Tag Archives: Stephen Durkin

ICMM welcomes AusIMM as 40th association member

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has welcomed the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) as a new association member.

Founded in 1893 and celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, AusIMM is a member-based, professional association leading the way for people working in the resources sector.

Representing 15,000 members in 100 countries, AusIMM showcases leadership, upholds industry standards, creates communities, and shapes careers through world-class professional development including online courses, technical conferences and thought leadership events, AusIMM says.

Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO and President, ICMM, speaking at the World Mining Congress, said: “We are delighted to welcome AusIMM as our newest association member. We’ve a very positive history of working collaboratively with AusIMM to promote leading practice on environment, social and governance issues in our industry. I’m looking forward to building on this partnership even further as we co-develop the tools needed to help industry professionals continue to responsibly produce the critical minerals and metals required across the globe.

“This cements an already strong and collaborative relationship between our organisations. This will enable us to share insights and drive leading practice to make our industry safer and more sustainable.”

Stephen Durkin, CEO, AusIMM, also speaking at the World Mining Congress, said: “Both the ICMM and AusIMM are committed to responsible resource development. The AusIMM’s expertise in sustainable mining practice and professional education courses such as in ESG & Social Responsibility will be enhanced by working more closely with ICMM. For example, our upcoming new Professional Certificate on Integrated Mine Closure will be based on ICMM’s Good Practice Guide.”

AusIMM has become ICMM’s 40th association member, joining 25 company members, which represent one third of the global metals and mining, and 39 associations that represent different commodities, national jurisdictions and professional groups.

Veracio furthers orebody knowledge messaging with AusIMM partnership

Veracio says it is furthering its commitment to redefining how miners find and process orebodies with a new partnership with The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

This partnership, slated to continue through 2024, marks an exciting collaboration between two leading organisations committed to shaping the future of the resource industry, Veracio said.

Earlier this year, Boart Longyear announced that its Geological Data Services division would now operate as a separate entity called Veracio, becoming a single, integrated platform to help mining companies get more value from their orebody data, faster, while mitigating the environmental impact of their decisions. Its technologies and platform, the result of a decade of testing and development in sensing, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, “empowers miners to dig deeper into data, accelerating exploration and making better decisions that result in economically efficient operations and reduced waste,” the company said.

Through the AusIMM collaboration, Veracio will focus on a comprehensive thought leadership campaign and a range of online and in-person engagement initiatives, it said.

JT Clark, Veracio’s CEO (pictured on the left), said: “We look forward to engaging with professionals in the mining sector to explore how we can leverage cutting-edge technology and AI to advance orebody knowledge.”

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin (pictured on the right), added: “This collaboration will share with our global community the latest insights on modern tools and techniques being deployed in our industry, ensuring our sector creates safe, sustainable value for our communities.”

Australia’s IMARC mining event rescheduled to January 2022

Due to ongoing travel and gathering restrictions, and the rise of COVID-19 infections around Australia, Beacon Events, the organisers of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), has today announced its decision to reschedule the 2021 edition.

IMARC 2021 will move to the new dates of January 31-February 2, 2022, with the hybrid event taking place in-person at the Melbourne Showgrounds, and online for those that cannot attend in-person.

IMARC Managing Director, Anita Richards, said that while it is disappointing that the event has had to be postponed from 2021, it is the responsible action to take under the circumstances as the health and safety of IMARC’s participants is our number one priority.

“The rescheduling comes after much deliberation with our founding partners, and in consultation with our sponsors, exhibitors, supporters and various Victorian Government agencies who have been very supportive of the decision,” she said.

Victorian Government’s Head of Resources, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, John Krbaleski, added: “IMARC is a home-grown industry event that has become a major international resources conference. There is significant interest in IMARC and it’s clear that industry is keen to see it go ahead in January 2022.”

Austmine CEO, Christine Gibbs Stewart, said: “Considering the health and safety of our members, delegates, and staff members, we support postponing IMARC 2021 until January 2022. We know how important this event is to our members who are exhibiting and attending, as well as the METS sector overall, and we encourage everyone to consider this as an opportunity to refocus your efforts and support the event in 2022.”

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin, added: “We’re looking forward to reconnecting with our mining community at IMARC in January 2022. The rescheduled event will provide an opportunity for delegates to network with leaders and experts from across the sector and take part in thought-provoking conversations about the future of our industry.”

BHP, MMG, Newcrest, Mitsui, OceanaGold and Kirkland Lake Gold have all confirmed their continued support for IMARC in January 2022, with their executive leadership teams confirmed to speak within the conference program, Beacon Events said.

