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Mining's swaggering cohort of buyers, sellers, talkers and drinkers are set to gather in Kalgoorlie-Boulder from Monday for another Diggers & Dealers, the industry's premier forum.
The sector's flagship event - its 33rd running - will address topics of interest from automation and technological advances to the industry's boom-and-bust cycles, market consolidation, sustainability and, of course, critical minerals.
My RSM colleagues from Perth and across WA, including corporate finance partner Craig Amos - who has recently been appointed national leader for mining, resources and energy- will again be in attendance to discuss all things mining in our great State.
Here are some of the key themes that we're expecting to discuss and debate at the Goldfields Arts Centre from August 5-7.
Glow of uranium and gold remain undiminished
After hitting a 12-year high in 2023, uranium's attraction has not diminished.
As lithium, nickel and other critical minerals struggle, uranium demand is buoyant following its re-emergence as a carbon-free energy source amid global efforts to tackle climate change.
Uranium prices are still strong because of an international renaissance in nuclear power as utilities lock in fuel supplies.
Uranium was also boosted by a revision to the mining extraction tax rate in Kazakhstan, the world's top producer.
Diggers attendees will be eager to discuss how Australian miners and explorers can bask in uranium's glow.
Gold is also hot, having cemented its safe-haven status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will the metal continue to shine amid geopolitical tensions with a looming US presidential election (where many suspect Trump will romp to victory)?
Expect casualties in distressed critical minerals
Fluctuating price cycles for critical minerals such as nickel and lithium have played havoc with explorers and producers, big and small.
The battery metal producer IGO has flagged major asset impairments of almost $1.5 billion during the past two years and has put its Cosmos nickel project in the northern Goldfields into care and maintenance.
The downturn has also forced mining giant BHP to suspend its WA nickel operations.
Prospects for lithium and nickel - especially given their importance in the global energy transition - will be a hot topic at Diggers, including which smaller explorers and producers will be claimed by the downturn.
A key consideration is what opportunities will these collapses present to other industry players and corporate raiders alike.
Eye-catching industry advances
Mining is witnessing a shift towards emission-free machinery, as the global push to cut carbon gathers momentum.
Examples include Rio Tinto's trials of battery-electric trains in the Pilbara and Perenti's landmark study into the electrification of underground mining fleets.
Public pressure to cut carbon emissions is growing by the day, and the industry's response will be a hot topic at Diggers.
To market, to market?
No Diggers & Dealers would be complete without discussion about possible initial public offerings.
The IPO season can be akin to a "wedding season" when multiple listings occur in a short time frame.
Considering the IPO window appears to be creaking open, ever so slightly, are we poised to see a flurry of market listings?
ESG reporting, commodity cycles, economic headwinds and land tensions
Mandatory disclosure requirements for climate and nature-related financial threats are fast approaching for miners, and ESG certainly isn't going away.
But is ESG still the "elephant in the room" and are our miners concurrently seeing elephants and blind spots?
Climate risk and the industry's approach to carbon emissions will be a central tenet of the forum, especially whether net zero goals are achievable.
Commodity cycles are always an interesting topic for Diggers & Dealers attendees, as are the impacts of potential economic headwinds.
Land demand for green energy projects has pitted the renewables industry against explorers and farmers.
Diggers attendees will be keen to hear whether the three sectors can work together to create viable economic pathways for the energy transition.
Not-to-miss moments
It will be difficult to choose which of the 66 corporate presentations and 160-odd exhibitors to prioritise during the three-day forum, but one not to miss is RSM's sponsored SuperPITch event, which will highlight an array of inspiring presentations from companies showcasing at Diggers.
Diggers & Dealers gives industry professionals the opportunity to network, meet journalists, raise finance, invest in projects, and generally engage with the resources sector.
We look forward to seeing you there.
