#UgOps2027 Photography Competition
#UgOps2027 Photography Competition
50 Years underground. Through your lens.
For 50 years, Underground Operators has showcased the expertise, innovation and people that keep the underground mining industry moving forward. To mark this milestone anniversary, we're inviting the industry to tell its story through photography.
The Underground Operators 2027 Photography Competition celebrates the past, present and future of underground mining through the images that capture it best. Whether it's a historic underground operation, a candid moment on shift, emerging technology in action or the people behind the work, we're looking for photographs that reflect the reality, challenges and achievements of working underground.
Enter the competition
This year, entries can be submitted in two categories:
Historical Perspectives
Images captured prior to 2010
Show us how underground mining looked before the last decade of technological transformation. From archive photographs and film images to early digital photography, this category celebrates the operations, equipment and people that helped shape today's industry.
Modern Mining
Images captured since 2010
Capture the modern underground mining environment. Highlight innovation, teamwork, technology, safety, problem-solving or everyday moments that reflect contemporary underground operations.
Enter the competition
See our 2025 finalists and winner:
Prizes
Three winners will be selected:
- #UgOps2027 Photography Award (one in each category selected by Photography Competition judges)
- People’s Choice Award (selected by Underground Operators Conference 2027 delegates)
Both winners will be awarded:
- $1,000 cash prize
- A complimentary full delegate registration to AusIMM's Underground Operators Conference 2029 - the event's 50th anniversary - valued at over $2,000 AUD
- A framed copy of their winning photograph with a certificate of achievement
People's choice:
- Finalists in the two categories are eligible for the people's choice award. Delegates will vote for their favourite, the winner will receive a $250 cash prize.
See below for more details including FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why a photography competition?
- A challenge for underground mining in Australasia is the struggle to communicate a sense of what working underground looks like. How can we shape the community view of what this work entails, the shapes defining the environment and people you meet underground?
- Beyond this, how does the underground mining community continue to attract and inspire the next generation of workers to take their place? This is necessary to continue the evolution of underground mining in the. You can play your part in attracting them with honest and inspiring images from the underground.
How will the winners be acknowledged?
- With your consent, many of the submitted images will be displayed onsite at Underground Operators 2027, and the two prize winners will be presented with a high-quality framed copy of their winning entries.
- These images will also be utilised as part of the marketing campaign for the Underground Operators 50th anniversary in 2029.
Am I able to submit more than one photo?
- Each entrant may submit up to two photographs per category.
- No image can be entered more than once.
Are there any required photo specifications?
- Entrants are required to retain a copy of any photographs submitted in the highest resolution possible.
- The entrant should ensure that all photos are uploaded so that when they are opened there is no need to rotate the photo.
- Portrait and landscape photos are acceptable.
- Image minimum specifications:
- Sensor Resolution (megapixels) - 12.1
- Typical Image Resolution (pixels) - 4000 x 3000
- Maximum Print Size - 20 x 15 inch
- Print Resolution - 200 dpi
- Maximum Output Size - A3+ sized prints
Additional permissions
- Entries which include a close-up photo of a person, or persons, must have permission from the person/s in the photo.
- Entrants should seek permission from their employer and/or operator of the site on which the photograph was taken.
What else should I include in my submission?
- Photographer name
- Date and location
- Equipment used, e.g., camera, phone, etc.
- Title, with an accompany 250-word limit description of what it shows, in plain English.
Competition terms and conditions
The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and personal details concerning entrants and to disqualify any entrant who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions or who tampers with the entry process.
Click here for full terms and conditions.