Helen Degeling on collaborating to drive outcomes at IMARC 2025
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is taking place at ICC Sydney from 21-23 October.
We sat down with Dr Helen Degeling FAusIMM, Technical Director, Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3.
Helen shares what she'll be focusing on as part of her panel discussion at IMARC on "How Collaboration Accelerates Decarbonisation", and emphasises the value of diverse perspectives at IMARC 2025 and the opportunity to learn from others.
What are you planning to highlight in your panel discussion at IMARC 2025?
Decarbonisation requires the participation and expertise of people from diverse backgrounds. There is no one technology solution or approach, and it’s a topic that requires political, economic and community support. All this means that a diverse collaborative approach is needed.
I’d like to reinforce the message of how we’ll go so much further together, and that multidisciplinary problems need multidisciplinary solutions. One of the things I love about AusIMM is that it embraces so many disciplines related to the resources sector – not just engineers or geoscientists. Similarly with IMARC, the breadth of topics covered and the variety of companies present means that we really can get together to have meaningful discussions about the path forward on the big issues facing not only our sector, but society as a whole and our part in it.
What are you most excited to discuss and learn about at IMARC?
Our industry work can move at a really rapid pace (and other times, frustratingly slowly). Learning what people and companies are focused on, what their priorities are and how I can influence or help is what I am excited to both learn and share. I’m a geologist by background, but working in the sustainability space for the resources sector means that I am both interacting with and learning from others with different perspectives and experiences than my own, which is something I find incredibly valuable. Solutions to big problems are often found at the interface of those different disciplines.
With the conversations I know I’ll have at IMARC, I’m also excited to spark new ideas, generate new projects and make new connections.
IMARC has a strong focus on encouraging the next generation of mining leaders. Do you have any words of advice for those looking to build a career in our sector?
Network! It’s never too early to consciously start building your network - this is the best asset you can have for developing the career you want and for accelerating your learning (because you never stop). Be brave, step outside your comfort zone, identify one or two key people that you want to meet and introduce yourself, no matter how awkward you feel doing so. I guarantee that the other person will welcome the interaction and be impressed that you were bold enough to do so.
Hear Helen speak at IMARC 2025, taking place from 21-23 October at ICC Sydney. AusIMM members can access exclusive member pricing on Delegate Passes. Non-Members can use code R87RUN for 15% off Delegate Passes. You can also register for a free expo pass using the code P66638. Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q03y1yn90