Main Stage Schedule
Please be advised that the conference program is not final and is subject to change
Official Opening
Join us as we kick off day one of the conference program.
Setting the Standard: The Hunter Model
Balancing national emissions targets with the economic realities of a region reliant on coal requires a bespoke, localised framework. This panel unpacks the development of a "Hunter Model" for policy, one that respects deep infrastructure investments, local employment dependencies, and global export realities while planning for a responsible transition. Discover how the Hunter Valley can lead the nation in proving that traditional energy hubs can sustainably evolve without economic disruption.
Coal's Next Chapter: How Long and on What Terms
A changing global energy landscape is redefining the outlook for Australian coal, with investment and demand signals pointing to renewed resilience. Driven by surging industrial demand from India, heightened energy security priorities and the global data centre boom, the industry is entering a powerful new chapter. This session explores how Australia’s producers are doubling down on high-quality, long-life assets to secure a vital and enduring role in the future of global energy and infrastructure.
A Workforce Built for the Future
Driven by rapid automation, decarbonisation, and shifting regulatory frameworks, the traditional mining workforce is undergoing a massive evolution. How do we protect employment stability while adapting to high-tech operations? This session addresses the critical pathways for re-skilling and mapping transferrable skills. Panelists will discuss how industry, government and education providers can co-design agile training frameworks to ensure the Hunter Valley remains a premier hub of skilled industrial talent
Industry Insights
Session details to come.
Industry Insights
Session details to come.
The Digital Frontier: Next-Gen Mapping and Digital Twins in Deep Mining
As mining environments scale in complexity, operators are turning to advanced spatial technologies to de-risk extraction. Highlighting pioneering research coming out of Newcastle, this session explores how 3D geological mapping and digital twins are providing high-resolution clarity into deeper coal seams. Learn how leveraging real-time data visualisations optimises operational efficiency, protects assets and transforms predictive site management.
Integrated Infrastructure: Connecting Rail, Ports & Power
This panel brings together leaders from mining, energy, and logistics to explore how shared infrastructure, smart electrification and digital interoperability are reshaping mine-to-market supply chains.
Coals Second Life
Join us as we examine the second life of coal byproducts. This session explores the dual opportunity of remediating legacy coal waste, from fly ash ponds to tailings and coarse rejects, while securing local supplies of critical minerals and building the commercial case for reprocessing in the Hunter.
Opening Keynote
Speaker and session details to come.
Industry Insights
Session details to come.
Hunting for Investment
This panel explores the shifting capital landscape. From funding high-quality, long-life asset extensions to unlocking prime post-mining land for manufacturing, logistics and clean energy, discover where the next wave of investment will deliver the strongest returns for the Hunter region.
Repurposing Land for Post-Mining Prosperity
What happens after the resource is extracted is just as critical as the mining itself. There is a booming regional appetite for transforming former mine sites into dynamic assets for agriculture, renewable energy, tourism and community recreation. This panel will explore forward-thinking rehabilitation and regional planning, showcasing how operators can collaborate with regional authorities to leave a positive economic legacy that sustains jobs for generations.
Real-World Safety for Real-World Shifts
This session explores the changing demographics on our mine sites. We’ll look at how to modernise safety training for younger workers, preserve critical operational knowledge and build a resilient safety legacy that outlasts any single shift or leadership team.
Community & Traditional Owner Engagement and Social Licence
Building a resilient, modern mining operation in the Hunter Valley hinges on a foundation of genuine trust, mutual equity and deep respect for Traditional Owners. This panel explores proactive strategies for embedding social responsibility into core business models. Industry leaders and community advocates will discuss how to move past box-ticking compliance to co-create long-term regional prosperity, navigate rising societal expectations and secure a lasting social licence to operate.
Value in the Waste: Tailings Management and Resource Recovery
Modern processing technologies are rewriting the definition of mining waste, transforming tailings dams into opportunities for secondary mineral extraction. This panel deep dives into the circular economy within mining, examining the innovative recovery methods that extract value from by-products while mitigating environmental risks and improving long-term site stability.
