By Alex Gluyas

June 26, 2019 - Technological advancements, workforce changes, community collaborations and environmental challenges are the focus at this year’s Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX).

The conference represents the Australian mining industry’s longest running mining exhibition. It will take place from August 27-29 at the Sydney Showgrounds.

Speakers and key topics of the free-to-attend event have been announced, where visitors will have the opportunity to hear from mining innovators and disruptors at the same venue as where technology is on show.

The AIMEX conference, which is sponsored by Davey Bickford Enaex, has been developed with direct input and consultation from key mining personnel, industry association, as well as companies in the industry.

On the opening day, a panel of speakers from across the mining spectrum will dissect the industry’s image and discuss ways the sector and community can work more collaboratively together in the future.

Mach Energy’s Ngaire Baker, Mark Jacobs from Yancoal, Kierenn Moffat from the CSIRO and Anna Littleboy from the University of Queensland will lead the discussion.

Ngaire Baker, MACH Energy external relations manager, said it was crucial that the mining sector demonstrated the value it could offer communities, especially in regional and rural areas.

“I’ve worked and lived in some of Australia’s most remote mines and mining towns…I have experienced first-hand just how vital it is for the mining industry to look after these communities and to do our jobs to the best of our ability so that both parties reap the benefits,” she said.

“The mining industry can bring so many benefits to regional areas and to have the opportunity to discuss these very important issues with experts from all sides of the spectrum at the AIMEX conference is invaluable.”

Day two of the conference will also feature a panel discussions on how the mining community can reinvent its approach to talent acquisition and retention for today’s agile, digital, mobile, analytical and technologically-driven workforce.

Mining Leaders Group founder Brett Cunningham, chief executive officer of Weld Australia Geoff Crittenden and Whitehaven Coal chief operating officer Jamie Frankcombe will lead the discussion.

The panel will exchange ideas and share current thinking to prepare for future demands in areas, such as recruiting, educating schools, upskilling and diversity.

Other highlights of the conference include a presentation on using telepresence technologies for the safe deployment of wireless mesh networks and underground inspection robots in mines.

It will also include cross-industry learnings from the oil and gas industry that define and mitigate human machine interface risk with technology and analytics.

The final day panel will look at adapting to climate change, emissions and what effect this will have on the mining sector.

More than 6000 mining industry professional and over 500 exhibitors are expected to attend AIMEX across the three days.

Embedded within the exhibition and conference, five of Australia’s biggest mining companies, Centennial Coal, Glencore, Mach Energy, Whitehaven Coal and Yancoal will for the first time, come together to create the AIMEX Mining Pavilion.

AIMEX exhibition director Brandon Ward said no other mining event provided access to this volume of suppliers and this calibre of speakers for free.

“AIMEX is about pushing boundaries and challenging operations and business to innovate not just through technology but through workforce practices, social engagement and policy reform,” said Ward.

“This year’s AIMEX Conference is our most extensive yet which means mining professionals have a forum for open and transparent dialogue that will drive the sector forward.”