On June 10, the 2026 World Coal Science and Technology Innovation Conference & Global Coal Industry Expo grandly opened at Shanghai New International Expo Centre. As an industry grand event with a global vision and focus on cutting-edge technologies, it gathered elite professionals from home and abroad to jointly draw a new blueprint for the green, intelligent and sustainable development of the global coal industry.

The Australian Minerals Council served as an international supporting organization for the conference and specially dispatched a delegation to China for attendance and exhibition. Shang Tianming, Energy Counsellor of the Australian Embassy in China, and Dallas L. Wilkinson, President of the Australian Minerals Council, attended the opening ceremony.

During the plenary session, Dallas L. Wilkinson delivered a keynote speech titled “Empowering the Future: Prospects for Mining Technology & Equipment Services and Coal Mining Development”.

Shang Tianming

Energy Counsellor, Australian Embassy in China

Dallas L. Wilkinson

Chairman of Austmine, PhD

His speech offered in-depth interpretations across six major segments: drivers of industrial transformation, core industrial growth engines, reshaping of the coal industrial chain by equipment technology and services, energy applications of artificial intelligence and automation, construction of smart coal mines, and strategic impacts on the sector. He thoroughly analyzed the core value of auxiliary mining technologies and supporting services.

He emphasized pointedly: “There can be no mining industry without mining equipment, technology and services.”

This conference has built a platform for cross-border exchange and collaboration, injecting fresh momentum into high-quality development of the global coal sector.