Top Stories

A-SALT-ing the Senses in Emerald
A recent evening of enjoyment and catching up with long-time friends was spent at Salt Bar & Grill in Emerald. It was a terrific night,

Axe-citing Times at Lumber Punks Axe Throwing
If you’re looking for a fun and unique experience on the Gold Coast, look no further than Lumber Punks Axe Throwing. From the moment we

Living Life on the Edge
Brett Comiskey is a name synonymous with off-road racing, having visited America over 35 times to compete in various championships. In a recent interview with

From Emerald to the World Stage
Emerald’s very own BMX prodigy, Maggie McDougall, has been making waves on the world stage with her impressive performance at the 2022 UCI BMX World

My Mining Life – Jaxon Ball
Who are you and what do you do? My name is Jaxon Ball and I am a Rail Infrastructure Trainee for Aurizon. When did you

Supplier Insider – Linked Group
Tell us about the business. Linked Group provides, trade services and renewable energy products to the Mining, Agriculture, Rail, Government and Transport Industry Sectors across

Community Champion – Michael Pugh
Michael Pugh is a passionate hiker and explorer who has spent much of his life exploring the great outdoors in remote and beautiful places and

A Park to Be Proud Of
On April 1st, the official opening of Rolleston’s Beazley Park took place to the delight of local children and their families. The new and improved

COMMUNITY GIFT – Girls Time Out
This month the Components Only and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Girls Time Out (GTO), a not-for-profit organisation in Rockhampton that is

You Can Count of MATES
Late last year, Glencore Coal partnered with MATES in Mining to deliver suicide awareness and prevention training, and provide ongoing support to employees across their

FMS Group Conquers Kokoda Track
Field Mining Services successfully completed their Kokoda Track hike in April 2023, raising over $18,000 for the Bravery Trust ANZAC Day campaign. Rainee Shepperson, a

Primary school students from Blackwater mine big ideas
Innovative workshops using robots and paper aeroplanes, delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) has helped Blackwater students in primary school get a

OPINION: Stupid is as Stupid does.
After more than 50 years of faithful service the Liddell coal fired power station in the Hunter Valley closed this month. While it was sad,

Fingerling’s release reels in some fun
Recently, Blackwater locals tackled the annual task of releasing over 96,000 Yellowbelly fingerlings into the Mackenzie River system ahead of the Saratoga Spectacular in October

Partnership Improves Environmental Health of Hay Point Foreshore
For the past 15 years, Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) has partnered with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to monitor and enhance the environmental health of the

It’s Official!
The most scrutinised and assessed resources project in Queensland history has been officially opened by Queensland Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart. The historic opening of

OPINION: Same Job Same Pay: get ready for the scare campaign
In April, the Federal Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations released a plain-looking document that heralds big changes in the mining industry. The Same

OPINION: Will the Safeguard Mechanism save the world from climate change?
According to the CSIRO’s calculations, Australia contributed just over 1% to global carbon emissions. The stationary energy sector includes the generation of electricity used by

Coal Business is Family Business
Our front cover image this month features Bowen Coking Coal Executive Chairman, Nick Jorss, with his mum Carol, son Lincoln, and brother Greg. Because despite

Carborough Downs Claims Cup
Glencore’s Oaky North mine was the scene of a “battle” last month to find the best mines rescuers in the state at the 18th Queensland

OPINION: Resources Roundups On the Road
One of the highlights of the Queensland Resources Council’s calendar each year is the series of Resources Roundups we hold as industry networking events, and

Queensland May 2023
This month we celebrated the official opening of New Hope Group’s New Acland Mine Stage 3 and the reopening of Bowen Coking Coal’s Burton Complex.

