Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, the podcast that shares the incredible stories of the talented and passionate people in our industry who not only shine on site but are doing incredible things in their local communities, on the national stage, and sometimes even making a global impact.We often interview people and would love to share the WHOLE story with you, so here it is.Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, hosted by Jessica Rouse.
IMARC 20226 Debbie Morrow: Executive Director Miners' Promise
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC.
With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to.
Miners' Promise provides compassionate care and specialist support for families during times of crisis and bereavement. The charity is also the charity partner for IMARCH 2026 - Debbie Morrow is the Executive Director and dropped by to...
IMARC 2026 COURTNEY HOUSSOS: Minister for Finance and Natural Resources
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC.
With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to.
Minister for Finance and Natural Resources Courtney Houssos sat down with Jess for a brief chat with Jess about what's happening in mining in terms of legislation and how great it is to see so many...
IMARC 2026: MISHA FAZEN: Whitehaven's Group Manager- Systems, Performance, Data Analytics HSE
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC.
With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to.
Jess sat down with Misha Fazen, Whitehaven's Group Manager - Systems, Performance Data Analytics HSE to chat all things Artificial Intelligence (AI) and her role in mentoring young women in the industry.
...
IMARC 2026 JODIE CURRIE: Bowen Basin & Hunter Mining Club Director
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC.
With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to.
Jodie Currie is the Director of both the Bowen Basin Mining Club and the Hunter Mining Club. She has been in her role in Queensland for 16 years and certainly has her finger on the pulse with...
IMARC 2026 SIMON TROETH: Minerals Council of Australia
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC.
With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to.
First up, Simon Troeth, the General Manager - External Affairs with the Minerals Council of Australia talking about confirmation bias, how crucial mining is and the extraordinary demand for our coal overseas.
...
STEVE GALILEE: HVO, Mount Pleasant, activists, and an optimistic future
Steve Galilee has been the CEO of the NSW Minerals Council since 2012, so he's seen a lot.
Steve is no stranger to the Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface podcast, he was one of our first guests. We thought it was timely to sit down with Steve again and talk about everything that's happening in mining in NSW. BEtween the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation project approval from the IPC, the Hight Court decision on MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant operation, and what it all means for the future of our industry.
We also...
JOE CLAYTON (PART 2): Witch doctors, illegal miners and run ins with natives
After Jess sat down with Joe Clayton in Episode 18, Joe reached out with a hundred more stories. Stories about witch doctors, how he dealt with illegal miners, and run-ins with natives.
Joe has worked in Australia and overseas in gold mines. You would be fooled into thinking Joe was retired now though, watching the coal ships go past in the Port of Newcastle from his verandah.
But he's still very active in the mining space and the mining community.
Don't forget to leave us a rating and...
JOE CLAYTON (Part 1): Buried up to his neck, unions, and semi-automatics
Joe Clayton started working underground in the 1970s. He's been buried up to his neck, had his ear just about cut off, been in charge of mining operations in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia, and hired mercenaries with semi-automatics to keep a strike at bay.
He has about a thousand stories, so enjoy Part 1 of our chat with Joe.
Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review, and if you've got a story or want to dob a mate in send Jess an email: [email protected]<...
COURTNEY TAYLOR: From the ground up
Courtney Taylor spent more than ten years working as a geologist before moving into operations management and project delivery for major mining companies. Now Courtney is the Managing Director of Yari Resources, an emerging resources company exploring the Bowen Basin for coal resources that could support more than 70 years of mining.
Courtney has had a hugely successful career, and she is a big believer in industry professionals giving their time to support the industry and promote it to younger generations, particularly in schools, to ensure young children know that there is a strong industry for...
DALE LAST: Queensland is doing the heavy lifting
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last joined Jess on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface.
Dale joins Jess fresh after a Coal Industry Event in Brisbane, a report earlier this year from Future Coal showing the international demand for our coal, and Coal Australia releasing their very first annual Coal Report breaking down the data not only state by state, but region by region and town by town on how crucial coal is.
Coal isn't the only...
IMARC 2026: It's not just about the C-suite
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is returning to the ICC in Sydney this October 27-29.
IMARC brings together not only the mining sector here in Australia, but a huge international contingent as well. This year it's not just about the C-suite coming along, everyone is being encouraged to get to IMARC, including engineers, operators, students and more.
