Diggers & Dealers 2025 live updates: Day 1 of WA annual mining forum in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

What a difference a bit of M&A makes.

After some sparring over firepower last August, the CEOs of WA’s most-talked about goldies are now brothers in arms and sharing a stage at Diggers.

Mark Zeptner and Simon tied the knot on their $2.5 billion cash and share deal to merge Ramelius Resources and Spartan Resources last month.

By merging, the two companies say they will become the “leading mid-tier gold producer” on the back of ambitions to be producing half a million ounces of gold a year out of the Murchison region in WA by 2030.

It’s been a rather rough month for uranium miner Boss Energy.

Its stock is down more than 58 per cent for the month. An update from the company setting out a poor operational outlook, that came just days after its managing director resigned, triggered the share price plunge.

Read the full story here.

The marquee set-up at the Goldfields Arts Centre is lively and bustling.

Industry types can be seen wending their way through a maze of delegate booths, exchanging business cards, shooting glances and nods of acknowledgement through the crowd.

Plenty of analysts from the east coast have made the trek.

Well-known Perth brokers, lobby groups CEOs, and politicians have also been spotted making their way through the main tent.

The conversation has turned to nuclear, and with plenty more lashings for renewables efforts.

Dr Chris Keefer, who is also President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, says the mining industry need look no further than Ontario as a reference case for using nuclear energy to support mining.

And as for green steel, a nascent industry being explored by Fortescue, BHP and Rio Tinto “we’re jut chasing our tail”, Dr Keefer says.

The pursuit of net-zero is a noble goal, he continued to tell the audience, but he said the commitment to it was delusional.

The pro-nuclear pair will be followed by presentations from Paladin Energy and Boss Energy.

A panel featuring Dr Chris Keeferfrom Canadians for Nuclear Energy and Aidan Morrisonfrom Centre for Independent Studies opens up the forum.

The discussions, moderated by Tom Swtizer, are painting a rather grim picture of Australia’s energy transition and net-zero ambitions.

There’s a lot of talk about what’s not going right for renewables, particularly following the withdrawal of several large-scale hydrogen projects across the country.

At this rate, Mr Morrison is very sceptical that Australia can reach net-zero by 2050.

The energy transition was a substantial talking point during the recent Federal election, with the Liberals pushing for nuclear power to be rolled out across the country.

The resources sector has new momentum thanks to gold, said Diggers & Dealers forum chair Jim Walker in his opening address, setting the tone for what is set to be a gold miner love-in at this year’s forum.

Cars and utes are stacked around the block.

Punters who have travelled from Perth and beyond have been rushing in to grab their passes and a free coffee before the presentations kick off.

Delegates are making the final touches to their booths.

And the main auditorium has been slowly filling as chairman Jim Walker readies for his speech.

The weather is brisk but sunny, and the mood so far genial and upbeat.

Stay with us as we keep you updated on the key moments from the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum in Kalgoorlie.