Significant improvements in health and safety performance have been achieved across the mining industry over recent decades, supported by stronger safety leadership, better regulations, and advancements in systems and technology. Innovations such as automation and digital monitoring are expected to further improve safety outcomes. However, recent industry performance highlights the need for continued focus. As Rohitesh Dhawan, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), observed, while fatalities fell slightly in 2025, the broader trend since 2021 remains deeply concerning, with the re-emergence of catastrophic incidents is a stark reminder that critical controls are still failing too often (ICMM, 2026b). Board members and senior executives face a complex challenge. While they have clear legal and moral duties to exercise due diligence in relation to safety, the diverse skills and experience that strengthen board governance can mean that some directors and executives have limited firsthand exposure to mining operations or often have limited direct operational control. Critically, recent court decisions in Australia establish that officers are now held responsible for safety failures, with industrial manslaughter now sitting across the Australian landscape, with penalties and offence details varying by jurisdiction.