AusIMM and South Australian Government join forces to advance mining and METS
The eyes of the resources sector are on South Australia as the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) hosts 2,000 delegates at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 7-9 April for the Underground Operators Conference 2025.
AusIMM and the South Australian Government have partnered to convene this landmark event in Adelaide, which is the largest technical conference in AusIMM’s 132-year history as the peak body for professionals in the resources sector. The conference will showcase the leadership and technical capability that is delivering safer, more intelligent and cost-effective ways of extracting minerals from deep below the surface.
The scope and scale of the event reflects a strong vote of confidence in South Australian resources from local industry and international partners alike, highlighting the central role mining plays in driving forward the global transformation economy.
The event will showcase AusIMM and the Government’s mutual ambition to realise the full potential of the State’s vast mineral resources, and shared view that the sector’s world-leading mining and METS professionals will be key to unlocking this value and delivering benefits for the whole community.
South Australia is internationally renowned as a miner and producer of copper and uranium. The State is emerging as a significant producer of iron ore as well as a high potential jurisdiction for critical minerals that are essential for computing, high tech manufacturing, renewable energy generation and storage, and telecommunications and defence technologies.
The conference program will cover all aspects of the highly digitised underground mining sector, including the latest health and safety practices, remote operations technology, environmental sustainability, tunnelling techniques and more. Keynote presentations will be delivered by industry luminaries and AusIMM Fellows Laura Tyler (CEO and MD, Adriatic Metals), Bruce Harvey (Director and Principal, resolution88) and Mark Cutifani (Chair, Vale Base Metals).
South Australia’s Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis, will officially welcome delegates and open the conference on behalf of the South Australian Government.
The conference also features a large trade exhibition, with more than 100 companies showcasing cutting-edge equipment, software and innovative ideas that have the potential to transform traditional underground mining methods.
Quotes
Quotes attributable to AusIMM CEO Stephen Durkin
“The decision to host our largest ever technical conference in Adelaide is a testament to the strong partnership between AusIMM and the South Australian Government and our shared vision to elevate the resources sector in a way that benefits the whole community.”
“Resources professionals hold the keys to unlocking the generational opportunity inherent in transforming the global economy. Building capability across the sector by showcasing leading practice and connecting all parts of the value chain is a key element of what AusIMM and the South Australian Government are delivering through this event.”
“We’re delighted to work with the South Australian Government to bring this globally significant conference in Adelaide to showcase the breadth of opportunity in this state’s mining and METS sectors, and to raise the profile of the resources professionals who contribute so much value to this state.”
“As the biggest ever technical conference in our 132-year history, Underground Operators highlights AusIMM’s growing global influence as the peak body that brings together industry leaders, professionals and decision-makers to collaborate and share world-leading expertise.”
Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis MP, Minister for Energy and Mining
“It’s a great honour to welcome delegates to the AusIMM’s biggest ever technical conference here in Adelaide. On the eve of Gather Round, South Australia is buzzing not with just football fanatics, but also with opportunity.”
“We have the next generation of Australia’s mining sector gathered here as well, and they’re set to gain a comprehensive introduction to what South Australia has to offer in their various professions.”
“South Australia’s rapid adoption of renewables has been a bellwether for global trends in mining and exploration, and our state’s geology houses an abundance of the resources the world needs to decarbonise.”
“From copper to iron ore and critical minerals, our state has the resources as well as the know-how, the regulatory settings and the future focus to make an even greater contribution to the global transformation economy.”
“With our state’s resources in ever-growing demand to supply renewable energy generation facilities, battery storage assets, transmission and distribution infrastructure, data centres and other emerging technologies, South Australia is the ideal place to showcase the technologies that will help meet these needs.”
“Armed with the knowledge and networks they gain at this week’s conference, AusIMM delegates will be primed to kick their career goals.”
About AusIMM
AusIMM is the peak body and trusted voice for professionals working in the resources sector. We advance careers, inspire leadership, uphold standards and connect communities.
AusIMM was founded in 1893 and operates under Royal Charter. We have a global community of more than 15,000 members from 100 countries and a wide-ranging network of Communities of Interest (COIs), along with influential partnerships with industry, government, education institutions and kindred bodies.
AusIMM was named 2024 Association of the Year for demonstrating its impact on the global resources sector through providing world-class professional development including conferences and online courses, and connection for our thriving community of members and resources professionals.
More information: ausimm.com
Media contact: Harry Turner, 0411 564 982 and hturner@ausimm.com