THE International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) returns to Melbourne this year from October 30 to 2 November. Now in its fourth year, IMARC has quickly established itself as Australia’s premier mining and resources conference.

Adani Australia CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj.

The largest, and the only truly international, resources conference in Australia, this year’s IMARC is expected to see a 20% increase in delegates compared to 2016.

IMARC general manager, Asia Pacific Anita Richards says every year the conference grows in quality and quantity. “Last year’s IMARC saw us play host to more than 2500 delegates from more than 55 countries and this year we expect more than 3000 to attend from at least 60 countries.

“There is no other event in Australia that allows mining professionals to network and engage with so many colleagues in one place.”

Regional business forums

Each year, with the support of the Victorian Government, IMARC attracts senior level government representatives from Australia and around the globe, with attendance expected from over 25 international ministers and government officials from significant and emerging mining jurisdictions including Ecuador, Iran, Mongolia, Greenland and Saudi Arabia to name a few.

This year IMARC has introduced Global Mining Region Business Forums on Thursday, November 2, which will highlight key international regions selected from the 60-plus countries in attendance.

The day will be broken into different regions including Australia, Americas, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East and Africa with each region profiling select mining countries of interest, with contributions from Ministers, explorers, miners and investors.

The presentations will discuss markets and trade opportunities within the region as well as participate in a Q&A from the floor, providing a unique opportunity for delegates to enter into dialogue with Australian and International leaders over key challenges and benefits that the mining sector currently faces.

Infrastructure critical

This year’s program has introduced mining infrastructure as a key focus, and with AECOM a world leader in infrastructure design, the company’s technical director Maneesh Gupta will prove an interesting speaker.

Anita Richards said, “Given that AECOM has been appointed by Adani Australia to carry out survey and design work for the Carmichael Rail Network linking Galilee Basin mines to broader network, I have no doubt he will have some unique insights into the importance of infrastructure in the mining sector.

“Infrastructure plays a pivotal role in any mining project and Adani provides a perfect case study in how the presence or absence of the right infrastructure is often the factor that determines a project’s viability.”

She said delegates at IMARC 2017 would have the opportunity to hear the Adani story from a number of perspectives, with Adani Australia CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj also confirmed as a keynote speaker.

“Mr Janakaraj, or JJ as he is more commonly known, has had an extraordinary career spanning projects in India, Africa and Australia,” she said.

Beginning his career in smelting and having worked as a mechanical engineer, before rising into senior leadership positions. He spent 18 years in various roles at globally-renowned Vedanta Resources, including five years as a Director and later CEO of their copper division in Zambia.

“The breadth of JJ’s experience will ensure those who attend his keynote will walk away with some fascinating insights, and of course one of the biggest challenges he is grappling with right now is securing the infrastructure to service the Carmichael Mine.”

What’s next for gold?

Many senior level government representatives, including ministers, will attend the 4th annual IMARC in Melbourne from October 30 to November 2.

With the recent ‘Australian Mining Report’ from BMI Research predicting a rising global gold price and a sunny outlook for gold in Australia, IMARC will look in detail at the challenges and opportunities facing investors in gold and precious metals projects.

Anita Richards said conference goers would be able to hear from speakers representing a range of exciting projects and perspectives in the precious metals space.

“Gold and precious metals are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy and in minerals markets. And for Australian miners, the outlook for gold in the next five years is positive, with rising prices and projected falls in the Australian dollar against the greenback.”

IMARC will welcome a range of speakers including Nicholas Mather, CEO of SolGold, an AIM-listed gold exploration company with a huge prospect in Ecuador; Alberto Migliucci, CEO and founder of Petra Commodities, who will discuss the future of Asia’s investment in gold; and MATSA Resources Group exploration manager Dave Fielding.

“Investors who attend will be presented with a number of highly attractive investment propositions, and the chance to get into the detail on projects from all over the world,” Anita Richards said.

“With gold’s increasing importance in the tech economy, as well as its role as important financial reserve in turbulent monetary times, we wanted to give IMARC attendees the opportunity get an in depth look at this important commodity.”