Call for Innovations and Case Studies

Optimising mining operations through advanced workforce development, operational efficiency initiatives, and breakthrough AI, automation, and digital technologies. This pillar focuses on the application and outcomes of technology deployment rather than technology for technology's sake. 

We seek innovations in AI deployment at scale, workforce transformation, operational efficiency, and cross-industry technology transfer that deliver measurable competitive advantage and performance improvements across mining operations. 

Suggested Topics:

• AI deployment at scale - pilot to production 
• Operational efficiency and performance management 
• Workforce transformation and talent development 
• Behaviour spaces for innovation implementation 
• Cross-industry technology transfer (defence, oil & gas, space) 
• AI-enabled workforce - preparing for agent transition 

Enabling innovation and growth through improved access to capital, business opportunities, skilled people, and strategic partnerships whilst addressing funding mechanisms and investment frameworks. 

We seek case studies that demonstrate effective capital deployment, innovative funding mechanisms, and strategic partnership models that accelerate technology commercialisation and scale innovation across the mining sector. 

Suggested Topics: 

• Access to capital and deployment effectiveness
• Government grants – improving access and targeting
• Finding the right partners
• Partnering with government effectively
• Technology deployment financing and innovation scaling funding
• Procurement strategies and incentive structures
• Cross-generational knowledge transfer
• Mental health and wellbeing in mining workplaces

Creating sustainable partnerships that drive innovation adoption and shared value creation across mining companies, METS providers, Indigenous communities, technology partners, and government stakeholders. 

We seek successful collaboration frameworks, partnership models, and strategic relationship-building approaches that break down traditional silos, accelerate innovation adoption, and create shared value across the entire mining ecosystem. 

Suggested Topics: 

• Cross-industry collaboration frameworks 
• Indigenous partnership models and engagement 
• METS-mining company integration strategies 
• Government-industry collaboration opportunities 
• International partnership development 
• Policy frameworks and trade partnerships 
• Community engagement and social licence strategies 
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation processes 
• Public-private partnerships in mining 
• Regional development and local content strategies 
• Traditional knowledge integration 
• Conflict resolution and mediation in mining 
• Corporate social responsibility innovations 
• Fair trade and ethical sourcing initiatives. 

Strengthening Australia's competitive position in global resources markets through strategic policy, market positioning, and addressing the challenges that impact our ability to attract investment and compete internationally. 

We seek strategic insights and frameworks that address Australia's competitiveness challenges, accelerate project delivery, and position the nation as a leader in critical minerals and resources through market-driven approaches and policy innovation. 

Suggested Topics:

• Australia's competitiveness crisis - cost, time, productivity 
• Strategic trade partnerships and sovereign capability 
• Geopolitical risk management and supply chain security 
• Accelerating project delivery - pace and urgency 
• Critical minerals as Iron Ore 2.0 
• Competing with China - costs and pace 

Unlocking Australia's critical minerals potential through value chain expansion, downstream processing, and innovative approaches to deep mining and resource extraction. 

We seek breakthrough solutions and strategic frameworks for deep mining, downstream processing, value chain integration, and critical minerals extraction that position Australia as a global leader in the energy transition supply chain. 

Suggested Topics:

• Unlocking rare earths and critical minerals
• Deep mining - breaking technical barriers
• Downstream processing and value chain expansion 
• Training centre model - start small, scale up 
• Critical minerals supply chain resilience 
• Value chain integration strategies and partnership models 

Implementing decarbonisation strategies and circular economy principles through commercially viable clean technologies, renewable energy integration, and sustainable business models. 

We seek innovations in decarbonisation, circular economy implementation, and ESG strategy that deliver both environmental outcomes and operational efficiency through commercially viable approaches to sustainable mining. 

Suggested Topics:

• Decarbonisation and carbon capture incentives 
• Circular economy - zero waste mining 
• Renewable energy and uranium 
• ESG implementation and sustainable finance 
• Environmental compliance and stewardship 
• Water management and conservation technologies 

Addressing the industry's communication challenges, ensuring member priorities are central, and providing strategic leadership for the sector's future direction. 

We seek strategic insights on effective industry communication, government partnership models, and leadership approaches that mobilise action, create urgency, and position the mining sector as essential to Australia's future prosperity.

Suggested Topics:

• Industry communication failure and effective messaging 
• Government partnership recalibration 
• Creating urgency - Think, Feel, Do 
• Minister perspectives and government engagement 
• Strategic leadership development 
• Industry advocacy and policy influence 

Navigating evolving regulatory frameworks, addressing the gap between technology advancement and regulation, and maintaining safety excellence whilst enabling innovation. 

We seek innovative approaches to regulatory reform, permitting acceleration, policy frameworks that enable innovation, and safety excellence through digital systems that balance risk management with the pace of technological advancement. 

Suggested Topics:

• Regulations lagging autonomy and technology advancement 
• Government grant failure rate - improving effectiveness 
• Safety vs innovation speed balance 
• Policy frameworks that enable innovation 
• Safety excellence through digital systems and risk management 

Breakthrough innovations and strategic developments that don't fit within traditional categories but are shaping the future of mining. 

We welcome submissions on emerging topics, innovative approaches, and cross-cutting themes that demonstrate strategic relevance to Australia's resources advantage and the "Competing Globally in the Critical Era" narrative. 

Suggested Topics:

• Cyber security and digital resilience in mining operations
• Space technology applications for mining
• Advanced materials and processing innovations
• Next-generation exploration and discovery technologies
• Novel business models and market disruption strategies 
• Indigenous knowledge integration and traditional practices  
• Artisanal and small-scale mining integration
• Deep-sea and space mining technologies  
• Alternative and unconventional mining methods
• Mining industry consolidation and M&A strategies  
• Infrastructure development for remote mining operations