May Day Traditions
On May Day, people dance around the maypole. It is thought to have started in Roman Britain around 2000 years ago, when soldiers danced around

Oh, What a Notte!
On a recent weekend adventure to the Central Coast, we passed through Lake Munmorah and discovered La Notte Uno – which translates into English as

Honey Lover’s Heaven @ the Mudgee Honey Haven.
Mudgee is a great tourist location to visit. With over 40 cellar doors, Mudgee offers a rich wine culture, as well several other tourist attractions

No Knights Without Mining
With player agreements in place and contracts being signed, the Newcastle Knights NRLW season will soon get underway with the backing of the NSW Minerals

Big Names Mean Big Business at ConExpo 2023
This March, ConExpo ‘23 saw a record-breaking 139,000 attendees eagerly filter through the three million square foot Vegas exhibition. Spanning over five days, and attracting

Are You Bogged Mate?
Are you bogged mate? aims to boost awareness and start conversations in the community about the rising issue of depression and suicide rates among men

My Mining Life – Jess Geary
Who are you and what do you do? My name is Jess Geary and I’m a Protection Officer based in Muswellbrook for the Australian Rail

Supplier Insider – ComponentsONLY
Tell us about the business. ComponentsONLY is the global leader in the trade of components for heavy earthmoving machinery. We source, sell and market new,

Hard Work Will Get You Everywhere
When Michelle Lawson was in high school, it was illegal for women to work underground in the coal mining industry. Until 1989 in NSW, mine

COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Lynda Posa
Back in March, Scone, a town with a population of around 6,500 people, was named NSW Tidy Towns Sustainable Community winner. No one could have

HVO HELPS MARK HUGHES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER
Staff at a Hunter Valley coal mine have raised $10,000 to help the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) to continue its fight against brain cancer. Hunter

Crossfit for A Cause
The team at @ The Coalface are always quick to put their hand up to support a good cause. Fun runs, sponsorships, heck, even growing

COMMUNITY GIFT – Ridin’ 4 Mates
This month the Complete Parts and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes towards a group of riders hitting the road to raise money and

Recycled Water Changing Industries in Newcastle
A couple of the state’s biggest industrial consumers of drinking water are now saving thousands of litres every year thanks to some ground breaking technology.

Mining Apprentices Settle in to New Future Careers
A dynamic dozen of new Hunter Valley Operations’ apprentices has settled into building skills and careers for a successful future. Two of the first year

New Natural Resources Minister
In a first for NSW, there are 22 ministers on NSW Labor’s front bench and half of them are women. Among them are the first

Top Cat Apprentice
WesTrac NSW / ACT apprentice Braden Storey has taken out the 44th Annual Caterpillar Dealer Top Apprentice Program 2023. Braden represented WesTrac NSW / ACT

Mark King Wins Again
Mount Thorley Warkworth miner Mark King may be a butcher by trade, but he’s once again the Miner of the Year. For the sixth year

Turning Tragedy into Triumph
Sometimes the smallest thing can change the trajectory of your life forever. Whether that change is positive or negative is what you make of it.

OPINION: Safeguard Mechanism must ensure industries continue to produce for the nation
Australian mining wants to ensure that the industries that are producing in this country continue to work hard for Australians and that investment continues to

OPINION – Go Knights! Go Miners!
The NSW Minerals Council has been a proud sponsor of the Newcastle Knights’ women’s teams from the beginning, so it was fantastic last year to

New South Wales May 2023
This month @ The Coalface were privileged to meet some truly inspiring people and we discovered a common thread in their stories. No matter where

Steak Night Delight
Wednesday is Steak night… And that is all the invitation I need. Dining at the Moranbah Workers Club recently, I was pleasantly surprised. The meal

Dig Deep Boxing Club Shines at State Tournament
The Dig Deep Boxing Club, based in Dysart, recently made their presence felt at the Queensland Novice Boxing Titles held in Brisbane. The club sent

My Mining Life – Cody Nieuwkamp
Who are you and what do you do? I’m Cody Nieuwkamp, a dual trade apprentice (Diesel Fitter and Auto Electrician) with Peabody at Coppabella Mine.

Supplier Insider – Blackrock Mining Solutions & BMS Strata Systems
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

Community Champion – Jaeda Maris Fajardo Navarro
Jaeda may only be 13 years old, but she is already making a huge impact in her community of Moranbah. This young lady is not

COMMUNITY GIFT – Teen Shed Mackay
This month the Components Only and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Teen Shed Mackay. In Mackay, a group of dedicated volunteers have

Recycling to the Rescue
A recycling program in use at the Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland is helping keep the region’s lifesaving RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter flying.

