Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan has officially launched the 2017 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), highlighting the importance of the sector to Victoria’s economy.
Victoria is Australia’s largest exporter of mining equipment and mining services. New Deloitte research estimates the Victorian mining sector is worth more than $13 billion annually and employs more than 120,000 people.
“By connecting local Victorian companies with the global leaders of the mining industry we’re driving new investment opportunities and creating jobs,” Minister Noonan said.
“IMARC is the perfect setting to connect the best and brightest of this sector, and Melbourne is undoubtedly the perfect host.
”We’ll continue working hard to drive growth across the mining sector and create more local jobs.”
IMARC General Manager — Asia Pacific Anita Richards said IMARC provided critical connections for the sector that resulted in genuine business outcomes.
“We know from last year’s IMARC that a lot of extremely significant deals get done as a result of the conference,” Ms Richards said.
“There’s no other conference in Australia where participants in the mining and resources sector can network with so many of their colleagues.”
A survey of companies that participated in the Victorian Government stand at IMARC 2016 revealed they expected to generate $5,455,000 worth of sales in the following year, including TomCar, a company that made an immediate sale of $385,000 of an order in excess of $2 million
An Argentinian delegation also signed a $7 million agreement for an exploration program with OceanaGold following IMARC 2016, including an immediate payment of $1.25 million.
Victoria is home to the headquarters of BHP, MMG, OceanaGold, Newcrest Mining, Alumina, Saint Barbara, and Orica as well as Rio Tinto’s Asia-Pacific regional headquarters.
IMARC 2017 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 October to 2 November.
For more information please visit www.imarcmelbourne.com.