Dr Torres will assume the
role on 1 January 2026 for an initial three-year term.
She succeeds Miriam
Stanborough AM, who has led the MRIWA Board since January 2020.
Dr Torres joins MRIWA
following a distinguished career of more than 25 years across the global
resources industry, including senior leadership roles.
She is a current director
of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and the Minerals Council
of Australia.
Dr Torres holds a
Doctorate in Minerals Engineering along with executive education from INSEAD, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and London Business School and was the winner of the
2025 AFR Women in Leadership Award.
A number of other changes
will be made to the MRIWA board in the new year with:
- existing
board member Mr Gerard Danckert assumes the role of Deputy Chair on 1 March
2026, replacing Dr Linda Tompkins in the role; - Dr
Michelle Carey being appointed for a three-year term from 1 March 2026; and - Mr Rylee
Campbell and Ms Michele Spencer each being re-appointed for three-year terms
from 1 February 2026.
These appointments come
as MRIWA continues to support minerals research while legislation to expand its
research scope to include clean energy and emissions reduction research is
currently before Parliament.
Comments attributed to
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
“I congratulate Dr Torres
and the other board members on their appointment and look forward to working
with them as MRIWA continues to drive innovation and research excellence in
Western Australia.
“Dr Torres brings exceptional leadership experience across operations,
strategy, technology and business development that will be invaluable as MRIWA
navigates the opportunities presented by the global energy transition and
critical minerals boom.
“I would also like to
express my sincere gratitude to Miriam Stanborough for her outstanding service
as MRIWA chair over the past six years.
“Miriam has been
instrumental in strengthening MRIWA’s collaborative partnerships between
industry, academia and government and her leadership has positioned the
Institute to support Western Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.
“Her contribution to the
minerals sector was rightfully recognised in 2023 when she was appointed a
Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the mining
industry and the community.”