NSW Mining’s COVID-19 community information campaign
For information about the industry's response to COVID-19, please click here.
Updated: 12/09/2021
There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our mine workers, their families and mining communities. And that remains the industry’s top priority as we have all adapted to new ways of living and working during the pandemic.
Because we are able to continue safe operations at mines across NSW - with vaccination, increased testing, wearing masks, physical distancing and more - it means we can also support thousands of jobs in mining, supplier businesses and in mining communities across the state.
Mining industry backs vaccination drive
To get our lives and economy moving again, the NSW mining industry is encouraging people to consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19. And we’re doing our part to help mine workers and their families to get vaccinated.
Across NSW, mining companies have put in place special initiatives including mine site vaccination hubs, rapid antigen testing to screen people before entering work sites and incentive programs including vouchers for vaccinated staff to spend with local businesses.
It’s another way we’re helping to protect mine workers, mining families and the community while also helping to keep the NSW economy moving.
Increasing vaccination rates is our best way out of lockdowns and getting our local businesses going again. By protecting our mining workforce and their families, we are helping to keep communities safe across regional NSW.
COVID-safe practices at NSW mines
Since early 2020, miners all over NSW have been working with new health and safety protocols and procedures including increased health monitoring, cleaning and sanitation, physical distancing, travel and shift changes, alternative work arrangements and more.
And our commitment to testing and vaccination has continued through 2021, with NSW mining companies implementing Rapid Antigen Testing at many mine sites. This gives mines the ability to screen people before they enter the workplace, helping to keep their employees safe.
By taking these actions, we’ve been able to continue safe operations at gold, copper, coal and other mines all over NSW. That’s helping to keep thousands of local people employed and the NSW economy moving.
To find out more about the mining industry's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, please read our industry plan.
Keeping the community safe and the economy moving
It’s a challenging time. The economic downturn and job losses caused by the pandemic has affected many people. But the continued operation of our NSW mines is helping to support the economy at a time when it is needed most.
There are around 40,000 people working directly in mining in NSW. There are many thousands more working in over 7,000 local businesses in Sydney and regional NSW that are supplying our mines with goods and services.
These local businesses, along with so many community-based businesses in our regions, are benefiting from the COVID-safe practices at our mines. Because our mines are still working, these businesses can keep working too.
Local businesses supporting mining in NSW
So many people support mining in NSW, including people working in businesses and community groups that proudly feature in this campaign.
We thank each of these businesses for their support and we thank everyone that is doing what they can to help keep the community safe and the economy moving.
Quest Apartments Singleton
Quest Singleton offers 35 serviced apartment style hotel rooms for a relaxed and comfortable accommodation experience in the heart of the Hunter Valley, perfect for short or long stays.
Located in town, Quest is a short drive to vast hills and countryside, the region’s famous vineyards and large employers in the local mining industry and the Singleton Army Base. The team at Quest welcome guests on holidays and many workers in mining and other local industries.
Quarry Mining and Construction Equipment
The team at Quarry Mining are a clever bunch. They use advanced manufacturing right here in NSW to produce high-quality drilling equipment for multiple industries.
That helps a wide range of underground mining operations across Australia, as well as the major infrastructure development and tunnelling happening in Sydney for new roads and rail.
Quarry Mining is a member of the NSW Minerals Council and a regular fundraiser for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. We thank them for their ongoing support.
One Agency Lindy Harris
Lindy Harris is an experienced real estate professional, with over 18 years in the business. She leads the team at One Agency Singleton as they help locals to buy, sell and rent properties across the Hunter Valley.
Lindy says that mining families are an important part of the local community and the industry has helped to sustain the local economy during the good times and in challenging times as well.
The Albion Hotel Singleton
Pubs are a great place for people to connect all over Australia. None more so than The Albion Hotel in Singleton, where Jamie McNamara is the publican.
He spent some time working in mining and he recognises the importance of the industry to the region and to the state of NSW.
ALL-PRO Chemical and Cleaning Supplies
ALL-PRO Chemical and Cleaning Supplies is the largest supplier of cleaning agents to the Australian coal industry, in addition to supplying cleaning solutions to a diverse range of Industrial, Commercial, Automotive and Hospitality operations.
It’s the type of business that is more vital than ever to ensure that our workplaces can be cleaned effectively and the health of our mine workers can be protected. Based near Newcastle, ALL-PRO has customers all over the east coast of Australia.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service - Singleton Support Group
The NSW mining industry has proudly supported the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for more than 35 years. And we thank the Singleton Support Group for their continued work to raise funds for the service in one of our key mining regions.
One of their biggest annual events has been the Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout Competition where together with local mine workers they have raised over $400,000 since 2014.
Club Singleton
Local clubs are so important to local communities, especially in regional NSW. Club Singleton is a great place for quality food, entertainment, relaxing with friends and watching sports and so much more.
There are many mine workers that are members of the club and associated with the club, but it is also supported widely throughout the community with members and guests from across the region.
Cervoz Cafe and Catering Singleton
Food brings us all together, more so in difficult times. And while COVID-19 has proved challenging for the team at Singleton’s Cervoz Cafe and Catering, they have continued working with the support of a number of local mining operations and the wider community.
It’s a great place to go for a coffee or a meal at breakfast, brunch or at lunch, with high quality food and a great team of people providing friendly and welcoming service to everyone.
Bulga Coal - Glencore
Bulga Coal is operated by NSW Minerals Council member company Glencore and is located about 15 kilometres southwest of Singleton in the Hunter Valley.
The mine employs approximately 750 employees and contractors, many of whom are local to the region. Bulga Coal is focused on implementing the highest environmental standards and best practice to ensure its licence to operate and also developing long-term, sustainable relationships with the local community.
We thank Bulga Coal for supporting this campaign, including their appearance in our TV commercial.
