Sydney is gearing up to host one of the biggest get-togethers in the mining world, with IMARC 2025 kicking off at the ICC Sydney from 21 to 23 October 2025. This year’s International Mining and Resources Conference is a real turning point for the global mining scene, bringing together leaders from over 120 countries right here in Sydney to chart the industry’s path forward.
Ministers from five continents – think senior leaders from places like Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Botswana, Sweden, Uganda, and Timor-Leste – are teaming up with their Aussie mates at the 2025 International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC). It’s bringing some serious global political clout to what’s already one of the top mining and investment events around.
This year’s bash is set to draw its biggest international crowd yet, with more than 10,000 people showing up, over 500 exhibitors, and upwards of 600 experts sharing their know-how across seven different conference tracks running at the same time.
International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC)
IMARC 2025: Australia’s Top Mining Bash Goes Global
IMARC 2025 is back in Sydney from 21–23 October, pulling together mining bosses, ministers, and investors from more than 20 countries. It’s not just your average mining meet-up anymore – it’s turned into a key spot for diplomacy and business, where matters like international ties, trade rules, and securing resources all come together.
They’ll be rubbing shoulders with heaps of other bigwigs, including ambassadors and consuls from over 20 spots around the world. Diplomats from Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Qatar, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy, Namibia, Uganda, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and Peru have all locked in their spots.
This massive international turnout really highlights how vital Australia’s mining game is to worldwide supply chains. The Sydney IMARC 2025 is the go-to place for countries that rely on resources to hammer out future deals and tackle worries about keeping supplies steady.
Political Heavyweights: Ministers Steering Global Mining Rules
International ministers are front and centre in the conference lineup, giving keynote speeches, pushing trade missions, and spotlighting projects ripe for investment. The list of ministers shows just how big a deal critical minerals are in our connected world economy.
Madeleine King MP will be back to give the Australian Government Ministerial Address on the opening morning. On top of that, every Aussie state and territory is getting involved, including:
- NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos
- SA Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs MP
- Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio
- Queensland Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald
All the state governments will have their own stands on the expo floor, along with countries like Peru, Sweden, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Morocco, India, and Canada (Quebec).
Having central bank governors alongside mining ministers really drives home the wider economic side of resource policies. Take Peru’s group, headed by Minister of Energy and Mines Jorge Montero and Central Reserve Bank President Julio Velarde – it’s a perfect example of how money and resources rule mix.
Critical Minerals at the Heart of the Conference
This 2025 event is happening right as demand for critical minerals skyrockets, thanks to the push for a global energy shift. With the world’s population booming, urban areas are expected to more than double by 2050, meaning nearly seven out of ten people will be city dwellers. As economies expand, we’ll need more commodities per person, even with smarter use and better recycling.
The mining market backs this up, growing from $2.1 trillion in 2023 to $2.8 trillion in 2028 at about 6.04% a year. Then it’ll keep going at 5.42% CAGR from 2028, hitting $3.7 trillion by 2033. In Aussie dollars, that’s jumping from roughly $3.2 trillion to $5.7 trillion by then.
The big minerals fuelling this include:
- Lithium: Key for batteries and electric cars
- Rare Earth Elements: Vital for gadgets, defence, and green energy
- Copper: Essential for wiring up the world and building materials
- Iron Ore: Still the backbone for construction everywhere
China handles 69% of global mine output and 92% of processing – that’s the tightest grip on any energy transition mineral. Back in April 2025, they slapped export curbs on rare earths, permanent magnets, and other products using them, all in response to US tariffs.
This kind of supply chain bottleneck makes events like IMARC 2025 super important for building backup networks and cutting down on political risks.
Tech and Sustainability Shaking Up Mining
Digital Shift & Automation: From AI helping scout new sites to self-driving trucks in the pits, tech is boosting how things run and easing the toll on the environment. Blending in these advanced tools is changing the game for efficiency and looking after the planet.
