Congress to tackle the big questions in mining

What’s your position on sand mining? Should you have a position? After all, it's only sand. The World Mining Congress held in Brisbane next week (Monday, June 26) poses the assertion that sand is the most mined resource in the world and suggests its status could be upgraded to a critical mineral. Photo: Brisbane Convention Centre That often means it has strategic as well as societal value, that the resource doesn’t meet forecast demand and that China holds the reins on processing and development. It’s one of the big ticket issues being tackled at the congress over four days, according to Charlie Sartain, speaking on behalf of the organising committee. “It's quite unlike any other conference or mining show that you would see in around the world in that has a broad theme of addressing some of the sustainability challenges and really the opportunities as we rapidly move towards a decarbonising the world over the next 10 to 20 years," he said. Charlie Sartain “So the congress covers a whole, a full range of topics on the conference side of the program with 13 parallel streams, but it also has a huge industry exhibition. “We're hosting the congress for the first time in its 65-year history in Australia and taking up the entire Brisbane Convention Centre.” There was a misconception that mining would play a diminished role as the world moved towards renewable energy, Mr Sartain said. The transition to renewable energy from coal would result in more, not less mining activity, he said. ”In fact there's a demand on the mining industry to scale up in a whole range of areas outside of the traditional coal … in some of the bulk areas such as iron ore and metallurgical coal. “In critical minerals, which are so needed for the decarbonisation and the transition of the energy economy, there is going to be huge requirements for copper, nickel (and) lithium … ” The Australian supply chain was developing its technical capacity to meet the demands of the new age mining sector, Mr Sartain said. “I think they've really stepped up and play an important role in Australia. Certainly the different forms of processing of minerals, I think will present opportunities within Australia. “You know, whether it's leaching for metals or other intensive forms of metals processing, I think there's still opportunities there, but the ongoing evolution of the METs sector will continue to support the general economy in Australia, the industry here and internationally. “And there's the whole range of companies that have been able to capitalize on the reputation that Australia has generally as a country producing commodities, but also importantly services associated with that. Mr Sartain has an extensive career in mining including holding senior roles with Mount Isa Mines and Xstrata before stepping into non-executive director positions for a number of listed companies both in Australia and internationally. Sand derivatives, by the way, are used in the development of solar panels, civil construction and aircraft development among many other applications.

Congress to tackle the big questions in mining

Industry Queensland

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