Diggers set to deal at annual mining forum

Kalgoorlie-Boulder will welcome thousands of guests this week as delegates from across Australia and internationally attend the 2024 Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum. About 2500 delegates have registered for the three-day talkfest which starts on Monday. Based at the Goldfields Arts Centre, the forum’s exhibitor hall was buzzing with activity on Sunday as delegates completed their registration and set up their stalls ahead of the conference launch. Logistics co-ordinator Gavin Everett told the Kalgoorlie Miner he was eager to meet with delegates, presenters, and stall holders, with about 160 stalls spread between the forum’s two marquees. Mr Everett said with the gold price reaching more than $3800 per ounce on Friday, gold was expected to be a strong talking point among investors and producers. “The gold price is really strong,” he said. “I think the feeling among gold producers is really good, but then we’ll also (focus) on other minerals again such as rare earths and all other aspects of the mining (industry).” Brigitte Colbert and Simon Gibb from Carey Group Holdings, an Indigenous-owned mining services company, were among those setting up their stall on Sunday. Mr Gibb said the three-day forum provided an ideal environment to network with mining companies and investors. “The equivalent time you would spend on Zoom (online) meetings with individual people would take you months compared to what you can achieve in just a few days at Diggers & Dealers,” he said. Representatives from Pybar, an underground mining contractor, were also on hand to setup their stall. Technical service manager Chris Yap said the Kalgoorlie-Boulder forum offers a place to connect with potential clients. Former deputy prime minister and WA Governor Kim Beazley will give the forum’s keynote address on Monday morning