This year's program showcases the diversity of Australia's mining industry, with companies spanning gold, copper, lithium, rare earths, uranium, vanadium, silver and other critical minerals. The line-up includes established producers alongside emerging explorers and developers, providing delegates with insights into project pipelines, capital allocation, operational performance and the outlook across a range of commodities.
As global markets continue to navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and evolving energy and critical minerals policies, investors will be watching closely for commentary on project development, financing conditions, M&A activity, operating costs and supply chain resilience. Discussions are also expected to focus on how mining companies are positioning themselves for long-term growth while responding to changing market conditions and investor expectations. These themes, together with exploration success, project execution and strategic partnerships, are likely to shape many of the conversations both on stage and throughout the networking events.
Our team is on the ground in Kalgoorlie covering the key developments throughout the forum. Below are the key themes and insights emerging from Day 1, including the discussions shaping sentiment across the gold, battery minerals and critical minerals sectors.
Day 1: Geopolitics, gold and renewed confidence shape the opening day
Day 1 of the forum featured 21 corporate presentations from some of the sector's largest producers alongside emerging developers and explorers. Proceedings commenced with a keynote address from former Treasurer and Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey, who framed many of the discussions that followed by highlighting Australia's growing strategic importance in an increasingly fragmented global economy and the need for secure critical mineral supply chains. Major presentations from Northern Star Resources, Evolution Mining, Firefly Metals, Ora Banda Mining, Centaurus Metals and Antipa Minerals followed before delegates gathered at the Clarke Energy Cocktail Party to continue discussions well into the evening.
Across the presentations, several consistent themes emerged around gold, critical minerals, capital discipline, project financing and improving market confidence.
Global uncertainty shapes the conversation
Joe Hockey's keynote established one of the defining themes of the day, highlighting how global geopolitical developments are increasingly influencing investment decisions across the resources sector. He spoke about Australia's growing strategic importance as a trusted supplier of critical minerals to Western economies as governments seek to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China. The potential for greater government-backed financing and investment support was also identified as an opportunity to unlock private capital and accelerate Australian project development.
Those themes were reflected in a number of corporate presentations, particularly among critical minerals developers, which highlighted the increasing importance of secure Western supply chains and strong government relationships.
Gold remains the sector's foundation
Gold was once again the dominant commodity of the day. Evolution Mining, Minerals 260 and Antipa Minerals all suggested the current pricing environment reflects structural rather than cyclical factors, pointing to central bank buying, de-dollarisation and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty as drivers of long-term demand. Ora Banda Mining reported record full-year production of 141,000 ounces in FY26 and available liquidity of approximately $468 million, while Antipa Minerals highlighted that strong project economics at current gold prices support the case for stand-alone development at its Minyari Dome gold-copper project in the Paterson Province.
The strength of the gold price continues to underpin strong cash generation and healthy balance sheets, giving producers the flexibility to reinvest in growth while maintaining disciplined capital allocation.
Organic growth over M&A
One of the clearest themes emerging from the major producers was a continued preference for disciplined, internally funded growth.
Northern Star Resources, Evolution Mining and Ora Banda Mining all highlighted expansion opportunities within their existing portfolios, supported by operational improvements and structural cost reductions. Northern Star Resources outlined plans to structurally reset costs at its KCGM operations through a renewables programme, positioning the operation as a multi-decade production platform. Ora Banda Mining presented its internally funded “DRIVE to 300” growth strategy which included construction of a new 3.0 Mtpa processing plant alongside its existing Davyhurst mill, with commissioning expected in the March quarter of 2028.
Rather than pursuing transformational acquisitions, presenters emphasised delivering value through project execution and maximising the potential of existing assets.
Supply chain security remains in focus
Building on the themes raised in Hockey's keynote, Larvotto Resources and Encounter Resources highlighted the increasing strategic importance of commodities including antimony, tungsten and niobium as governments seek to establish more resilient supply chains. Both companies emphasised the importance of government engagement and strategic relationships as Western economies continue to prioritise supply chain security. FireFly Metals reinforced the copper supply narrative, presenting its 80 million tonne Green Bay Copper-Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada, as a near-term pathway to mid-tier copper production supported by approximately $250 million of existing operational infrastructure.
Battery minerals showing renewed optimism
Battery minerals also featured prominently, with signs that market sentiment is improving.
Liontown highlighted the recovery in spodumene pricing, noting the SC6 spot price has increased by approximately 360% since June 2025 to around US$2,210 per tonne. The company said the stronger pricing environment has enabled a transition from capital preservation to reinvestment, supported by net cash flow of $137 million during the fourth quarter of FY26.
While sentiment around nickel remained more measured, Centaurus Metals, presenting its fully permitted Jaguar Nickel Sulphide Project in Brazil, maintained a positive long-term outlook as market fundamentals continue to strengthen. The company noted that it has secured a maiden offtake agreement with Glencore and is targeting a final investment decision by the end of Q3 2026.
Financing conditions continue to improve
Several pre-production companies, including Minerals 260 and Centaurus Metals, reported strong engagement from debt providers, with multiple financing proposals currently under consideration. Larvotto Resources, which has already secured $150 million in project debt and is commencing production this month, demonstrated the ability of quality critical minerals projects to attract financing support.
The level of lender interest suggests financing markets are becoming increasingly supportive of quality development projects, particularly those aligned with long-term demand for gold and strategically important minerals.
Looking ahead
The opening day demonstrated that while strong commodity prices continue to underpin confidence across parts of the sector, the conversation has broadened beyond traditional mining fundamentals. Geopolitics, supply chain resilience and disciplined capital allocation are increasingly shaping investment decisions alongside operational performance and project execution.
As the conference continues, it will be interesting to see whether these themes remain dominant and what further insights emerge on investment, project development and the outlook across Australia's resources sector.