Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum – Day 2 The Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum is underway in Kalgoorlie, WA.

The second day had fewer delegates but there were some impressive presentations by companies during the day.

Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum – Day 2 

The Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum is underway in Kalgoorlie, WA.

The second day had fewer delegates but there were some impressive presentations by companies during the day.

The catering was probably the best at any conference I have ever eaten, with four food stations producing foods from around the world being cooked on the spot.

The organisation continues to be slick, and the standard of service by the staff at all levels was superb.

Kalgoorlie has limitations due tot eh size of the facilities available, and this year there were waiting lists for booths and the maximum number fo delegates was reached, due to not only space in the conference area but no further accommodation could be found!

The conference takes place in Kalgoorlie Arts Centre, and the media centre is alos located there. The company booths and overflow screens and seating are inside the largest marquee in the southern hemisphere, situated in the car park alongside.

The food service takes place inside the marquee, and the early morning coffee and refreshments are given in tents outside.

One thing I have noted in this conference is the distinction between the typical (I’m generalising here) Canadian exploration and development company, and their Australian counterpart.

There are a number of companies here that are moving from exploration to production in the next 6 months to a year, fully financed, and raring to go. They all have low AIS costs and decent grade deposits.

Canadian companies on the otherhand tend to keep on drilling up larger deposits, followed by fundraisings, rather than looking to move into production. Generally the Canadian explorer is looking to be bought out rather than progressing through to production.

The overriding impression is the Australians have a determination to get the job done, and there were a number of turnaround stories.