AusIMM host historic Underground Operators 2025 Conference
In early April, South Australia saw largest ever technical conference in AusIMM’s 132-year history.
Hosted at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the 2025 AusIMM Underground Operators (UGOPS) Conference spanned over three days and saw a turnout of more than 1800 delegates from 27 countries, and 135 exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge equipment, software and innovation.
The record-breaking gathering explored key insights into the future of the underground mining industry in Australia focusing on more intelligent ways to extract orebodies and exploring new technologies that make it possible to safely mine at greater depths.
UGOPS 2025 welcomed industry leaders from respected companies including BHP (ASX: BHP), Glencore (ASX: SGI), Adriatic Metals (ASX: ADT), Newmont (ASX: NEM) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO).
AusIMM chief executive Stephen Durkin said that professionals in the resource sector hold the key to unlocking the generational opportunity inherent in transforming the global economy.
“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,” he said.
The core of Australian mining
With underground mines in almost every state and territory in Australia, it is easy to see the demand for progress and innovation in the underground mining sector.
South Australia itself is home to one of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold and uranium, at Olympic Dam.
Located 560km north of Adelaide, BHP has owned and operated the mine since 2005.
Since commencing production at the site in 1988 Olympic Dam has developed more than 700km of underground roads and tunnels.
Australia is also home to the world’s deepest trucking mine, the Gwalia underground gold mine located a few km south of Leonora, WA.
Gwalia was reported as being 1,660m deep in 2023 making it the deepest underground mine in Australia, a title the mine has held since 1919.
Underground operations have been occurring at the site since its establishment in the late 19th century and there are plans to reach depths of 2,300m by 2031.
It takes trucks almost two hours to reach the mine’s surface from its deepest point.
Gwalia has been constantly evolving since its discovery more than 120 years ago and, with many more decades of anticipated mining life, will continue to adopt innovative ideas and technologies like those presented at UGOPS.
Safety leading innovation
With global underground mining reaching astounding depths, the Mponeng gold mine in South Africa is the deepest in the world at 4,000km, health and safety is at the forefront of the presentations and exhibitions held at the 2025 UGOPS.
The Safety in Mine Design panel, chaired by Mine Ventures director Jo-Anne Dudley, was a rally for companies to start embedding safety as an essential part of operations from concept to closure.
One panel participant, Raising Australia general manager Dave Kilkenny, advocated for involving contractors who will be constructing and operating a site from early planning stages to prioritise safety and minimise risk.
“We’re not being asked soon enough, and when we are, it’s often after the decisions have already been made,” he said.
Mr Kilkenny, whose company specialises in raise boring and shaft sinking, highlighted that designs for vertical development, especially in confined underground environments, often fail to consider how the work will actually be done.
“Engaging early with the people who will build, operate and maintain the system isn’t just good practice it can help prevent catastrophic mistakes,” he said.
Ms Dudley closed the session by reminding the audience that great design isn’t just about ore recovery and capital gains, its about building a workplace where everyone goes home safely every day.
Adriatic Metals chief executive Laura Tyler emphasised the growing influence of humanoid robotics, drones, wearable sensors, and the potential for mines completely devoid of human presence, and their potential to eliminate safety risks.
“It’s not just about automation, it’s about creating smarter systems that can operate safely, sustainably and efficiently with minimal human intervention and giving people new roles as supervisors, analysts and strategists.”
Ms Tyler also delivered a call to action during her keynote speech encouraging the adoption of innovation and sponsorship.
“Without mines, society will not have the commodities it needs to lift people out of poverty,” she said.
“To encourage innovation, boards and executive leadership need to be the sponsors of innovation.
“The pace of change today demands a new mindset, one that’s open to disruptive thinking and willing to sponsor unproven but potentially game changing ideas.
“We mine because what we produce changes lives, but how we mine will determine whether we continue to be trusted to do so.”
AusIMM thanked all its delegates, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, Conference Advisory Committee members and staff for making the 2025 conference unforgettable.
Underground Operators is set to return in 2027 for its 50-year anniversary in Perth, WA.
