Welcome to the final edition of Heard on Hannan Street for 2022. The conference wrapped up in sensational circumstances with forecasts of high winds forcing the early closure of the exhibition marquee – meaning delegates had to cram into the arts centre to listen in to the remaining presenters. Despite this weather event, the slightly stressed organisers kept the conference running smoothly and once again delivered a highly successful showcase for WA’s mining industry.
AND THE 2022 DIGGERS AND DEALERS AWARD WINNERS ARE:
Digger Award – Lynas Rare Earths
Dealer Award – Capricorn Metals Ltd
Best Emerging Company Award – Liontown Resources
Media Award – Jarrod Lucas – ABC
Ray Finlayson Medal for Leadership and Academic Excellence – Thomas McBeath
GJ Stokes Memorial Award – Tim Goyder
TALKING POINTS
Well, there was the weather, followed by the weather, and then we talked about the consequences of the weather. More Diggers and Dealers were stranded in both Perth and Kalgoorlie Wednesday and Thursday, as the Perth airport chaos restricted flights to and from the Goldfields. Word has it that temporary beds were rolled out at the Arts centre for some punters who had their flights out cancelled, and their accommodation filled by new arrivals. Every spare bed was taken up, although we heard no reports of any awkward top and tailing.
Of course, the show must go on, and credit to the organisers for quickly switching to online presentation mode for those stuck in Perth, and for implementing Plan B for catering during the day as the marquee was closed due to high winds. Thankfully the dinner went ahead so delegates had one more chance to let their hair down.
On the conference floor, Bill Beament raised eyebrows with his declaration that he was not a fan of being in the ASX Top 100, and had no intention of taking his relatively new Develop outfit there.
In keeping with the battery minerals thematic, BHP Nickel’s Jessica Farrell announced a big increase in the Big Australian’s exploration commitment to support its Goldfields nickel business in 2023. Critical minerals outfit Strandline delivered a suitably upbeat presentation about their soon to start Coburn minerals sands project near Shark Bay.
MARKET MOVERS
Lynas Rare Earths was up 7.55% yesterday after its pre-lunch presentation, where MD Amanda Lacaze announced a $500m expansion to the Mt Weld Project. Other movers on the bill at Diggers included Chalice Mining, up 6.25%, and Liontown Resources which gained 2.64%.
LAST WORD
“Australia once rode on the sheep’s back, but now I believe we stand on the shoulders of our Diggers” – well said Amanda Lacaze, delivering the toast to the mining industry at last night’s Westrac Gala Dinner.
“There are too many cynics in the world – the glass isn’t half full, it’s bloody overflowing!” eternal optimist Tim Goyder in accepting his GJ Stokes Memorial Award.
That’s all we have for you from the 2022 Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum…
The team from Citadel-MAGNUS will be back next year and we’re already looking forward to enjoying the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the mining industry’s best event.
