Hunter Region Branch: Upcoming and Recent Events
Upcoming Hunter Region Branch events
Tuesday May 6 – Students mine site visit – Mount Thorley Warkworth
Wednesday May 21 – Joint technical meeting with Coal Prep Society – Gunnedah
Tuesday August 5 – Annual Tech Talk – Armidale
Wednesday August 27 – President’s Dinner – Newcastle
Aug/Sept – Jameson Distinguished Lecture – Newcastle
Sept – Students attend New Leaders Conference & Mining Games - Perth
Wed 21 May - Joint tech meeting with Coal Prep Society - Gunnedah
Members are invited to a joint meeting with the Australian Coal Preparation Society. The topic will be “Enhancing the health surveillance scheme for coal mine workers in NSW”. Since 2011, Coal Services (CS) has been responsible for administering the health surveillance requirements for the NSW coal industry.
Currently CS is working to revise Order 43 which plays a critical role in ensuring coal workers are adequately screened for work related health risks such as that for dust lung diseases. This presentation outlines the stakeholder engagement process and the resulting enhancement to the current Order 43. This represents a shift forward to a more contemporary industry-relevant health surveillance model, offering improved clarity around requirements and responsibilities for all parties involved.
The speaker, Monique Roberts is Head of Health Operations at CS Health. Monique has enjoyed an extensive career in occupational health-related roles in the mining sector, and has successfully developed and implemented many programs. She joined CS in 2017 and has had various roles leading up to her role as Head of CS Health.
The presentation will be followed by drinks and dinner.
Date/time: Wednesday 21 May, 6.00pm
Venue: Club Gunnedah, 313 Conadilly St, Gunnedah
The event is Free, but dinner afterwards costs $45 for AusIMM Members and Students.
Hunter International Women’s Day 2025 Luncheon Event Recap
On Friday 14 March this AusIMM event was held in the Hunter vineyards with the theme “Driving Positive Change Together”. Over 340 attendees were treated to an inspiring keynote speaker, Fiona Robertson AM, followed by a diverse panel discussion lead by (our committee member) Kate Bevan.
Fiona Robertson is a seasoned non-executive director in the mining industry, renowned for guiding resource companies through growth and transition across the globe. Currently serving on the boards of Whitehaven Coal, Bellevue Gold, and 29Metals, she’s received prestigious recognitions, including the 2024 AusIMM President’s Award, a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023, and NSW Mining’s Outstanding Contribution Award in 2022.
Bengalla Mine Site Visit Event Recap
On Thursday 27th March, New Hope Group's Bengalla mine hosted a visit by 17 AusIMM members to review the operation and meet with their technical staff. Our group included some of our Student Members, and some visiting members from Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
Our site host Aaron McLuckie and his technical services team outlined the site's history and the current and future operations, including discussion of challenges and opportunities for the site.
As with all mining operations, the application of innovation and sound planning is required to optimise its financial performance, as well as a focus on operational ESG issues. Of particular interest was discussion of the continued use of the site's dragline in mine operations, and the management of CHPP waste disposal into the waste dump, as well as the support Bengalla provided to the community given the site's close proximity to the city of Muswellbrook.
After around an hour or so of presentations and discussion we were transported to the lookout over the current strip cut and observed aspects of the mine and had further discussion with mine staff. At the conclusion of the tour a vote of thanks to our hosts was made by Austmine's Clarissa Campos on behalf of the group. Seven attendees then proceeded to share a meal at the Muswellbrook RSL club.
Our thanks to Bengalla for hosting this very interesting visit and we appreciate the time and effort made to accommodate our members.
Dale Sims
Committee Member, Hunter Region Branch
