Hunter Region Branch: Upcoming and recent events
Upcoming events
12th Annual Jameson Distinguished Lecture: Effect of water quality in flotation performance
The Annual Jameson Distinguished Lecture, in honour of Emeritus Professor Graeme Jameson is presented by the Hunter Region Branch to highlight innovations in mineral processing.
Water quality plays a critical role in flotation performance, influencing both process chemistry and the efficiency of mineral and coal separation. This presentation will examine how variations in water composition affect reagent behaviour, froth stability, and overall recovery. A particular focus will be on the impact of recycled water, which often deteriorates in quality due to the accumulation of inorganic and organic species.
The presentation will also highlight practical implications for water management and outline strategies to mitigate adverse effects and optimise flotation performance under varying water quality conditions.
Date: Thursday, 30 October 2025 Time : 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, 95 Hannell Street, Wickham NSW 2293
Past event recaps
WIMnet NSW: North West Annual Breakfast Workshop
WIMnet NSW held their Annual Breakfast Workshop on 23 October. This sell-out event featured a panel of five mining, local industry and government senior experts in Gunndeah: Priscilla Puchal - General Manager, Daunia Mine - Whitehaven; Kris Sheehan - General Manager, HSE Systems, Risk and Assurance - Whitehaven; Jacinta Mannion - General Manager, Mannion Drilling & Founder, Ultrafleet; Ray Balks - Manager Stakeholder Relations, Indemitsu Australia; and Susan Frater - Manager Economy and Growth, Gunnedah Shire Council.
WIMnet NSW Hunter Roulette Networking Series
WIMnet NSW held their final event of the Hunter Roulette Networking Series in Muswellbrook on 22 October.
The event series is very successful each year, and we look forward to the series returning in 2026.
Hunter Region Branch: President's Dinner
The Branch held our President's Dinner and welcomed AusIMM President Chris Carr FAusIMM(CP) to our region and celebrated our longstanding milestone members. This was a very successful event with 40 people attending at the historic Newcastle Club.
Chris reflected on his long-standing involvement with the resources industry and AusIMM. He met with many local members at the dinner, and also had very useful meetings with both the Branch Committee and Student Chapter Committee before the event.
Chris discussed the long history of the AusIMM, now having over 15,000 members, including 500 in the Hunter Region Branch.
He emphasised the contribution of the mining industry to our region, and contribution of $22 billion to the NSW economy annually. Also mentioned were the significant exciting prospects for more NSW projects in copper, silver, gold and other metals.
On the night a presentation was made to Hennie du Plooy in recognition of the contribution he made to the Branch as Immediate Past Chair.
Chris also presented Geoff Pitkin with a certificate in recognition of his 50 years of membership of the AusIMM.
