Award-winning MiningNews.net editor Kristie Batten previews this year's event to be held in the Western Australian city of Kalgoorlie from August 7 to 9.

 

There are 66 company presentations this year, with gold companies taking 29 spots - or 30 if you count copper and gold producer Aeris Resources.

 

However, battery minerals companies make up an increasing share of the spots.

 

The program contains 10 lithium companies - led by heavyweights Pilbara Minerals and IGO - eight nickel players and six rare earths companies.

 

Two notable names not on this year's program are BHP Nickel West and Fortescue Metals Group.

 

The absence of FMG for the first time in recent memory means there are no iron ore companies in the 2023 line-up.

 

There are six copper companies, though the ASX 200's sole copper member, Sandfire Resources, won't present for the first time in more than a decade.

 

The remainder of the program is made up of uranium, vanadium, mineral sands, lead and cobalt companies.

 

Of the 66 presenters, 16 didn't present at last year's event.

 

New names include Patriot Battery Metals, Dreadnought Resources, Lindian Resources, Emerald Resources, Delta Lithium, Widgie Nickel and Astral Resources.

 

Kicking off proceedings on day one of the conference will be 2023 keynote presenter Dr Linda Yueh.

 

Yueh is an economist, writer and broadcaster and is an advisor to the UK Board of Trade.

 

Organisers are expecting a similar turnout to last year's record attendance of 2700 delegates.

 

Diggers will be held at the Goldfields Arts Centre in Kalgoorlie.