Mining Safety Seminar 2025

Shangri-La Sydney

Address: 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Phone: (61 2) 9250 6000

E-mail: sydney@shangri-la.com

There are two entrances to the Shangri-La;

• Via the hotel reception Cumberland Street, or
• Lower level entry via Gloucester Street

Complimentary WiFi is available for MSS attendees.

Connect to WiFi Shangri-La Internet and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Shangri-La Sydney Hotel offers valet parking with unlimited in-and-out privileges for vehicles up to 2.1 meters in height. For vehicles exceeding 2.1 meters in height, the rate maybe slightly higher.

For non-hotel guests, valet parking for over four hours (but not overnight).

 Wilsons Quay West parking station is nearby (2/3 minute walk from hotel)

111 Harrington Street, The Rocks NSW 2000.

We recommend referring to the latest timetables before using public transport, the best options are:

Train

Wynyard Station and Circular Quay Station are the closest stations, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Light Rail

Bridge Street station is a 7-minute walk from the hotel.

Bus

The closest bus stop is Lan Park, York Street,  a 8-minute walk from the hotel.

100 | 120 | 288 | 290 | 292

Ferry

If you choose to take the ferry, Circular Quay terminal is the best option. It’s a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute drive, depending on traffic.

The registration desk will be open during the following hours

• Wednesday: 29 October 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Thursday: 30 October 8:00am -1:30pm

Please see the seminar team for any assistance regarding sessions and the seminar dinner.

Camilla Palamo - 0450 556 321

Meg Peacock – 0428 601 046

The seminar dinner is for delegates registered with a ticket to attend the dinner

• The dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom
• Pre-dinner drinks will commence at 6:30pm
• Dinner service commences at 7:00pm
• John Eales will join us as our  guest speaker for the evening
• Dress code is smart casual.

Please note you must have your name tag for entry to the seminar dinner

If you haven’t listed your dietary needs via registration, please let the team know as soon as possible.

For those with attending the dinner with a registered dietary,  your dietary tag will be outside the Grand Ballroom. Please collect your tag and place it above your plate, for the venue event staff.

There will be filming and photography at MSS.

By entering the event premises, you agree that Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has the right to use your likeness, image, voice, etc in publications, on their website and in marketing, advertising or related endeavours.

You also understand that you will not be compensated in any way for the use of your likeness, image, voice, etc.

Being on the premises over the two days (29 & 30 October 2025) means that you release DPIRD from any claims or actions that arise because of this production.

If you do not agree to the above conditions, please advise our seminar team. Arrangements will be made to ensure your requests are respected.

Will the presentation be published? Yes, the link to the recording and presentation will be available on our website.

Will we receive the Maintenance of Competence codes and breakdowns? Yes, at the conclusion of this year's MSS you will receive an email with a feedback survey, the survey includes the MOC QR codes and breakdowns. 

Do I need my name tag for the dinner? Yes

Will there be food on arrival on Day 2 of the Seminar? Yes, a light refreshment will be available with arrival tea & coffee, including barista coffee.

Have the dates for the forums and MSS in 2026 been announced? For 2026 dates please visit 2026 Save the date

Former Wallabies Captain, Author and Business Leader

Regarded as one of the greatest rugby players Australia has ever produced. His outstanding qualities extend much further than his exceptional skill on the football field.
John Eales AM is an inspirational leader and businessman through both his actions and his relentless determination. John’s sense of fair play and genial nature made him one of the most respected figures in the game, and an extraordinary ambassador for sport and Australia.
He debuted for the Wallabies in 1991 and captained the side from 1996 until the end of his test career in 2001. He participated in two successful World Cup campaigns, captaining the latter in 1999, and led Australia through three Bledisloe Cup, two Tri- Nations and a British and Irish Lions series victory. In 20 tests against the All Blacks he was on the winning side 11times, and also won 6 of his 11 tests against them as captain.
He was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame, the World Rugby Hall of Fame, the Australia Institute of Sport’s Best of the Best, awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1999 for services to the community and rugby.
John was the founder of the Mettle Group – a consultancy which was acquired by Chandler Macleod in 2007, is the Chair of ASX listed Trajan Group Holdings, and sits on the boards of Flight Centre Travel Group, Fuji Film DMS, Loreto Kirribilli and Magellan Financial Group. He has been an occasional lecturer at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney and is the author of books, “Learning from Legends – Sport” and “Learning from Legends – Business”.