Sherene Asnasyous and Paul Phelan are IMARC's Event Directors, and they've been putting this event together for years. Sherene and Paul sit down with Jess to chat the industry, the event and...
HSEC LIVE: Psychosocial safety and your mental wellbeing
We are LIVE at the NSW Mining HSEC Conference for another year…
HSEC is where people from across the industry come together to share ideas, challenge thinking and learn from each other. It’s one of the few opportunities each year were operators, contractors, regulators and experts are in the same room with a common goal – making our workplaces safer and healthier.
For this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, we're talking about why mental wellbeing matters—not just outside of work, but on site as well. While we often think of...
DANIEL ROCKHOUSE: I refuse to let anything scare me underground
Daniel Rockhouse was one of only two men to survive the fatal Pike River Mine disaster in New Zealand on November 19, 2010.
He lost his brother and his crew.
Daniel and Russell Smith were the only two to make it out alive that day, and to this day, their crew is still underground.
The disaster and the months after the disaster have recently been played out in a film which delves into that fateful day and what happened afterwards.
Jess sat down with Daniel...
KEN BAYLEY: Everyone needs an escape, fishing is mine
Fishing has always been part of Ken Bayley's life, but it was during some of his toughest periods that he realised it was far more than just a hobby.
Ken has worked in the mining industry for the last eight years after returning home from the military. Whatever job Ken as has had, or wherever he has lived, fishing has always remained a constant. Something he did to settle his mind and find peace in the craziness of the world.
After years of fishing, one thing always stood out to Ken...
NICK JORSS: Keep up the fight
Nick Jorss is the founder of Coal Australia, founder of Stanmore Coal, former Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal and Non Executive Director of Ballymore Resources among many other things including QLD Beer Co.
Jess sits down with Nick to talk all things Coal Australia, coal, mining, activists, and beer.
Enjoy this episode! Let us know what you think, leave a rating and review!
CRAIG SEMPLE: The cop who fell to earth and into a career he could never have imagined
Craig Semple was a career detective in the New South Wales Police Force for twenty-five years, investigating homicides, outlaw motorcycle gangs and hundreds of other serious crimes. Medically retired from law enforcement in 2013 due to psychological injuries, Craig is now a sought-after keynote speaker and mental health advocate.
Craig is the founding director of Mentality Plus delivering mental health, wellbeing and resilience education to tens of thousands of people all over Australia and internationally. Craig has written two books, and thrives on sharing his story in the hope it has a tangible impact, even if...
SHARON BUSHBY: Opening doors you didn't know existed
Sharon Bushby is the Policy Manager: Industry Skills and Education with NSW Mining. There are a few miners across the industry who would have come across Sharon during her six years at Zeal Futures, five in recruitment at Centennial, and now through the various outreach and school programs she's part of with NSW Mining.
Jess sat down with Sharon to find out about all the programs and events NSW Mining is doing to encourage students to take up a trade or head to university to get their start in the mining industry.
<...RAE O'BRIEN: Setting the standard, then breaking it
You wouldn’t meet anyone more approachable and humble than Rae O’Brien. Starting out as a mining engineer, she has spent 30 years quietly lifting the sustainability standards of mine sites across NSW and Queensland, while breaking quite a few records along the way.
Rae got engaged to a fellow mining engineer in the final year of her university degree, and they began their life together in Middlemount. Fast forward, and the pair have twin daughters, one of whom is now studying to be a mining engineer herself.
Rae set the stan...
LEVI GRIMA: Shut your mouth and open your ears
Levi Grima grew up in Mackay on his family's sugarcane farm. He joined the army and was deployed overseas, thinking that was what he wanted.
Turns out being deployed overseas made Levi miss Mackay and his home, so he came back and found himself a job in mining. Levi started as a coal technician and has climbed up the chain at SGS to become the Natural Resources Operations Manager.
Levi is also part of the Australia Pacific Carbon Connect (APCC) leadership cohort for 2026 and is among some of the most passionate...
HANNAH LEGG: Be curious, ask questions and be confident
Hannah Legg is the CEO and Founder of HER Engineering. She has three trade qualifications and a certificate to her name, all because she was curious, determined to know how everything worked and determined to be the best she could be.
