The resilience of our miners and our mining communities during 2021 has been absolutely amazing.
After the challenges of last year we all started 2022 with NSW on track for recovery.
Then in June the delta-strain of COVID-19 struck, and once again NSW was plunged into months of lockdowns and other restrictions as we all did what was necessary to meet the challenge.
As an industry, we’ve all worked hard to keep our miners, their families and our communities safe. Thanks to the commitment of our local mining workforce and our supplier business partners, we’ve been able to keep mines operating while also keeping our people and communities COVID-safe.
Working closely with our member companies and with the NSW Government our industry has been at the forefront of protecting workers and communities, and also encouraging people to get vaccinated.
Now, with the highest vaccination rates anywhere in Australia and as one of the highest vaccinated jurisdictions in the world, NSW is reopening again, and we can look to the future with optimism.
Our world-class local mining industry is well placed to help the economic recovery.
The NSW Minerals Council will continue our strong advocacy on behalf of the sector and the mining families, supplier businesses and local communities that rely on it.
I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Stephen Galilee, CEO, NSW Minerals Council