Anthony is currently the Chief Inspector of Mines for the Resources Regulator. Anthony has over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry and his qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (mining) and a mine managers’ certificate of competency.
In his current role, Anthony leads a team responsible for regulating the NSW mining industry, with a focus on ensuring compliance with NSW work health and safety.
Previously, Anthony has held multiple roles in the mining industry across Australia, ranging from mining engineering through to senior leadership roles.

Chief Executive, NSW Minerals Council

Stephen Galilee has been CEO of the NSW Minerals Council since 2012. In this role he has been a strong and successful advocate for the mining industry and the mining communities of NSW.

Prior to joining the NSW Minerals Council, Stephen worked in politics and government in a range of policy portfolios including Regional Development, Employment, Small Business, Industry, and Resources. He was also a Senior Adviser to former Prime Minister John Howard, and Chief of Staff to Mike Baird during his time as NSW Treasurer

In addition to his public policy experience, Stephen worked on multiple state and federal election campaigns between 1995 and 2011. He has also worked in small business, family business, and as a consultant advising major corporations in construction, engineering and infrastructure.

Stephen has an Honours degree in Economics from Sydney University.

Kent is the Health, Safety, Engineering and Technology Manager for Bengalla Mining Company, which is part of New Hope Group. He is an electrician by trade, gained his Electrical Engineering certificate of competency in 2011 and has also worked in such roles as Electrical Engineering Superintendent, Asset Management Superintendent and Mobile Maintenance Superintendent. He is currently on the electrical engineering certificate of competency examination panel and the EL-023 Electrical Equipment in Mines and Quarries Technical Committee of Standards Australia.

Mark is a Director of Leadership & Performance Partners, a Hunter based company that designs, develops and delivers contextualised leadership and professional development programs for businesses across a range of industries including mining; construction; manufacturing; government; water and power utilities.

Mark’s leadership experience was forged during a 20-year career in the NSW Police, where he initially led surveillance teams supporting covert operations & criminal investigations. After specialising in the surveillance field for 8 years, he moved on to lead uniformed teams and strike force teams at Local Area Commands. During this time, he was a member of senior management teams and led the NSW Northern Region Surveillance Training Program.

After leaving the NSW Police, Mark spent 2 years working in the construction industry as a project manager, before moving into the training industry where he has spent the past 15 years. The last 6 years have been as a Director and Facilitator at Leadership & Performance Partners, since it was established with his Co-Director Ross Grace in 2019, with a passion and commitment to work with businesses, teams, and individuals to achieve positive, long-term results in leadership and associated skills & behaviours.

Ben Patten is the Mining Engineering Manager at Appin Mine, a major underground coal operation located in the Southern Coalfields of New South Wales. With over a decade of progressive leadership experience in underground coal mining, Ben has developed a strong capability in managing large, multidisciplinary teams across complex operations. Appin Mine has an extensive underground footprint, formed by the integration of three previously separate mines, connected through a network of underground workings. Due to the scale and complexity of the operation, the mine requires over 100 underground Mining Supervisors (Deputies and Undermanagers) to maintain high standards of health and safety for its workforce. One of the critical challenges in managing an operation of this size is ensuring robust communication and inspection systems are in place across all supervisory levels. In addition to his operational role, Ben has served for several years as a panel member on the Certificate of Competence Examination Panel for Undermanagers and provides support for the Deputy examinations where required. His ongoing involvement reflects a strong commitment to developing the next generation of mining supervisors, ensuring they possess the necessary competencies to lead effectively and safely. Ben’s dual contribution—both as an active senior mine manager and as a dedicated industry mentor—makes him an ideal member of the Supervision and Leadership Panel at this year’s Mining Safety Seminar

Ryan has over 15 years of extensive experience across both technical and production fields in the mining industry, during this time Ryan has consistently demonstrated expertise in managing complex mining operations. As Mining Manager at Hunter Valley Operations, he is known for a strong commitment to safety and fostering a positive workplace culture, driving initiatives that enhance on-site safety standards while cultivating an environment focused on productivity and operational excellence.

A results-oriented leader, Ryan combines deep technical knowledge with practical production insight to optimize workflows, maximize resource utilization, and deliver measurable improvements in efficiency. Passionate about people and process, he champions continuous improvement and collaborative teamwork, ensuring sustainable success for both the workforce and the business.