Black-throated Finch Thriving
World-first research into the Black-throated finch has found populations of the bird are thriving at Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael mine. Bravus Mining and Resources

Women on the Rise
For the third year in a row, females have outnumbered males in the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) apprentice intake. Women now make up more than

Girls Power Up
Female students from Moranbah State High School and Dysart State High School were given the opportunity to participate in a one-day “Tradies for a Day”

School of Mining
A new multi-million-dollar CQUniversity facility in Rockhampton is set to support the future training, workforce and research needs of the resources sector. The School of

Women of Steel
Queensland’s first ever all-female Mines Rescue Team has been formed at Anglo American’s Capcoal Open Cut Mine and is set to join the state’s competitive

OPINION: CQUniversity’s School of Mining opens – a boost for regional opportunity
According to Deloitte’s Tracking the Trends 2023 report, global statistics show that a significant number of mine workers are 46 and older, and nearly 50%

100th worker milestone
New Acland Mine Stage 3 has reached a key milestone, with the project’s 100th worker recently starting work on site. New Acland Mine General Manager,

OPINION: Next stop 1000: Retired miners drive success of ‘dust bus’
Along with the rest of the Queensland coal industry, I was shocked when black lung re-emerged in our industry in 2015 after believing it had

Award Winning Women
Held on March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day, the Resources Awards for Women was a celebration and acknowledgement of the contribution women are

OPINION: Keep Qld Competitive
Yet another set of recently released figures have confirmed how important the resources sector, and particularly coal, is to the state and national economies. Resources

Queensland April 2023
This month we celebrated the achievements of remarkable women. At the Women in Resources Awards, held on International Women’s Day, we celebrated the women in

LEST WE FORGET
By Elle Butler Gallipoli, located in modern-day Turkey, holds a special significance for Australians and New Zealanders as the site of a major military campaign

THE WHISTLER: IT’LL TICKLE YOU RIGHT WHERE IT FEELS GOOD
As ridiculous as this might sound, one of the highlights of my adventure to New Zealand earlier this year was sitting in a brewery in

Out on the Water
By Meredith Blair I don’t think I’ve felt more one with nature than when I went stand up paddleboarding with Hunter Valley SUP at the

Ayrton Risby: One of the Fittest Teens You’ll Ever Meet
The fittest people in the world compete against one another every year at an event called the CrossFit Games. Competitors are put through the toughest

Out With the Old, In With the New
Since being introduced to the market back in 1990, Caterpillar’s original 994 Wheel Loader has dominated its size class. Released in 2016, the uber-popular 994K

Partnering to Protect
Coal Mines Technical Services (CMTS) have entered into a strategic agreement with CSE Corporation, creating a unique opportunity for industry to easily access world-renowned safety

CHRONONUTRITION: AN EMERGING SCIENCE
Nutrition is the science behind the foods we eat, but there’s so much more to it than that. We all know about sports nutrition, the

My Mining Life – Eddy Rowe
Who are you and what do you do? My name is Eddy Rowe and I am the Water Infrastructure Manager at Ulan Surface Operations with

Supplier Insider – Earthmoving Supplies
Tell us about the business. Earthmoving Supplies is a new Australian-owned and operated business that enables customers to access an extensive range of parts across

Community Champion: Tristan McKay
Tristan McKay is new to the Hunter Valley, but it’s taken him no time at all to fall in love with the community and its

Peter’s Successfully Farming HVO Rehabilitated Mining Land
Peter Nichols reckons you can farm land after mining and produce the yields you got from the land before it was mined. He should know.

