In a changing global environment, it’s clearer now than it ever has been that mining as an industry needs to keep up. The message from several speakers at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) Seminar Series? The time for action is now.
From 19-21 July, mining industry thought leaders will gather at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition in Mackay to inspire and share insights at the Seminar Series, sponsored by Komatsu.
On Thursday 21 July at 10:10am, a panel that’s both timely and topical will focus on mining leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, with contributions from ESG leaders across industry, academia, public sector and consulting backgrounds.
Ngaire Tranter, General Manager at RPM ESG, draws on her background as an environmental scientist and her years of consulting in the resource sector to now support environmental and social due diligence – and she says ESG has been underestimated for years.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist (or even an environmental scientist) to see the direction that changes to our industry are headed in. With decarbonisation and environmental impacts making front-page headlines every day, this is such an important area for the resources industry to address and show leadership in.”
Melanie Saul is ESG Manager at Pembroke Resources, and she agrees on both the need for change and the need for recognition of the strict standards that industry already operates under.
“In Australia, we have some of the strictest environmental regulation in the world, and our projects operate to an extremely high standard of environmental management. For example, Pembroke’s Olive Downs Complex is leading the way in monitoring, research and long-term conservation of koala and greater glider species in the Bowen Basin. There’s certainly room for mining and environmental projects to co-exist, and part of the sector’s future ESG push should be talking about these projects.”
Kate Dickson of Pure Battery Technologies adds that there are mining and mineral processing technologies within Australia that have the potential to lead the world’s energy transition.
“Mining is essential for modern life and very much an inextricable part of industries on a global level. While we need the resources that are mined to build infrastructure (including renewable energy assets), we need to do this in an environmentally responsible way. This is the challenge and opportunity for the industry as a whole and it is why PBT is so heavily focused on quality R&D. Finding new and innovative ways to mine and process these resources with lower environmental burdens means we can more constructively engage with communities and stakeholders.”
Other Seminar Series sessions will cover exponential technology, innovation, safety and sustainability.
With thousands of industry professionals from engineers to site executives and ESG professionals expected to attend QME, organisers are encouraging pre-registrations for visitors to ‘skip the line’ at the front door. Event Director Samantha Martin says that while everyone will be excited to see the biggest exhibition in many years, pre-registration is one way to save both time and frustration.
“It’s so great to have in-person events happening again, and we are planning for a smooth experience for all our visitors. Pre-registration is a way to get you through the front door and into the expo just that little bit faster – it doesn’t cost anything to do!”
Visitors can register for free online at www.qmeexpo.com.au. The Seminar Series program is also available on the QME website.
