IMARC is Australia’s largest mining event, taking place online and in-person over three days, from 31.01. to 2.02. 2022. As a hybrid event, internationals can take part online, and those in Australia can attend in-person.
Register for your pass and receive a 10% discount with code “RBCA” at imarcglobal.com . Sherene Asnasyous (IMARC Conference Director) introduced IMARC’22 for RBCA.
– Due to COVID-19 there are second year in a row we all have been living in the new reality. Many around us are still refusing to accept undergoing changes. However, some industries such as online retail show a galloping pace of development and changes whereas many offline companies are collapsing. How has this COVID-19 period been affecting the mining industry, especially in Australia?
– Based on research with the market for IMARC, as we built the conference program and liaised with speakers, partners and sponsors, we learnt that for Australia’s mining industry, COVID-19 has brought about a “new normal” way of doing things.
Australia’s mining industry already had many strict processes and regulations on how it could operate, especially with regards to health and safety, wellbeing and ESG standards, however, during this ongoing pandemic, the industry is said to have heightened its measures.
Unlike the retail, travel and hospitality industries that have been severely impacted by COVID-19, mining and resources in Australia continued to be regarded as an essential service. This meant collaboration between Government, miners, its supply chains, and local communities had to happen, allowing the industry to collectively find ways of operating in this new normal. It was clear from management teams across the industry, whether a miner or supplier, that the health and safety of its teams were paramount, however, business had to continue – there was, and still is, a high demand for Australia’s commodities.
In fact, what also came about during this period, and continuing even now, was the mining industry’s willingness here in Australia to adapt and adopt different processes, technologies and standards, keeping innovation in mind. Accessibility to operations via technology, especially in terms of automation, remote ways of working, etc, seems to have risen during this period, according to what we’ve heard.
– What industry challenges will IMARC focus on this year?
– IMARC continues to be a whole of industry event, spanning across the entire mining value chain.
This means it will focus on challenges from gaining capital and investor interest, achieving exploration results and new discoveries, operating in new normal circumstances and how to embrace smarter mining strategies, progressing ESG and building community confidence, and collaborating between all stakeholders to link technology and sustainability.
– Hydrogen. The entire section of IMARC will be dedicated to hydrogen. However, just recently hydrogen was an object of interest of scientists only whereas today hydrogen projects are on the front pages of state newspapers, politicians propose fantastic plans in the near future. What happened and what do you expect from the hydrogen industry in Australia and globally?
– Hydrogen was highlighted as a major topic for IMARC from those we researched with as Governments, miners, industry and community groups in Australia look at embracing this renewable energy source. Based on all reports, “hydrogen is a priority low emissions technology for Australia”, and as a result, across the industry in Australia we’re seeing investment, projects and a hydrogen supply chain being formed.
For the mining and resources industry, whenever decarbonisation and renewable energies are discussed, the opportunities for hydrogen are often brought up. Not to mention massive interest from Japanese and South Korean conglomerates who see this renewable source in Australia as having great investment potential, and state governments like South Australia being a global leader in hydrogen projects and realities.
All of this is further discussed by insightful experts within the IMARC conference on day one and three of the event.
– What about the Russian presence at IMARC in the past? Have any Russian stakeholders visited IMARC in the past?
– Close to 30% of the IMARC audience are international attendees, making IMARC not only Australia’s largest mining and resources conference by attendance and exhibitors, but also the largest internationally attended event in Australia within the sector.
The conference and EXPO floor includes regional and country showcases, especially covering other mining jurisdictions like Chile, Peru, Canada, Saudi Arabia and India for example, all exposing IMARC attendees to opportunities for doing business in their countries, or what capabilities are available from there.
Russia has had a steady attendee and speaker profile at IMARC, and a few Russian mining supplier companies have also exhibited at the event showcasing their capabilities. We’re excited to work with the RBCA to grow the Russian representation at IMARC and, whilst they may not be able to attend in person this time, we’re looking forward to having them join from Russia via our online platform.
