On behalf of the organising committee, I am pleased to announce the next International Mining Geology Conference will be held in the beautiful city of Adelaide, South Australia from 18–20 August 2014. This will be the ninth in a proud tradition reaching back to the inaugural event, held in Mount Isa, Queensland in 1990. The International Mining Geology Conference series, jointly convened by the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (The AusIMM), has developed into the premier event in the world of mining geology. The role of mining geologists has increased in importance in recent years. They are now involved in many business-critical steps in the value chain, from interaction with exploration, mine planning and blasting through to mineral processing and marketing. There is now recognition that, because the mining industry is built on minerals, geologists are the key professionals who interact right across the value chain: hence our theme Mining Geology through the value chain. I believe we are on the cusp of innovations and technology changes that will accelerate this trend, and the Ninth International Mining Geology Conference will be the best place to get across the key issues in 2014. The conference technical program will incorporate a variety of papers on any relevant aspect of mining geology, including practical and applied case studies illustrating good practice and innovation. Young professionals are especially encouraged to participate in the extensive and focused technical and networking opportunities this conference series provides, as evident over the past eight conferences, which constitutes major professional development benefits. The organising committee and I hope to see you there, and we guarantee a memorable experience, great professional development and networking, lots of geology and at least a few opportunities to do QAQC on that other South Australian claim to fame, their magnificent wines!