Dr Silvia Black obtained a BSc (App. Chem.) degree from Curtin University, a Grad Dip
(Food and Drug Analysis) from University of New South Wales and a PhD
(Hydrometallurgical Chemistry) from Murdoch University. Dr Black has Scientific
Research, Analytical and Innovation expertise spanning over 35 years that encompass
the Minerals Industry, Food, Water, Education, Racing, Forensic and Environmental
Sciences.

As Program Manager at Amira Global, Silvia drives operational and strategic initiatives by
developing and managing a diverse portfolio of global projects, with Research &
Innovation focusing on sustainability across the minerals industry value chain.
In her prior role at ChemCentre (WA), Silvia initiated, led and managed a growing portfolio
of mining-related projects that were funded directly by the minerals industry and
research funding bodies such as the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia
(MRIWA) and Cooperative Research Centres CRC CARE, FBI CRC and CRC TiME.

Silvia’s expertise in cyanide chemistry, soil leaching and water quality has been
recognised nationally and internationally through her participation and leadership of over
ten years in committees of Standards Australia and of the International Organization of
Standardization (ISO).

As a leading Australian authority on the application of Leaching Environmental
Assessment Framework (LEAF) tools for the testing and environmental assessment of
waste derived materials and by-products for re-use, Silvia successfully led a research
team to the completion of MRIWA funded M451 LEAF project also funded by Alcoa, Iluka
and Aroona of the Water Corporation.

She has published in reputable international scientific journals and presented scientific
papers nationally and internationally. Silvia is a Fellow Member of the Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM) and a Fellow Member of the Royal Australian
Chemical Institute (FRACI)