Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface
Society & Culture
About
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.
Episodes
- RAE O'BRIEN: Setting the standard, then breaking it
Rae O'Brien, a mining engineer, shares her 30-year career spanning mine sites across NSW and Queensland. She discusses her work in improving sustainability standards and her role as Group Executive, Australia East for Thiess.
- LEVI GRIMA: Shut your mouth and open your ears
Levi Grima discusses his career path from farming and military service to managing natural resources operations in mining. He shares insights into the role of a coal technician and his dedication to the coal industry.
- HANNAH LEGG: Be curious, ask questions and be confident
Hannah Legg, CEO and Founder of HER Engineering, discusses her path driven by curiosity and determination, which led her to become a successful tradeswoman and entrepreneur, founding HER Engineering in 2021.
- CHRIS UHLMANN: The power of fossil fuels
Chris Uhlmann, a veteran Australian journalist, discusses the essential role of fossil fuels in generating wealth and enabling current progress. He emphasizes coal's importance for Australia's prosperity and energy security, while also tou…
- ACPS CONFERENCE: The suppliers getting the best coal bang for your buck
Jess attended the Australian Coal Preparation Society conference, celebrating 60 years of industry education. She spoke with suppliers like SNF Australia, Elastomers Australia, McLanahan, HMA Flow Industrial, and Mincotech about achieving…
- ACPS Conference: Six decades of education and connection
The Australian Coal Preparation Society (ACPS) marks 60 years with a conference featuring discussions on industry innovation and insights. Guests include ACPS Chairman Rafael Brymora, Andrew Swanson, Jason Schumacher, Sebastian Lewandowski…
- RICHARD CAMPBELL: The best ideas start with a beer, and turn into a business.
Richard Campbell discusses his unexpected path into mining, starting with a university enrollment error that led him to geology. He recounts how the idea for Blackrock Mining Solutions originated during a casual conversation with friends,…
- SCOTT KEENAN: Behind the scenes of NSW Mining's social media messaging
Scott Keenan, Director of Public Affairs at the NSW Minerals Council, discusses the behind-the-scenes efforts of his team in creating impactful social media content for the NSW mining industry. The episode explores how their content, inclu…
- EMILY-JANE "EJ" SCHUTTE: The missing link.
Emily-Jane
- NIGHT WORK NUTRITION: Shift work sucks, but it doesn't have to.
Night Work Nutrition, founded by mining industry shift workers Jai, Lachlan, and Jim, offers meal replacement shakes designed for shift workers. The business also sells accessories like shakers and sleep masks, with plans for future produc…
- JADE WOODSEN: Have the confidence in yourself and you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Jade Woodsen shares her 14-year mining journey in Queensland, her experience obtaining an OCE ticket, and provides advice for those studying for it. This marks the conclusion of Season 1 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface.
- BROCK MENDYK: From mining to life coach.
Brock Mendyk transitioned from a boilermaker in the Hunter Valley to a life coach after experiencing significant personal loss. He aims to share his story and guide others towards self-improvement.
- KIM NGUYEN: Taking a leap could be the best thing you ever do.
Kim Nguyen, Director and Founder of Core Mine, discusses his 23-year career in open-cut mining and his belief in leadership development, shaped by his family's experiences and a significant personal event in 2021.
- KATIE SIEMSEN: Equality doesn't mean quotas.
Katie Siemsen, formerly in coal mining health and safety for ten years, now runs 'Empower Business Solutions.' She advocates for workplace improvements in the mining industry, focusing on equality and better conditions for both men and wom…
- IMARC 2025: QLD Resources Minister Dale Last is passionate about coal, and the regions.
Recorded live at IMARC 2025 in Sydney, Jess from Digging Deeper speaks with Queensland Minister Dale Last about his passion for mining and regional development.
- IMARC 2025: Idemitsu Australia diversifying their coal business in a big way.
The Digging Deeper podcast team covers IMARC 2025, featuring an interview with Idemitsu Australia CEO Steve Kovac. Idemitsu is diversifying its coal business, investing in critical minerals and renewable energy projects like Australia's la…
- IMARC 2025: 15 years of the Bowen Basin Mining Club guiding it's network through the rollercoaster of the coal sector.
Recorded live at IMARC 2025 in Sydney, the Digging Deeper podcast features Jodie Currie, founder of the 15-year-old Bowen Basin Mining Club. The club has guided its members through the coal sector's fluctuations and has expanded to include…
- IMARC 2025: It's coal or nothing for Nick Jorss.
Recorded live at IMARC 2025 in Sydney, Digging Deeper features Nick Jorss, Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal. Jorss is a vocal advocate for coal. IMARC is an international mining and resources conference.
- IMARC 2025: Future Coal's Michelle Manook on the outlook for our black gold.
Michelle Manook, CEO of Future Coal, spoke with Jess from Digging Deeper at IMARC 2025 in Sydney. The discussion covered the global and local outlook for coal, from the International Mining and Resources Conference.
- DAVID GATWOOD: The day the Westpac Rescue Helicopter saved his life.
David Gatwood recounts his 2021 rescue by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service after a cycling accident in the Upper Hunter. He expresses his deep gratitude to the service, which is celebrating 50 years of operation.
