Introduction
Australia’s premier mining conference, the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum, returns to Kalgoorlie for its 34th year from 4–6 August 2025. Around 2,700 delegates are expected to gather for three days of presentations, networking and deal-making at the Goldfields Arts Centre, with 66 mining and exploration companies scheduled to present and around 140 exhibitors in attendance.
The 2025 program is set against a backdrop of mixed investor sentiment across key commodities. Gold remains the standout, with robust prices keeping the yellow metal front and centre for explorers, producers and investors alike. Copper continues to benefit from electrification tailwinds and supply-side tightness, while nickel and lithium – once the darlings of the energy transition – are still contending with oversupply and cautious demand recovery. Meanwhile, uranium and rare earths are gaining traction, buoyed by geopolitical concerns and the need for secure low-carbon energy supply chains.
Recently, several listed companies have announced delayed production milestones or that they have missed their production guidance, sharpening market and regulatory expectations around transparency. At the same time, capital markets remain tight amidst tariffs and economic uncertainty with junior miners watching closely for signals of improving financing appetite. These issues, together with the prospects of another wave of M&A, cost inflation and sovereign risk are expected to shape the discussions across the agenda.
Our team is on the ground in Kalgoorlie covering all major developments. Stay tuned for daily highlights, key insights from the previous day’s sessions and our take on the regulatory and investment themes defining this year’s forum.
Key takeaways from Day 1: cross-company themes
Net zero ambitions scrutinised
The keynote speaker questioned the feasibility of global net zero targets, arguing that ideological commitment alone is not a sufficient driver for systematic and coordinated renewable energy build-out.
Strong emphasis on organic growth
A recurring theme across Monday’s presentations was organic growth. Companies outlined strategies to increase production, expand resource and reserve bases and extend mine life. Many reported upgrades to their mineral resources and ore reserves. Gold miners emphasised strong balance sheets and disciplined capital allocation as key priorities. They also reported robust cash positions, minimal or no debt and a focus on self-funded growth through free cash flow.
Operational efficiency, internal growth and hedge book expiry were key topics – consistent with gold price strength providing sufficient upside.
The recent market reactions to certain production disappointments, or market guidance surprises, may have also dampened the usual promotional tone of Diggers’ presentations.
Shift in exhibitor mix
There were noticeably fewer miners and explorers with booths this year. In contrast, supplier booths including government representatives such as the Embassy of Sweden, were more prominent in the main tent.
Australian jurisdictions remain unattractive
Just a week after all Australian states fell in the Fraser Institute’s mining jurisdiction rankings, presentations by companies operating in the eastern states offered little to suggest those declines were unjustified.
Drill of the day
Waratah Minerals Ltd (ASX:WTM) took the gong for ‘drill of the day’, with perfectly timed drill results driving a 33.9% share price spike.