Back

Mining minds converge on Cloncurry for future-focused forum

Meeting of the Mines 2025 Conference

Global race for critical minerals a focus of the sold-out Meeting of the Mines 2025 Conference

 

Cloncurry is once again the centre of attention for Australia’s resources and mining sector, with the third Meeting of the Mines conference selling out ahead of its two-day program.

 

More than 40 speakers and 200 delegates are in town, putting all eyes on the North West Minerals Province, the richest mining region in the country and a powerhouse of critical minerals, copper and resources.

 

Industry heavyweights, government leaders and innovators are converging in Cloncurry today and tomorrow to tackle the sector’s biggest challenges and opportunities, from sustainable water solutions and renewable energy integration to the global race for critical minerals. Delegates will debate infrastructure and logistics, policy reform, and the approvals process, while also exploring post-mining land use, circular economy approaches, and supply chain resilience.

 

With industry leaders, government representatives and regional voices all at the table, the conversations are centred on how to secure investment, strengthen communities, and position the North West Minerals Province as a powerhouse of Australia’s resources future.

 

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell said the sold-out event demonstrated the importance of the region in shaping Australia’s resources future.

 

“Cloncurry continues to be a driving force in the North West Minerals Province, and it’s clear the industry is listening. This conference brings together leaders, decision-makers and innovators who are all committed to ensuring our region remains strong, sustainable and globally competitive,” he said.

 

The has again proven itself as the premier gathering for the sector, drawing a strong line-up of leaders, including:

 

• Neville Power, Director, Omnia
• Matt O’Neill, COO, Evolution Mining
• Jason Floyd, General Manager / Site Senior Executive, Ernest Henry Operations
• Ben McInerney, General Manager & Senior Site Executive, Eloise Copper Mine
• Glen Connell, Executive GM – Stakeholder Relations, Harmony
• Dave Mackay, GM – Eva Copper Mine, Harmony
• Glenn Stockton AM, CEO, Sunwater
• Dr Janette Hewson, CEO, Queensland Resources Council
• Kate Dickson, QLD Director & Head of National Operations, AMEC
• Jim Cooper, COO, PRL Group
• Daniel Bales, Study Manager, Dugald River Renewables

 

Federal, state and local government is strongly represented with the Hon Madeleine King MP, Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and the Hon Dale Last MP, Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional & Rural Development, leading the list, along with Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Resources, Regional Development, Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Senator Susan McDonald, Shadow Minister for Resources & Northern Australia, Bob Katter MP, Member for Kennedy,   and Robbie Katter MP, Member for Traeger.

 

Invited Sectarists and thought leaders sharing their views include:

 

• Ben Paxton Hall, Director of Operations & Company Secretary, North West Phosphate
• Bradley Hamilton, Market Leader – Transport (Northern Australia), GHD
• Bradley Jones, Principal Traffic Engineer, Premise Australia
• Bronwyn Barnes, President & CEO Director, Ivanhoe Atlantic
• Dan Kelleher, General Manager, Southern Cross, Phosphate Hill & Mt Isa
• Dr Gareth Forde, Principal Engineer, All Energy Pty Ltd
• Professor John Mavrogenes, Research School of Earth Sciences, ANU
• Maria James, CEO, Mt Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone
• Matt Johnson, Turnaround Manager – Northern Australia Operations, Southern Cross Fertilisers
• Matthew Kelly, Principal Economist, Regional Economic Advisory
• Professor Rick Valenta, Director, Sustainable Minerals Institute, UQ
• Ross Browning, Non-Executive Director, enviroMETS
• Sally Henderson, Founder, Redefining Resources
• Warwick Squire, CEO, Coexistence Queensland

 

Departmental and Regional Leadership speakers include:

 

• Darren Cleland PSM, Executive Regional Director – North, DSIP
• Cr Ernie Camp, Mayor, Burke Shire Council & Chair, Gulf Savannah Development
• Kerry Smeltzer, Assistant Coordinator-General, DSIP
• Patricia O’Callaghan, Director-General, Department of Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation (DETSI)
• Rob Lawrence, Deputy Director General, Environmental Services & Regulation, DETSI
• Kahil Lloyd, Executive Director, Environment & Conservation Policy, DESI (Department of Environment and Science & Innovation)
• Scott Sullivan, Executive Director, DETSI

 

Meeting of the Mines was created by Cloncurry Shire Council with the aim of tackling the challenges and opportunities facing future mining projects in the region. More www.meetingofthemines.com.au

Contact details:

Kath Rose – [email protected] 0416291493