As the future of mining is being discussed by all levels of government and across the wider community, one of the most important events of a decade will be held in Sydney, Australia, this week.

The event will see the world’s mining leaders and decision-makers come together at what is Australia’s largest and longest-running mining exhibition and conference.

Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) will hold its 2019 edition at the Sydney Showgrounds from August 27-29, commencing at 10 am each day.

More than 500 companies will be on-site to demonstrate their products and services to more than 6,000 visitors from across the globe, according to event organisers. Brands such as Hitachi, ESS Engineering Services, Alfagomma, Cummins, Fuchs, Davey Bickford Enaex, Mine Site Technologies, Dana Brevini and Volkswagen will join with hundreds of others to shine a light on mining’s future, they said.

Embedded within the exhibition will be a free-to-attend multi-stream mining conference that brings together some of the industry’s innovators and disruptors. The AIMEX Conference, presented by Davey Bickford Enaex, is being held for the second time and features keynote presentations, panel discussions and case study presentations across a number of themes including policy, community engagement, workforce, technology advancements, governance and automation.

It is expected that one of the busiest parts of AIMEX this year will be the all-new Mining Pavilion which will see some of Australia’s biggest mining companies come together to outline their own enterprises, connect with suppliers and drive their own recruitment strategies, organisers said. Centennial Coal, Glencore, Mach Energy, Whitehaven Coal and Yancoal Australia will all participate in this unique AIMEX activation.

AIMEX Event Director, Brandon Ward, said the addition of the mining pavilion alongside the very strong conference program and the extensive exhibition makes attending AIMEX the most important decision for a mining leader in 2019.

“No other event in the Asia Pacific region has the same offering for visitors to interact with over 500 exhibitors, discover the latest products from leading suppliers and then actually meet those miners out there doing the work every single day,” Ward said.

“This year’s edition of the free-to-attend conference has again shown our ability to explore the important mining issues of the day and then secure the best professionals to not only discuss these issues but explore what is going to happen next.

“AIMEX provides every visitor with the ability to not only hear about topics such as the latest advances in automation or renewable energy sources at the conference but then walk a few metres and see the products in action on a supplier’s stand.”

Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Minerals Council, Stephen Galilee, will kick-off proceedings on day one of the conference with the opening keynote address about the relationship between the mining sector and regional communities. He will explore how the NSW Minerals Council addressed the local community’s priorities through its Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue (UHMD) project – one of the world’s leading community engagement practices.

Another highlight will be on day three with the panel discussion on adapting to climate change and emissions and what this looks like for the mining sector? The panel will be made up of Jackie McKeon, from Business Renewables Centre Australia, Donna Dryden, an Environmental Scientist from Centennial Coal, Jason Sharam of Linked Energy and the Managing Director of Element 25, Justin Brown.

Along with the panel discussion, Justin Brown will also share insights from Element 25’s Butcherbird manganese project where it used hybrid renewable generation and leach processing innovation, co-developed with CSIRO to use cheaper, lower emission renewable energy for the electrolytic process to make metal.

“The aspect of the project we are going to focus on is the renewable energy component and there are a few threads to that,” Brown explained.

“There’s the baseload power part of the project, with 50% gas and 50% renewables, and also some pretty exciting research on how to maximise renewable penetration in the manufacturing of metals in Australia.

“AIMEX also allows us to share with all visitors the project right from the mining through to the production of these high purity low carbon footprint products and the renewable energy piece will get a particular focus.”

Attendance to AIMEX is free for both the exhibition and conference with registrations still open online or register at the event on each of the days from 10 am to 5 pm. For a full overview on the AIMEX Conference including session topics and speakers, plus a complete list of exhibitors please visit the event website aimex.com.au

International Mining is a media partner for the AIMEX event