From strategy to execution
How IMARC 2026 is shaping a resilient global resources industry
As the global resources sector navigates a complex era marked by rapid technological change, geopolitical shifts and urgent sustainability mandates, the imperative facing industry leaders has fundamentally transformed.
The central challenge is no longer merely defining targets or setting ambitious production goals, but translating high-level strategy into tangible, resilient operational outcomes.
To prosper in this new world, collaboration across the industry is critical. This is at the core of the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC) — delivering ideas, inspiration and serving as a global meeting ground for industry leaders.
IMARC event director Sherene Asnasyous says there is no shortage of strategies, targets, technology or ambition across the resources sector.
“The challenge is turning those things into projects that are investable and viable, operations that are more productive, technologies that actually scale, and supply chains that can withstand a much more complex geopolitical environment,” she said.
“No company, government or country can solve all of that independently either.
“Capital, policy, technology, mining capability and international partnerships increasingly need to work together.”
Held in Sydney from 27–29 October 2026, IMARC is a central forum where governments, industry leaders and innovators can come together to forge partnerships, navigate geopolitical challenges and shape the future of mining across jurisdictions.
It’s where the global and local mining industries meet, with more than 12,000 attendees from 120 countries,?500 exhibitors and?550 speakers across six conference streams.
Learn from mining leaders and resource experts over the three-day program — covering the entire mining value chain. Attend one of the many networking events or simply catch up with industry colleagues on the 20,000m² expo floor, featuring more than 500 leading companies.
The world-class program features six concurrent conferences with panel discussions and strategic keynote presentations. Participants will gain insights from C-suite executives and industry leaders on operational excellence, ESG, business resilience, project development and mine digitisation.
What really makes IMARC unique is that it covers the entire mining value chain. From exploration and investment to production and global trade, every stage of the mining process is represented.
Alongside the main event, a wide range of sideline events hosted by local and international organisations — such as networking sessions, industry gatherings and launch announcements — offer even more opportunities to connect and learn.
No matter what your role is in the industry, there’s something for you at IMARC.
At the heart of this year’s event is a definitive theme — “From strategy to execution: delivering responsible, resilient and viable resources.”
Across the global industry, conversations surrounding critical minerals, processing capabilities and supply chain security have matured significantly. Stakeholders across government and commerce agree that the industry must do more than just identify strategic minerals and publish high-level strategy documents. The critical priority now is determining how viable mining and processing projects can be permitted, financed, constructed and operated efficiently.
“Capital availability, permitting and project development, processing capability, geopolitical risk and the role governments and strategic finance can play in getting projects moving are all generating significant discussion,” Ms Asnasyous said.
IMARC 2026 directly addresses the core systemic bottlenecks currently restraining project delivery. The program examines the pivotal role that strategic finance and government intervention play in accelerating project timelines and overcoming commercial barriers.
Key sessions and roundtables will focus on capital availability, permitting and project development, processing capability, geopolitical risk and the role governments and strategic finance in influencing project pipelines.
“At an operating level, productivity is another major theme,” Ms Asnasyous said.
“Costs remain challenging, so there is a lot of interest in where AI, automation, connected systems and other technologies can deliver measurable operational improvements rather than simply another pilot.
“Workforce capability and how we develop the next generation of people needed to deliver all of this is also an important part of the conversation.”
Global gathering
IMARC’s capacity to assemble the complete mining value chain under a single roof is truly unique.
“IMARC has always brought the full mining value chain together, but this year the level of international government, industry, investment and strategic finance participation has really stepped up,” Ms Asnasyous said.
“We’re seeing senior mining leaders alongside ministers and government officials, global investors, export credit agencies, technology leaders and some of the strongest international delegations we’ve had.
“What I’m most looking forward to is seeing what comes from putting those people in the same place; not just on stage, but through the meetings, roundtables and conversations happening around the event.”
International engagement at IMARC has expanded dramatically across several key global markets this year.
Driven by industrial policy, defence priorities and secure supply chain mandates, European and US participation has reached record levels.
“The European presence has grown significantly, including engagement from the European Commission, European Investment Bank and individual member states,” Ms Asnasyous said.
“We are also seeing strong engagement from the US across government, industry and investment, alongside growing involvement from global export credit agencies and development finance institutions.”
Senior leadership and delegations from global export credit agencies and development finance institutions are also participating, including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
Emerging resource regions are also significantly represented at this year’s event.
“We’re seeing increased engagement from Latin America, particularly Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Asia, the Middle East (especially Saudi Arabia and Oman) and Canada,” Ms Asnasyous said.
“What I find interesting is that these countries aren’t simply coming to showcase their own mining sectors.
“They are coming to Australia looking for investment, technology, expertise and partnerships, while Australia is simultaneously looking internationally for capital, markets and supply chain partners.”
This global exchange creates a dynamic, reciprocal hub where international groups look to Australia for expertise and technology, while Australian proponents access international capital, downstream markets and strategic partnerships.
The exhibition floor
The IMARC Expo is the only place in Australia where you can discover inspiration and new ideas, find practical solutions and see demonstrations of the latest products and innovations from startups through to some of the biggest names in the mining industry.
Whether it’s for exploration, mine development, sustainability or safety, you’ll find what you need to transform your operations at IMARC. Spanning the exhibition halls at ICC Sydney, the expo hosts more than 500 global solution providers displaying state-of-the-art machinery, equipment, software and services across its 20,000m² floor space under one roof.
Meet teams from some of the industry’s biggest names, including global equipment developer Sandvik, which will be bringing its latest advanced equipment, automated mining solutions and engineering services to the floor, Canada’s VRIFY, which will be demonstrating cutting-edge 3D visualisation and technology platforms for mineral discovery, and Ampol, which will be showcasing its latest low-emission energy solutions, fuels and lubricants tailored for heavy industry.
Mines and Money
Access to capital remains the ultimate enabler of resource development. Co-located directly alongside the main conference, the Mines and Money Mining & Investment Hub provides an opportunity for junior mining companies to showcase their projects and raise capital by engaging directly with prospective investors on the expo floor.
Showcasing global projects from diversified producers and some of the most compelling exploration and development companies, this dedicated precinct provides an opportunity for investors to identify and compare potential investments while meeting senior executives from more than 120 mining and energy companies.
Unrivaled networking
As the largest gathering of mining professionals in Australia, IMARC provides unmatched networking opportunities, serving as a meeting ground for the mining industry. IMARC is where the most influential people in the industry come together to learn, network and, most importantly, do business.
While the conference stages offer unparalleled thought leadership, much of IMARC’s core value unfolds through direct interpersonal connections.
“You can consume an enormous amount of information online, but you can’t replicate having the people who make decisions across the industry in one place,” Ms Asnasyous said.
“Some of the most valuable parts of IMARC happen away from a stage.
“It might be an investor meeting that progresses a project, a mining company discovering a technology on the exhibition floor, a government delegation meeting another government, or a conversation over coffee that leads to a partnership six months later.
“We have deliberately created more opportunities for those conversations through leadership roundtables, C-suite briefings, investor meetings, networking functions, international delegations and smaller discussion formats alongside the main conference.
“And increasingly, organisations are using the week around IMARC for their own meetings, announcements and events.
“So, there is an ecosystem developing around IMARC that you simply cannot experience by reading about the industry online afterwards.”
Whether your focus is securing project capital, deploying transformative mine site technology, navigating geopolitical policy or expanding your international network, IMARC 2026 is the essential forum where global strategy meets real-world execution.