QME Expo Floor Theatre
Opening Remarks
Greg Williamson
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Keynote Ministerial Address: Fast-tracking the transition to critical minerals – milestones and opportunities
The Australian Government is actively supporting investment in critical minerals projects, including the recently expanded $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility. The Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus showcases 52 high-quality, investment-ready projects, including mining, processing and value adding opportunities.
Key takeaways:
- Identifying high-quality investment in critical minerals
- Integrating the road to net zero with the resources sector
- Attracting investment to get minerals out of the ground, processed locally
- Making the switch to a lower carbon economy
The Hon Madeleine King
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Capitalising on Queensland’s resources: where to next?
The Queensland government has committed $245 million to reinforce its Critical Minerals Strategy and expand the state's sector.
Key takeaways:
- Mapping investments in critical minerals
- Accelerating the discovery and exploration processes
- Streamlining intricate assessment and approval procedures
Warwick Agnew
QME Expo Floor Theatre
From Factory to Field: Komatsu's Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy
Sponsored by Komatsu
Explore Komatsu's commitment to sustainability through innovative product development and strategic business practices. This presentation highlights how Komatsu integrates eco-friendly technologies in its machinery, optimises their use and reduces environmental impact through efficient manufacturing and operations. It also covers Komatsu's broader corporate sustainability strategies, including reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, and promoting circular economy principles, ultimately aligning product advancements with a sustainable business vision.
Kevin Mascarenhas
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Royalties and the impact to Queensland
• Flow-on effects from the changed Queensland royalties scheme
• Impacts on regional communities and industry confidence
• Attracting and incentivising future investment in greenfield projects
• Alternative approaches for alternative outcomes
Paul Flynn
Dr Matt Anderson
Dr Ross Lambie
Jodie Currie
Janette Hewson
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Seminar Break
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Building a sustainable mining sector – milestones and opportunities
Several trends are pivotal in reshaping Queensland’s mining landscape. These include volatile commodity prices, decarbonisation, corporate social responsibility, and emerging demand in the Indo-Pacific.
Key takeaways:
- Scrutinising the impact of geopolitical instability on international trade and supply chains
- Safeguarding Queensland's reputation for stability and reliability
- Identifying export opportunities across commodity markets
- Prioritising environmental responsibility to ensure the health of ecosystems and communities
- Carving a future-focused path towards truly sustainable mining practices
Beth Schutz
Peter Mellor
Adam Pearce
Melanie Saul
Kate Dickson
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Advancing gender balance in a male-dominated sector
Mining companies are actively embracing the role of change champions, navigating challenges, and seizing opportunities involving workplace diversity. This panel explores and dissects multifaceted strategies to deliver on gender balance.
Key takeaways:
- Transitioning to a Champion of Change
- Overcoming perceptions of a male-dominated sector
- Nurturing and building talent
- Supporting a career track into leadership roles
- Ensuring equity in wages and remuneration
Robyn Bartlett
Sarah Gooley
Eden Hodson
Mindy Trezise
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Reimagining the mining landscape: exploiting new opportunities and steering through transformation
Critical to the industry's future is economic development and upgrading the multi-user infrastructure facilities.
Key takeaways:
- Deploying state-of-the-art infrastructure to access untapped mineral deposits
- Identifying and capitalising on future investment opportunities
- Constructing advanced mines equipped for future challenges and opportunities
- Fostering a deeper, more robust Australian-based processing and manufacturing industry within the mining sector
Dr Ross Lambie
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Embracing renewable energy for mining: integration strategies
Given the remoteness of mine operations, fossil fuels like diesel, heavy oils, and coal were traditionally the primary energy sources. Energy recovery, renewable energy, and carbon capture present opportunities to supplement or replace fossil fuel. But a comprehensive integration of renewable-energy technologies is essential.
