All images: AIMEX.


BY ELIZABETH FABRI


MORE than 6000 mining professionals are expected to touch down at Sydney Showgrounds next month for the biennial Asia-Pacific International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) conference. Running from 29 to 31 August, the free-to-attend event will be the biggest to date, bringing together the industry’s leading minds and technologies.


First held in the 1970s, the AIMEX conference has become a must-attend event on the industry calendar; and it’s easy to see why.

Spread across three days, the leading event presents a wealth of opportunities for the mining industry to up-skill, network and generate new business leads.

“This year we have the first free-to-attend conference program at AIMEX that we believe offers visitors key insights into the future of mining and is set to attract a large audience,” event director Brandon Ward said.

The theme of this year’s conference, ‘The Future of Mining’, will centre on three key streams; Mining Innovation, Surface Mining and Underground Mining, with keynote presentations specially designed for executives, and practical white paper and case study sessions tailored for engineers and those at the coal face.

The first stream, Mining Innovation, will focus on where the industry is headed, highlighting the latest technologies and practices to help businesses remain competitive, sustainable and safe.

Surface Mining will touch on the themes of transport, systems, equipment, safety and step-change solutions, and the third stream, Underground Mining will be the perfect platform for delegates to discuss the critical issues facing the sector, including efficiency, competitiveness and productivity.

Mr Ward said the conference was on track for another busy year, with the team already receiving strong interest and support from the market.

“Along with networking opportunities, there are more than 300 exhibiting companies set to attend – including GM Holden, APC Technology, Beijing General Mining and Metallurgical Corporation, IFM Efector, Insitu Pacific, Austmine Ltd and Austdac,” he said.


Keynote presenters

Undoubtedly the highlight of the conference, the key note presenter segment was progressing well, with a strong line-up speakers now confirmed.

Day one will kick off with a welcome speech from former Centennial Coal chief executive and AIMEX’s newly appointed non-executive chairman David Moult, followed by presentations from NSW Mining chief executive Stephen Galilee and World Coal Association chairman Mark Buffier.

“General Electric strategic account development manager Ian Larsen will then speak on the Tuesday afternoon about digital transformation trends, and how these concepts can be implemented within the mining sector, and Mining3 chief executive Professor Paul Lever will present on the Wednesday as part of a panel on championing technology and innovation in ‘new normal’ environments,” Mr Ward said.

“He’ll be speaking alongside Telstra’s Jeannette McGill, Centennial Coal’s Steve Burgess and CSIRO’s Dr Ewan Sellers.”

Hatch’s Brian Moore was also set to talk about innovations in bulk materials handling, and Ampcontrol’s Tim Wylie would look at standards and industry practice around gas detection.

“We’ll also hear from speakers like Simon Van Wegan of Modular Mining Systems, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Natasha Jager and Ian Campbell of Kal Tire,” Mr Ward said.

In addition, delegates will get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the products and experts through live demonstrations at participating exhibitor stands.

“At this stage, we are still in the planning phase of the demonstration program but as in past years this will feature exhibitors who have new solutions and products on offer to share with the market,” he said.



Breakthrough technology

Complementing the speaker and demonstration program was a new Breakthrough section celebrating the industry’s latest technologies.


“The Breakthrough is a platform to showcase emerging technology that will provide significant benefit to the mining sector. All products are new to market, and have launched within the past 18 months.,” Mr Ward said.


Orb Engineering Services will demonstrate its new mobile clean energy platform that tackled cost per kilowatt-hour kWH with no carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions while producing electricity, and rental options for Renewable Energy Generators to local industry.

Also on show was the new Digital Drift System; a high-speed, fit for purpose, access layer communications network designed to boost production and reduce costs.

The product was a world-first Cisco compatible system using a single coaxial cable to carry both power and data, and was suitable for underground mines, tunnels, and processing plants.

“The main focus here is on technology and innovation that will provide efficiencies to the mining sector such as renewable energy generators that have been designed with no harmful CO2-e emission emitted; mobile communication and asset management specialising in GPS based solutions,” Mr Ward said.


Networking opportunities

Rubbing shoulders with industry peers was one of AIMEX’s other drawcards.

This year AIMEX would be hosting a Business Matching Program to help maximise delegate time on and offsite with a tailored program created according to their interests.

On Wednesday 30 August, a networking event, sponsored by METS Ignited, will also be open from 4.30pm to exhibitors and visitors, with refreshments and entertainment.

“We hope this will allow colleagues – new and old – to meet up in an informal environment to share common challenges facing them,” Mr Ward said.

“Smart Mining Networking Events – which is being hosted by Austmine Ltd. Organisers – will also delegates a great opportunity to learn and network with one another.”

Mr Ward said in all, the event provided an “unparalleled opportunity” for companies and industry professionals from across the region to connect face-to-face, and discuss industry trends and generate new business leads.

“For suppliers, it’s an opportunity to showcase their latest innovations,” he said.

“For operators, it’s a platform to see and discuss where mining equipment, technology and services is headed.

“For delegates, it’s a change to meet with colleagues and discover new products and services on offer in addition to learn.”

More information on AIMEX can be found at www.aimex.com.au.

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