The 32-year-old from the Hunter Valley has a few firsts to her name, including being the first tradeswoman in more than 90 years to be employed at Kings Engineering, Hannah started HER Engineering in 2021 and since then has continued to thrive.
Jess caught up with Hannah for this episode of Digging...
CHRIS UHLMANN: The power of fossil fuels
Chris Uhlmann is a veteran Australian journalist. He's been a political reporter for many years and these days is a freelance political contributor for Sky News and The Australian.
Chris presented at the recent Asia Pacific Carbon Connect conference in Newcastle, talking about the wealth generated by fossil fuels and the simple fact we wouldn't be where we are today without coal, gas and oil and without it we won't move much further forward.
Chris is a no-nonsense reporter, telling the facts about how crucial coal is for our country's prosperity...
ACPS CONFERENCE: The suppliers getting the best coal bang for your buck
The Australian Coal Preparation Society is celebrating 60 years in 2026. 60 years of education and connection for the coal preparation part of the coal supply chain.
Their annual conference was held in Pokolbin in March and Jess went along to chat to a few of the suppliers, innovators, and people working to get the best value and quality coal out to buyers.
In the second episode Jess caught up with five of the businesses who were at the conference including: John Ballantyre the Sales Manager East Coast Mining for SNF Australia, Pat Caputo...
ACPS Conference: Six decades of education and connection
The Australian Coal Preparation Society (ACPS) is celebrating 60 years of connection and education this year.
In March the ACPD get together for their conference, an opportunity to network, meet new people, learn about the innovation going on in the industry and get some insight into what is happening on the ground at various sites.
Jess had the opportunity to catch up with a few people at the conference. In this episode she sits down with Chairman of the LOC for the APCS Conference in the Hunter Valley Rafael Brymora, a veteran...
RICHARD CAMPBELL: The best ideas start with a beer, and turn into a business.
It was an accident that Richard Campbell ended up in mining over in New Zealand. He was enrolled to become a mechanial engineer, went to an open day at university and came out signed up for geology instead.
From that accident, some mining work in New Zealand, and then working in mines over the ditch in Australia, he was sitting in Bunbury WA with a couple of mates having a beer, and they came up with the name Blackrock, and the rest is history.
Blackrock Mining Solutions has now grown to...
SCOTT KEENAN: Behind the scenes of NSW Mining's social media messaging
NSW Mining has some of the best social media content around, promoting the critical mineral and coal mining industry across NSW. Everything from 'day in the life' videos, to underground, open cut, the lesser known jobs, and tips from everyone you can think of about how to get into the industry or how it works.
That positive messaging is making a real impact on social media and spreading the word that not only is mining here to stay, but it has a huge impact on everyone's day-to-day, even if you don't think it does.
Scott...
EMILY-JANE "EJ" SCHUTTE: The missing link.
We first met Emily-Jane "EJ" Schutte at the IMARC Conference in Sydney last year. EJ is the President of the Hunter Student Chapter of AusIMM at the University of Newcastle (UoN).
She's passionate about getting young people excited about the mining industry and all the different career paths it offers to students. UoN doesn't offer a mining-specific Engineering degree, with students having to complete the mining portion at UNSW or the University of Wollongong.
EJ firmly believes the AusIMM is filling that missing link in the Hunter, introducing students to mining and giving them an...
NIGHT WORK NUTRITION: Shift work sucks, but it doesn't have to.
@ The Coalface first met Jai, Lachlan and Jim just after they started their business Night Work Nutrition. All three had been working in the mining industry, doing their fair share of shift work at mines in the Hunter Valley for years.
If you've met these three, you know they get along like a house on fire and as soon as Jim mentioned they should start a business to help their fellow shift workers, it was all systems go!
Night Work Nutrition is for shift workers, by shift workers. A meal replacement...
JADE WOODSEN: Have the confidence in yourself and you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Jade Woodsen grew up in the thick of the Queensland mining industry at Mt Isa. She has spent 14 years in the mining industry herself and built her mining career across many roles at different sites including the QCoal Northern Hub.
It was all that experience across various machines and in numerous roles that saw her offered the opportunity to undertake her OCE course. She has been successful in obtaining it this year and is already out in the field putting it into action.
