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In a room full of companies and investors dependent on one of the world's most polluting industries, the topic of a greener future in mining underpinned the chatter.
Key points:
- The International Mining and Resources Conference has commenced in Sydney
- Its agenda focuses heavily on industry diversification and renewable technologies
- Protesters have been absent so far
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is hosting speakers from prominent mining companies, international firms and small innovators.
Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, now chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, said in her keynote address that "the time is now" for miners to commit to a carbon-neutral future.
"The shift to net zero has the potential to provide very significant benefits at the local, national and global levels," she said.
"There's also that risk of missing that opportunity for the mining sector to contribute to sustainable development and the fight against climate change.
"You have the influence to ensure this is a priority."
Ms Clark's address set the tone and honest discussions were held about strategies for change occurring at hundreds of innovation booths.
There was also talk of how mining would be needed to build future renewables, which required the extraction of critical materials such as lithium for batteries and metallurgical coal for steel.
Restoring balance
A change that will be easy for Susan Graham to help with is revamping ex-coal bowls for carbon balancing projects.
Dr Graham is the co-founder of Dendra Systems, an Australian environmental technology company working in the mine rehabilitation space.
The programs it offers helps companies monitor ecosystems found on or near mine sites.
"Given the scale of mine rehabilitation, we really need to better understand what is going on," Dr Graham said.
She says there are around 80,000 abandoned mines in Australia that could be reused for renewable or nature projects.
She said the ambition to pivot old mining land for green initiatives was spreading beyond Australia.
"The trends that are happening at a global scale are fairly devastating in terms of environmental impact, whether that's increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or losses of species," she said.
"But we can really see that there is a global movement to tackle these challenges."
No protests so far
The conference was expected to attract large protests from climate activists, but instead a several-hundred strong police presence overwhelmed the venue's forecourt and the conference floor.
Members of activist group Blockade Australia, which has protested IMARC in the past, said members of its group had been engaged by police ahead of the event.
NSW Police said an operation was underway at the event but refused to give further details.
"NSW Police does not comment on ongoing operations to ensure the integrity of those operations and the safety of the officers involved," a spokesperson said.
The conference will run until Friday.