AusIMM drives safer mining: Experts shape NSW vehicle automation guidelines
AusIMM has actively contributed to enhancing safety within the mining industry through a significant submission to the NSW Resources Regulator regarding their Draft Technical Reference Guide for Roads and Other Vehicle Operating Areas (TRG).
The Regulator invited AusIMM to provide direct feedback following a submission made on an earlier draft of the TRG, bolstered by direct briefings to regulatory and Ministerial staff.
The submission reflects our commitment to the highest standards of technical and professional practice as our industry integrates a range of advanced and emerging technologies. Balancing health, safety and other factors as we innovate will be key to making best use of new technologies, and the submission is a reminder that the expertise of our professional community is key in this respect.
On 26 May 2025, we provided comprehensive feedback on the second draft of the TRG, building on insights from our dedicated professional community. We specifically highlighted areas for improvement to ensure the guide is clear, practical, and effective for all mining operations in NSW. Our recommendations focused on simplifying the guide for end-users, improving the logic of hazard identification, clarifying the application of risk models, and crucially, advocating for the inclusion of control verification methods.
A key point of our submission was the exclusion of autonomous and remote-controlled equipment from the current TRG's scope. We strongly recommended that the Regulator commit to addressing these increasingly prevalent systems in future guidance, ensuring that regulation keeps pace with technological advancements.
Thanks to our health and safety experts
We want to extend a sincere thank you to the subject matter experts from AusIMM’s Health and Safety Society who took the lead in bringing this submission together. Their technical and practical on-the-ground expertise was vital. Specifically, we acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Society Chair Peter Standish and his fellow Committee members for their diligent efforts in reviewing the draft and articulating our collective recommendations.
This type of direct engagement with government agencies on critical safety documents is a testament to the value of our professional community. It ensures that real-world experience and best practices are embedded in the policies that govern our industry, benefiting everyone.
We look forward to continuing our engagement with the NSW Resources Regulator to further refine this important guide.