The 3rd Annual Resources & Energy Investment Symposium (REIS) will begin this week (20-22 May) and will include topics such as the fall out from last week’s Federal Budget and the ability of Australia’s resource sector to compete globally as well as many others. Around 250 delegates, including a number of leading junior and mid-tier mining and exploration companies, a group of high-profile keynote speakers and mining industry veterans and brokers, fund managers and investors.
The event is taking place in the west outback of NSW, Broken Hill, with the location being Australia’s longest-lived mining city and where BHP Billiton traces its origins. The town has a massive orebody that ranges among the world’s largest and richest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposit.
According to Symposium’s Managing Director, Kerry Stevenson, the focus for this year will be on the current economic climate including its challenges and opportunities, not only in the Australian resources industry, but also Australia’s position in the international market.
“We have a terrific line up of market intelligence, keynote speakers and investor presentations. We are also delighted to have the Minister for Resources and Energy New South Wales, Chris Hartcher, opening this year’s Symposium.” Stevenson said.
The conference will kick off on Monday morning with an address from one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, Dick Smith. This week’s Federal budget in May is also expected to be a hot topic of conversation.
Giving his predictably forthright assessment of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s arithmetic skills will be Liberal Party heavyweight Nick Minchin, who will be addressing the budget and its implications for the resources sector.
“As a nation, Australia must work to keep as globally competitive as possible or risk losing out to those countries whose Governments support their resource sectors. Having thought leaders such as Nick Minchin address such issues is what makes this forum a must-attend event.” Stevenson said.
The event will also look at ways Australia can collaborate and remain competitive as well as identify the outlook and opportunities for those who invest in the industry. Perspectives on a global scale will be highlighted by a number of international keynote speakers from the United States and the United Kingdom.
President of the Colorado Mining Association (CMA), Stuart Sanderson, will be discussing opportunities and challenges for US and Australian cooperation. Dave Kanagy of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration in Denver will be addressing emerging workforce trends between the two countries. John Molyneux of WH Ireland Stockbrokers in the UK will be comparing international equity and the liquidity benefits of dual listings. Mark Bennett from Sirius Resources, one of the standout success stories in the junior resource sector over the past year, will address the Symposium on David and Goliath: How a penny dreadful beat the big boys.
