Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface

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!

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. You can find out more about the NSW Mining Careers here: https://nswminingcareers.com.au/You can contact the team here: https://nswminingcareers.com.au/contact/

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 people we have met in the coal industry. Jess caught up with Levi on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface to learn about what a coal technician does, how that part of the coal chain works and why Levi is so passionate about coal.

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, energy security and wealth. Jess and Chris discuss coal, the current global economy, the "clown show" that is politics in Australia and what Chris thinks the world is coming to. Don't forget to leave a rating and a review wherever you're listening and if you have an idea for a story or a guest get in touch: jess@thecoalface.net.au

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 of the industry Andrew Swanson to find out some of the history, for a producer side of the conversation Jason Schumacher the Coal Quality Engineer for Yancoal joins the chat and two young process engineers, Sebastian Lewandowski and Samantha Parkinson jump on the podcast. Enjoy! Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review.

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 Keenan is the Director of Public Affairs at the NSW Minerals Council, and on this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of what he and his team do and the difference it is making to public perception of the industry. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!

@ 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 shake that actually tastes good and has everything in it that you need to get through your shift. They also have shakers and sleep masks and they tell us on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface that there are even more exciting things to come...Enjoy the first episode of season 2 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface! Don't forget to leave us a rating and review.

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 guide them towards a better version of themselves. Enjoy this episode! Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!

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 the workplace a better place for women, and men to be. From toilets to a fair share or work to having work uniforms that actually fit. Enjoy this episode! Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

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!

If you live in Central Queensland you know exactly who CapRescue is. The Service provides lifesaving, around-the-clock aeromedical care — at no cost to patients — where and when it’s needed most.The mining industry, like us, are big supporters of CapRescue and on Episode 14 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface we take a deep dive into what it's like to be in the helicopter providing the care, working for the Service and supporting it. Air Crew Officer Alan Griffiths, Communications and Engagement Officer Kim Walters and Community Relations Coordinator Tracey Snedden join Jess for this episode. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!

Episode 12 of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface was recorded LIVE at the NSW Mining Health Safety Environment and Community Conference in Pokolbin. The 'Future Leaders Lunch' saw host Jess sit down with Sienna Linforth an Underground Mechanical Engineer at Dartbrook Mine, Julius Harris-Payne a Graduate Environment Officer at Bloomfield's Rix's Creek Mine and Georgia O'Neill who is an Environment and Community Officer at the United Wambo JV. In front of an audience at the conference, this episode delves into the careers of these three young, passionate mine workers, they share some of the funny things that have happened to them on site, the technical advances they've seen in the industry and how important education is not only about the industry but to encourage people to be a part of it and choose mining as their career. Enjoy this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface!

If you're a true Newcastle Knights fan, or even just an NRL junkie you'll know this guest. Newcastle Knights old boy Kurt Gidley made his debut with the NRL club in 2001, captained the side between 2007 and 2015, was the captain of the NSW Blues in 2009 and 2010 and was inducted into the Newcastle Knights Hall of Fame in 2022. There are plenty of other stories in between, from playing for Australia to some pretty memorable tries.Kurt retired from professional NRL at the end of 2015 having made the second-most appearance for the Knights in the Club's history. He finished his professional career with the Warrington Wolves in the Super League.These days you'll find Kurt kicking goals in the mining industry as the National Manager - Partnerships and Growth at the Protech Group. Jess sat down with Kurt to talk all things footy and his time in one of the country's other big exporters... mining. Previous stories on the Protech Group and Dreampath Recruitment: https://thecoalface.net.au/proof-is-in-the-pudding/https://thecoalface.net.au/industry-superstars/