On 20 October, 2025 the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) hosted a private cocktail reception in Sydney to welcome the Canadian delegation attending the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC). The event convened leaders from government, industry, and investment to advance collaboration across the mining and resources sectors.
PICTURED (left to right): Melissa Wharton (CEO – CACC), Joshua Khoddami (Managing Director – Neu Capital), David Tsui (Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner – Global Affairs Canada), Nick Harridge (Partner and Mining & Metals Leader, KPMG Australia), Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member – KPMG Australia)
Hosted by corporate partner KPMG Australia, the evening featured keynote remarks from Nick Harridge, Partner and Mining & Metals Leader at KPMG Australia, and David Tsui, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada. Both speakers reaffirmed the deep alignment between Australia and Canada, two of the world’s most trusted, resource-rich, and innovation-driven mining jurisdictions. The reception drew guests from Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, and Saskatchewan, creating an energetic and diverse gathering of industry leaders.
PICTURED (left to right): Garrett Tone (Executive Director, Life Sciences – Invest Ontario), Melissa Wharton (CEO – CACC), Jan Kwak (Managing Director – Climate Change & Thought Leadership – Hatch), Sarah Constable (Sales Manager, Corporate – Air Canada), Marlene Woligroski (Global Sales Director – Geoscience)
As the global energy transition accelerates, Australia and Canada are uniquely positioned to lead the shift toward resilient, low-carbon supply chains. Canada’s mining sector contributed approximately C$117 billion or about four percent of GDP in 2023 alone. With 34 minerals now designated as critical, Canada is signaling to investors and policymakers the scale of opportunity ahead. Meanwhile, Australia remains a world leader in lithium production, accounting for around 36% of global output in 2024. Despite recent price normalization, Australia’s resources and energy exports are projected to reach A$385 billion in 2024–25, demonstrating the sector’s strength and potential for growth in value-added industries.
With new policy incentives driving investment in critical minerals processing and hydrogen development, both countries are moving beyond commodity trade to build enduring partnerships, connecting technology with opportunity and ambition with action.
PICTURED (left to right): Vic Naughton (General Manager, Australia & NZ – Air Canada), Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member – KPMG Australia), Melissa Wharton (CEO – CACC)
The CACC extends its gratitude to the KPMG team, particularly Nick Harridge and Minh Dao, Partner and National Board Member, for their generous support in hosting the reception. Events like this exemplify the Chamber’s mission to strengthen commercial ties and foster collaboration between Canada and Australia in sectors that are shaping the world’s low-carbon future.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Australia and Canada recently signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Collaboration in Toronto. The agreement reinforces both nations’ commitment to advancing sustainable critical minerals supply chains, supporting innovation, and driving economic growth in sectors ranging from clean energy to defence. Read more here.
The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation that aims to bring businesses together to facilitate a strong environment for economic trade and investment between Canada and Australia.
Written by Ava Tunney