Craig is a mining engineer with almost 26 years’ experience in the mining industry all based in underground metalliferous mines.
He began his career as a graduate with mining contractor Macmahon, at various mine site across Australia. After working for Macmahon for 5 years he
moved to Newcrest, working at the Ridgeway Gold Mine, part of their Cadia Valley Operations.
Over the years at Cadia he was the senior project engineer for the construction of Newcrest first block cave operation at Ridgeway Deeps and transitioned to
become the development manager for the development and construction of the first two block caves at Cadia East Mine. He currently fills the role of principal mining engineer at Cadia.

Blake Ardrey is a Principal Consultant – Construction Materials and Services, at SLR Consulting, with more than 20 years of experience in the quarrying, construction materials, and resources sectors. Having worked in various roles across multiple states, Blake has developed extensive expertise across a broad range of operations and regulatory environments.

In his role at SLR Consulting, Blake works closely with clients to provide leadership and a practical approach to improving safety, operational performance, and compliance. He has successfully led diverse teams and projects, building strong engagement across all levels of the workforce to deliver effective and sustainable outcome. Blake also has a strong track record in critical risk management, policy development, and building effective systems that enhance both safety outcomes and business resilience.

Blake brings deep industry knowledge and practical insights to support safer, more sustainable practices across the resources and construction materials sectors.

Tom Richards is a Senior Mine Safety Officer with the NSW Resources Regulator and has more than 18 years’ experience in mine safety regulation. Trained in biotechnology, analytical chemistry, ventilation engineering and government investigations, Tom began his career as a Scientist and Analytical Chemist at the BHP Technology Centre then Mine Safety Technology Centre before moving into investigative and regulatory roles. He has since worked as Compliance Coordinator with the NSW Mine Safety Inspectorate and as a Senior Investigator with the Major Investigation Unit, where he has led complex inquiries into serious mining incidents.

Combining scientific expertise with extensive investigative experience, Tom brings a unique perspective to understanding and managing mining hazards, particularly those involving chemical exposure. Known for his detailed, evidence-based and non-confrontational approach, he focuses on uncovering causes, building cooperation, and driving improvements in safety outcomes and regulation.

In this presentation, Tom will share insights from a Causal Investigation he led, highlighting the collaboration and cooperation that made it possible. With thanks to colleagues across NSW and QLD inspectorates, industry experts, and technical specialists, the session reflects the collective effort behind uncovering causal factors that led to a crisis point, learning lessons, and shaping safer mining practices. Tom promises a practical, straight-talking look at the investigation process and insight into causal factors that led to an entire underground workforce being exposed to hazards associated with the misuse of a polymeric chemical. 

Quinton began his career in the underground coal industry in 2006 at Appin Mine as a Mechanical Engineer. Since completing his studies, he has primarily worked in underground coal operations, with short stints in open-cut coal and power generation. Over the past 19 years, Quinton has gained extensive experience across four mines and two coal preparation plants, holding various supervisory, engineering, and leadership roles. In 2014, he achieved his Manager of Mechanical Engineering competency and has since held this position at multiple mines in the Illawarra region. After 18 years in operational roles, culminating as the Maintenance Manager for Appin Mine, Quinton transitioned to major projects. He is currently the Project Manager for GM3 on the Appin Mine Ventilation Shaft 7 & 8 project.

Kent is a mining engineering, operational and safety professional with over 25 years of experience in the mining industry.  He has worked for BHP, Rio Tinto, Idemitsu, Thiess and Whitehaven, across Australia in a variety of commodities including coal, iron ore and base metals.

Kent currently works as the Mining Engineering Manager/Health and Safety Manager for Whitehaven Coal at their Maules Creek Coal operation.

Kent is passionate about improving safety, particularly in relation to reducing adverse vehicle interactions. He was a representative for the NSW Mining industry on the Resources Regulator Adverse Vehicle Interaction Advisory Committee which developed the Technical Reference Guide - ROVOA principal hazard management plan for surface mining operations.

Darren Mulherin is a Mining Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the industry, including several years in both Indonesia and Mongolia. Darren has coal mining in his blood and follows his father who worked underground at Gunnedah Colliery, and his grandfather who was sadly killed in a mining accident at the now closed Preston Extended Colliery near Curlewis in New South Wales.

Darren holds certificates of competency as an Unrestricted Quarry Manager in Western Australia, an Open Cut Examiner in New South Wales, and last year he successfully obtained his Manager of Mining Engineering certificate. Darren has previously held several senior leadership roles and is currently employed by Whitehaven Coal as the Compliance Superintendent at their Maules Creek operation.