Key takeaways
- Unleashing the potential of renewable energy technologies
- Addressing demand across mining operations
- Boosting the operating margins for renewable energy
- Managing the demand for a skilled workforce
Taylor McKertich
Lahiru Wimalasuriya
Jason Sharam
Dr Thomas Nann
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Journey to net zero: are we there yet?
Australia's commitment to a net zero emission reduction targets align with international and domestic commitments. This journey is not just about meeting policy objectives but pivotal to achieving global climate neutrality by 2050. As the industry adapts to an energy shift – moving away from fossil fuels – the notion of a 'just transition' poses several critical inquiries:
- What are the implications for failing to decarbonise?
- Is there any way to offset the expense of investing in clean energy sources and emissions mitigation technology?
- What is the political backdrop and are we likely to see changes in legislative framework with changes in government?
- Where is the low-hanging fruit… What steps can we take now to get some quick wins?
- How do we obtain the resources and talent to support a transition to low emissions and what are the options for deploying them?
Adrienne Rourke
Mark Read
Grant Clements
Paul Hodgson
Craig Rapson
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Enhancing mental health and well-being: fostering a culture of inclusion and support
This panel explore key drivers involving wellness, health and safety.
Key takeaways:
- Integrating human resources with mental health initiatives to nurture a supportive work environment
- Taking a holistic approach to bridge any existing wellness gaps
- Innovating personal protective equipment, and prioritising enhanced safety
- Establishing new benchmarks in safety standards
- Raising the bar for industry practices
- Overhauling ergonomics, with a focus on significantly improving miner well-being
Karin Barron
Kanae Dyas
Kristy Purdon
Bobbie Foot
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Fostering a positive safety culture: Insights from the frontline
BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal and Aurizon joined forces with Sentis to disseminate the safety ethos throughout their operations. While BMA had a relatively low lost time injury frequency rate, it grappled with several low-level incidents. This prompted a re-evaluation of the safety protocols.
Aurizon confronted challenges around safety management and leadership, evident in incidents involving its safety programs. Both BMA Hay Point and Aurizon sought a positive shift promoting safety across their domains.
Key takeaways:
- Equipping leaders with the tools and skills to communicate the safety message
- Instilling collective ownership and accountability for safety initiatives
- Recognising and addressing the attitudinal and cultural elements that influence safety
- Refining and adapting operating system principles to align with evolving standards and organisational needs
Linda Murry
Mick Simpson
Anthony Gibbs
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Opening Remarks
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QME Expo Floor Theatre
Keynote Ministerial Address: Investing in Queensland’s resources future – where to next?
- Diversifying the resources industry through innovation
- Creating a genuine pit-to-product value chain
- Creating jobs alongside meeting the challenges of a low-carbon future
The Hon Scott Stewart
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Consolidating Queensland’s natural resources base – milestones and challenges
- Securing and generating jobs
- Reviewing critical Infrastructure
- Assessing mine safety
Dale Last MP
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Innovative advancements: Komatsu provides the solution for Coronado Mammoth underground mine
Sponsored by Komatsu
Explore the comprehensive support and equipment solution provided by Komatsu for the Coronado Mammoth Underground Mine project. The presentation highlights the strategic partnership between Komatsu and Coronado through the supply of essential mining equipment, extensive support such as parts, dedicated maintenance services and specialised operator training.
Greg Anderson
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Igniting mining innovation: paving the way for future exploration
As the move toward cleaner technologies progresses, the metals and mining sector are being put to the test: it needs to provide the vast quantities of raw materials required for the energy transition.
Key takeaways:
- Establishing a competitive advantage through data-driven insights into critical minerals
- Offering precision tools to explore deposits and open untapped opportunities
- Gaining a deeper understanding of geological information, featuring immersive graphics, interactive maps, and downloadable 3D models and databases
Professor Rick Valenta
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Assessing the mining potential of critical minerals as a clean energy source
The primary focus is to establish a robust infrastructure that harnesses Queensland’s abundant natural resources. Among the noteworthy natural assets, vanadium stands out as a key metallic element. Abundantly present in mineralised deposits, Queensland boasts some of the world's most substantial vanadium reserves. While vanadium has versatile applications, its current spotlight is on its pivotal role in the development of batteries capable of storing substantial energy over extended periods.
