Article by Anna Siampani, courtesy of CEOWorld Magazine.
National Mining and Related Industries Day 2024 was hosted in November at Santos’s Moomba gas field in South Australia’s Cooper Basin. The event featured a range of speakers, including Gina Rinehart, founder of the day and patron of Hancock Prospecting, as well as opposition leader Peter Dutton.
Rinehart was seen wearing a sign that read “dig, baby, dig” and a dress emblazoned with the slogan “Mining ❤️.” Similarly, National Mining Day patron Tad Watroba sported a sign displaying the Republican-inspired phrase “drill, baby, drill.”
Hundreds of attendees were flown in on charter flights from Adelaide for the gala event. Among them were Sky News hosts Rowan Dean and Rita Panahi, who listened to speeches from notable figures such as Hancock Prospecting CEO Garry Korte, Hancock Prospecting CEO (projects) Sanjiv Manchanda, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Upon arrival, Santos offered guests a tour of its gas plant before escorting them to an event marquee overlooking the site. During the evening, attendees enjoyed dishes like 2GR Wagyu carpaccio and brisket paired with South Australian wines. The program was led by event MC Gerhard Veldmans, who is the CEO of Roy Hill and Hancock Prospecting’s CEO of operations. He wore a pink hat adorned with the phrase “Keep Mining Great.”
In her keynote address, Rinehart humorously suggested extending National Mining Day to a month or two, given the industry’s contributions. She criticized the challenges of pursuing fossil fuel projects in Australia, claiming that efforts to “drill, baby, drill” were increasingly constrained.
Rinehart used her speech to champion fossil fuels, arguing that renewables were reducing living standards. She dismissed solar and wind energy as unreliable, urging policymakers to reconsider forcing these technologies onto taxpayers. She referred to proponents of clean energy as part of an “expensive net-zero cult” and criticized their reliance on fossil fuels for travel.
Praising U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Rinehart called him a “drill, baby, drill president” and suggested Australia emulate his policies by creating a department to cut red tape and taxes, which she dubbed a “D.O.G.E department.” She also echoed Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, urging attendees to “make Australia great again,” a statement met with applause.
Peter Dutton addressed attendees via video conference, highlighting the mining sector’s critical role in building and defending Australia. He criticized the Albanese government for being overly influenced by environmental activists, Greens voters, and union leaders, promising that a future coalition government under his leadership would be a staunch ally of the resources industry.
Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher added to the discussion by lamenting the challenges of obtaining approvals for projects, citing the uncertainty surrounding the Barossa Gas Project. He criticized activist efforts against fossil fuels, describing them as manipulative and misleading in court cases like the Munkara case.
The evening also included a recognition award for Professor Ian Plimer, a geologist and member of the Australian Climate Science Coalition. Plimer was honored for his contributions to the sector.
The night concluded with entertainment by singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian. A highlight of the evening was a video of Pauline Hanson enthusiastically dancing on the floor, adding a light-hearted finale to the event.
