Australia can become a centre for international dialogue on advancing participation of First Nations people in resources projects, showcasing standout enterprises and amplifying Indigenous women’s voices in the industry, according to the leaders of partner organisations at this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC), held from 21-23 October 2025 at ICC Sydney.
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Aboriginal Enterprises in Mining, Energy and Exploration (AEMEE) has joined Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA) as First Nations partners at IMARC 2025, Australia’s major annual mining forum and exhibition.
AEMEE CEO Jyi Lawton signed up the organisation as a partner after attending IMARC last year and participating in conference discussions about mining industry and First Nations engagement in Australia, Canada and other parts of the world.
IWIMRA co-lead Karina Lynch says the organisation’s four-year partnership with IMARC will advance again this year with an expanded cultural and commercial partnership content program aimed at enhancing links between a growing Indigenous women’s network and allies in the resources sector.
“IMARC has provided a high-profile stage for Indigenous women to share their stories, expertise, and leadership in the mining and resources sector,” Lynch says.
“This has helped reframe conversations around Indigenous engagement from compliance to collaboration and co-design.
The partnership has created opportunities for Indigenous women to connect with mentors, allies and peers across the sector.
“By showcasing Indigenous women in leadership roles and being visible at IMARC, IWIMRA helps shift perceptions about who belongs in the industry and inspire younger Indigenous women to see themselves in the industry.”
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Other high-profile Indigenous business leaders who will speak at this year’s conference include i2i Global CEO Darren Godwell, who is also chair of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), and Matthew Denyer, principal adviser – indigenous partnerships & communities, with the Minerals Council of Australia.
They will be joined by First Nations Affairs managing director, Rebecca Blurton, managing director of RBY Projects and Manaji Projects, Derek Flucker, who is also AEMEE chair, and Rio Tinto closure readiness adviser, Weipa, Michelle Kostecki.
Jyi Lawton is leading efforts to present a representative cross-section of Australia’s fastest growing business sector in IMARC’s inaugural First Nations Pavilion in 2025. The pavilion is likely to feature at least 15 First Nations firms, a number Lawton sees expanding in the years ahead.
Last year an ANZ Bank-commissioned report by Deloitte Access Economics said Indigenous businesses were being established at a rate four times the national average. Australia’s First Nations economy could generate A$50 billion a year by 2035.
“The accelerating rates of growth in this sector point the way for Australia’s next wave of economic growth and defy the trends elsewhere in the economy,” Deloitte partner, professor Deen Sanders, said.