17th Rare Earth Summit

Ruijun Li
Deputy Director of the Institute of Natural Resources Policies and Regulations
Chinese Academy of Natural Resources Economics

Mr. Ruijun Li has been engaged in research on mineral resource planning, drafting policy documents for mining administration, and analysis of the supply and demand trends of individual mineral resources for many years. The related work primarily supports relevant authorities in mineral resource management, the formulation of national and provincial mineral resource plans, and strategic consultation in specific strategic mineral resource sectors.

Dawei Shi
Director of the Magnetic Materials Research Institute
Fujian Golden Dragon Rare-Earth Co., Ltd.

Mr. Dawei Shi a member of the Communist Party of China. He holds a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics, and is a Senior Engineer. He currently serves as the Director of the Magnetic Materials Research Institute and Deputy Director of the Engineering Technology Center at Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd. (Jinlong Rare Earth). He graduated in Materials Physics from Wuhan University in 2009 and received his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2014. During his doctoral studies, he conducted collaborative research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Tohoku University, Japan. He has long been engaged in the R&D and industrialization of magnetism and rare-earth magnetic materials, possessing extensive experience in advanced material fields such as sintered NdFeB, sintered SmCo, and nanocrystalline magnetic powder. He has led the completion of multiple major science and technology projects at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. His honors include the Second Prize of Science and Technology Progress Award from the Chinese Society of Rare Earths (2022), the First Prize (2019) and Second Prize (2022) of Xiamen Municipal Science and Technology Progress Award, and the Third Prize of Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (2020). He has been selected for several talent programs, including the "Western Light" Visiting Scholar Program of the Central Organization Department, the Fujian Province "Eagle Plan" Young Top-Notch Talent, and the Xiamen Municipal Youth "Double Hundred" Talent Program. He currently serves as a director of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths and a member of the Technical Committee for Standardization of Blockchain in the Materials Industry.

Wayne Park
GM of Sales & Marketing
Lynas Rare Earths

Mr. Wayne Park was graduated from Hanyang University (BS engineering) & Sokang University (BAbusiness). He worked as sales manager at OCI from1988 to 1995. He worked as Managing Director Supply Chain & Sales at Solvay from 1996 to 2013. He worked as General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Lynas Rare Earths from 2014 till now.

Zac Komur
Executive Director
Lindian Resources

Zac Komur is Executive Director of Lindian Resources Limited, where he leads the delivery of the Company’s flagship Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi and the advancement of Stage 2 expansion studies toward execution readiness. Zac brings more than 25 years’ experience across the global resources and energy sectors, with deep expertise in project delivery, commissioning, start-up, mine development and mineral processing.

He has held senior leadership roles at Fortescue, Northvolt, INPEX and BHP, delivering large-scale mining, energy and processing projects across multiple commodities and jurisdictions. A qualified chemical engineer, Zac is recognised for taking complex projects from feasibility through construction and into production, while maintaining strong discipline around schedule, cost and operational performance.

Melvin Hill
Vice President
GE Chaplin Inc.

Melvin joined GE Chaplin in 2015 to help manage and expand its growing rare earth business. He has over twelve years of experience in the rare earth space including nine years in physical trading and three years in market research. Melvin is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he doubled majored in Economics and Mandarin. He completed a year of post-graduate study at the Harbin Institute of Technology where he focused on Mandarin Language studies and applied natural resource economics.

Established in 1987, GE Chaplin is a global specialty chemical and metal supplier with offices throughout the USA and in the Netherlands. GE Chaplin supplies rare earth products to a diverse set of downstream industries, including catalyst, magnetics, medical imaging, water treatment, glass, ceramics, and aerosp.

Ales Leben
Managing Directorfor Asia Business
Domel d. o. o.

Ales Leben is Bachelorof science electrical engineering. He worked in Domel d.o.o. for more year 19years and set their production company. He mainly focuses on sourcing magnetsand other components at present.

Zhijian Wu
General Manager
Chengdu Galaxy Magnet Co. Ltd.

Mr. Zhijian Wu graduated from Chengdu University of Science and Technology (current name is Sichuan University) with the major of metal materials major in 1986. He used to be the director of the industrial mold branch of the state-owned 716 factory. As one of the founders of Chengdu Galaxy Magnet Co., Ltd, he was the Executive Vice General Manager of the company and now is the General Manager. He has profound attainments in the development, mass production, quality assurance and cost control of bonded NdFeB magnets and their components. He was awarded the First Prize of Sichuan Provincial Scientific and Technological Progress, and led the company to be honored with the title of National Manufacturing Individual Champion Demonstration Enterprise for several times in a row.

Jinyu Li
R&D Director, Chief Engineer
Xiamen Xiamen Tungsten Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Mr. Jinyu Li Holds a postgraduate degree and is a Class C Fujian Provincial High-Level Talent. As a key project member, he completed the development of the "third-generation on-board alloy," achieving a new breakthrough in hydrogen storage alloys for nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries in vehicles. He has gradually introduced praseodymium/neodymium-free hydrogen storage alloys into Ni-MH battery electrode materials. He previously led the development of Xiamen Tungsten's AB₂-type alloys, overcoming technical bottlenecks in the batch production of this alloy type. He has led/participated in multiple national, provincial, and municipal science and technology projects, serving as the sub-project leader for the "High Energy Density Novel Rare Earth Hydrogen Storage Materials and Application Technologies" project under the 14th Five-Year Plan National Key R&D Program, and as the task leader for the National Rare Earth Major Special Project under the 2030 Agenda. He has filed or been granted 14 invention patents.

