Scientific Program
The conference runs over 5 days as follows:
Sunday 28 June 2026 – Wager & Brown Workshop + Icebreaker
Monday 29 June 2026 – 8am-5pm Seminars + 5pm-7pm Poster Night
Tuesday 30 June – 8am-5pm Field trip (group 1)*
Wednesday 1 July – 8:30am – 4pm Seminars + 6pm-10pm Gala Dinner
Thursday 2 July – 8am-5pm Field trip (group 2)* + 6pm Future of ISMUMS – Public House Perth CBD
Friday 3 July – 8:30am – 4pm Seminars
*You will attend the field trip on either Tuesday or Thursday. On the day you are not on the field trip we suggest you check out the Perth Mint, walk around Kings Park, travel to Rottnest Island, catch the train to Fremantle or have scientific discussions with your new network at a local café.
Program
Abstract Volume
Session Themes
Magmatic Processes
This session explores magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE, Ti-V-P, and Cr mineral systems, focusing on physicochemical processes governing mafic-ultramafic magmatic systems, including mantle melting, magma emplacement, sulphide and oxide saturation, fractionation, concentration, and melt-rock interaction. We invite contributions ranging from detailed studies of individual orebodies to integrated approaches linking mineral system concepts with orebody characteristics, advancing understanding of processes controlling ore formation.
Session Conveners: Will Smith (CSIRO), David Holwell (University of Leicester), Maria Cherdantseva (University of Western Australia), Wolf Maier (Cardiff University), Sarah Dare (University of Quebec at Chicoutimi)
Below the Solidus– secondary enrichment and more
In this theme, we recognise that magmatic processes are only the beginning for many mafic–ultramafic systems, and that what we see represents the superposition of magmatic and sub-solidus processes. Contributions on hydrothermal processes and their consequences, modification by later proximal or distal intrusions, sulfide modification and remobilisation, metamorphic and hydrothermal textural modification and element (e.g., Cu, Pd) mobility, dispersion haloes and exploration footprints, lateritisation and insights from magmatic and hydrothermal process understanding for laterite prospectivity are welcomed.
Session Conveners: Yoram Teitler (CSIRO) , Katy Evans (Curtin University)
Simulating mafic and ultramafic systems – Models and Experiments
This theme provides a forum for analogue, computer-modelling, and experimental petrology simulations of mineralised and barren mafic and ultramafic systems. Contributions ranging from magmatic processes to those involving secondary enrichment are welcome.
Session Conveners: Isra Ezad (Univeristy of Western Australia), Pedro Jugo (Laurentian), Zhuo-sen Yao (Carleton University),
Novel Analytical and Exploration Approaches
In this theme, we showcase innovative geophysical and geochemical tools used to explore mafic–ultramafic systems. Contributions including, but not limited to, novel geophysical techniques applied at deposit, terrain, and regional scales, tomographic interpretation, geochemical and stable and radiogenic isotope pathfinder approaches, seismic tomography on all scales, ambient noise tomography, magnetotellurics, the WA array, big open data, and new geochemical tools, such as pLIBS, are welcome.
Session Conveners: Louise Schoneveld (CSIRO), Stephan Thiel (CSIRO)
From Exploration to Discovery to Recovery
This theme encompasses the full spectrum from exploring mafic–ultramafic systems to developing and extracting Ni, Cu, Co, PGE, V, Ti, and Cr from these deposits. Submissions are especially encouraged that showcase recent discoveries, innovations in exploration targeting (both new concepts and new technologies), examples of advanced deposit-scale geophysical and geochemical data analysis to enhance deposit-scale knowledge post-discovery and present innovations in in-situ mining, geometallurgy, and petrographic methods aimed at optimising mineral processing.”
Session Conveners: Valentina Taranovic (Fortescue Metals), Jon Hronsky (Western Mining Services)
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