More than 100,000 people have joined Coal Australia’s ‘friends of coal’ network spreading the commonsense perspective on the coal mining industry and how critical it is to everyone who needs a phone, a car, or electricity here, and overseas.
Lachlan Hyde works in the finance side of the mining industry as a Treasury Specialist at Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG). He completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Newcastle, graduated in 2021 and then moved into an investment management role.
“I was always interested in mining, but I never thought I would be able to use my degree in the mining industry. But, through a connection at a recruitment agency I was offered a job as a treasury specialist with NCIG, and I didn’t think twice about it.
“I am so lucky to have a job in mining whilst living along the coast of Newcastle. I had no idea there were so many ways to work in mining apart from the guys out in the pit digging out the coal,” he said.
Lachlan’s parents don’t work in mining, but his father was always passionate about the industry and how important it was for his local community.
According to the NSW Minerals Council data more than 16,600 people work in the Hunter mining industry and nearly 2,800 mining supplier businesses are supported by the industry with thousands of indirect jobs as well.
“I always knew the Port of Newcastle was the biggest coal export port in the world, but it wasn’t until I started working at NCIG that I realised how critically important the coal industry is not only locally but on a state and federal level as well.
“It’s not until you talk to the people who work in mining and who rely on mining that you realise how important it is. It doesn’t take much research to understand the quality of the coal that comes out of the Port of Newcastle either and the role that it plays on an international level in terms of lifting developing nations out of poverty.”
Like many young people working in the mining industry, Lachlan said he’s often the most unpopular one at the table when the conversation of climate and coal comes up amongst peers.
“Coal often is associated with negative perceptions, with many people considering it a ‘dirty word’ and showing little interest in exploring the subject more deeply. I find it unproductive to engage with people who are not genuinely open to learning, as their intent is usually to argue rather than to understand.
“I have some great mates who I have been able to sit down with and talk about the industry and discuss opinions, but the vast majority of people I tend to not engage with on the subject – like anything political or climate related it tends to get a bit passionate and heated without any real facts.”
It’s something Coal Australia is trying to change.
“The mainstream conversation often highlights the challenges of coal, and at times the positive contributions of the industry can be overlooked. Organisations like Coal Australia play an important role in ensuring a more balanced perspective is part of the discussion. Without groups like this, there would be fewer opportunities for the industry’s voice to be represented in mainstream media.
“It’s important that we continue to support Coal Australia so it can build traction and provide meaningful representation for mining communities and beyond.”
| Lachlan’s story isn’t unusual, it’s a story that we hear from so many people living and working in coal mining communities right across Australia. Reach out if you want to share your story or join the coal community and help forge Australia’s future at www.coalaustralia.com |
