Hosted by Coal Australia and Mining Pro, the 4th Annual Coal Industry Event was held at the Tattersals Club in Brisbane in August. Hundreds of people from across industry, government and the community came together to show their support for the coal industry because they understand what it means for all Australians. Do you?
With Coal Australia CEO Stuart Bocking hosting, the event kicked off with plenty of chat about the importance of coal and this was only furthered in the keynote address from Senator Susan McDonald as she pointed out undeniable facts about Australia’s reliance on coal.
But it was the panel discussion that really brought home how vital our industry is and how it is up to all of us to fight against the lack of public understanding of it.
Andrew Boyd (QMetco CEO), Jason Economidis (GM3 CEO), Grant Wechsel (Mining Pro & MWG Mining Chairman) and Nick Jorss (Bowing Coking Coal Non-Executive Director) made up the panel. Between them they have more than a century of experience in the mining industry and are all well known for being vocal in their support for it.
Nick, who is also the founder Coal Australia, said the Australian coal industry is under siege.
“We have protestors chaining themselves to bulldozers, we have warfare campaigns and regulatory processes being weaponised by activists with deep pockets and no accountability,” said Nick.
“Look at Whitehaven’s Winchester South project – it’s a high quality metallurgical coal project but according to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) the project will supercharge bushfires, heatwaves, coral bleaching and other severe weather events.
“There were protesters outside the court hearings dressed like marsupials but at the same time entire hectares of actual koala habitat was being cleared for windfarms up and down the Queensland coastline. Where was the ACF then?”
Andrew spoke about the lack of public understanding and said he was told years ago the average punter thought coal mining was the three D’s, dumb dirty and dangerous.
“I think it’s still true today. Someone who has no relationship or connection to the industry probably thinks that way and it couldn’t be further from the truth. To do what we do well we need well educated people, technology and capital investment. It’s not dangerous, it’s about managing risks. The perception that we are dumb, dirty and dangerous is just completely wrong.
“The more we can do to educate people the better.”
Jason agreed the education seems to be lacking, particularly when people criticise the industry at the same time as benefiting from it.
“Coal is the lowest cost electricity in Australia, it’s the most reliable electricity in Australia and I do think the role for renewables is there but it’s called a transition for a reason.
“People are driving their cars, using their mobile phones, refrigerators, washing machines and eating food that is transported via truck, all while living in their airconditioned houses, enjoying all these wonderful things but at the same time criticising the hand that feeds them.
“It’s almost criminal that we can’t educate people enough to realise that.”
Jason added that Australians have had it so good for so long that it’s hard to make people realise what we would lose.
“Australia isn’t suffering yet and we can’t get change until people feel pain or feel what it’s like to live without the things they have had for so long.”
But if we wait it might be too late.
Many coal mining companies are already facing profitability challenges with rising operational costs and taxes along with declining commodity prices, but most of all, the 2022 increase in royalties which resulted in Queensland coal mining companies paying the highest coal royalty rates in the world.
Grant, who is the driving force behind the Jobs for Mining Communities initiative which advocates for job creation and economic development within mining regions, said the biggest challenge affecting the industry overall is the royalties.
“That will continue to be the biggest challenge for the companies in the sector going forward and that flows down to the employees.”
In her address Senator Susan McDonald pointed out that the world needs coal and that won’t change if we stop mining it, it’s just everyday Australians who will lose out.
“Australia’s resources sector recently delivered $42.5 billion in company tax – almost the same as Medicare cost this year. No comparison better illustrates how much Australians rely on a flourishing resources sector. Yet this figure is set to drop to $32.5 billion, thanks to skyrocketing energy and production costs. Medicare’s cost won’t be dropping.
“Global energy demand is skyrocketing. Developing nations are industrialising, data centres are consuming more power, and governments are grappling with soaring costs from rushed policy changes.
“The world needs us – our coal, our workforce, our communities, our expertise. Whether fueling power stations in Japan and China or making the steel for wind turbines, Australian coal is here to serve that purpose.
“Coal will remain a crucial energy source and manufacturing input for decades. Coal and net zero are not mutually exclusive – thousands of tonnes are needed for the steel to build wind towers and solar panels. Coal will have a place at the table for years to come.
“It is our job to ensure that the climate for new and ongoing investment in Australian coal remains strong. As I always say: mining pays the bills for Australia. When our resources sector is strong, our nation is strong.”
