Stepping Into Diggers and Dealers 2025

This August, I had the chance to be in Kalgoorlie for the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum, one of the most important gatherings for Australia’s mining sector. Over three days, I joined more than 2,300 delegates from across the country and beyond. The room was full of miners, investors, suppliers, and government representatives, all eager to share insights and debate where our industry is headed.

The conversations ranged from hard data to passionate opinion, and while there was no shortage of optimism about mining’s future, there was also a lot of realism, especially around the challenges of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Delegates Gathered at the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum 2025

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Background on Diggers and Dealers

If you’ve never been to Diggers & Dealers, it’s worth understanding what makes it unique. It’s not just another trade show, it’s part investor conference, part industry summit, and part networking marathon.

Some defining features:

Location Matters

Held in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, it’s right in the heart of one of Australia’s most famous mining regions. The setting itself reminds you why mining matters here.

Investor Focus

Many presentations are aimed directly at investors, with companies pitching their projects, highlighting milestones, and outlining growth plans.

Mix of Players

You’ll see major producers, junior explorers, equipment suppliers, financiers, and government officials all in the same room.

No-Nonsense Conversations

The tone is frank and practical. People aren’t afraid to challenge ideas or voice skepticism.

Networking at Scale

Deals are often made over dinner, coffee, or even in the hotel lobby.

Being there in person helped me see how this event shapes the year ahead in mining. The connections made here often translate into partnerships, funding deals, and policy shifts down the line.

Learn more about Diggers and Dealers here!

The Themes Dominating Diggers and Dealers

As I listened to panels and side discussions, a few topics kept coming up again and again:

Net Zero Skepticism

Aidan Morrison from the Centre for Independent Studies delivered one of the most provocative talks I’ve heard in a while. He questioned whether Australia could realistically reach net zero emissions by 2050. His main arguments:

• • The goal is “simply impossible” without massive, unrealistic investment.
  • Some renewable energy plans—like moving solar power across the continent—don’t make sense from an engineering perspective.
  • Government subsidies are keeping certain projects alive even when the economics don’t work.

The China Factor

Dr. Chris Keefer reminded us that energy policy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. While Australia debates its renewable targets, China is building everything, solar farms, wind farms, battery systems, and yes, even new coal plants, all at once. It’s a reality check: what happens in Beijing can influence the global mining market more than any single policy in Canberra.

Success Stories in Renewable Mining

It wasn’t all doubt and criticism. I was impressed by companies proving that renewables can work on-site:

• • Bellevue Gold showed how it became the world’s first “net zero” gold mine, with 80–90% of energy from renewables and zero carbon emissions for the first half of 2025.
  • Regis Resources explained how solar and wind cut diesel use and operating costs at its remote sites.

Government’s Firm Stance

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King stood by the 2050 net zero target and said she disagreed with the more pessimistic views from the stage. Western Australia’s Mines Minister David Michael also clarified that no new uranium mining approvals will be given beyond those granted in 2017.

Dr. Chris Keefer and Aidan Morrison Speaking at Diggers and Dealers

Spotlight on Minerals at Diggers and Dealers

If there was one topic that got investors leaning forward in their chairs, it was critical minerals. Demand for lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths isn’t slowing down—especially as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems scale up worldwide. The conference painted a clear picture: these minerals are now central to both national strategy and investor portfolios.

The tone of the investment discussions was cautiously bullish:

Lithium

Prices have cooled from the highs of 2022, but long-term demand projections remain strong, especially from China’s EV industry.
Sources of Lithium were Discussed at Diggers and Dealers

Nickel

With Indonesia dominating low-grade supply, Australian high-grade nickel projects have a quality advantage.

Rare Earths

Seen as strategically vital, with investors keen on securing supply chains outside of China.

Copper

Described as “the metal of electrification,” with shortages predicted unless new projects advance quickly.

Several presenters stressed that investors are becoming more selective. They’re looking for:

• • Low-cost operations that can weather price dips.
  • Strong ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) credentials, not just in reports but in actual practice.
  • Clear pathways to market—especially export agreements with Asia.

Learn how CAMAL helps companies find the right chemicals for copper mining here!

From my perspective, the key takeaway was that money is still flowing into mining, but it’s flowing more strategically. Projects with both technical viability and market access, especially into China and Southeast Asia, are in the best position to secure funding.

Learn more about sourcing mining machinery here!

Discussing the Next Copper Champion at Diggers and Dealers

China’s Place at Diggers and Dealers

Whether it was a keynote speech or a coffee-break chat, the conversation often circled back to China. The country’s approach to energy is both aggressive and pragmatic: build renewable capacity quickly but keep coal in the mix to ensure stability. For Australian mining, this matters because:

China is a major buyer of our minerals.

Changes in Chinese policy or energy mix can shift demand almost overnight.

Their massive investments in energy infrastructure set the pace for global supply chains.

I left thinking that Australian miners must prepare not just for local policy shifts, but also for the ripple effects of decisions made in Beijing. Contact CAMAL group to get ahead of these decisions in China.

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What Diggers and Dealers Means for Australian Exporters

As I walked between sessions, I kept thinking about what all of this means for exporters. The reality is that mining is deeply tied to Australia’s export economy, and global market shifts hit our exporters first.