- BHP MT ARTHUR COAL MINE: Closure is five years away, where is planning up to?
BHP's Mt Arthur Coal Mine is scheduled to close in 2030. Planning and engagement with employees, local businesses, and the community are underway. General Manager Darryl Messenger, Strategy Manager Georgia Manning, Corporate Affairs Manage…
- STEVE FORDHAM: Fighting for what coal communities deserve.
Steve Fordham, founder of Blackrock Industries, discusses his work supporting mining and civil projects, and his community initiatives like 'Second Chance for Change' which helps incarcerated men find employment.
- MARTIN RICHARDSON: Everyone should give a pump about this business.
Jess interviews Martin Richardson, National Sales Manager for Truflo Pumps, on Digging Deeper. Martin discusses his many years in the industry, traveling internationally to solve pumping problems at mines.
- GIRL POWER: Two of Thiess' leading ladies, Beth and Ash chat all things women in mining.
Thiess employees Ashlee Cox and Beth Conliffe discuss the experience of women in the mining industry. This episode, recorded at the NSW Mining HSEC Conference, is part of a series of bonus content.
- CAPRESCUE: The life saving service keeping central Queensland alive.
Episode 14 of Digging Deeper features CapRescue, a Central Queensland service providing free, 24/7 aeromedical care. Air Crew Officer Alan Griffiths, Communications and Engagement Officer Kim Walters, and Community Relations Coordinator Tr…
- PETER "ZOOM" ORAM: There's nothing like the bond of being a part of mines rescue.
Peter "Zoom" Oram discusses his unexpected path into mines rescue, joining in 1995 and finding purpose and skills through the team. He has held various roles, including training assessor and rescue coordinator.
- NGAIRE BAKER: If you find a job you love like Ngaire has, you'll never work a day in your life.
Ngaire Baker, External Relations Manager for Develop at Woodlawn Underground Operations, shares insights from her years in the mining industry, including her experiences mentoring women and navigating the sector's challenges and successes.
- Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface LIVE AT HSEC.
Recorded live at the NSW Mining Health Safety Environment and Community Conference, this episode features host Jess with mining professionals Sienna Linforth, Julius Harris-Payne, and Georgia O'Neill discussing their careers, industry adva…
- DAN ALLEN: Tackling mental health one TradeMutt shirt at a time.
Dan Allen, founder of TradeMutt, shares the story behind the social enterprise, which sells shirts designed to spark conversations about mental health. A portion of profits funds TIACS, a free mental health counseling service for blue-coll…
- KURT GIDLEY: From kicking goals on the field, to even bigger ones in the mining industry.
Former Newcastle Knights captain Kurt Gidley discusses his NRL career, his time with the Warrington Wolves, and his current role in the mining industry as the National Manager - Partnerships and Growth at the Protech Group.
- VICKY PELLOWE: The toughest job of them all, being a FIFO mum.
Vicky Pellowe created the FIFO Family Project to support parents at home with children while their partners work away. The project offers a community, online resources, and a guide for navigating the FIFO lifestyle.
- DAVE FOSTER: Why coal mining has to continue at Hunter Valley Operations.
Dave Foster, with a career spanning 20 years in mining, discusses his return to Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) as General Manager and ongoing expansion plans since 2019.
- DANNY MCCARTHY: A tribute to his father and success in the Queensland mining industry.
Danny McCarthy, Managing Director of TerraCom, attributes his success in the mining industry to his late father's teachings. He currently manages the Blair Athol mine in Queensland and reflects on his unexpected career path.
- NOEL KELLY: Crushed by two 15-tonne trucks underground, and survived to tell the tale.
Noel Kelly survived a severe mining accident in 1992 where he was crushed by two 15-tonne trucks, losing a leg. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service played a critical role in his survival and transport to the hospital.
- MATT CLARKE: How he survived Afghanistan and ended up at a coal mine.
Matt Clarke, a former Australian Defence Force member, details his survival of an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2012, the injuries he sustained, and his subsequent career change to the mining industry. The vehicle involved in the inciden…
- BLACK ROCK MOTOR SPORT PARK: Racing on a coal mine.
This episode of Digging Deeper visits Black Rock Motor Resort Park, built on the site of the former Rhondda Colliery. The park, formerly controlled by Yancoal, is now managed by Tony Palmer and set to become Australia's first dedicated mot…
- STUART BOCKING: Why we have to fight for coal.
In Episode 3 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, host Jess interviews Stuart Bocking, CEO of Coal Australia. They discuss the history and advocacy of Coal Australia, an organization founded in the Bowen Basin to promote the coal mining…
- SIENNA MALLON: Why quotas are a joke, and how to survive as a woman in mining.
Sienna Mallon, a mining manager, shares her experiences as a woman in the mining industry and discusses quotas. She encourages young women to consider a career in mining.
- @ The Coalface goes digital! Episode 1 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface has landed.
The inaugural episode of "Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface" features host Jessica Rouse interviewing Stephen Galilee and Janette Hewson. They discuss the coal mining industry, compare states, and address common misconceptions.