Darren is passionate about mine safety and says he is happiest when he is adding value.

Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Mastermyne

Wayne has +36 years’ experience within the Underground Mining Industry. Throughout Wayne’s career he has held various senior management roles including General Manager, Director, Mining Consultant and Mine Manager.

Wayne’s area of expertise includes the implementation of leading strata management practices on the south coast, implementation and management of material risk controls and reviewing mining performance & improvement opportunities.

Based on his time in the industry, although he did not invent the shovel, some believe he wrote the work instruction for using it.

Shane is a highly experienced strategic leader with over 30 years in Health, Safety, Risk, and Emergency Management across the mining and construction industries. His career spans senior roles with major operators including Glencore, Newcrest Mining, Thiess, and Bathurst Resources, where he has led large teams, developed safety management systems, and guided operations through critical phases — from construction and production to mine closure and rehabilitation.

Currently serving as Manager Health, Safety & Training at MAC Copper – CSA Mine, he plays a key role on the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing health, safety, training, emergency response, and compliance functions. Outside of industry, he is also an active member of the NSW Rural Fire Service, serving as Captain of Worondi Brigade and Health & Safety Representative for the Liverpool Range Zone.

With a practical, systems-based approach and deep operational insight, Shane is passionate about building proactive safety cultures and developing the next generation of safety leaders.

Joanne is a Human Resources professional with 15+ years’ experience across mining, manufacturing, health, research, and professional services. Skilled in employee relations, workforce planning, compliance, and organisational development, with a record of leading complex investigations, enterprise agreement negotiations, and workforce strategies that lift culture and performance. Joanne has a particular focus on employee wellbeing and leadership development, building a skilled workforce by developing emerging and current leaders across operational and professional teams. Joanne believes an organisation’s strength and long-term success are driven by the success of its people.

Operational Research Officer

Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology

Operational Capability - Fire and Rescue New South Wales

Daniel O’Dea is an Operational Research Officer at Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW). He works with firefighters, industry and government stakeholders to identify and understand emerging risks to first responders and to develop solutions to ensure the safety of firefighters and other first responders. Daniel is currently a representative of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology (ARET) technical group and also a member of the AFAC National Hydrogen Training Program Working Group. Daniel has qualifications and experience across the electrical industry and he has over 20 years experience in emergency management and incident response from a variety of roles in Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Police. 

Currently serving as the Technical Services Manager and Mining Engineering Manager at Glencore's Ulan Underground, I am in my second tenure with the company, having returned in 2019 after a previous three-year stint from 2001. With nearly eight years of experience in my current role, I have embraced the technical challenges that Ulan Underground offers.

I hold a Mining Engineering Degree from the University of New South Wales, obtained in the early 1990s, and earned my Mine Manager’s Certificate in 2003. Throughout my career, I have held several key positions, including Operations Manager at Appin, West Cliff, and Oaky North in Queensland, as well as Ulan Underground.

Although I never aspired to be a Technical Services Manager, I find great satisfaction in tackling the complexities of this role.

Mark graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1993 with an honours degree in geology majoring in engineering geology and hydrogeology and attained a Masters of Engineering Science in Geotechnical Engineering in 2002.

Mark is a specialist in the investigation, design and implementation of slopes for surface mines.  He has worked on more than 100 major mining projects, covering a wide range of commodities, scales and risk profiles.  Mark has a specialty in pore pressure impacts on slope stability and depressurisation.  Mark also peer reviews a number of national and international open pit mining projects as part of Geotechnical Review Boards (GRB) and review panels.  Mark also provides expert witness for legal matters. 

In addition to open pit slope design, Mark has experience in geohazards, tunnels, roads, dams, dewatering and depressurisation studies.  

Mark presents postgraduate courses at the University of New South Wales for the schools of civil and mining engineering and is an active member of AusIMM.

John is a geologist and a mining engineer who is a Chartered Practicing Geotechnical Engineer, and holds a practicing certificate as a NSW Mining Engineering Manager.

With over 23 years of mining experience, John has held roles as a Radiation Safety Officer, Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Superintendent, Quarry Manager and Mine Manager. He has also worked 6 years as a Mines Inspector, Mining engineering Inspector including Principal Inspector and Acting Deputy Chief Inspector roles. 

John has previously been a board member of NSW Dam Safety and the NSW Board of Survey and Spatial Services and a previous councillor on the NSW Radiation Council.