The process of obtaining your OCE ticket is...
BROCK MENDYK: From mining to life coach.
Brock Mendyk was born and raised in the Hunter Valley. He finished school and got his boilermaker trade and started working at Bulga near Singleton.
Brock built some special bonds and made lifelong friends on site who helped him through the hardest time in his life: losing his father and his sister to suicide.
Fast forward, Brock has left the Hunter Valley and completely changed careers. He's moving into life coaching so he can share his story and learnings with people who need someone to help them in their lives and...
KIM NGUYEN: Taking a leap could be the best thing you ever do.
Kim Nguyen is the Director and Founder of Core Mine, a business created to make leaders better and equip them with what they need to become better leaders.
Kim spent 23 years in open cut mining working his way up the leadership chain. Kim firmly believes that his parents and his upbringing helping shape him into the person he is today. His parents came to Australia with nothing, displaced by war in Vietnam.
Kim's life took a tragic turn in 2021 when he lost his chosen brother. That moment became the catalyst for...
KATIE SIEMSEN: Equality doesn't mean quotas.
Katie Siemsen worked in the health and safety area of coal mining for about ten years. Earlier this year she decided it was time to step out on her own and take on being her own boss with 'Empower Business Solutions'.
Without planning it, Katie has become something of a disrupter. Sharing her thoughts on LinkedIn about the harsh realities she experienced while she worked in the industry and what she believes needs to change, and be better.
Through her business she hopes to empower leaders in the industry to make...
IMARC 2025: QLD Resources Minister Dale Last is passionate about coal, and the regions.
The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.
11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".
Jess sat down with Dale Last, the Queensland Minister for Resources and Mines, Minister...
IMARC 2025: Idemitsu Australia diversifying their coal business in a big way.
The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.
11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".
Idemitsu Australia is certainly diversifying their coal business down under, expanding their portfolio to...
IMARC 2025: 15 years of the Bowen Basin Mining Club guiding it's network through the rollercoaster of the coal sector.
The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.
11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".
Jodie Currie started the Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC) 15 years ago, and this year...
IMARC 2025: It's coal or nothing for Nick Jorss.
The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.
11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".
Nick Jorss is the Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal, a story in itself...
IMARC 2025: Future Coal's Michelle Manook on the outlook for our black gold.
The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.
11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".
Michelle Manook is the Chief Executive of Future Coal and sat down with Jess...
DAVID GATWOOD: The day the Westpac Rescue Helicopter saved his life.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) is celebrating 50 years of saving lives across northern NSW this year.
David Gatwood isn't just a volunteer, he was rescued by the WRHS in 2021. It was on the October long weekend that he was riding with his mates in the Upper Hunter and rode over a cattle grid coming off his bicycle. David thought that was it.
Until he heard the comforting sounds of the WRHS overhead.
David is forever grateful to the Service for saving his life. Jess sat down...
BHP MT ARTHUR COAL MINE: Closure is five years away, where is planning up to?
BHP's Mt Arthur Coal Mine is finishing up mining in 2030.
Since the announcement was made, there has been plenty of planning happening behind the scenes and a lot of engagement with the employees, local businesses and the community.
So, where is that planning up to?
What is the sentiment on site?
Is there any chance mining could continue post-BHP?
Jess sat down with some of the BHP team including General Manager Darryl Messenger, Manager of Strategy and Closure Execution...
MOUNT ARTHUR: Closure day is just five years away, where is planning up to?
The closure of BHP's Mt Arthur mine in the Upper Hunter is just five years away.
There are plenty of conversations that have been happening with the community, businesses, and the industry, but where are those conversations up to and what has been happening on the ground?
How far along is planning for the Pumped Hydro Project?
And is there any truth to the rumours that mining could continue at the site post-BHP?
Jess sits down with Mt Arthur General Manager Darryl Messenger...
STEVE FORDHAM: Fighting for what coal communities deserve.
In 2016 Steve Fordham started a business with Glen Finnan providing manpower and equipment to support mining and civil projects across the Hunter Valley. Blackrock Industries was born and from that came Dreampath Recruitment and then 'Second Chance for Change' helping incarcerated men find full time work and many other community projects.
Steve has become a leader for the mining community, fighting for what the community deserves.
Jess sat down with Steve for this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface!
