Tell us about the business.

My name is Richard Campbell and I am the Owner of Blackrock Mining Solutions and BMS Strata Systems.

Blackrock Mining Solutions is a geotechnical consulting engineering firm that provides open cut and underground specialist geotechnical services across a range of commodities and around the world.

BMS Strata is a mining contracting company that focuses on ground consolidation, specialised underground drilling and construction, ventilation control devices sales and installation and secondary support services.

How long have you been doing business?

We have been in business since 2007.

How many people work for the business?

We have 80 employees spread across our various mining clients, and in our Mackay and Brisbane offices.

Describe a typical day at ‘The office’.

I don’t have an office as such, I spend my time mostly out and about in the Bowen Basin’s underground coal mines providing site based geotechnical engineering and ground consolidation services. I leave the actual office work to others.

What’s the best thing about the business?

The best thing is honestly our employees, we are still a small family run company. We try our best to know our employees and make sure we understand them.

The worst thing?

The ups and downs of the industry, and the lack of good quality people.

What are the biggest challenges facing your business?

Getting qualified and experienced coal miners and professional staff for all our positions.

What is the biggest opportunity for your business right now?

We have quite a few things in the pipeline, but the biggest opportunity right now has to be our non-hazardous and low temperature ground consolidation chemical – the result of 5 years of solid R&D work, this product has just been released into the market.

What is the business most proud of?

Growing from one person to 80 people – and still retaining the family business mentality

Community or other causes close to its heart and values?

We support many local causes across Mackay and the Bowen Basin, from BMX clubs, car and motor bikes shows, to rugby and cricket teams, but by far the one that we are most proud of is our support for the RACQ CQ Rescue Service based out of Mackay. I’ve travelled the Peak Downs Highway for to many years and seen way to many incidents where the only thing that prevents terrible outcomes is the chopper being available. The highway is the most dangerous part of our jobs in the mines, and it needs to be fixed.

Any employees that deserve a shout out?

My daughter Ashleigh. She’s picking up the reins, starting literally at the coal face, and now runs the commercial, payroll and accounts functions of the business.