Details of the “theme days” for Asia-Pacific’s mining exhibition (AIMEX) 2011 have now been announced by organiser Reed Mining Events. Each day of AIMEX, to be held September 6-9, 2011 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, will have a specific theme dealing with key issues in the mining industry incorporating information and demonstration sessions, along 
with special networking events. The four theme days are:

• Safety Day (Tuesday September 6)
• Women in Mining Day (Wednesday September 7)
• Careers and Training Day (Thursday September 8)
• Innovation in Mining Day (Friday September 9)

Confirmed details of each theme day’s events are as follows.

Safety in mining (Tuesday September 6)

• Increasing safety and driveage rates through full system integration and control of the longwall entry development process, presented by Jez Leeming, Joy Mining Machinery
• Collision avoidance technology, presented by Martin Smith, technical manager, SAFEmine Technology Australia
• Innovation in safety case study, presented by electrical and communications engineering solutions provider O’Donnel Griffin
• Demonstration of unique simulation capabilities of extreme loading software, presented by Dr Victoria Steblina, senior consultant, Applied Science International.

Women in mining (Wednesday September 7)

• Women in Mining panel discussion, facilitated by Lainie Anderson, director of Mining Family Matters, with speakers including:
• o Margaret Davies, regional manager supply chain, AngloAmerican
• o Yvonne Jackson, exploration contracts administrator, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance
• o Angie Willcocks, psychologist, Mining Family Matters.

Mining careers and training day (Thursday September 8)         

• The emerging skills crisis, and using technology to improve competence, productivity and safety, Deb Jones, General Manager – Research and Development, Mining Industry Skills Centre
• Partnering with TAFE and the national rollout of an enterprise-based Apprentice Development System, presented by Paul Richardson, National Organisational Development Manager, Komatsu Australia
• Addressing the need for increased management of risk relating to fluid power in the mining industry, presented by Nathan Tukuafu, national training co-ordinator, Custom Fluidpower
• 140 years of mining training and safety – then and now, with presenters from Steelhaven Skills Centre, Ballarat University.

Innovation in mining day (Friday September 9)

• Optimum material solutions for industrial hydrometallurgical equipment, presented by Thom Johnson, Corrosion Industry Manager, Ashland Inc
• Diesel fuel cleanliness requirements for HPCR (high-pressure common rail) engines, presented by Brad Crook, global account manager, AngloGold Ashanti
• Surface mining technology and methodology: Desirable mobile crusher features and case studies, presented by Andrew Gotley, national development manager, Wirtgen Australia
• The introduction of “stapleless” hydraulic hose fittings and adaptors to the underground coal mining industry and the resulting performance benefits and safety improvements, presented by Stephen Dutton, Group General Manager, Pirtek Fluid Systems.

All presentations will be held in The Hub at AIMEX, located near the entrance to The Dome, and will be open free of charge to exhibition visitors, said AIMEX exhibition director Paul Baker. “For presentations where there is high demand, access will be on a first-come/first-served basis. The theme days we have developed for AIMEX 2011 are a significant innovation for a major mining event, and are in response to demand from the industry for specific information on key subjects,” Baker said.

“And with the forthcoming skills shortages for the resources industry, they are also aimed at engaging potential employees looking for careers in mining. We have a strong focus on women in mining, with our panel discussion and networking opportunities, allowing women looking to enter the mining industry to become aware of the opportunities and challenges in this exciting industry,” he said.

“We are also targeting young people, as well as mid-career or older workers who are keen to know about training, apprenticeship and higher education opportunities. This includes highlighting some of the innovative programs being developed to give them life skills, along with the latest safety developments designed to keep workers safe and healthy throughout their employment in the mining industry,” Baker said.

“Visitors to AIMEX 2011 are encouraged to pre-register in advance to minimise queuing at the entry – although trade visitors are welcome to turn up and register at the venue at any time during the exhibition.”

To register, visitors should go to www.aimex.com, and click on the “Register to visit” button on the front page. Once online registration has been completed, an “e-badge”, incorporating a barcode will be emailed out allowing visitors to simply print out their badge when they arrive.

For further information on visiting AIMEX 2011, please email [email protected] or visit www.aimex.com.au.

Further information about AIMEX:

Exhibitors & Visitors: Reed Exhibitions, Warren Queenan, ph (02) 9422 2563, email [email protected], website www.aimex.com.au.