FREE THE LEADERS IN MINING TYRE PH 02 6542 5281 SERVICE, SUPPLY & REPAIR 28 STRATHMORE ROAD MUSWELLBROOK MINERS RAISE $80,000 THE 2017 A-PLUS CONTRACTING HUNTER VALLEY MINING CHARITY RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION RAISED A RECORD $80,000 FOR THE WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE. MEET TWO OF THE AMAZING Vol 2 No 3: November - December 2017 PEOPLE THAT HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. PAGE 14-15 PIT STOP SINGLETON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT RIX’S CREEK COAL MINE FOR THE AUSTRALIANPEABODY ENERGY’S WAMBO MINE ARE THE 55 TH CHAMPS SCHOOL MINE AUSTRALIAN UNDERGROUND MINES RESCUE CHAMPIONS. PAGE 26 TOURS PROGRAM. PAGE 11 39-43 Thomas Mitchell Drive Muswellbrook NSW 2333 Australia +61 (2) 6540 9400 [email protected] mrssg.net › Equipment rebuilds › Fabrication UNRIVALLED › Mechanical › Earth moving and Civil MINING SERVICE SAFETY | CUSTOMER SERVICE | QUALITY CAPACITY & SUPPORT RESPECT | INTEGRITY & ACCOUNTABILITY @ THE COALFACE 60 minutes of Muswellbrook 02 6572 5915 REFER A FRIEND TO RECEIVE $200 How to claim your reward: 1. Contact your friend for consent to share details. 2. Send their full name, contact number and email address to [email protected] 3. Recive reward upon successful commencement of referred person. @ THE COALFACE OPENTHERE’S A LOT GOING ON IN OUR & future SHUT in our industry. INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW THAT There’s so much great WILL POTENTIALLY HAVE HUGE work going on in the IMPACTS ON OUR FUTURE, SO WE community that it’s HOPE THOSE IN CHARGE MAKE THE hard to find the room RIGHT DECISIONS. to showcase it all. When it comes to the approvals for We really must the opening of mines, or for things commend all like the extension of a mine life, there the amazing are an enormous number of hurdles people that must be overcome. There’s that go always going to be people who are above and for the project and those against it, beyond and it’s important that emotions and to make a politics are set aside, and each project difference in the is judged simply on its merits. This community, and that month we look at what’s going on for includes all the ones that some of these proposed projects and go unnoticed. we also went out onto the streets to If you’re thinking of a road trip over find out what you think. the coming months, check out our We’ve got some wonderful stories travel story to Broken Hill. Even about kids this month as they get though we are headed into warmer the opportunity to know the insides weather, that just means you have (and the outsides) of our coal mines. more excuses to stop frequently for a We hope you enjoy this We hope it inspires them to pursue a cold one to keep you chilled. month’s magazine! HUNTER MINING’S COMMUNITY SPIRIT ON DISPLAY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT MINING IN THE HUNTER IS THAT OUR WORLD-CLASS MINERS ARE A BIG PART OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. Publisher Shane Davey [email protected] The strong community spirit of and loved ones on and off the field. 0408 759 088 our local mining workforce was Congratulations to the Hunter Editor recently on display at the Hunter Hawkettes, the Women in Mining Rebecca Connolly Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Series Champions and to the [email protected] Knockout Competition. Over 350 Ravensworth Rhinos, Men’s 0408 769 699 local miners did their respective Champions. Their victories were Editorial Contributor mines proud as they competed for well deserved. Daniel James the coveted Charity Shield. The Importantly, the organisers of the Design event raises money for the Westpac knockout competition should be Catch Creative Rescue Helicopter Service and has applauded for putting on an amazing Stephen Galilee raised $135,000 for this worthy cause community event that brings CEO, NSW Minerals Council @ The Coalface since 2014. rugby league fans, miners and their 14B/159 John Street I was able to attend some of the event families together and at the same Singleton NSW 2330 Singleton Volunteer Support Group and watch a few high-quality games time raises money for the Westpac www.thecoalface.net.au for their outstanding efforts to ensure between teams from our local mines. Rescue Chopper. It was great to see so many local and exciting day of community rugby Congratulations to Danny Eather families there to support their friends league, all for a worthy cause. and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter PH 02 6572 2032 morganengineering.com.au 159 MAISON DIEU ROAD SINGLETON EXPERIENCE • QUALITY • RELIABILITY GENERAL ENGINEERING CNC MACHINING MOBILE LINE BORING SOLUTIONS WELD RECLAMATION LIQUID