A mining conference – themed ?Maximising people, innovation and technology in boom times and for future sustainability? – will run concurrently with the exhibition. Speakers will include Western Australia?s major players in the resources sector, including representatives of mining companies Fortesque Metals and the Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance. Leading academics and researchers will join Government stakeholders on the podium to discuss topics ranging from opportunities in the 21st century to overcoming the skills shortages in boom times. The keynote address will be delivered by Norman Moore, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum in Western Australia.
?Our unique combination of a substantial trade exhibition with a two-day industry conference will make this a primary networking and learning experience for everyone servicing the WA mining sector,? forecast Paul Baker, the exhibition manager, Reed Mining Events. ?The current boom in the mining industry it is the ideal opportunity for senior mining company executives and management, mine managers, service providers and mining ?frontline? people to rub shoulders and discuss the future of Australia?s ?biggest? mining State.
Another unique opportunity to look forward to will be Mining Family Matters, Australia?s first online mining community?s free forum for mining families during the two days. The discussion will strive to assist Western Australia?s mining families with simple strategies to survive the pressures of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) rosters.
?Successful FIFO families often set routines on how to spend precious time together, they talk about ?FIFO? as an issue separate to ?your? problem or ?my? problem, and they also set rules for how often they talk when they?re apart or which household jobs need prioritising when the miner?s at home,? explained MFM co-creator Alicia Ranford. She added that it is vital that families set strong ground rules and routines to cope with the unique pressures and frequent separation times. The forum will start at 11am on Thursday, 7 July and will include topics on communication, the challenges of FIFO miners? families plus strategies to thrive as a family unit.
Sources: Reed Ming Events, Mining Family matters