Celebrating a legend and looking to the future: IMARC Awards celebrate the best of Australian mining and resources

One of Australia’s most accomplished mining and resource industry leaders, Owen Hegarty OAM, has been named the “2025 Mines & Money Legend in Mining” in front of more than 700 industry peers at this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) Gala Dinner.

The honour, established by Beacon Events, recognises individuals who have shaped the mining industry through exceptional leadership, innovation, and vision.

Owen has more than 50 years’ experience in the global mining industry, including 25 years with Rio Tinto, including heading the company’s Asian operations Asia and the Australian copper and gold business.

Owen was the recipient of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021 for service to the mining and minerals sector and is an Honorary Fellow of AusIMM and has been instrumental in the growth and development of IMARC since its inception 11 years ago.

Presenting the award at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) Gala Dinner, IMARC Event Director Paul Phelan said each year, Beacon, who has driven the extraordinary growth of IMARC over the past 12 years, is proud to highlight extraordinary individuals whose contributions have left an enduring mark on the mining sector, not just in Australia, but globally.

“Owen is a minerals industry icon, leader, innovator and visionary,”

“Owen has been a creator of companies and a builder of mines, and over many years an employer of many thousands of people in Australia and offshore. He is a great mentor and thought leader and has tirelessly championed Australia’s leadership role in the global mining and resources industry,” Mr Phelan said.

Owen was the Founder and Managing Director of Oxiana Limited (‘the Mighty Ox’), which he took from a junior explorer to a major Asia Pacific base and precious metals producer. In 2008, with significant input from Owen, Oxiana merged with Zinifex to form OZ Minerals.

Today, he remains as Executive Chairman of EMR Capital, a specialist resources private equity manager. He is also the Non-Executive Chair of 29 Metals, an ASX listed copper-focused base and precious metals mining company.

Paul Phelan said: “Above all, Owen is a passionate industry advocate and visionary, channelling his vast global networks and knowledge into his role as IMARC Ambassador.”

IMARC NextGen Leaders Award

In other Awards announced at the Gala Dinner, the IMARC NextGen Leaders Award, sponsored by Coal Australia, was presented to Renzo Ocampo, Junior Geologist at Barton Gold Holdings. The IMARC NextGen Leaders Award is a new accolade designed to celebrate the voices of emerging professionals in mining and empower young talent in the industry. It is an extension of IMARC’s NextGen Program, which seeks to engage, mentor and elevate young professionals and students who represent the future of mining. Participants of IMARC’s NextGen Leaders program were invited to submit a nomination and share their unique perspectives on the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.

Renzo’s passion for mining was shaped early by his strong interest in earth sciences and his father’s work in the sector.

In Renzo’s submission, he highlighted the industry’s need to address shifting community perceptions though outreach, honest dialogue and visible young leaders who show mining’s role in sustainability. He believes diversity, equity and inclusion need to move beyond compliance by promoting gender-balanced panels, engaging early-career professionals, sponsoring underrepresented talent and creating safe spaces where all voices are valued.

Mining Beacon Breakthrough Innovation Award

The award for the night was the Mining Beacon Breakthrough Innovation Award, sponsored by RFC Ambrian. A stellar range of finalists, each offering products or solutions with the potential to deliver a step-change in the industry, were assessed against four criteria of meaningful change, uniqueness, scalability and measurable benefits in cost reduction, productivity and sustainability.

The Award was presented to MOVUS for its Ultra vSense sensor. MOVUS is a pioneer in AI-driven condition monitoring solutions for heavy industries. Ultra vSense sensor is the world’s first sensor to combine vibration, temperature, and RPM measurement in one compact, rugged device built for mining’s toughest conditions.

MOVUS’s innovation addresses some of the key challenges facing the sector, replacing multiple sensors across sites and helping clients cut their costs by up to 40% and driving new levels of safety, efficiency, and reliability in mining.

Presenting the Award, RFC Ambrian Executive Chair Rob Adamson said the company was proud to support the recognition of organisations that turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact.

“Australia is a global leader in mining and technology innovation, with research institutions producing outstanding science capable of driving step-change improvements in the resources industry. Tonight’s award is a great way to encourage the continued commercialisation of the science, right here in our own backyard,” Mr Adamson said.

The 2025 IMARC Gala Dinner Awards highlighted the talent, innovation and leadership shaping Australia’s mining and resources sector. Together, these achievements reflect the strength of an industry committed to driving growth and inspiring the next generation of mining excellence.