On the first day of the Congress we explore:
- Minerals policy requirements for the next 30 years.
- Sand – the most mined mineral on Earth, and perhaps a critical mineral.
- Sustainable concrete in an urbanising world.
- The art of closure: Mines turning into physics labs, parks, pumped hydro.
- First Nations perspective on mining closures and transitions – voices from Australia, Canada and Mongolia.
- Plus state and federal ministers speaking.
Details below.
We’re now expecting over 3500 delegates from 70 countries. Access will be restricted. Accredited journalists will receive a link to the Congress app over the weekend. Accreditation is still open.
Monday 26 June
8 am onward: Mineral policy and governance for the new economy
Including:
- Mark Cutifani, Symposium chair at 8 am
- Madelaine King, Federal Resources Minister, speaking at 8.15 and again later
- Susan McDonald, Federal Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia at 8.35
- Tim Gould, Chief Energy Economist, International Energy Agency at 8.50
- Scott Stewart, Queensland Resources Minister at 9.30.
8 am onward: Sustainable building materials
How can we mine sand and build cities sustainably? The neglected minerals of development, sand, gravels and concrete minerals, are critical to infrastructure everywhere.
Panellists from Australia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Asia, the UNDP. Led by Professor Daniel Franks, UQ, with Professor Pascal Peduzzi, UNEP/GRID Geneva, and Uyanga Gankhuyag, UNDP. Media release available Monday.
8 am onward: Mine closure and post mining transitions
Over the coming decades many major mines around the world will cease production, and thousands of new mines will need to be built in record time. So, how do we do it, responsibly ?
Led by Tom Measham from CRC TiME with speakers from speakers from Australia, Africa, Mongolia, Europe, America. Media release available Monday.
5 pm opening reception in exhibition space, Media Centre opens.
Tuesday 27 June
- Opening ceremony from 8 am with Hua Guo, Congress Chair; Marek Cala, WMC international organising committee; Larry Marshall, CSIRO; Queensland government.
- Plenaries with Rohitesh Dhawan, ICMM; Mike Henry, BHP; Duncan Wanblad, Anglo American plc; Fiona Hick, Fortescue; Sanjeev Gandhi, Orica; Professor Deborah Terry, UQ; Li Xiaohong, Chinese Academy of Engineering (pre-record); Tania Constable, Minerals Council of Australia.
Other topics include:
- Big picture role of mining for the future of our planet
- Between a rock and a hard place – Welcome to the future of mining
- Mistrust in mining
Wednesday 28 June
We’ll have tech stories including AI, autonomous vehicles, EV, data.
Plenaries from 8.30 to 10.10 with Sinead Kaufman, Rio Tinto; Martín Pérez de Solay, Allkem; Ailie MacAdam, Bechtel Mining and Metals, Tom Palmer, Newmont Corporation.
Packages on how more extreme weather events will affect mining operations; critical minerals, and decarbonisation.
Thursday 29 June
Plenaries from 8.30 with Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist; Sherry Duhe, Newcrest; Michael Wright, Thiess.
Packages on future, safety, diversity focus.
Plus company announcements and op-eds.
About the Congress
The World Mining Congress was first held in 1958 in Poland. It has been held every two to three years ever since. It is UN-affiliated and continues to have a secretariat in Poland.
The 26th World Congress will be held for the first time in Australia, spanning the entire Brisbane Convention Centre from 26 to 29 June 2023. The Congress anticipates over 3000 participants from over 70 countries.
The Congress was brought to Australia with the support of the host, CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency. The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources is our Major Sponsor and Queensland is our Host State Sponsor. A large suite of leading global and national companies and research agencies are also major sponsors of the Congress.
Inclusion of Congress speakers in media releases does not imply endorsement by the WMC, its hosts, partners and sponsors.
For more information and accreditation contact
Niall Byrne, media@wmc2023.org, +61-417-131-977 and visit www.wmc2023.org.