Olivia Mejías González is a geologist with over 10 years of experience in both industry and research. Holding a master’s in geometallurgy and applied mineralogy, Olivia completed her PhD at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI). Her doctoral research has significantly advanced the understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of indium in mine waste environments, with a focus on low-temperature geochemical processes and innovative recovery pathways, including biomining. Olivia’s research expertise in critical minerals, particularly indium, has led to numerous publications and active collaborations with key organizations such as CSIRO, QUT, and the Australian Synchrotron.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Olivia has extensive industry experience, including leading the geometallurgy short term program at the El Teniente Cu-Mo porphyry deposit in Chile. She has supervised students, mentored interns, and contributed to several peer-reviewed conference papers and journal articles. Olivia is an active member of the scientific community, serving on various technical committees, contributing to international workshops, and delivering over 20 invited talks worldwide. As a founding member and Vice President of Chile’s Centre for Studies of Strategic and Critical Minerals, Olivia is dedicated to advancing sustainable resource management and fostering the next generation of geoscientists.