Xiamen Tungsten Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. was formerly the Hydrogen Storage R&D, Production and Sales Center of the Battery Materials Division of Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd. It has been producing hydrogen storage alloys since 2002, achieved the highest sales volume in China in 2008, and has maintained the top sales volume nationwide for 18 consecutive years. It is the only domestic manufacturer of on-board hybrid alloys in China.

Sanjay Arya
General Manager
DK Metal World Limited

Born, raised, and educated in New Delhi, the vibrant capital of India, Sanjay Arya embarked on his professional journey with a general trading company. In 1993, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he ventured to India's commercial capital, Mumbai, to expand his business horizons.

In 1997, Arya joined a prominent Korean trading company, where he honed his expertise in international trade during a rewarding tenure of over five years stationed in Seoul, Korea. This enriching experience provided him with invaluable insights into global markets and refined his understanding of international business practices.

In 2005, driven by a shared vision and a long-standing friendship, Arya, alongside his esteemed associate Mr. Rajesh Gala, established his own company. With an impressive 33 years of experience in the dynamic world of metals and ferro alloys trading and processing, Arya has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of market dynamics and a commitment to excellence.

Under Arya's astute leadership, the company has successfully diversified its operations, establishing a strong presence in the metal processing and plating industry. Through unwavering dedication and a focus on customer satisfaction, Arya has cultivated strong relationships with India's largest metal and steel industry majors, solidifying the company's position as a trusted and reliable supplier.

Beyond delivering exceptional products and services, Arya has actively contributed to the industry by providing valuable guidance to large consumers. His expertise in market analysis and his ability to streamline procurement processes have proven invaluable to clients navigating the complexities of the metals market.

Zongbo Shi
Vice General Manager
Rezel Catalysts Corporation

Shi Zongbo, of Han ethnicity, is a member of the Communist Party of China. He holds a Ph.D. from East China Normal University and is a Professor-level Senior Engineer. He serves as a Director, Vice General Manager, and R&D Director at Rezel Catalysts Corporation and is also an Industry Mentor for graduate students at Sichuan University. He has been recognized as "Shanghai Eastern Young Talent," "Pudong New Area Pearl Elite Talent," "Pudong Craftsman," and "Lingang Craftsman."

With nearly 15 years of experience dedicated to the research and development of petrochemical catalysts, he has developed products including fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, self-heating materials for propane dehydrogenation, maleic anhydride catalysts, hydrogenation catalysts, new energy catalysts, and specialty adsorbents. He has published 17 papers in domestic and international academic journals, has been granted 31 Chinese invention patents and 1 utility model patent, has filed 8 PCT patent applications, and has an additional 64 Chinese invention patents at various stages of application.

Donghong Nie
General Manager, Senior Engineer
Hunan Oriental Scandium Co., Ltd.

Donghong Nie was graduated from Hunan University with bachelor degree. He is senior engineer. He has been engaged in the production, development and operation of hydrometallurgical products (manganese, vanadium, indium, germanium, scandium, etc.) for many years. He is now the General Manager of Hunan Oriental Scandium Co., Ltd., the General Manager of Jiaozuo Rongjia Scandium-Vanadium Technology Co., Ltd, the General Manager of Yunnan Oriental Scandium New Material Co., Ltd, and the General Manager of Henan Oriental Scandium New Energy Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Main Honors and Achievements:

He was awarded Changsha City High-level Talent in 2024. He was awarded the Third Prize of Hunan Provincial Scientific and Technological Progress in 2008. He has 10 authorised invention patents and 26 utility models.

He overcame the technical bottleneck of extracting scandium oxide and vanadium pentoxide simultaneously from titanium dioxide waste liquid of chlorination method. He improved the titanium dioxide waste liquid extraction equipment and realized the short flow production of scandium oxide and vanadium electrolyte. He led the team to break through the technology of extracting scandium oxide from titanium dioxide waste liquid of sulfuric acid method for large-scale production. He led the team to be assessed as a national high-tech enterprise, a national speciality and new small giant enterprise, an enterprise technology centre in Hunan Province, a new material enterprise in Hunan Province, and a key enterprise in Hunan Industry's 20 emerging advantageous industry chain - new light alloy industry chain.

Valdiney Domingos
Founder and CEO
Si&MEx Solutions GmbH

With over 25 years of pan-European marketing leadership in the Rare Earths sector, Mr Domingos is a Chemical Engineer with Highest degree in Metallurgy and he brings a wealth of expertise in driving market development and fostering industry growth across Europe and the Americas. Valdiney's experience encompasses crafting and executing technical, operational engineering in Critical Materials and a robust strategic Rare Earth marketing overview that resonate with diverse industrial and businesses stakeholders, unlocking new supply-chain partnerships and facilitating cross-border investments.

Key Highlights:

Strategic Market Development: Developed high-impact marketing strategies that have successfully engaged European and North American markets, enhancing brand positioning and driving revenue growth for industry-leading mining and materials companies.

Thought Leadership: Regularly invited to speak at premier conferences, where I translate complex technical advancements in rare earth extraction, separation, and recycling into actionable insights for commercial and policy stakeholders.

Collaborative Ecosystem Builder: I excel at fostering collaboration among OEMs, mid-stream processors, and government agencies, creating synergies that propel industry innovation and sustainability.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of the Rare Earths industry, Domimgos' focus remains on leveraging European marketing expertise to support the sector's development globally, particularly in the Europe, South East Asia and Americas.