CONNECT ROADSHOWS
Perth Connect 2025
WELCOME
Today’s Agenda
1:10 – Opening Remarks, Rob Malkin & Neil Burlison
1:30 – Rio Tinto’s Cost Management Journey, Michael Mienie
NETWORKING BREAK
3:00 – Cost Controls Maturity Model, Neil Burlison
3:30 – Contruent’s Product Roadmap, Rik Falch
4:10 – Q&A and Closing Remarks
Featured Speaker
Michael Mienie
Manager - Project Services, Rio Tinto
Michael Miene is an accomplished project services leader with over 15 years of experience driving excellence in project controls and consultancy across the mining and energy sectors. He currently serves as Manager – Project Services at Rio Tinto, where he leads the Sustaining Capital division. In this role, Michael provides strategic leadership across cost management, schedule management, risk, reporting, estimating, and contractor mobilisation—ensuring consistent delivery and governance across complex portfolios.
Before joining Rio Tinto, Michael held key roles at Turner & Townsend, where he built deep expertise in project consultancy and gained wide exposure to major resources projects globally. His background includes hands-on involvement in all stages of the project lifecycle—concept, pre-feasibility, feasibility, execution, and close-out—giving him a comprehensive understanding of what drives project success in both public and private sector environments.
The Contruent Team
Rik Falch
Director, APAC Services
Rik brings over 20 years of experience in energy, project controls, and digital integration.
At Santos, he led business intelligence and system integration for major capital projects, improving data reliability and project visibility. Skilled in cost engineering, SaaS solutions, and process improvement, he drives smarter, faster project delivery across complex portfolios.
Beyond his technical expertise, he’s also the founder and builder of Falch Guitars, showcasing his creative side. Now, Rik serves as the Director of Services for the APAC region at Contruent, helping deliver integrated project controls solutions.
Neil Burlison
Project Management Consultant
With over 30 years of experience in the global energy industry, Neil has held senior roles across finance, operations, and transformation. His leadership journey includes positions such as CFO, Business Services Director, Board Member, Head of Business Transformation, and ERP Implementation Director—successfully delivering major systems like SAP, Oracle, and JD Edwards.
He brings deep expertise in infrastructure construction, post-M&A integration, ASX reporting, joint venture accounting, and long-term strategic planning. Known for his ability to drive cost excellence and operational efficiency, Neil has consistently delivered value across complex, high-impact projects.