The NSW mining industry’s drive to innovate will be front and centre this month at the NSW Minerals Council Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) Conference held in the Hunter.

Attendance is expected to be the highest in a decade, with around 550 people from across NSW gathering to celebrate excellence and innovation in NSW mining, and to congratulate the winners of the annual HSEC Awards. 

On 20 August, the NSW mining sector will again be in the spotlight as we celebrate the 11th anniversary of the partnership between NSW Mining and the Newcastle Knights at the Voice for Mining Family Day.

The Knights will once again wear their now famous hi-vis mining jersey to play the Rabbitohs at McDonalds Jones Stadium, in what is shaping as a possible last ditch effort for both teams to make the finals.

Since 2013 the partnership between our miners and the Knights has highlighted the important work of tens of thousands of NSW mining families and the contribution they make to the entire state.

The connection between the Knights and the mining industry has grown closer with each passing year. Many current and former NRL players have worked in mining, including Billy Peden, Steve Simpson, Adam Muir, Tony Butterfield, Josh King and Nathan Ross. It’s one of the reasons why our decade of support for the Knights has worked so well.

Over the last few years we’ve also expanded our partnership to include an investment in the Knights NRLW team. Former NRLW prop Phoebe Desmond worked for 10 years in the Hunter mining industry before signing with the Knights, Current club Vice Captain, Tamika Upton also hails from a mining family and understands the strong connection between the industry and the community.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in hi-vis at the game on 20 August, including the lucky winners of the terrific ticket giveaway competitions in the last two issues of @ The Coalface.

Stephen Galilee, CEO, NSW Minerals Council