The world’s mining and resources leaders have begun arriving in Australia ahead of the 2024 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), which gets underway in Sydney next week.

Held at the ICC Sydney from October 29-31, IMARC is poised to be one of the largest and most significant events for the industry to date, with record numbers of registrations, exhibitors and speakers.

IMARC brings together global experts, CEOs, Ministers and delegates from more than 120 countries, showcasing cutting-edge equipment, innovation and technology across a vast 20,000 square metres of exhibition space. It features a packed agenda of speeches, presentations, panels, roundtables, interviews and demonstrations.

With over 600 speakers and more than 9,000 delegates, IMARC continues to grow its reputation as one of the most important mining conferences in the world.

Celebrating more than a decade of success

As IMARC marks its 11th anniversary, industry leaders increasingly see the conference as setting the agenda for conversations that address mining’s key challenges and opportunities.

Vanessa Haberland, Director Membership, Marketing & Events at Austmine, says: “Austmine is proud to be a Founding Partner of IMARC, and we are very pleased to be celebrating over 10 years of success. IMARC emerged from the necessity to establish a major mining event in Australia, one that has now gained global recognition as a must-attend conference every year. Over the years it has not only met but exceeded this objective, with mining leaders, influential industry figures, decision-makers, and technology experts convening at IMARC each year.” The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) is also proud to support IMARC 2024. CEO Stephen Durkin says the event is global in outlook but incredibly valuable for the future of the Australian industry.

“As a Founding Partner of IMARC and a peak body for resources professionals, AusIMM looks forward to welcoming thousands of delegates to Sydney for Australia's largest mining event. We are thrilled that over 130 AusIMM members are featured in the program, shaping conversations on innovative technologies, ESG best practice and mining's central role in the global energy transition.”

Ms. Haberland agrees, saying IMARC provides an invaluable platform for Australian mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies to showcase their expertise, foster international partnerships, and connect with opportunities across the globe.

“This year, IMARC continues to offer Australian OEMs and METS companies unparalleled opportunities to connect with global supply chain decision-makers, ensuring they stay at the forefront of industry advancements.”

A Platform for Innovation and Growth

As the list of countries represented at IMARC shows, the event is Australia’s only truly global industry gathering, attracting some of the world’s leading CEOs, Chairs, directors, executives, operators and

experts in mining and METS, as well as scores of government delegations.

Importantly, though, the event also continues to promote a contemporary global industry, continuing its historic focus on the issues that matter, and ensuring the program remains relevant through its focus on sustainability, innovation, technology, skills, safety and productivity. The program also supports the industry’s need to earn and retain its licence to operate through greater diversity and inclusion, improved ESG performance and transparency and best practice community engagement.

Anita Richards, Chief Operating Officer says: “IMARC’s continued growth reflects our commitment to bringing together global leaders to address the critical issues facing the mining sector. This year we are proud to have an expanded program that incorporates co-located events addressing global challenges with partners including the European Union, the World Economic Forum and the US Embassy to Australia, and we are excited to see how this will further drive the industry forward.”

Industry Collaboration and Support

As one of Australia’s largest and most influential business events, IMARC plays a pivotal role in enhancing Sydney’s global reputation, attracting high-level decision-makers, investors and innovators from across the world.

Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said: “It is great to see IMARC back in Sydney for a third consecutive year – its biggest yet, and the largest professional business event on Sydney’s packed 2024 calendar.

“The conference program facilitates vital conversations on ESG reporting and circularity, showcasing to the world how Australia is transitioning its economy.

“Our research shows that as well as generating an estimated $17.8 million of direct expenditure into the NSW economy from the thousands of delegates gathering in Sydney for three days, world-leading business events like IMARC 2024 are also a platform for collaboration, innovation and attracting investment and talent.”

New Features at IMARC 2024

The event’s central showcase, the Plenary Theatre, sponsored this year by Newmont, will once again be an agenda-setting platform where major initiatives, products and collaborations will be unveiled. Author and business leader, Holly Ransom will serve as the Plenary MC for this year’s event.

Highlights of the Plenary sessions this year include:

• Ministerial Addresses: Hon. Madeleine King MP, Australian Minister for Resources and Hon. Courtney Houssos, NSW Minister for Finance on government perspectives on the future of mining.
• Strategic Partnerships and Innovations: Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, will discuss the importance of strategic partnerships and host a series of indepth Executive Briefings featuring some of the industry’s most recognised global thought leaders.
• A continued focus on ESG and Sustainability: Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue, will share insights on achieving real zero through investments and innovations; and Graham Kerr, CEO and Managing Director of South32, will discuss how to support the energy transition.
• Growing businesses while supporting the energy transition: William Oplinger, President and CEO of Alcoa, will discuss how the transition to green energy does not have to come at the expense of business growth, particularly for energy intensive industries and businesses.
• Evolving Boardroom Discussions: Holly Ransom will moderate a keynote interview with industry leaders Jake Klein, Executive Chairman of Evolution Mining, and Leanne Heywood OAM, Non-Executive Director across a range of mining companies, on the top priorities for the sector.

A Comprehensive Conference Program at IMARC 2024

The conference program features session streams covering themes such as Digital Transformation, Mining Innovation, Energy Transition & Decarbonisation, Mine & Project Development, Global Opportunities, and ESG Collaboration.

The new Mine & Project Development stream will address accelerating project timelines and overcoming industry challenges such as access to capital, mitigating project risk, delays, and permitting hurdles. The Mining, Metals and the Circular Economy program will focus on the global context of circularity in the mining industry's supply chain. Additionally, the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) will host the AROSE Mining & Space @ IMARC program, which will examine the intersection of space exploration and mining innovation, highlighting requirements, capabilities and collaborations between the two industries.

Notable sessions and speakers include:

• Digital Transformation: Mark O’Brien, General Manager – Digital Technology & Innovation (CIO) at CITIC Pacific Mining, will examine the myths and realities of AI in the mining industry.
• Mining Innovation: Flavia Tata Nardini, CEO and Co-Founder of Fleet Space Technologies, will explore the potential of space and AI in end-to-end exploration.
• Energy Transition & Decarbonisation: Sanjeev Gandhi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Orica, will discuss how the company is managing its own energy transition while supporting customers on their journey.
• Global Opportunities: Dinah McLeod, Director General of the Cobalt Institute, will address global and Australian market drivers of cobalt.

IMARC’s comprehensive program includes key sessions on Digital Transformation, Energy Transition & Decarbonisation, and Global Opportunities, with speakers from leading companies such as Newmont and Fortescue.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

Continuing its focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, IMARC will feature more than 180 women in financial, technical, operational and leadership roles.

Anita Richards emphasises this achievement, “Our Balance for Better initiative highlights the remarkable contributions of women in mining and the broader benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion within the sector.