TABJ - August 2 - One of the mining industry’s biggest, most notable conferences, the Diggers and Dealers forum in Kalgoorlie, has kicked off to raucous headlines as figureheads speak out on topics ranging from the flurry of mergers recently taking place, to Australia’s embattled MRRT tax on mining houses and plans for carbon tax legislation.

According to Ernst and Young spokesman Paul Murphy, the run of acquisitions taking place could see top value of $2 billion globally by the year-end, backed in large part by strong and sustaining commodity prices.

Diggers and Dealers chairman Barry Eldridge tackled the taxation plans in Aus, particularly the Federal Opposition's comments about removing tax plans should the party be elected. Despite calling the pledge “positive,” Eldridge also pointed out that, “once a tax is introduced, the trend tends to be to increase or expand the impact and as an industry we must remain committed to ensuring that the Liberals deliver their promise and that the others restrict the continued penalties they impose on what is a productive contributor to a country that needs sustainable investment.”

According to Gary Halverson, Regional President of gold giant Barrick, the tax will prove “manageable,” and the mining major will continue on with its plans for expansion.

According to former Republican White House economic adviser, Todd Buchholz, the U.S. trials and tribulations in pushing through a final hour solution to its debt default woes looks unlikely to impact gold prices in the long-term.