Key takeaways:
- Mapping demand for battery storage, EVs, and renewable energy
- Assessing the potential of “green critical minerals”
- Quantifying the ROI for major projects
Scott Winter
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Seminar Break
QME Expo Floor Theatre
The Innovation Imperative
Innovation is pivotal for the Mining Equipment, Technology, and Services (METs) sector. Embracing new products and technologies is key to sustained growth.
The mining and METs sector's global competitiveness relies on innovation, technological advancement, and policies that support skills and accumulation of capital.
- Identifying METs funding for a productive mining sector
- Supporting talent – from exploration to mine closure
- Ensuing a skilled workforce adapts to changing market conditions.
Christine Gibbs-Stewart
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Building collaboration between industry and academia to build new skills
The mining sector presents a dynamic career landscape for both young individuals and job seekers at various career stages.
Key takeaways:
- Investing in skills and knowledge to build the future workforce
- Enhancing the skill set of existing roles and pioneering new ones
- Measuring the successful integration of a more skilled workforce
- Ensuring a continuous supply of skilled workers who not only enter but also stay in the mining industry
Mario Martini
Jan Norberger
Robert Buttery
Larnie Mackay
QME Expo Floor Theatre
An update on the Carmichael mine and the opportunities for Queensland contractors and suppliers
An update on the Carmichael mine after two years of producing and exporting coal to the world.
Key takeaways:
• The future for Carmichael and the mine’s role in the global sustainable energy mix
• How we’ll get there.
• The opportunities this presents for regional Queenslanders, their families, and communities.
• How Queensland contractors and suppliers can continue to be involved, and benefit.
Mick Crowe
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Enabling mining’s digital transformation
The mining industry is undergoing unprecedented changes against a backdrop of global energy transition. Efficient energy use takes centre stage, alongside innovation involving operations and production.
Key takeaways:
- Delivering on the mantra of digital transformation
- Incorporating cutting-edge technologies including AI, IoT, and automation to elevate operational efficiency
- Utilising real-time data and analytics to make timely decisions
Emilie Ditton
QME Expo Floor Theatre
How to obtain productivity from autonomous haulage systems
Autonomous systems revolutionise mining operations by bolstering safety and overall productivity on site. By automating haulage operations, these technologies significantly decrease the risk of injuries by reducing the need for personnel in close proximity to mining equipment.
Additionally, Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) eliminate the interruptions typically caused by breaks or shift changes associated with manned machines, thereby optimising equipment availability. Moreover, AHS enables miners to curtail fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Key takeaways:
- Meeting the burgeoning demand for autonomous haulage systems
- Adopting AHS to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and maintenance protocols
- Gaining insights into AHS and to enhance operational productivity
Aaron Innis
Sharna Glover
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Ensuring mines invest in making workplaces safer
Mining remains a dangerous jobs in the world – with miners exposed to an array of hazards both above and below ground. This may cause serious injury, disability or death. The focus now is to improve worker safety, tackle the hazards, maintain a safety culture, wear personal protection gear, keep equipment in perfect shape, and improve visibility. This panel explores safety management in diverse settings.
- Key takeaways
- Tackling fatigue as a pervasive concern within the mining industry
- Taking a proactive approach, involving comprehensive education and training for employees in fatigue management
- Assessing the potential of wearable devices to revolutionise workplaces and transform how we live, work, and interact
- Integrating wearable sensors while focussing on eliminating the hazards and managing worker risk in the challenging mining and industrial environments
- Clarifying where wearable sensors fit in the injury prevention journey, and reduce body stressing injury
Blake Bradford
Mathew Gilbertson
Naaman Shibi
John Toomey
Shane Rose
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Opening Remarks
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Ensuring community safety by eliminating or reducing hazards at abandoned mine sites
Mining remains a cornerstone of Queensland's history for over 150 years, leaving a legacy of abandoned mines. These pose potential risks to community health, safety, and the environment.
