World Gold 2019 - Day 1

World Gold 2019 was held from September 11-13, 2019, at the Crown Perth in Western Australia. MEI was a Media Partner.

Day 1 began with a welcome to Western Australia in the Noongar language from Richard Walley, a Noongar elder. The Noongar are the original owners of the lands of south-west Western Australia.

Richard Walley welcomed delegates to World Gold 2019 and gave a performance of didgeridoo music

This was followed by a welcome from the conference chair, Leon Lorenzen of Lorenzen Consultants and Mintrex. Leon informed us that World Gold 2019 is the 8th in a series, and is a joint venture between The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (The AusIMM), the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). However, last night a new agreement was signed, which also included the China Gold Association and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME). So from 2023 these 5 bodies will be involved.

Leon also told us that World Gold 2019 had 448 delegates registered, over 100 of which were from overseas, with 55 papers to be presented in parallel sessions. As well as the usual proceedings, the MP&EM journal will be publishing a selection of the best papers in January 2020.

Amanda Wills (MEI) and Leon Lorenzen (World Gold 2019 Chair)

Leon then introduced Janine Herzig (AusImm President & MetVal). Janine welcomed delegates, particularly those from overseas and informed us that over 100 delegates had stayed on from MetPlant 2019, which ran for the previous two days, as had three quarters of the exhibitors.

Janine Herzig (AusIMM President)

Janine pointed out that World Gold 2019 came at the perfect time to take advantage of the gold market, and that it had something for everyone, covering all aspects of gold mining, including exploration, geosciences, mining (including geotechnical aspects), metallurgy (processing), environment and related themes.

She then gave a brief introduction to the AusIMM, thanked the conference partners, the SAIMM and the CIM, on behalf of the AusIMM and let us know that the AusIMM 2020 awards nominations are now open.

Leon then introduced Bill Beament (Northern Star), who presented Plenary Presentation 1: Underground mining: We are just scratching the surface. Bill was joined on stage by Mike Erickson (AngloGold Ashanti) after his talk to discuss issues brought up during his presentation, after which questions were invited from the floor.

Next up was the first keynote presentation of the conference, Unlocking sustained value from gold megaprojects, presented by Simon Hille (Newmont Goldcorp).

Then it was time for a half hour coffee break, where I was able to catch up with some of the people I'd met at MetPlant 2019, as well as some new faces. There was also the opportunity to view some eposters.

Peter Munro (Mineralis Consultants) and Sergio Vianna (Hatch)

Hollie Fursey (RPMGlobal) and Leesa Collin (SRK Consulting)

Amanda Wills (MEI) and Adrian Paine (Process IQ)

After coffee, the technical sessions split into two streams, Session 1a: Gold mine optimisation (mining, processing and exploration) I and Session 1b: Sensors, monitoring and control I. Each session consisted of four papers.

There followed an hour's break for lunch, eposters and networking.

Stephen La Brooy (Ausenco) and Danielle Thompson-Hewitt (CSIRO Mineral Resources)

Richmond Asamoah (Future Industries Institute, Uni. of South Australia) and Mike Adams (Lifezone & KellTech)

Carrie Sheng and colleague at the ChangChun Gold Research Institute stand

WPE Process Equipment stand

Jordan Horsell and Andrew Harris at the Sepro Mineral Systems stand

After lunch, Steve Morrell (SMC Testing) presented the second keynote, Modelling approaches and their application in comminution circuit design. Steve was followed by Adrian Gibett who spoke to us about the AusIMM MetSoc.

After which we split into two streams again, each with four papers. Session 2a: Innovative mining practices and developments I and Session 2b: Pre-oxidation of refractory ores I. There then followed another half hour coffee break with eposters.

Outotec stand. Outotec are sponsors of MEI's Flotation '19 and Comminution '20 events

Outotec delegates and Michael Darby (SAS Consulting Group): Marko Latva-Kokko, Mikko Vanska, Stefan Brauner, Matti Talikka, Chris Ormston, Laura White, Alan Dennis & Wing Siu

Glen O'Malley (Mining & Process Solutions) and Elsayed Oraby (Curtin University)

After coffee, there were two more sessions, Session 3a: Gold ore characterisation approaches for a new era of processing and mineralogy and Session 3b: Gold mine optimisation (mining, processing and exploration) II, with four papers in each.

Then it was time to board a bus to the Perth Mint, where the Welcome Reception was being hosted. The mint treated us to drinks and canapes outside in the courtyard, whilst a jazz singer entertained us, and we were given the opportunity to look around the mint and witness a gold pour.

Welcome Reception at the Perth

Scott Doig (FloCEP), Dave Wiseman (David Wiseman) and Sergo Vianna (Hatch)

Elizabeth Lewis-Gray and Sandy Gray of Gekko Systems

Peter Fraser (Hydro Power Equipment), Richmond Asamoah ((Future Industries Institute, Uni. of South Australia) ) and Scott Ferguson (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Amanda Wills @MEI_Conferences