Opening Remarks and Acknowledgment of Country
Ministerial Address
Hon David Michael
Keynote: Resources Sector Update and Outlook
Aaron will outline the WA resources sector’s contribution to the WA economy, its regions and communities, drawing on CME’s unique Economic Contribution Survey of its members. He will then explore recent economic and policy developments in the sector, before concluding with thoughts on the outlook and priorities for the year ahead.
Delve into the significant impact of Western Australia’s resources sector on the state’s economy, regions, and communities. Drawing from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s (CME) Economic Contribution Survey, our speaker will highlight the direct contributions made by CME’s members. Our speaker will then explore the recent economic and policy developments in the sector, before concluding with thoughts on the outlook and priorities for the year ahead.
Aaron Walker
Morning Tea Break
Keynote: DiiMOS - The Future of Distributed, Integrated and Intelligent Mining Operating Systems
The mining industry is knee deep in a significant evolution. Operational practices and technology are evolving, the levers of value are increasingly complex and multi-dimensional and mining businesses are actively working to diversify who contributes to our industry and how. Yet amid this progress, its become harder to get a clear view on true performance, assess optionality in real time and optimise the future performance of mining operations and portfolios. The DiiMOS™ approach is different. Built leveraging the intelligence of data scientists and the practical operational know how of mining subject matter experts, the platform is a revolutionary decision optimisation platform. Join this session to learn how to this platform enables operators to model, navigate and simulate the interconnected reality of today’s mining operations at scale and in real time.
Sarah Coleman
Panel Discussion: Decarbonisation isn’t just an Obligation; it’s an Opportunity
As WA transitions towards sustainability, the challenge lies in reducing emissions while meeting rising mineral demand. Key technologies are driving net zero emission mining however to succeed, the sector must build a strong foundation involving mindset shifts and research collaboration. Join this session to explore how technology integrates into decarbonisation efforts, making it an opportunity rather than a cost for the sector.
Rob Adams
Brendan Tapley
Christofer Catania
Jacqui Coombes
Lunch
Panel Discussion: Developing a Circular Economy for Critical Minerals
From solar panels and electric vehicles to the electronic devices we carry in our pockets, critical minerals form the bedrock of our modern, net-zero economy. These essential elements power our green infrastructure, drive innovation, and propel us toward a sustainable future but their supply chains face complex challenges. This session will explore how organisations are shifting away from conventional linear systems and embracing approaches that align with their environmental and social objectives.
Mark Upton
Geoff Batt
Dr Silvia Lozeva
Panel Discussion: Tech-driven Mining Operations - A Window to Enhanced Efficiency and Precision
The integration of smart mining into mining operations is gaining traction and this stems from an amplified focus on end-to-end operations management, automation, safety, and informed decision-making. Join this session as our panellists discuss:
- Unveiling the realm of "smart mining" technology: where to next?
- Riding the wave of electrification and remote mining: redefining the terrain of operations
- Pioneering robotics and AI: ushering in a new era of mining innovation
- Maximising digital tools: streamlining operations and unlocking new frontiers
Leon Groenewald
Alicia Bunting
Ferry Jie
Keynote: Cyber Process Hazard Analysis (CPHA) in Mining Operations
As mining operations increasingly adopt automation and advanced technology, cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of successful mining practices. With the industry transitioning from human operators to autonomous or remotely operated systems, it is essential to establish robust cybersecurity measures.
CPHA is designed for safety and operationally focussed industries such as Mining and Energy. The CPHA focus on protecting critical processes has proven to be much more operationally and cost effective than other cyber security methodologies which are only suitable for industries such as banking and federal government.
This session will explore CPHA's:
- Systematic and consequence-driven approach that ensures comprehensive security risk assessment for ICS/SIS
- Alignment with industry standards
- Leverage on established process safety techniques
- Integration of engineering disciplines
- Development of risk-ranked mitigation plans
Luke Forsyth
Afternoon Tea Break
Roundtables: People, Technology & Supply
- Psychosocial Safety Technology – Mark Edgley, Jonah Group
- Supply Chain Innovations – Caity Randall, Founder and CEO, Sustainabil.IT
- Technology to Tackle Skills Shortages - Michael Simms, Director - Industry, Value & Architecture, Oracle Corporation
Ray Loh
Caity Randall
David Parker
Michael Simms
Mark Edgely
Day 2 Opening Remarks and Recap of Conference
Minerals-plus report: without mining investment, our future will not be made in Australia
Australia’s opportunity to become a clean energy superpower is reaching a critical point. MCA’s David Parker will provide a blueprint for industry policy that increases productivity and mining investment, and value-adds in clean energy supply chains. Key MCA policy recommendations aim to drive productivity and investment in mining and processing by securing the industry’s comparative advantage and leveraging the industry’s strengths to seize opportunities in other sectors. By addressing a seven-year stagnation in mining capital, Australia can boost productivity, secure long-term wage growth, and underpin its economic future. The MCA also calls for lifting legislative bans on nuclear energy to ensure energy security.
