Australia City commuters warned as protesters plan to swarm major mining conference

© Caroline Hartnett Protesters begin to gather for the first day of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC).

Climate protesters may again cause disruptions in Melbourne's CBD with activists planning to blockade a major mining conference over four days.

Activists were meeting on Clarendon Street outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6am on Monday, to picket the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) which is running until Thursday.

The Blockade IMARC Alliance action is expected to ramp up its "mass peaceful blockade" for Tuesday.

Protesters to return to mining conference

Climate activists will again demonstrate outside a Melbourne mining conference, as tension between them and police grows.Almost 50 people were arrested on Tuesday outside the International Mining and Resources Conference, and a protester and two officers were taken to hospital after being injured.

A spread of street protests and civil unrest across the world in recent weeks looms large on the radar of financial markets, with investors wary the resulting pressures on stretched government finances will be one of many consequences. As protests grip Lebanon, banks to stay shut until calm returns.

Climate activists are planning to " swarm " Melbourne's CBD and block busy streets on Friday as tens of thousands of football fans descend on the city for a The protesters have drawn inspiration from pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, who use movement to avoid arrest and blockades to shut off

There was a huge police presence outside the the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday morning, far outnumbering environmentalists.

About 1200 Facebook users said they planned to attend the protests, but only about 20 could be seen there by 8am on Monday. Organisers said they expected the number to rise closer to 9am.

"With the climate entering meltdown, it’s urgent to disrupt the 'business as usual' of major climate criminals, using mass civil disobedience," the Facebook event says.

IMARC is billed as hosting "the entire mining industry", with 7000 decision makers and mining leaders expected to attend Australia's largest mining event.

The conference website says it respects the right to protest.

"Please note that various groups are planning protests to coincide with this year's International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC). We fully support the right of people to protest peacefully," the website says.

"IMARC takes the security of all our partners, supporters and attendees very seriously. We have worked very hard with the venue, local police and our security team to ensure we minimise disruption to your arrival at the event and your safety throughout your attendance."

Attendants have been asked to allow at least 45 minutes to get through added security and registration.

Yarra Trams has warned some services may be disrupted over coming days.

The planned protest comes after a week-long global action in early October organised by activist group Extinction Rebellion.