MetFest! Bunbury 2026

Join AusIMM South West WA Branch and the Metallurgical Society for MetFest! in Bunbury.

About this event

MetFest events bring together teams of regional metallurgists, process engineers, chemists and other associated professionals for a unique week of networking and professional development, culminating in a day of technical presentations.

MetFest celebrate over 10 years of successful events hosted across Australia with a focus on regional operating sites, having been initiated at Orange NSW and held since 2016.

MetFest! Technical Event:

Friday, 28 August 2026 7.30am - 8.00pm

MetFest SouthWest WA will be held in Bunbury and is the second event here, having been very widely supported back in 2023. MetFest SouthWest WA will have a variety of activities centred around a week of workshops looking at met accounting, statistics, geometallurgical testwork, sampling & mine reconciliation.

On Thursday there will be additional options of site tours, a wine/food tour, and golf, prior to the opening of the Exhibition program where we will have a Welcome BBQ reception (August 27^th).

Friday will be a full day of technical talks on the practicalities of operating a processing technology, technical wins (or losses) and project work on going within our region. It will also cover reliability, geomet reconciliation, water/environmental management or any business improvement modelling or modifications that impact and improve the way that we recover mineral based value (August 28^th). The technical program will be blended with the full day Exhibition Program that will allow plenty of time for networking with service providers and suppliers.

MetFest SouthWest WA will conclude with the Delprat Distinguished Lecture followed by a social networking and dinner sponsored by Metso.

Call for Abstracts: If you have a project or plant experience, that you think would make a great presentation, please send a brief abstract (200 – 500 words) to SouthWestWA@AusIMM.com as soon as practicable or feel free to contact our Chair, Morrie Goodz, on 0429-834-912 to discuss your proposal. Preference will be given to presentations from site staff discussing their operations or projects. 

Leading up to MetFest SouthWest WA, there are optional activities that are limited by numbers – so early registration is essential. These include:

Plant/Site Tours

Thursday, 27 August 2026 6.30am - onwards

We plan to visit Chemical/Manufacturing Facilities between Kemerton & Greater Bunbury Region/Port. Bookings for tours will be offered first to MetFest registrants. Tour bookings will be offered closer to the event date.

Workshops

Monday, 24 August 2026 - Thursday, 27 August 2026

The workshop program will be offered by JK Tech, The University of Queensland and other providers and will be promoted in once confirmed.

Social Networking Events

Wine/Food Tour: Thursday, 27 August 2026 11.30am - 6.00pm – The Ferguson Valley wine district located 20kms southeast of Bunbury, where we will experience local produce and a 3-course lunch with matching wine tastings on the day prior to MetFest SouthWest WA.

Social Golf Networking: Thursday, 27 August 2026 4.00pm - 6.00pm – for those with a passion for golf (subject to weather and availability) access to Sanctuary Golf Resort for up to a couple of hours to catch a short round or practice driving/putting at the 19^th hole is available. For those beyond a golf passion, private bookings can be made by you directly with the resort for extended golf activities.

Networking Welcome BBQ Dinner & Exhibition: Thursday, 27 August 2026 5.30pm - 7.30pm – After the tours, workshops and golf is over, we will open the event with a social networking Welcome BBQ in the Exhibition Hall on the night before MetFest SouthWest WA.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet with industry peers in a relaxed and friendly environment. These events typically sell out so reserve your place early.