We are all capable of being a voice for coal. Talking about mining at the family barbecue, around the water cooler in the office or when we’re out having a beer with mates. We used to be scared to talk about mining, but Monika Fedorczyk believes we are getting louder.
Monika has been a lawyer since 2010, working in oil and gas exploration and then accepting a role with Yancoal in their legal and compliance team. Today, Monika is a Senior Legal Counsel at Yancoal.
“The beauty of the coal industry and particularly Yancoal, is that even though you have your role in the legal and compliance team you are brought into different organic and inorganic projects all the time so there is a lot of opportunity for development.
“When I first came to Yancoal they had just completed the Coal & Allied acquisition which was hugely transformational for the company. It was a very exciting time, and I was able to come in and help with the back end of that integration process.
“I was involved with the dual listing of the company in Hong Kong on its stock exchange as well. I’ve also been able to witness the changing tides where you do see the differences in the coal cycles, and the public perception of coal.
“When I first joined the coal industry, the perception isn’t like it is now – it has created new challenges and new factors for us to address,” Monika said.
At a time when cheap, affordable power is critical and everyone is watching the dollars they spend, Monika said it’s crazy that we think we could rely on something else at a time like this.
“We have an abundance of very good quality coal, we’re so lucky in Australia and I think people sometimes forget that.
“Some people also don’t appreciate how much coal contributes to the Australian economy. Our company is a big economic contributor and not only that, we all contribute so much to the regional towns and communities where we provide employment to a large workforce and fund local projects and initiatives.
“I think there is a shift happening and people are seeing that coal at the moment is still a relatively low cost and reliable source of energy and we’re in a time with high inflation and people are sitting back thinking, ‘what do we need?’ and that’s low cost energy.
“All our Yancoal coal is exported internationally and to some countries who rely on that source of energy. Many of those countries aren’t in a position like we are in Australia with access to the same benefits and sources of energy. If we were to shut down thermal coal export from Australia, those countries would very likely purchase lower quality coal which has higher emissions from elsewhere,” she said.
Monika is positive the tide is turning when it comes to people’s perceptions, and she said Coal Australia is making a big difference.
“It’s an amazing platform that has come at the right time.
“They’ve done a lot in terms of educating the public about coal and it’s also a voice for companies and the community because until someone goes to one of those regional towns, they don’t appreciate the difference coal companies are making to those communities. Whole townships rely on coal.
“Coal Australia has also given people who work in the industry the confidence to speak up.
“We’re all positive the tide is turning and that coal has a long future. Yancoal has just purchased a high quality met coal mine in Queensland and Yancoal wouldn’t be making this substantial investment if we didn’t believe in the longevity of the coal industry in Australia.”
| Join the coal community and help forge Australia’s future at: www.coalaustralia.com |