Here’s what stood out to me:

• • China’s Dual Energy Strategy – They are building renewables and coal at the same time, meaning they’ll continue to buy Australian coal in the short term while ramping up imports of critical minerals for clean tech.
  • ESG as a Market Requirement – Exporters are being judged on sustainability credentials, not just price and quality. This is especially true in Europe and increasingly in Asia.
  • Infrastructure Bottlenecks – Ports, rail, and processing capacity could become chokepoints if production scales up to meet demand.
  • Diversification Is Key – Markets like India, South Korea, and Japan are becoming more important as trade tensions rise in some areas.

For Australian exporters, the message from Diggers & Dealers was clear:

• • You can’t just produce, you need to be strategic about where, how, and to whom you sell.
  • Aligning with buyers’ sustainability expectations will be as important as meeting their volume requirements.

Australian Company Ramelius Resources Receiving an Award at Diggers and Dealers

Learn more about Australian mining companies in China here!

The Australia and China Connection

Australia relies heavily on machinery and electrical equipment from China, tools that, quite literally, make mining happen. From excavators and pumps to electrical transformers and batteries, these imports support our sector’s core functions. At Diggers & Dealers, that dependence on Chinese-made gear was part of many conversations, underlining the real-world infrastructure links between our mining operations and global trade supply chains.

Continue reading about equipment that Australia imports from China here!

Australian workers using imported equipment

Key Takeaways from Diggers and Dealers for Mining

From my seat at the forum, these are the points that stuck with me most:

Reaching net zero is going to be harder than the slogans suggest.

On-site renewables are a win when tailored to the mine’s needs.

Government targets still shape the investment environment.

Global energy politics, especially in China, can change the game fast.

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Other Key Australian Mining Conferences to Watch

• • Future of Mining Perth – Focuses on innovation, automation, sustainability, and next-generation mining practices. Brings together industry leaders, technology providers, and operational experts to explore what’s next for the sector.
  • IMARC (International Mining and Resources Conference) – A global platform where mining executives, investors, and service providers connect. Covers industry trends, technology adoption, and opportunities for cross-border trade and investment.
  • Both conferences complement Diggers & Dealers by providing forums for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategic networking beyond the Goldfields.

Zero-Emission Mining

Diggers and Dealers highlighted the rise of zero-emission mining gear, machines like battery-powered loaders and graders that eliminate on-site diesel usage and slash carbon output.

• • Recently, there was a landmark US$400 million deal between Fortescue Metals and Chinese manufacturer XCMG set to deliver 100+ battery-electric loaders, dozers, water carts, graders, and float prime movers to its Pilbara operations by 2030. Read about it here!
  • This deal promises to replace hundreds of diesel machines, cutting millions of litres of fuel over their lifetime, with the first units expected in operation by 2026.
  • It underscores both the industry’s push toward sustainability and the growing integration of advanced, green technology within heavy mining operations.

XCMG’s zero-emission mining equipment

How Much to Attend Diggers and Dealers Kalgoorlie?

The ticket price for the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum changes each year, but in recent years a full delegate pass has been in the range of AUD $2,200–$2,500. This includes access to all conference sessions, presentations, and most networking events. Travel, accommodation, and meals outside the conference program are extra, and they can add significantly to the total cost, especially since Kalgoorlie hotels fill up quickly during the event.

The Main Stage at Diggers and Dealers 2025

What is Diggers and Dealers in Kalgoorlie?

Diggers & Dealers is a three-day mining conference and exhibition held every year in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. It brings together mining companies, investors, equipment suppliers, government officials, and service providers to:

Present new projects and company updates.

Discuss industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Build connections and secure investment deals.

It’s known for being one of the most important mining gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere and for attracting a mix of both big industry players and small exploration companies.

What is Kalgoorlie Mine Famous For?

Kalgoorlie is best known for the Super Pit, one of the largest open-cut gold mines in the world. The mine has been producing gold for more than 30 years and is a symbol of Western Australia’s gold mining heritage. Kalgoorlie has a long history as a gold mining hub, dating back to the gold rush of the late 1800s, and it still plays a major role in Australia’s gold production today.

Learn how CAMAL helps companies find the right equipment for gold mining, including driverless zero carbon mining trucks here!

CAMAL offers driverless zero carbon mining trucks for Australian companies

CAMAL’s Experience with Diggers and Dealers

Attending Diggers & Dealers made me see exactly where CAMAL Group’s expertise can make a difference for mining companies:

Designing Renewable Solutions

We help mines choose practical, cost-effective renewable setups that actually work in remote conditions.

Economic Feasibility

Our team can crunch the numbers to show when renewables make financial sense, not just environmental sense.

Sustainability Branding

We help companies position themselves as leaders in green mining, just like Bellevue Gold.

Global Market Insight

Our understanding of China’s industrial and policy trends means we can help clients stay ahead of market changes.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDMpj1LkFRs

Conclusion on Diggers and Dealers 2025

Leaving Kalgoorlie, I felt both challenged and inspired. The road to net zero won’t be smooth, and politics, both domestic and international, will keep shaping our industry. But the success stories I heard show that with the right strategy, technology, and market understanding, mining can thrive in a low-carbon future. At CAMAL Group, we’re ready to help our clients turn these challenges into opportunities.

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