Major themes of World Mining Congress 2023

The first day of the WMC 2023 has passed.

The chair of the WMC, prof. Marek Cała (Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management at AGH-UST) has expressed in a moving speech: I dare to say mining is okay. He also outlined: Mining will continue to play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for clean energy, electric vehicles, digital devices and other emerging technologies.

Key themes from the first day at the WMC 2023 in Brisbane:

Science, Sustainability And Society

• “I know some of the problems we face seem impossible, but this is what science is for, to solve the seemingly impossible – its why we are here with you” – Larry Marshall, CEO of CSIRO
• “Mining will continue to play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for clean energy, electric vehicles, digital devices and other emerging technologies” – Prof Marek Cała, the chair of the WMC
• Mining will also help achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals by 2030, delegates are told
• “Massive demand adds more pressure to supply sufficient critical minerals essential to the world’s energy transformation, but in a ‘socially, environmentally sustainable and responsible manner’”, – congress chair CSIRO’s Hua Guo

Show Us The Money

• Queensland Premier announces a $245 million critical minerals plan for the state, including a new office in Townsville
• “Actually, many of you already carry a piece of Queensland in your pockets – the bauxite using in the aluminium of most iPhones is mined here in Queensland” – Annastacia Palaszczuk
• The state strategy provides critical mineral zones and free rent for new and existing minerals exploration permits for the next five years.
• But, slamming sudden royalty changes, BHP CEO Mike Henry told that: “we will not be investing any further growth dollars in Queensland under the current conditions”
• Fortescue Metals CEO Fiona Hick expressed that: “the group is leading the world effort to decarbonise heavy industry, including the first electric haul truck operational on site in 2026”

Assault, Harassment and Discrimination

• Rohitesh Dhawan, president of the International Council on Mining and Metals, announced: “collective commitment to make workplaces safer and eliminate discrimination, harassment and assault”
• “It is not only our solemn duty to do so, but the only way to attract and retain the talent essential to grow responsible mining at the huge scale that is required” – Rohitesh Dhawan president of the International Council on Mining and Metals
• “The industry must earn the trust of employees and stakeholders” – Tom Palmer, CEO of Newmont and Chair of the ICMM Council Social Performance Council Advisory Group said
• “We must ask ourselves the question – what more can I personally do and what more can we do together?” – Tom Palmer
• If the industry does not actively include women, the system will unintentionally exclude them expressed rights expert Elizabeth Broderick
• “Forcing women into systems and cultures designed for men is not an effective strategy to build greater levels of diversity and inclusion. The solution lies in shifting the systems rather than fixing the women” – expressed the right experts Elizabeth Broderick

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