The annual RIU Explorers Conference was held in Fremantle in February 2026. The conference highlighted a highly optimistic exploration environment driven by record gold prices above US $5,000/oz and strong copper markets.
More than 130 ASX-listed companies presented updates across gold, copper, manganese, uranium, and critical mineral portfolios, reflecting strong operational momentum across the junior and emerging-producer segments. Attendance from brokers, funds and institutional investors was notably high, signalling strong capital interest in early stage exploration companies. RIU is one of the most important national forums for capital raising in the exploration sector.
A major theme was the emergence of a potential multiyear commodities super cycle, underpinned by AI driven energy demand, electrification, geopolitical instability, and declining discovery rates.
Critical minerals—including rare earths, nickel, lithium, and tin—also drew strong attention due to supply constraints and technologysector demand
Operationally, companies emphasised tight cost control, integrated geological, operational, and financial data systems, and transparent ESG reporting as investor expectations around credible, auditable ESG reporting continue to rise.
In summary, the conference reflected a sector positioned for growth, with high investor interest, strong commodity fundamentals, and increasing strategic focus on critical minerals and datadriven decisionmaking.