Session 1 | Opening Plenary
| Monday, October 19, 2026 |
| 8:30 AM - 10:10 AM |
| Hall L |
Speaker
Welcome to Country
Welcome to Country
8:30 AM - 8:40 AMBiography
Reg Radford
Gold Fields
Welcome from the Conference Chair
8:40 AM - 8:50 AMBiography
Stephen Durkin
CEO
AusIMM
Welcome from AusIMM
8:50 AM - 9:05 AMBiography
Stephen Durkin is CEO of AusIMM, the peak body for professionals working in the resources sector. Founded in 1893 and operating under Royal Charter, AusIMM represents 15,000 members all over the world. Since being appointed CEO in 2017, AusIMM has embarked on a significant change program to be a more contemporary organisation with a stronger external focus. AusIMM now delivers an expanded range of professional development and plays a more influential role in upholding professional standards and shaping some of our most important industry conversations. Stephen has extensive experience in association management, including five years as CEO of Engineers Australia and previously over 15 years experience at National Australia Bank in several executive roles.
Presenter TBC
Ministerial Address
9:05 AM - 9:20 AMBiography
Martin Lynch
Keynote | Substitution as the solution to mineral shortages: The case of copper
9:20 AM - 9:50 AMBiography
Martin Lynch is a graduate of The University of Queensland where he earned a BE Chemical Engineering, after which he worked in a variety of operational and analytical roles in several mining companies, including Rio Tinto and Iluka Resources. In 2009 he became the owner and manager of a small business specialising in solar hot water, solar power and energy storage. He sold the business in 2024, and since then has been pursuing a PhD at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. He has an interest in how the business of mining is driven by events and trends in the broader economy, on which he has written several academic papers and a book, Mining in World History.
Session Chair
Keynote Q&A with Session Chair
9:50 AM - 10:10 AMBiography