Today’s mines are jumping on board with:
Autonomous Gear:
- Driverless trucks cutting costs by 15-20%
- Remote drills boost safety by up to 70%
- Auto processing setups for better accuracy and less waste
Digital Tracking:
- Satellites giving live updates on ops
- AI predicting when gear needs fixing to avoid breakdowns
- Virtual models for testing and tweaking without real-world hassle
An Aussie geospatial tech firm, Pointerra, teamed up with a top Brisbane-based mining giant to create tools tackling these issues. Their work shows Australia’s edge in mining tech, offering:
- Quicker compliance reports – from weeks down to hours
- Better safety – fewer hands-on checks, lower risks
- Smoother ops – letting skilled crews focus on big matters
- Solid audit trails – with visual records to share
For Aussie investors and mining outfits, these tech leaps open up real chances. Our industry keeps leading the pack in eco-friendly digging and processing.
ESG Now a Must-Have for Business
In the early 2020s, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics went from trendy talk to dead-serious business needs. Investors, regulators, and customers are all pushing for clearer info on sustainable ways.
This ESG push mirrors shifting expectations and tougher rules. Now, ESG reports and responsible practices are top of the list for investors here and overseas.
Main ESG focuses flipping the mining world:
Environmental Care:
- Slashing carbon through renewables
- Smart water use and recycling
- Fixing up land and protecting wildlife
- Cutting waste with circular economy ideas
Social Side:
- Linking with communities and Indigenous groups
- Hiring locals and building skills
- Boosting health and safety
- Guarding cultural sites
Governance Wins:
- Open reporting and owning up
- Fair business dealings
- Handling risks and staying compliant
- Ways to chat with stakeholders
Carbon cuts are still huge, with companies feeling the heat to shrink their footprints via green energy and electric fleets. It all ties into Australia’s goal of net-zero by 2050, throwing up hurdles and openings for our mining sector.
Investment Trends and Market Vibes
Mining’s money scene keeps changing, with big investors eyeing ESG-friendly ops more than ever. Trends like population spikes, energy changes, and eco impacts will shape the industry over the next ten years.
Lately, the market’s held strong, showing mining’s toughness and upside. ASX mining shares have done well, with the materials sector handing out solid returns.
What’s steering investments:
Commodity Prices:
- Gold is holding steady as a safe bet above $3,400 an ounce
- Iron ore staying firm for building booms
- Lithium swinging with supply and demand
- Copper is riding high on electrification
How Cash Gets Spent:
- Mergers and buys to tighten up the market
- Tech spends on better running
- Green moves to hit regs
- Exploration cash for promising spots
M&A is crucial in mining, letting firms lock in resources, strengthen chains, and sync with energy and tech shifts.
The conference will dish out key tips on how big players spend in a world of shifting mineral needs and tougher eco checks.
Australia’s Spot in Global Supply Chains
With our rich geology and steady rules, Australia’s a go-to for key minerals. We’re up there as a top gold producer, shipping heaps to Asia and beyond.
Learn about the capabilities and opportunities of Australian states and international jurisdictions in the IMARC Global Opportunities Program. Learn more: https://t.co/cyutclfN24#IMARC #Mining #Australia #LargestMiningEvent pic.twitter.com/5zGL5R8Tha
— Mining and Resources (@IMARC_Mining) September 5, 2025
Our big exports cover:
- Iron ore (world’s biggest shipper)
- Coal (major global player)
- Gold (elite producer)
- Lithium (rising star)
Critical Minerals Lineup:
- Rare earths for tech
- Copper for power grids
- Nickel for batteries
- Uranium for nukes
The Aussie Government’s deals with the EU and Japan on critical minerals are cracking open investment and export doors. These ties show how resource chats are swaying world politics.
For IMARC 2025 attendees, it’s a shot at sealing long-haul supply deals and building solid links with buyers after reliable sources.