NITROGEN SERVICE & SUPPLY CATERPILLAR SERVICE EXCHANGE COMPONENTS LIGHT FABRICATION @ THE COALFACE | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 3 @ THE COALFACE ‘AVE A COAL IS CRUCIAL alfabs.com.au | PH 1300 ALFABS (253227) COAL IS THE MOST RELIED UPON FUEL LAUGH WITH SOURCE FOR PRODUCING CONSTANTLY Astronomers got tired of watching the moon go around the earth for AVAILABLE POWER TO BUSINESSES 24 hours. AND HOMES ACROSS NSW - A HUGELY So, the decided to call it a day. IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ENERGY MIX. Two men are playing golf. One of them is about to take a swing when a funeral procession appears on the road next to the course. He stops mid-swing, takes off his cap, closes his eyes, and bows his head in contemplation. His opponent comments: “That must be the most touching thing I’ve ever THE HON. DON HARWIN, MINISTER FOR RESOURCES seen. You are a very feeling man.” The man, recovering himself, replies, “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.” The best of it is found in the Hunter of coal to the Mount Piper Power and while our society transitions Station ahead of summer, which to a cleaner energy future ,thermal generates 11 per cent of our state’s coal will continue to play a vital role energy needs. in keeping the lights on and energy While we respect the court, our prices down. decision to legislate and keep the But we have to remember that the mine open was vital for energy majority of the coal we mine is security and affordability in our exported to key trading partners, state. The impact of a closure to the and this will continue if there is mine would have had a devastating international demand and we impact – that outcome was not remain competitive. acceptable to our government. The NSW Government wants the 6/24 GARNETT ROAD EAST MAITLAND In keeping Centennial Coal-operated market to make decisions around Springvale open, we not only ensure P: 02 4933 5134 energy – both domestically and for supply of coal to Mount Piper which export – and we want to give the supplies more than 1.1 million market confidence to invest how it homes, but we also protect the sees fit. livelihoods of 600 Lithgow workers FIX. YOUR. BACK. WE KNOW IN NSW WHAT LABOR and their families, 300 of them AND THE GREENS STAND FOR - working in the mine. SHUTTING YOUR INDUSTRY DOWN. Importantly, the new legislation OUR GOVERNMENT WON’T LET includes significant protections THAT HAPPEN. WE VIEW MINING Driving heavy vehicles, repetitive manual labour, for the environment. In the case AS A CRITICAL EXPORT SECTOR and prolonged work postures put enormous stress on the spine. When of Springvale this supports the FOR THE JOBS AND INVESTMENT IT the spine becomes dysfunctional it puts pressure on the nervous construction of a state-of-the-art BRINGS TO OUR REGIONS. system resulting in low back and neck pain, headaches, and vertigo, water treatment plant. among other things. These symptoms are merely a warning sign of a In October, this Government’s deeper degenerative process that will only get worse commitment to securing the future The good news is that this new with time, and harder to correct. of local jobs and placing downward plant will see zero mine water discharge into the river. Zero. At Life Rebel Chiropractic we use state of the art equipment pressure on power prices in NSW Construction of the water treatment to analyse the spine and restore its function, helping you to become was made crystal clear. plant is supported by the EPA, a happier, more productive worker, but most importantly to enjoy We acted swiftly to ensure the WaterNSW and the Planning the things you love most with friends and family. future of Springvale mine and the Assessment Commission. continued supply of coal to Mount Piper Power Station. This step was As the warmer months approach we taken after a Court of Appeal ruling are acutely aware of the challenges put the mine’s operation at risk our hot Australian summers this summer. bring. Reliable and affordable All @theCoalFace readers (and their loved ones) In August the court determined the energy supply is a priority for our government. receive a FREE initial consult, including neurological Planning Assessment Commission testing MyoVision scan, and X-ray analysis had used an incorrect formula to It’s pleasing to know we will have you at the coalface working hard (if required). Simply mention @theCoalFace assess Springvale’s environmental impact on the Cox’s River. This to provide the people of NSW with when booking your appointment. assessment had the potential to lead reliable energy supply to their to the closure of the sole supplier homes – that’s a win-win for us all. 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