Day two of the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo in Sydney was underpinned by plenty of dealmaking and companies doing their best to attract the next generation to the lucrative mining game.
One of the many deals being done included a memorandum of understanding between Swedish technology company Hexagon and Indonesian infrastructure provider PT Petronesia Benimel.
IMARC organisers say hundreds of meetings took place on the second day between miners and investors, while there were plenty of investment-focused sessions in the Fender Geophysics Investment Theatre and the DRA Mine & Project Development Theatre to keep delegates engaged.
Secondary students preparing to head out into the workforce in the coming years, meanwhile, were treated to an insight into the next generation of mining with demonstrations of virtual reality, electric vehicles and simulators.
According to IMARC, veterans of one of Australia’s largest mining events observed it was one of the busiest days they can recall.
Many of the theatres were full throughout the day, with sessions including decarbonisation, tailings dam management and the world’s first “digital mine” in the Newmont Plenary Theatre and the Caterpillar Energy Transition and Decarbonisation Theatre.
Multiple presentations, panels and interactive discussions were held concurrently in the Jacobs ESG Collaboration Theatre, the MMG Global Opportunities Theatre, the Hatch Mining Innovation Theatre and the Convergio Digital Transformation Theatre.
Organisers are also getting a head start on locking in attendees for next year’s event, with over 100 contracts signed and nearly 60% of next year’s show floor already booked.
Anita Richards, Chief Operating Officer at IMARC, says the organisers are thrilled with the momentum and engagement they are witnessing at IMARC this year.
“From insightful discussions to our strong sales performance for 2025, IMARC continues to cement its place as the go-to event for shaping the future of mining,” she says.
Around 10,000 delegates and exhibitors will gather at IMARC for the third and final day of this year’s record-breaking event.
With two days of deals, debates and deliberations behind them, the participants from 115 countries will turn their attention to common global challenges facing the sector, including community engagement, the skills of the future, diversity and inclusion.
The ‘Beyond Indigenous Engagement’ panel at 9.05am AEDT will explore ownership and shared prosperity in the mining sector, providing insights from First Nations leaders, including representatives from the National Native Title Council.
Diversity and inclusion in the workforce is also a key topic, with a panel led by AusIMM’s Stephen Durkin who will examine strategies for building a skilled, more diverse workforce at 9.35am AEDT.
Meanwhile, more than 200 year five and six students from Sydney primary schools will be visiting IMARC today to participate in interactive STEM activities and listen to role model talks from industry professionals.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: IMARC
