Global economic impact on Australia’s resources sector: Navigating policy instability and current challenges

Join the Perth Branch for their June Panel and Discussion event: Global economic impact on Australia’s resources sector: Navigating policy instability and current challenges.

About this event

This timely event will explore how global economic disruption driven by trade tensions, shifting policies, and the accelerating energy transition is transforming Australia’s resources sector, with a particular focus on Western Australia’s pivotal role.

As one of the world’s most advanced and productive mining regions, Western Australia plays a crucial part in global supply chains for iron ore, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements. The panel will unpack the challenges posed by rising protectionism, policy instability, and polarisation of global trade, with an emphasis on how these forces are impacting operations, investment, and market access for professionals and companies on the ground.

Supported by the AusIMM Perth Branch, the session will feature leading voices from industry, government, and academia, offering attendees cutting-edge insights into economic resilience, strategic transformation, critical minerals policy, and trade security.

Bringing together senior leaders in mining, policy, and international economics, this session will also offer practical, actionable strategies to help Western Australia’s resource sector navigate complexity and drive sustainable, long-term growth.

Program
5.00pm - 6.00pm: Arrival and pre-event networking
6:00pm - 7.30pm: Panel discussion
7.30pm - 8.00pm: Post event networking  

Discounted Accommodation for AusIMM Events in Perth
AusIMM has partnered with IBIS to offer discounted accommodation for all upcoming events in Perth throughout 2025. To redeem this offer, click this link.

Speaker/s

Nathan Campbell

Partner, Bain & Company

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Nathan is a Partner in Bain & Company’s Energy and Resources practice, working out of the Perth office. Nathan has worked with many of the world’s top mining and resources companies across gold, copper, iron ore, coal and base metals in Australia, Asia and Africa, advising on topics such as operational excellence, major capital project acceleration, supply chain transformation, corporate strategy, decarbonisation and technology. Nathan is a mining engineer by background, holding a B.Eng. from WASM and an MBA from UWA.

Through his work with major players in the mining and resources sector, Nathan has a deep understanding of the volatility and uncertainty of the post-globalisation era. He is passionate about helping the sector build the adaptability and resilience needed to navigate an increasingly complex future

Dr Naoise McDonagh

Director, MBA Program - Edith Cowan University (ECU)

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Dr Naoise McDonagh is the Director of the MBA program and Senior Lecturer in economic security, trade and geopolitics at the School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University (ECU) Perth, Australia. He is the managing editor of the academic journal Law & Geoeconomics. With almost 50 publications in scholarly and policy outlets, as well as extensive media appearances, Dr McDonagh is a leading scholar addressing the complex relationship between international relations, geopolitics and trade.

Jessica Shaw

WA Program Director, Superpower Institute & Director, Tactica Advisory

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Jessica Shaw is the WA Program Director for the Superpower Institute and a Director of Tactica Advisory, where she advises on energy transition, infrastructure, and industrial development. She served in the WA Parliament from 2017 to 2025, including as Parliamentary Secretary to the WA Premier, overseeing projects in energy, hydrogen, trade, and economic diversification.

Jessica has held senior executive roles in the energy sector and worked in foreign affairs and trade. She holds degrees in law and politics, a Master of Law from Cambridge, and executive training from Harvard. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Institute of Energy.

Dr Richard Chopping

Strategic Science Advisor, Dept Mines Petroleum and Exploration, WA

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Richard Chopping is a geophysicist and computer scientist with the Geological Survey of Western Australia. His role within the survey focusses on ensuring the best science is applied to the State's challenges, especially around sustainable development of mineral, energy and water resources. Geology underpins all aspects of modern society and ensuring that it is managed according to the science is the best way for the world to continue to the adapt to the highly changing current environment and also political landscape. With Western Australia often top of the exploration rankings, it is looked to by companies and countries as a leader in balancing resource development and societal goals. Investments are best de-risked through this application of science, helping resources companies be successful and grow, and ensuring the world maintains the supply of strategic and critical resources into the future.

Masud Hossain

MAusIMM

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Masud is an experienced mining engineer with a deep understanding of the global resource sector and a passion for connecting industry with policy and strategy. With extensive experience across mine operations planning, feasibility studies and industry analysis, he brings a unique lens to navigating complex challenges facing the WA mining industry. Masud has curated this panel event to foster informed dialogue on the intersection of geopolitics, trade, and mining—highlighting opportunities and risks in a rapidly evolving global landscape. His work focuses on empowering professionals to better understand economic shifts and adapt their risk appetite for a sustainable industry future.