With the global demand for copper on the rise, industry leaders and experts worldwide are set to converge for the highly anticipated Copper to the World 2024 Conference & Exhibition, set to take place June 18-19 in Adelaide, South Australia.

With sustainability at its core, this flagship event is a dynamic platform fostering collaboration and innovation to steer the copper industry towards a sustainable future, the organisers say.

The conference is organised by Austmine in partnership with the South Australian Government and enjoys support from BHP as the Principal Partner, with Fleet Space joining as the Platinum Partner this year. The event will be officially opened by the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP.

Spanning two days, the event will showcase keynote addresses from global leaders in the copper industry, delving into topics such as market trends, innovative technologies and sustainable mining practices. Expert-led panel discussions will facilitate in-depth conversations among participants, covering a range of critical issues from environmental management to regulatory changes and economic impacts on the copper sector.

Specialised breakout sessions, tailored to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the sector, will provide practical insights and strategies for overcoming obstacles and capitalising on new market developments.

Among the global insights at the event are:

• Codelco Innovation Team: Senior managers will discuss cutting-edge partnership models and technological advancements;
• Rafael Estrada Hora, Antamina Mining Company – insights into the transformative impact of AI on mining operations;
• Kedi Illimbit, Chief Executive Officer, Ok Tedi Mining, will present “The Copper Technology Roadmap”, highlighting future trends in copper mining sustainability;
• Ambassador Dr. Elias Munshya, High Commissioner for Zambia to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and Dr Clement Owusu, Head of Mineral Engineering Dept of University of Mines and Technology, Ghana – Explore Africa’s role in the global copper market, analysing the efficiency of exploration and their impact on supply dynamics in copper mining operations across continents.
• Luke Balleny, The Copper Mark, will discuss the Copper Mark Risk Readiness Assessment and its implications for ESG practices in mining;
• Karly Wai, MD, Energy and Metals & Mining Industry Lead, Accenture UKI & Asia – Insights into global copper market trends and technological innovations.

The event will have local insights from:

• Paul Heithersay, CEO, Department of Energy & Mining, South Australian Government, discussing South Australia as the copper capital powering the global decarbonisation agenda;
• A panel discussion on building a world-class copper nation: Featuring prominent South Australian figures such as Jacqui McGill AO and Dr Ariella Helfgott, exploring regional contributions to global copper mining and strategies for future development; and
• The next evolution in copper technology – An innovative company based in Adelade, Fleet Space will highlight advancements in satellite technology and its applications in mining operations.

The conference will also feature networking and collaboration opportunities, ranging from an opening reception with drinks and live entertainment to a prestigious closing networking event. A conference app will facilitate seamless interactions among attendees, enhancing the networking experience, organisers say.

The exhibitor showcase will feature a broad spectrum of exhibitors from across the mining value chain, including BHP, Intertek Minerals, KSB, MMD Group, Orica, Russell Mineral Equipment, Seequent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Yokogawa and many more. These participants will display cutting-edge technology, equipment and services that span exploration, extraction, processing and environmental management, highlighting advancements that promote efficiency and sustainability in copper mining.

Find out more about the event, taking place June 18-19, here.