It was touch and go for a while whether the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum would happen in 2020, but the conference is on for the 29th time and the team from Citadel-MAGNUS will be on the ground providing an informative but light-hearted update on all the action.

And what a year it has been. A national economy in turmoil, extensive job losses and yet the resources sector has navigated the challenges and pushed ahead at break-neck speed. Most commodity prices are strong and the market is awash with cash that seems desperate to find a home.

Hopefully, that is a recipe for is a strong week of networking, wheeling and dealing.

Diggers & Dealers registrations hit 1850 last week, which is well down on last year’s 2450 attendees, but not bad given the travel restrictions that are in place.

COVID-19 means Diggers & Dealers will be quite different this year. The forum will be held with Phase 4 restrictions in place including the 2 square metres per person rule and delegates will be encouraged to maintain good personal hygiene.

For the first time, the forum will be live streaming the 53 corporate presentations to those unable to attend due to border and travel restrictions.

The pandemic also forced a program rejig. With keynote speaker Ian Goldin, an Oxford University professor, prolific author and former vice-president of the World Bank forced to stay in the UK, WA Premier Mark McGowan has been subbed in to talk first thing Monday morning. He has had a good run, but there is a sense his popularity is waning, especially among the business set because of his hard stance on the hard border.

Among the list of companies to present at the three-day conference are big names such as IGO, Fortescue Metals Group, South32 and BHP Nickel West as well as a host of juniors. Interestingly Northern Star Resources and Saracen Mineral Holdings, which announced a $16 billion tie-up last week, are both listed to present, back-to-back on Monday. Will they just repeat the same presentation?

Throughout the conference, stay tuned to Heard on Hannan Street for:

• News, views, major themes and talking points from the day’s events
• Conference and presentation highlights including thoughts and quotes from key executives and investment managers
• Memorable moments from the (in)famous ‘Diggers’ hospitality

We hope you find Heard on Hannan Street a useful way to stay up to date with all the action in Kalgoorlie. And, for those of you attending, the Citadel-MAGNUS team will see you there!