MetFest Kalgoorlie 2024

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!
Join the Kalgoorlie Branch for MetFest Kalgoorlie in September.

About this event

The AusIMM Kalgoorlie Branch is hosting its third MetFest Kalgoorlie event in September 2024.

Our MetFest events in 2017 and 2019 were very successful; bringing together metallurgists, operators, and process engineers to discuss challenges, successes, and future opportunities. In 2024, the focus is once more on how to deliver the most from current and future orebodies as well as options to recover valuables from tailings. 

Get ready for 3 days packed with training, site visits and talks. If you want to know what’s happening in the Goldfields (and beyond), make sure you lock the dates in your calendar. It’s a great professional development and networking opportunity so bring the whole team.

MetFest Kalgoorlie 2024 will be held from 18^th to 20^th September 2024.

Workshop 1: Understanding Critical Minerals: A spotlight on REEs presented by WASM Curtin University

Wednesday, 18 September 2024
8.30am - 12.00pm
WMC Conference Centre, 44 MacDonald Street Kalgoorlie WA 6430
PD Hours: 3.5

Join us for an in-depth workshop that helps us understand why certain elements are classified as critical. This session will kick off by delving into the concept of criticality, discussing why certain minerals are deemed "critical" and how their diverse applications impact global supply chains and national security.

The workshop will then explore the diverse stream of critical minerals, spanning from bulk-production materials like nickel to secondary-production elements such as indium, gallium, and tellurium. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature of these minerals, their widespread uses, and the challenges associated with their extraction and processing.

As a case study, we will focus on rare earth elements and explore the varied mineralogy of the different rare earth element ores. It will also include an overview of the current processing techniques and their limitations. This will then lead to a review of alternative processing methods that are being developed to meet the growing demand for these materials.

This workshop is ideal for professionals, students, and anyone interested in the field of critical mineral resources.

Workshop 2: Ceramic Grinding Media – The effect of ultra fine grinding and overall mill performance: Presented by Johan Steyn

Wednesday, 18 September 2024
1.00pm - 3.00pm
WMC Conference Centre, 44 MacDonald Street Kalgoorlie WA 6430
PD Hours: 2

This workshop will provide a short history of ultra fine grinding mills and why the need for ultra fine grinding, and an overview of the different manufacturing methods for ceramic grinding media.

The influence of ceramic media on the grinding performance of mills and the impact of grinding media on the mill parts, and ceramic media applications now and into the future will also be discussed.

To register, please email Johan Steyn directly.

Sundowner networking event

Wednesday, 18 September 2024
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Beaten Track Brewery, Shop 2/165-181 Hannan St, Kalgoorlie WA 6432

Join us for our informal Sundowner event, big on conversation as a lead in to the main MetFest events. Catch up with old acquaintances, and make new contacts whilst enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. This is a great opportunity to share a metallurgical tale or two!

MetFest Kalgoorlie Conference

Thursday, 19 September 2024
8.30am - 5.00pm
WMC Conference Centre, 44 MacDonald Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Program TBA.

MetFest Kalgoorlie Dinner

Thursday, 19 September 2024
6.30pm - 11.00pm
WMC Conference Centre, 44 MacDonald Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Join us for a three-course dinner and drinks post the MetFest Conference.

Site Tours

Friday, 20 September 2024
8.30am - 12.30pm (TBC)
Bus departs WMC Conference Centre, 44 MacDonald Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Be quick! There are limited spaces available for our combined bus tour of recently commissioned Lynas Kalgoorlie Operation Plant and site visit to Norton Gold Fields Binduli North Operation Heap Leach Facility.

SPONSORSHIP
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact the organising committee by emailing metfest.kalgoorlie@outlook.com.

Please note that our Call for Abstracts has now closed.

Please note that Kalgoorlie accommodation can be difficult to secure at short notice. If you are travelling from outside Kalgoorlie, please secure accommodation well in advance of the event.