David Parker
Keynote and Panel Discussion: Empowering Operational Excellence: Rio Tinto's Journey of Implementing Integrated Supply Chain Solution with Track’em TNT
The Track'em Track and Trace Platform at Rio Tinto Iron Ore provides end-to-end tracking of goods from vendors to end users. It uses state-of-the-art scanning technology to offer reliable status, location, and delivery date visibility throughout all stages of the supply chain. Created in collaboration with Rio Tinto's Perth-based team, the platform addresses the challenges in Rio Tinto Iron Ore's warehousing systems. It integrates with SAP and Rio Tinto's third-party logistics partners, linking all Pilbara operations, including 20 mine sites, sub-plants, admin centres, and hubs, into a single platform for better management and tracking of materials.
- Cloud-native application built on Microsoft Azure supported by a handheld scanning system.
- Web and mobile applications and reporting for planners, maintainers, logistics partners, drivers, and warehouse officers.
- Enhanced Visibility and Planning: The integrated solution provides comprehensive visibility, allowing users to address shortfalls, make real-time updates, and enhance decision-making with FourKites and 3PL systems.
- Real-time tracking of materials from purchase order to final delivery, including inventory movement, logistics, expediting, consolidation, and staging.
Paul Miles
Chris Brown
Kashif Saleem
Raquel Barreiro
Morning Tea Break
Keynote: Accelerated Vehicle Acquisition and Trialling within a Decarbonisation Framework
ESG targets have meant that many miners have committed to carbon reductions ranging from between 25% to 50% within the next 6 to 11 years. For many companies, the most logical path is to start electrifying diesel equipment.
Currently the process of acquiring new assets is hampered by supply and demand issues. Lead times are long, and the trial periods are uncovering unexpected issues due to differences between traditional and new energy solutions. Many miners are also considering retrofitting equipment to replace diesel as an accelerated approach to decarbonising their legacy assets.
Join this session to learn about innovative strategies to achieve targets and discover how other industries approach vehicle trialling and asset selection that can be leveraged to streamline processes.
Kevin West
Keynote: So We Want to Meet Targets? Are We Being Realistic? Some Thoughts
The talk titled "So We Want to Meet Targets? Are We Being Realistic? Some Thoughts," will focus on the mining industry's pressing challenges. This session will explore the critical need for collaboration among stakeholders—mining companies, governments, and communities—to set achievable sustainability and productivity targets. It will also explore what collaboration really means. Emphasizing the importance of strategic investment in research and development, we’ll discuss ideas for innovative technologies and practices that can drive progress. By fostering a cooperative environment and prioritizing R&D, the industry can navigate complex issues and align its goals with environmental and social responsibilities, ensuring a more sustainable future for all.
Dr Anil Subramanya
Lunch
Keynote: Zero waste - A Tailings Turning Point: Transitioning from Trash to Treasure
Tailings storage is under increasing scrutiny from government regulators and the general public as failures continue to occur at active and decommissioned mines and refineries around the world. This scrutiny will (and already has) resulted in stricter controls on where, how, when, and if tailings storage facilities may be operated.
Development of low cost, rapid strategies for remediation and reuse of tailings provides opportunities to develop new value streams and products for an operation while also supporting regulatory compliance and reduction of environmental impacts. Options exist for both active and legacy sites. Join this session to discover exciting new advances in tailings remediation R&D and explore emerging opportunities for tailings reuse.
Talitha Santini
Keynote: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility in AI Implementation
AI is elevating operational efficiency, bolstering safety measures and driving cost reductions, setting a new standard for mining excellence. Yet, with great innovation comes great responsibility and our esteemed speaker will address how to navigate the complex landscape of security, legal and ethical challenges that accompany AI deployment.
Brenda van Rensburg
Panel Discussion: Uncover the Path to a Safer Tomorrow
Delve into Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety regulations and the transformative impact of technology. Explore how cutting-edge solutions are shaping safety practices in the mining industry, from digital sensors to real-time incident reporting, we’ll uncover the path to a safer tomorrow.
Peter Nissen
Amanda Wylde
Debbie Morrow
Afternoon Tea Break
Panel Discussion: Uranium and Nuclear Energy - A Future of Australia?
With the world’s largest uranium reserves, Australia faces a critical decision. Can we afford to lag in global nuclear advancements, hindering economic and technological growth in this sector? Join this panel as they weigh up economic opportunities, global demand and responsibility, safety concerns and environmental impacts.
Jonathan Fisher
Dr Anthea Wesley
David Parker
Eric Lilford