Key takeaways:
- Curtailing adverse environmental impacts in the surrounding and downstream areas
- Reducing the need for continuous maintenance and monitoring
- Focusing on geotechnical and geochemical stability
- Exploring viable options for the commercialisation or repurposing of abandoned mine lands for suitable future uses
Dr Karin Fogarty
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Advances in smart mining: exploring the promise of zero entry mining and automation
Despite advancements in mining safety, Queensland unfortunately still averages about 2.4 fatalities and 80 to 100 serious accidents each year.
Zero entry mining, alongside automation in haulage, enhances safety by minimising human exposure to hazards. The shift towards zero entry in haulage demonstrates its potential to safeguard workers.
Key takeaways:
- Assessing the potential of autonomous driving technology
- Tracking developments in WiFi and connectivity to support mining operations
- Enabling remote monitoring and control from centralised or urban locations
- Innovating blasting technology, including wireless detonators
- Mapping advances in automated loading and variable density explosives
Jeff Sterling
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Tech-driven mining operations: a window to enhanced efficiency and precision
The integration of smart mining into mining operations is gaining traction. This stems from an amplified focus on end-to-end operations management, automation, safety, and informed decision-making.
Key takeaways:
- Unveiling the realm of "smart mining" technology: where to next?
- Riding the wave of electrification and remote mining: redefining the terrain of operations
- Pioneering robotics and AI: ushering in a new era of mining innovation
- Maximising digital tools: streamlining operations and unlocking new frontiers
Dean Kirkwood
Paul Flick
Taylor McKertich
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Building collaboration across the traditional mining and emerging sectors
Key takeaways:
- Building the dialogue between the OEM and METs sectors
- Leveraging technology-based initiatives across the Whitsunday region
- Growing industry connections and long-term partnerships
Steven Boxall
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Safely and effectively removing feral animals – EPA & Biosecurity
Feral animals are a perennial problem facing mines – both operational and abandoned - which can wreak havoc across sites, and surrounding areas, including farms and communities. This panel showcases recent feral animal programs at Jellinbah Mining and Yarrabee (Yancoal) in Central Qld. Panellists share key learnings regarding assess active mine or quarry sites, identifying & eliminating risks, quantifying outcomes and applying ongoing monitoring methodologies.
Key takeaways:
- Demonstrating compliance with meeting bio-security obligations within the mining sector
- How to structure Workplace Risk Assessment and Control (WRAC) Risk Assessment & Mitigation for programs
- Ongoing management of feral animals via integrated vertebrate animal action plan
- Incorporating high-res thermal drone technology for monitoring and assisting control programs
- Benefits to Community Engagement and Good Neighbour policy
Beau Nielsen
Adam Quinn
Nigel Ryan
Darren Philip
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Navigating the recognised standard 22 management structure to support health and safety
The Recognised Standard 22 defines a new way for the Site Senior Executive (SSE) to develop and maintain a management structure for miners’ health and safety.
Key takeaways:
- Finding a balance between compliance and practicality
- Addressing the cost and operational interruption
- Mapping pathways to deliver ongoing compliance
- Adding value to the business operations, people, and processes
Trevor Trott
Steve Amor
Anthony Beasley
Tom O’Connor
QME Expo Floor Theatre
Panel discussion: Reimagining mine water management as a strategic asset rather than a mere expense
Facing water scarcity and evolving regulations, mine operators are increasingly relying on innovative technologies to tackle water needs. Water plays an indispensable, yet frequently underestimated role in mining, a sector is known for high-water use. The focus is on sustainable water management.
Key takeaways:
- Delivering reliable water supplies to mines
- Balancing demand with efficient and sustainable use
- Enabling operators to access best-practice technologies
- Ensuring the water cycle aligns with production goals and minimises costs
Antony Old
Daniel Lambert
Chris Rochfort