Networking and Deal-Making Chances
The expo boasts over 500 providers from everywhere, showing off cutting-edge tech, gear, and services, boosting mining innovation and output.
IMARC 2025 aims record attendance
The setup for mingling helps spark real business ties in all sorts of ways:
Expo Area:
- 20,000 square metres of displays
- 500+ companies exhibiting
- Pavilions from key mining spots
- Tech demos and new product drops
Sessions:
- Seven tracks at once
- 370+ tech talks
- Panels with top dogs
- Big keynote speeches
Social Bits:
- Daily catch-ups for delegates
- Award nights
- Fancy VIP dinners
- Area-specific meet-ups
The mix and size of the crowd make for top-notch chances to grow business, team up, and swap ideas.
Economic Ripples and What’s Ahead
IMARC 2025 lands smack in a time of big changes for global mining. The market’s pegged at USD 2.4 trillion in 2025, set to hit USD 3 trillion by 2029 at 5.7% growth yearly. In Aussie bucks, that’s from about $3.7 trillion to $4.6 trillion.
What’s pushing growth:
Building Materials:
- Cities are growing, needing tons of materials
- Green energy setups crave certain minerals
- Electric transport is shaking up demands
- Data centres hungry for rare earths
Tech Breakthroughs:
- Smarter making for efficiency
- Automation trimming costs
- Eco tech for green ops
- Digital tools are clearing up supply chains
World Politics:
- Spreading out chains to dodge risks
- Resource pride affecting investments
- Trade links sway mineral moves
- Partnerships locking in supplies
The event will break down how these big-picture things turn into real wins and woes for companies, investors, and governments.
Trends Set to Mould Mining’s Next 10 Years
Demand for critical minerals is about to explode in 2025, thanks to the worldwide drive for lower-carbon, electric cars everywhere, and huge data centres popping up.
Fresh Opportunities:
Green Tech Blends:
- Hydrogen for heavy kit
- Solar and wind-powered sites
- Electric fleets cutting fumes
- Carbon trap and store tech
New Materials:
- Tough alloys for planes
- Battery materials for storage
- Superconductors for quantum gear
- Nano bits for electronics
Loop Economy:
- Recycling minerals
- Turning waste into wins
- Maker responsibility rules
- Sustainable use models
These open new paths and cash flows for mining firms ready to bet on fresh ideas and green ways.
Getting Ready for IMARC 2025: Main Points
As Sydney’s mining crowd gears up for this big event, a few key focuses stand out:
For Mining Firms:
- Nail down ESG plans and measures
- Pump cash into tech and auto skills
- Forge ties along the chain
- Gear up for changing rules
For Investors:
- Check out sustainability scores
- Weigh tech uptake and innovation
- Factor in world risks for portfolios
- Track mineral wants and price swings
For Governments:
- Beef up rules for good mining
- Build support infrastructure
- Grow overseas ties and trade
- Juggle growth with eco care
The global mining world is at a make-or-break spot, and Sydney’s IMARC 2025 is the prime spot to steer its course.
Final Thoughts: Mining’s Big Shift Speeds Up
“When ministers and gov reps jet in from five continents for a mining do, it tells you one thing: IMARC’s now the world’s go-to hub for the industry,” says Anita Richards, IMARC’s Chief Operating Officer.
Having global mining heads, ministers, tech whizzes, and investors all in Sydney is way more than a conference – it’s a team-up of key players tackling the toughest issues and grabs in mining.
From securing critical minerals to tech overhauls, ESG rules to handling world risks, IMARC 2025 will set the groundwork and links needed to steer through a trickier setup.
As mining pushes towards more sustainable, efficient ways and a bigger role in the world economy, the calls made and bonds built here will shape things for ages. For Australia, running this top global forum cements us as a solid mate in the critical mineral chains powering a green future.
Those three days from 21-23 October will be a game-changer for mining worldwide, with Sydney right at the heart of the shake-up.
