Who are you and what do you do?
Michael Clancy – Capacity and Performance Manager at Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator. I lead a team that oversees the long-term master planning and continuous improvement initiatives that impact the coal supply chain from mines, rail and ship loading.
When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?
I grew up in Queensland and started working with the industry in 2007 as a Train Transit Manager with ARTC at the Network Control Centre in Newcastle. My wife and children arrived the day the Pasha Bulker hit the beach. From there I have held multiple roles within ARTC and the agriculture sector within commercial and logistics.
How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Extremely different, as very young child I wanted to be a police officer. Today I lead a team of highly educated mathematicians, analysts and improvement specialists that inform the entire coal chain how it could operate its logistics operations.
What’s a usual day at work entail?
Working with my team and representatives from across the industry in mining logistics, rail, ports and terminals to identify how we can work together to solve problems and realise opportunities to make the whole system work more efficiently.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Working with incredibly intelligent people across the whole industry that are dedicated to making sure our coal industry is operating as effectively as it possibly could be.
The worst thing?
Not being able to wave a magic wand and solve big problems easily.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Understanding the competing priorities across our Members and how these can be harnessed to get the best outcome possible when it comes to how we move coal from mines to port.
What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?
The Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator is unique, nothing like it exists anywhere else in the world and it’s a great example of how the people of both the industry and region can be innovative in the way we approach problems and collaborate to deliver four and a half tonnes of coal every second of every day.
What’s your best advice for people entering the industry?
Always look to learn something new, the industry offers many opportunities for people if you want to take them, and you never know where you may end up.
The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?
The industry remains a cornerstone of global energy security and economic development. Coal continues to provide reliable, affordable energy to billions of people, particularly in regions where alternatives are not yet viable at scale.
Coal mining supports jobs and regional communities, while also underpinning the stability of electricity grids – especially during peak demand or when renewable sources are intermittent. As the world transitions to cleaner energy, coal still plays a critical role in ensuring energy reliability and affordability, particularly in emerging economies.
The industry is also evolving, with investments in cleaner technologies, emissions reduction and land rehabilitation. With responsible practices and innovation, coal mining can continue to contribute meaningfully to both energy security and economic resilience throughout NSW.
