Zane Hughes is a proud Waanyi Traditional Custodian from Northwest Queensland. He has
forged a notable career in the mining industry specialising in environmental stewardship and
First Nations knowledge, training, and education.
Zane wears many hats across the mining industry, academia and the community.
At Curtin University, Zane is a Research Fellow within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
In this capacity, he contributes significantly to research and training initiatives that integrate
Indigenous perspectives into environmental management and sustainability practices. Zane
has been instrumental in Curtin’s First Nations Ranger Program and postgraduate mine closure
credentials.
Zane is also a Project Leader at the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformation in Mining
Economies (CRC TiME). In this role, Zane leads education and training projects which foster
collaboration between mining and research stakeholders and Indigenous communities.
As the Inaugural Chairperson of the Mining Strategic Workforce Advisory Panel under the
Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA), Zane advises on workforce
development strategies to meet the evolving needs of the mining industry.
With extensive experience in leadership roles across mining companies, infrastructure
projects, and Indigenous corporations, Zane is a respected voice in sustainable mining
practices. Zane’s vision is to ensure that future mine closures align environmental, social, and
economic objectives to deliver lasting benefits to communities and ecosystems