Non-Executive Director

Joel M. Chong is a highly accomplished civil engineer and business leader with over 20 years of experience in design, operations, construction, project management, and strategic consulting across the resources, mining, water/wastewater, and trenchless technology sectors.

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Holding a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University (USA), complemented by an MBA in IT and Finance, Joel has built a distinguished career with multinational firms such as WorleyParsons, URS, and MWH, where he honed expertise in civil design, construction, and problem-solving in complex environments.

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His technical contributions include pioneering work in trenchless technologies, GIS/GPS applications for infrastructure management, and rehabilitation techniques for sewer systems and manholes. He has presented at prestigious international conferences, including the Water Environment Federation (2001), International No-Dig (2003, 2010), Trenchless Technology Asia Pacific (2007), and No-Dig Melbourne (2009), with publications in journals such as the Australian Water Association. Notably, he received the Young Person of the Year award at the ASTT Melbourne No-Dig conference in 2009.

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Joel has demonstrated strong entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities by establishing profitable engineering departments and institutes, implementing productivity-enhancing systems (achieving 15-30% gains through integration with IT, marketing, and HR), and lecturing part-time at Western International University and Arizona State University on project management, mathematics, science, and GIS/GPS applications in pavement management.

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In recent years, Joel has transitioned into executive roles focused on resources and emerging technologies. As CEO of Oriental Link Holdings Pty Ltd (and subsequently Oriental-Consult Pty Ltd) in Perth, Western Australia, he has specialised in consultancy for junior mining and exploration companies, forging high-value connections with Chinese investors, high-net-worth individuals, metallurgical centres, and off-take partners. He has successfully raised significant capital (e.g., over A$1.5–2 million for various ASX-listed companies in vanadium, rare earths, graphite, and iron ore projects), facilitated major contracts (including USD$2 billion-scale deals), and built partnerships in advanced materials like graphene research with institutions such as A*STAR in Singapore.

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Most recently, as General Manager of AVESS—a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) startup in Perth—he led company setup, manufacturing qualification in Australia, engineering team integration, supplier coordination for projects in South and East Africa, and secured downstream customers including POSCO and Chinese battery manufacturers.

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Joel’s multilingual and multicultural proficiency, particularly in Asian markets, combined with his business acumen in IT, finance, and sustainability engineering, enables him to bridge Australian and international entities, drive efficient mining production workflows, and deliver cross-disciplinary project success in dynamic, changing environments.

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His leadership style emphasises team motivation, career development, strong interpersonal relationships, and proactive planning, underpinned by certifications as a Cert IV Trainer and Assessor, First Aid Instructor, and PADI Scuba Diving Instructor.

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References from industry leaders, including CEOs of ASX-listed companies (e.g., Black Rock Mining Ltd, Ionic Rare Earths, Ardiden Pty Ltd), affirm his track record of delivering results, building strategic alliances, and advancing sustainable resource solutions.