By Juan Carlos Guajardo
I had the opportunity to attend IMARC 2025 in Sydney, an event that reaffirmed Australia’s role as one of the world’s leading mining hubs, both in terms of the scale of its industry and its growing influence on the global resource agenda.
Under the theme “Strengthening Supply Chains, Optimising Costs, and Driving Productivity,” IMARC showcased tangible progress in areas already shaping the industry, which are now consolidating as structural pillars: supply security, technological innovation, and operational sustainability.
A particularly noteworthy aspect was the strong Latin American presence, with delegations from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, among others. The region positioned itself as a key player in the energy transition, bringing resources, projects, strategic vision, and greater regional coordination to the table.
Supply Chains and Critical Minerals
Supply security was one of the dominant topics. Governments and companies are moving beyond planning into the execution of alliances and traceability mechanisms, acknowledging the deep interdependence of global supply chains.
Critical minerals have become geostrategic pillars, and public–private cooperation is emerging as the most effective path to ensure availability, transparency, and sustainability.
In this context, the recent announcement of a cooperation agreement between Australia and the United States on critical minerals and energy stands as a direct corollary of what was experienced at IMARC. The agreement reinforces the trend toward trusted supply blocs, positioning Australia as a preferred Western partner in building resilient mining and technology value chains.
Technology, Productivity, and Sustainability
IMARC confirmed that automation, artificial intelligence, and circular economy practices are no longer aspirations but concrete realities transforming mining’s efficiency and environmental impact.
Sustainability has evolved from a reputational value into a competitive, measurable, and auditable requirement.
Costs, Geopolitics, and Long-Term Vision
Speakers agreed that rising costs and regulatory timelines demand a more integrated approach to risk management. The geopolitics of minerals is now firmly at the center of the discussion: ensuring supply increasingly involves diplomatic, technological, and financial decisions with long-term implications.
IMARC 2025 was the visible expression of a process already maturing: global mining is moving from extraction to strategic integration.
Australia consolidates its position as a world platform for innovation, investment, and policy dialogue, while Latin America emerges as the core source of critical minerals for the energy transition.
Source: Plusmining