In addition to the Federal Minister for Resources, the Hon Keith Pitt, and major sponsors METS Ignited, Caterpillar, ABB and World Gold Council who have also confirmed their support and participation.

IMARC 2021’s new dates are aligned with the expected easing of restrictions from all states across Australia, allowing for strong domestic representation, according to Beacon Events.

Richards said: “Holding IMARC at the start of 2022 helps create a unique opportunity for the industry to kick off the year with new conversations, develop existing relationships and create business opportunities for the coming year. With better weather comes opportunities for outdoor events and networking, alongside some major events at that time of year here in Melbourne.”

There is an expectation that when IMARC returns in 2022, from October 17-19, there will be greater international travel freedoms, allowing for the conference to attract a large domestic and international audience in-person once again, Beacon Events said.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC

AusIMM and METS Ignited look to improve METS sector productivity, competitiveness

AusIMM has announced a new partnership with industry-led, Australian government-funded industry growth centre, METS Ignited, to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the mining equipment and technology and services (METS) sector.

AusIMM will work with METS Ignited to build recognition of innovation in the resources sector and highlight a shared vision of industry growth, it said.

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin, welcomed the collaboration between two major representative bodies in the Australian resources sector.

“With over 300,000 people directly employed by the METS sector in Australia alone, this workforce is at the forefront of Australia’s contribution to the global mining industry,” he said. “This partnership ensures that AusIMM can support the careers of professionals working in the METS sector, providing them with the leadership and development necessary to sustain a booming national industry.”

As part of the partnership, METS Ignited CEO, Adrian Beer, will feature as a panellist during AusIMM’s Thought Leadership Series.

Beer said: “METS Ignited welcomes the formal partnership between our Industry Growth Centre and AusIMM to deliver greater collaborative opportunities between the resources sector and Australia’s leading tech innovators from the METS sector.

“The AusIMM Thought Leadership Series provides a significant platform to promote the technology and innovation coming out of the sector that addresses our future industry needs, such as low emissions technology, social and environmental responsibility, the future skills for our resources workforce, and capitalising upon the emerging critical minerals demand.”

Byrnecut partners with AusIMM to support, mentor and up-skill workforce

AusIMM says it has officially launched a three-year major partnership with renowned underground mining contractor Byrnecut.

Introduced as part of AusIMM’s Underground Operators Conference in Perth, Western Australia, which hosts an audience of 1,200 mining representatives and professionals, the partnership will focus on supporting, mentoring and up-skilling Byrnecut professionals, as well as engaging in prominent diversity and inclusion initiatives for the industry, AusIMM said.

Byrnecut Mining, established in 1987, has developed a reputation for professionalism and reliability, growing to employ thousands of people and operate a multimillion-dollar fleet of specialised underground mining equipment, it said.

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin (left), welcomed the opportunity to combine efforts with Byrnecut to better support mining professionals as their careers grow.

“In taking a consolidated approach through our partnership with Byrnecut, we are excited to rollout a well-planned and strategic series of initiatives to provide greater advantage, impact and value for professionals at Byrnecut and the wider industry,” Durkin said.

Byrnecut Group Executive Chairman, Steve Coughlan (right), said that the organisation was looking forward to using their extensive experience and knowledge of the sector to work with AusIMM in supporting, mentoring and up-skilling their workforce.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Australia’s peak body for the resources sector,” Coughlan said. “Building long lasting relationships with our employees and our partners is a key part of our culture and Byrnecut are looking forward to working with AusIMM over the next three years.”

AusIMM signs MoU with Global Mining Association of China

The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Global Mining Association of China (GMAC).

The MoU, signed at the China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2018, is a landmark development for Chinese resources professionals, AusIMM said, providing them with access to Australian professional development and mining credentials.

With a focus on enhancing excellence in the resources industry, the MoU will give members of both organisations opportunities for networking, access to key industry events as well as world-class seminars and training.

AusIMM CEO Stephen Durkin (pictured) said the MoU showcased the international collaboration taking place in the mining industry when it came to best practice.

“Sharing knowledge and professional development opportunities is core business for the AusIMM,” Durkin said. “Ensuring that the workforce of the future across Australasia is equipped with the resources and tools to be adequately credentialed and educated by Australian standards brings enormous opportunities for national and international investment as well as for professionals.”

AusIMM was formed in 1893 and is a leading organisation representing more than 65,000 resources sector professionals in the Australasian region (including New Zealand), across industry, government and academia.

GMAC is the representative body for both companies and individuals within the international mining community in China. GMAC’s main goals focus on advocacy, networking, representation and support of its members in the international mining community in China.