CEEC International Supports SAEMC24 Conference
CEEC International (The Coalition for Minerals Efficiency) proudly sponsored the 2024 South Australian Exploration & Mining Conference (SAEMC24) as the official name tag sponsor. Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the conference brought together leaders from South Australia’s exploration and mining sectors, providing a platform for succinct updates on flagship projects, innovative solutions, and industry collaboration.
Representing CEEC International were Executive President and Director Janine Herzig and Advocate Tom Payten, who showcased CEEC’s initiatives and engaged with attendees throughout the event. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity for CEEC to connect with potential sponsors, raise awareness about projects and initiatives, and discuss future collaborations.
"CEEC is committed to collaborating with the global resources sector to reduce energy consumption and tailings production, and improve overall water management and stewardship," said Janine Herzig. "The SAEMC24 conference is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local and interstate industry leaders and innovators, sharing knowledge and promoting sustainable solutions for the sector."
Janine highlighted CEEC’s participation in various aspects of the conference, including serving once again on the judging panel for the Honours and PhD poster competition. "It was inspiring to see the talent and dedication of the undergraduate and postgraduate students. Visiting the poster displays and hearing first-hand from the authors is a real highlight of the day," she noted. The winners announced on the day were:
- Honours: Britney Russell
- PhD: Richel Annan Dadzie
- People’s Choice: Milena Nasretdinova
- Highly Commended PhD: Ahmadreza Khodayari and Milena Nasretdinova
Richel’s PhD winning project on the “Characterisation of Flotation Tailings for Copper Recovery” struck a particularly relevant chord for CEEC as it related to the reprocessing of mine tailings to unlock residual copper and other valuable minerals, improving resource efficiency and contributing to sustainable mining practices. Additionally, reducing the volume of tailings produced assists to mitigate the environmental risks associated with tailings storage facilities.
The conference also featured notable presentations, such as Kathy Ehrig’s insightful discussion on Olympic Dam geology and mineralogy – presenting never before seen data and MLA imaging.
And to close out the conference, the soon to retire Executive Director of DEM, Paul Heithersay, shared his thoughts on the future of resources in South Australia along with some of the highlights from his considerable journey leading the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM).
Tom Payten, a CEEC Advocate, emphasised CEEC’s mission to foster collaboration within the resources sector. "Sharing knowledge and collaborating across industry, academia, and government is essential to achieving sustainable outcomes," he said. "CEEC is here to support that dialogue and provide the tools and insights that can help companies make meaningful progress."
Throughout the day, Tom engaged with a wide range of attendees, many of whom were learning about CEEC for the first time. "The Global Water Initiative (GWI) attracted significant interest, particularly from groups focused on sustainable water management in mining," he remarked. CEEC also connected with emerging geoscientists through the prestigious NExUS program, which highlighted the enthusiasm and innovative thinking of the next generation of industry leaders.
At the CEEC table display, attendees explored key initiatives such as the Global Water Initiative, which addresses water quality and quantity in resources, and the Energy Curves benchmarking tool, designed to improve energy efficiency in comminution circuits. CEEC also outlined its plans for a future Tailings Initiative, aimed at advancing sustainable tailings management practices and a reduction in mine waste.
The SAEMC, now in its 21st year, remains a cornerstone event for South Australia’s mining and exploration community, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. CEEC International’s participation aligns with its mission to accelerate the adoption of eco-efficient solutions and promote sustainability across the global resources sector.
For more information on CEEC International and its initiatives, visit www.ceecthefuture.org.