After a record breaking 2022 event where delegate attendance surpassed 2,600, Diggers and Dealers is back next month with a stellar lineup of presenters and exhibiters jostling for the limelight at the pinnacle three-day mining and deal-making forum in Kalgoorlie.

Among those jostling will be SPOKE’s YIELD team, with a five-strong contingent heading east to the Goldfields capital where we hope to catch plenty of action.

Almost 60 presenters will be taking to the stage, among them a healthy dose of representation from precious and future-facing metals-focussed companies.

Some have plenty of nicely timed activity to talk about, whether by design or otherwise, and with a captive audience, why not.

Local nickel success story Lunnon Metals (ASX: LM8), led by Ed Ainscough, will be among the feel-good presentations on day one, anticipated to give a snapshot of the Company’s nickel sulphide exploration and discovery progress since listing in early 2021.

ASX darlings, including Julimar Ni-Cu-PGE Project owner Chalice Mining (ASX: CHN) Managing Director Alex Dorsch and Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) CEO Tony Ottoviano, will no doubt be sought out by delegates when they present on the same day given their huge respective growth stories.

Battery materials supplier Neometals (ASX: NMT) led by Managing Director and Kalgoorlie boy Chris Reed will take the opportunity to discuss industrial scale processing technologies they have in good working order, reducing reliance on traditional mining and processing, and supporting circular economic principles with a focus on ESG outcomes.

Following a recent announcement of relocating its headquarters to Perth to and its second shipment of spodumene concentrate setting sail from Darwin to China this week, Core Lithium (ASX: CXO) CEO Gareth Manderson will be on show day two, and no doubt the commodity of the moment will likely gain the most interest from delegates.

Of particular note is the proliferation of Australian companies that have set up lithium projects in the James Bay Region of Quebec during the past two years as the search for high quality spodumene accelerates, including Perth-based Winsome Resources (ASX: WR1) and Omnia Metals Group (ASX: OM1).

De Grey Mining’s (ASX: DEG) Glenn Jardine will hope to help overcome a few Wednesday morning headaches when he has the opportunity to talk about his Company’s recent 1Moz upgrade of its Hemi resource at the Mallina Gold Project to a total MRE of 9.5Moz.

Some of the best will be saved to last though, with Bellevue Gold’s Darren Stralow lined up to discuss his flagship 3.8Moz Bellvue Gold Mine coming online in the second half of 2023.

While Darren et. al. will no doubt be focussed on keeping development and production plans on track, BGL made headlines in May for other reasons when it announced it will become Australia’s first 100 per cent renewable energy powered gold mine, through a partnership with Zenith Energy Operations to supply an 88Mw hybrid power station keeping it’s flagship project energised.

Meanwhile, Wyloo Metals CEO Luca Giocovazzi will take to the lectern in place of Mincor Resources CEO Gabrielle Ivanow, with the Andrew Forrest mining arm of Tattarang having earlier this month taken a 90 per cent stake in Mincor, stepping boldly into the highly valued WA nickel market.

Wyloo’s acquisition means it’s well on track to become an end-to-end, fully integrated nickel business with exploration projects in Ontario and Quebec, high grade production now shored up in Kambalda and a planned downstream processing facility in Kwinana.

Inside the Goldfields Arts Centre will be more than 130 exhibitors, spanning the exploration, mining, mining services and other niche sectors, working hand in glove with the broader resources industry.

So, should the warm glow of the presentation spotlight not be alluring enough, there’s plenty to see on the showroom floor.

Looking outside of the presenter stage and exhibitor floor, an influx of people from interstate are expected to land on The Golden Mile, pumping plenty of life into town.

With full delegate passes already sold out, it’s likely the machinations of (or actual) business transactions will take place in less formal settings: a few local watering holes among them.

Should you need to moisten the palette in the heart of town, YIELD recommends the historical Exchange Hotel, the Palace Hotel towering directly opposite, Star and Garter, The Rec or Kalgoorlie Hotel for a bevvy outside in the beer garden.

For those arriving Sunday, ease into the week with a free Raglan Geology event at WASM Graduate Hall featuring guest speaker Matt Crow, or for those looking to liven up a bit, Topdrill is hosting a charity sundowner with all proceeds going to RFDS and Full Circle Therapies.

Events are also being put on by the Gold Industry Group, with a free leadership breakfast on Tuesday 8 August at Kalgoorlie Town Hall.

If you pride yourself on being built of solid stamina and with the right delegate access, Wednesday night’s gala dinner presented by WesTrac is bound to be a fancy affair with the show doubling as the unveiling of five Diggers and Dealers category award winners for 2023, sponsored by The Perth Mint.

Headed to Diggers and looking to share your thoughts on the forum in 2023, or discuss your Company to a different audience? Tap a YIELD crew member wearing our high vis merch on the shoulder and say g’day.

JOSH NYMAN