Collaboration more than just a theme at IMARC 2025

At a time when mining is under pressure to deliver more with less, and faster than ever before, collaboration across the industry is no longer optional; it’s essential. That is the guiding principle behind the expanded format of the International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC), returning to the ICC Sydney from 21–23 October 2025. 

Among the new initiatives is the Mining Operators Series, tailored for professionals working at the frontline of mining operations. Attendees can earn CPD points and gain access to technical sessions, exclusive networking events, and a guided exhibition tour all designed to help site-based teams elevate their skills and engage with the tools and technologies shaping modern mining. Qualifying professionals, such as operators, engineers, supervisors, and managers from mine sites at development or production stages, can attend for free via IMARC’s Mining Guest Pass. 

That bridging of boardroom and boots-on-the-ground is what sets IMARC 2025 apart. While industry heavyweights like Vale Base Metals’ Mark Cutifani, Wheaton Precious Metals CEO Randy Smallwood and PLS CEO Dale Henderson will address macro trends, the conference will also feature insights from engineers, superintendents, and site leaders grappling with implementation, integration, and impact. 

BHP mine projects superintendent Ben Edwards is among a host of site managers who will be part of IMARC’s new Mining Operators Series. A mining engineer who has led several major site system implementation projects in his 15 years in the industry, he says the program integration is valuable. 

“Conversations about what really happens on site and what is important to sites and operations are needed at large conferences like IMARC,” he says. 

“Traditionally, the line-up of speakers at these types of events is heavily weighted toward company executives who can be far removed from the challenges, threats and opportunities operations face. 

“A conference like IMARC that can bring executives and company leaders together with onsite leaders and subject matter experts, hearing largely unfiltered information about what matters most, is very valuable.” 

Sherene Asnasyous, IMARC’s Event Director for Content & Partnerships, says the goal for 2025 is to create a platform where every layer of the mining ecosystem, from students to CEOs can collaborate, learn and drive progress. 

“Our six-stream international program includes political leaders, site managers, investors, and tech innovators,” she says.  

“It’s about sparking conversations and partnerships that translate into tangible action.” 

Edwards again underlines the power of connection and communication at a major event such as IMARC. 

“Every company has a flash roadmap or a whole off-site think tank about all the wonderful things technology could do, but few are willing to resource these initiatives on site, where they can be delivered and add value,” he says. 

“One example is the vision companies have for more remote operations, which is a reasonable goal. But they often try to go from not even crawling — technologically speaking — to sprinting, without understanding the stages of development to get there. 

“Companies also like to rely heavily on equipment manufacturers for project delivery, thinking they can outsource change management and implementation. 

“But you can’t. 

“You need site-based people, operational people that understand the operation, its people, and what problem we are trying to resolve before we can implement the solution.” 

Veteran rock mechanics engineer Michael Burns is another speaker in the Mining Operators Series who sees enormous value in joining big-picture views on mining’s place in a new-world energy, geopolitical, and technology landscape with the “real world.” In his case, that means underground mine planning and engineering, and the introduction of new technologies that very often don’t survive initial contact with this operational reality. 

Superintendent, geotechnical and survey at MMG’s Rosebery, a deep zinc, copper and lead mine in Tasmania, Burns says the industry’s overarching sustainability goals are admirable and technology is key to the rate of progress. 

“I was fascinated hearing last year at IMARC about how AI was going to change the world but didn’t necessarily connect that to what I do day-to-day,” he says. 

“My professional expertise is rock mechanics and data technologists haven’t got a clue what I do but equally I have no idea what they do. We’ve got to bridge that gap if we’re going to actually utilise all this emerging novel technology to have a real-world impact. 

“If we are going to move things forward so that it takes six months rather than five years between the time when somebody brings a product to a site trial and then actually delivers something that’s workable, we need to collaborate. We all need to know that we’re pushing in the same direction.

“That way we can combine our relative experiences to get these technologies and products across the line much faster so we can actually start using them.”

Register now for a free Mining Guest Pass at imarcglobal.com and be part of the conversations shaping the future of mining operations at IMARC.