For the fifth year in a row, Western Australia’s premier mining technology event is returning to Perth to showcase the state’s critical role in the resource industry’s digital evolution.
The 2024 WA Mining Exhibition and Conference (WA Mining) features an exhibition floor packed with around 120 exhibitors and a highly anticipated conference program boasting a line-up of over 40 key industry players.
Kicking the conference off on day one will be Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum, David Michael, who will use his keynote to reflect on the long-lasting, dynamic and diverse work the sector does to sustain the state’s economy.
“WA has been a leader in some automation technologies, with over 400 autonomous trucks operating across the state at the moment. With that digitalisation, there are some really important things that we’re doing in Western Australia.”
Strategies for combining digital innovation with operational and executional excellence are a key focus of WA Mining, and the exhibition will see mining organisations showcasing their technical and digital innovations across the two-day event.
Looking ahead for WA
When reflecting on WA’s future, Minister Michael touched on two key topics that will be discussed at the WA Mining paid conference: decarbonisation and critical minerals.
“We have an unbelievable mineral wealth in Western Australia with lots still to explore,” Minister Michael said.
“I think we have world-leading projects, and I know that there are lots more coming down the pipeline for our traditional gold and iron ore, but also for those important critical minerals where we can help the world decarbonise.”
This year’s WA Mining event features the highly anticipated return of the Decarbonisation Showcase, where key players in decarbonisation will be assembled in one convenient zone on the exhibition floor.
WA’s unique advantage
Among the more tangible and measurable features of the state’s industry, a key advantage of the Western Australian mining sector, according to Minister Michael, is its people.
“Because of the decades of history in the Western Australian mining sector, we have some great brains in mining companies, exploration companies, in the METS sector, in research as well as in our universities, that obviously help us in Western Australia be one of, if not the best mining jurisdiction in the world,”
he said.
“I know that within our industry, a lot of people know each other – they’ve all been on different projects in the past, and a lot of people have been around for a while. For those people, events like WA Mining are a good time to catch up and exchange notes.
“I’ve found that the industry is generally very, very collaborative. People do like to catch up and talk to each other.
“For newer entrants into the mining industry and for younger people, it’s a good opportunity to learn from others, see best practice, and get some knowledge from exhibitions and conferences like WA Mining.”
Spending time on the exhibition floor is something Minister Michael said he is looking forward to at the event.
“I love getting around and learning about projects. I kind of have an open door – as my time allows – to learn about new projects, evolving technologies and all the mining services companies in the state. I’m looking forward to having a wander around and seeing some of the great stuff that’s going on.”
Featured image: The WA Mining exhibition floor will be packed with around 120 exhibitors. Image: Prime Creative Media
