Mining important for communities
THE Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) 2019 Conference provides a valuable platform for the mining sector to demonstrate the value it can offer communities, especially in regional and rural areas.
That’s the view of Mach Energy external relations manager Ngaire Baker, who said the mining industry brought plenty of benefits to regional areas.
“I’ve worked and lived in some of Australia’s most remote mines and mining towns, combined with towns such as Orange, Parkes and Singleton in New South Wales, and 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,” Ms Baker said.
“To have the opportunity to discuss these very important issues with experts from all sides of the spectrum at the AIMEX conference is invaluable.
“I have been attending AIMEX since the mid ’90s and I make every effort to connect with suppliers and learn about new technologies that will benefit the operation I am working in.
“To be able to attend the conference as part of AIMEX is invaluable; we are all time-poor and this conference is a key part of the three days of AIMEX, it provides me with a rare opportunity to hear from visionaries, engage with my peers and challenge the current mindset.”
Technological advancements, workforce changes, community collaborations and environmental challenges are just some of the concepts that will be grappled with at the freeto-attend conference.
The impressive line-up for the three-day event, which has just been finalised, will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to hear from mining innovators and disruptors at the same venue where the technology is on show.
On the opening day, a panel of speakers from across the mining spectrum will dissect the industry’s image and discuss ways that the mining sector and the community can work more collaboratively together in the future.
Ms Baker, along with Mark Jacobs from Yancoal, Dr Kieren Moffat from the CSIRO and Anna Littleboy from the University of Queensland, will lead the discussion.
A highlight of day two will be the panel discussion 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, Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden and Whitehaven Coal’s chief operating officer Jamie Frankcombe will lead the thoughtprovoking discussion that will exchange ideas and share current thinking to prepare for tomorrows demands in areas such as recruiting, educating schools, upskilling and diversity.
Other highlights of the conference include Dr John Cronin’s presentation on using telepresence technologies for the safe deployment of wireless mesh networks and underground inspection robots in mines, cross-industry learnings from the oil and gas industry that define and mitigate HMI risk with technology and analytics, and the final day panel which looks at adapting to climate change, emissions and resulting prospects for the mining sector.