INSIGHT, INNOVATION AND CELEBRATION

AIMEX 2025 DELIVERED A LANDMARK SHOWCASE FOR AUSTRALIA'S MINING SECTOR, TRANSFORMING ADELAIDE INTO THE CENTRE OF DIALOGUE, INNOVATION AND RECOGNITION FOR THREE DYNAMIC DAYS.

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With its move to South Australia, Asia-Pacific's International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) entered a new chapter, one defined by collaboration, fresh perspectives and a genuine sense of momentum.

Held at the Adelaide Showground from September 23–25, the event combined technical insight with industry celebration, uniting thought leaders, suppliers and operators around the shared goal of advancing the resources sector.

Setting the tone for progress

South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis officially opened the event by championing the state's growing prominence on the global mining stage. He highlighted copper as an economic powerhouse and a cornerstone of future growth.

"South Australia's largest exported commodity is copper, both refined and concentrates," he said during his keynote address. "That was up 17 per cent on the previous year, which reaped for our state a record of $4.3 billion in copper exports."

Koutsantonis described how the state's resource base, evolving infrastructure and investment pipeline are positioning South Australia as a magnet for new exploration and development, particularly across copper and critical minerals. His message set an upbeat tone that carried through the rest of AIMEX 2025.

BHP group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti captured the audience's attention on day two with a keynote that helped to further crystallise the central role of copper in the Australian and global energy transition. Bhatti outlined a bold strategy for scaling production and building smarter, technology-driven supply chains to meet surging demand.

"We are part of that copper revolution," Bhatti said. "And if you thought that the electrification revolution was only in the early 1900s, you're mistaken.