Koala Capital of the World
Gunnedah is set to be the new hub of wildlife conservation in North West NSW, with the future of the recently announced Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary

Committed to Community
Ashton Coal is investing $85,000 into community groups across the Upper Hunter Valley region through its 2023 Community Support Program. This funding will be shared

COMMUNITY GIFT – Dan’s Mow-athon for Mental Health
Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia and if that wasn’t bad enough, each year one in four young people

A Work of Art
Liddell power station may begin to disappear from this month, but a group of artists are making sure that it’s not forgotten. Over the next

A new but familiar face has joined the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue.
While Cate Sims is new to the Dialogue, she will be familiar to many people in the Upper Hunter due to her past working with

NRL Legend Joins Launch
NRL legend Scott Prince has participated in the launch of Glencore’s 2023 NSW Indigenous Employment Pathways Program, welcoming 76 Indigenous Australians at an orientation day

Safety Superstars
Safety in the Hunter region has been brought to the fore once again with the 2023 Hunter Safety Awards announcing the winners of their 13

Yancoal’s STEM investment for local students
The University of Newcastle’s award-winning annual Science and Engineering Challenge was recently held in Muswellbrook. The event features two Primary School days and one High

OPINION: Coal power workers need support
The cooling towers of Liddell Power Station are an iconic sight in the Hunter Valley. For half a century, Liddell has powered NSW and provided

Celebrating Women in Mining
At the NSW Women in Mining Awards on March 30,we celebrated the achievements of remarkable women and acknowledged the companies who are driving initiatives to

OPINION: Innovation makes Australian mining safer, more productive and sustainable
Australian mining has invested $30 billion in research and development since 2005 to become a critical driver of broader global industry innovation. The Digital Mine

OPINION – Representing Mining Communities
Now the NSW State election is over, all those who stood as candidates deserve our thanks. It’s a tough job, involving a lot of hard

New South Wales April 2023
This month we celebrated the achievements of some remarkable women at the NSW Women in Mining Awards. In addition to recognising women in our industry

OPINION – Whoever wins the election will need a strong mining sector
Our world-class NSW mining industry continues to do the heavy lifting for the NSW economy. NSW Treasury recently released its mid-year review confirming an extra

WHAT DO YOU CRAVE?
During a recent visit to Emerald, CQ, I had the pleasure of visiting locally owned Crave Food & Juice Bar, specialising in healthy options. It

Up, Up and Away
People travel tens of thousands of kilometers to see one of the planet’s most famous tourist attractions that is the Great Barrier Reef. For me?

Hard Hitter
Joshua Johnston, an underground operator at Kestrel mine, is making waves with his incredible achievements in various sports and his commitment to giving back to

Control Your Cholesterol
Do you ever reach into the bag of hot chips and get your hand slapped away and nagged at to watch your cholesterol? What the

My Mining Life – Simon West
Who are you and what do you do? Simon West and I am a Shotfirer at BHPs Goonyella Riverside Mine When did you start in

Supplier Insider – DGI Trading
Tell us about the business. My name is Tim Boyd, and I’m a Business Development Manager at DGI Trading, based in Queensland. DGI Trading recycles

Community Champion – Michael Livingston
This month we have put Michael Livingston, Supervisor at Peak Downs Mine under the spotlight, highlighting his amazing work in the Dysart community as Captain

COMMUNITY GIFT – Dancing with Heart
This month the Components Only and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Tegan Jones from Dysart Hospital who will be taking to the

Making the impossible possible for rural students
This month, three worthy Moranbah women became recipients of Moranbah’s 2023 Community Scholarship Program. Established in 1997, the idea originally came from the Mining &

Industry and science partnering together for a floating expedition
In November 2022, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) hosted the largest single science and engagement field event in its 50 year history. The

OPINION: Coal abatement technologies – the party is just getting started
Green groups and conservationists are so focused on reaching net zero by cutting all coal and gas from the energy mix that they are ignoring

OPINION: Energy workers want support for safety, jobs and supply
Worker representatives from Queensland’s coal-fired power stations and domestic thermal coal mines joined with other energy workers from around Australia in February to compare notes

New Schools Partnership Program teaches the art of resilience
Former NQ Cowboys player Ray Thompson recently spent the whole week in Moranbah delivering his “Discovering Resilience” presentation as part of a new partnership between
