Established in 2013, Voice for Mining is a growing community of people who work in mining, and recognise the contribution of mining families and the businesses that support mining. 

Make your voice heard - join Voice for Mining 

There are many reasons to support mining and ensure that community leaders and decision-makers understand that there is strong support for mining and mining jobs in NSW. 

• Mining generates jobs and supports the livelihoods of thousands of people across NSW

There are thousands of people across NSW who work in mining and depend on a strong mining industry for their livelihoods. 

For more than 200 years, the NSW mining industry has created jobs and opportunities for families across our state. 

NSW mining directly employs around 40,000 people in NSW, and we support the jobs of thousands more people in over 7,800 NSW businesses that supply goods and services to our mines.

• NSW miners produce essential metals for a low-carbon future 

Today, we’re responsibly mining the metals of the future, including the essential components for making smartphones, electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.

This includes metals such as zinc, copper, gold and cobalt for batteries, devices and electrical products, as well as high-quality coal needed to power our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals. 

• Mining companies inject billions of dollars in royalties needed for essential services

Our mines pay $2 billion a year in royalties to the NSW Government which helps fund nurses in hospitals, teachers in schools and police on our streets. 

And in many places across NSW, our mining families are the lifeblood of regional communities, working alongside farmers, teachers, tradies, and people in manufacturing, services and other industries.

• NSW miners give back to the local community

As well as generating employment for families in the local community, NSW mining companies make a positive impact on the local communities in which they operate. 

Mines enter into Voluntary Planning Agreements with local councils to help pay for community infrastructure and pay rates each year to local councils. Altogether, the mining industry pays more than $60 million to local councils each year. 

Mines also directly fund road upgrades and support community groups to undertake their activities including sporting teams, social services, health services, and arts and environmental programs. Support for community groups totalled more than $7 million in 2017-18.

There are so many reasons to support the NSW mining industry. So join us and ensure that your voice is heard too. 

Voice for Mining Family Day and Newcastle Knights Partnership

Join Voice for Mining to find out about how together we demonstrate the strong support for our mining families and our industry, like at Voice for Mining Family Day each year at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. 

Since 2013 the partnership has highlighted the proud work of tens of thousands of NSW mining families. They’ve been celebrated at the annual Voice for Mining Family Day along with all the good things mining brings to NSW, from jobs and spending with thousands of local businesses to royalties that have helped pay for schools, hospitals and emergency services.

The annual event draws more than 20,000 people. The team wears the special replica hi-vis mining jersey twice each year as a visual representation of the connection between the club, rugby league fans and our mining communities. 

There are so many current and former players that have worked at our mines including Bill Peden, Steve Simpson, Nathan Ross and Josh King.

This year, a special 10-year edition hi-vis jersey will be showcased at Voice for Mining Family Day.

And a new patch on the back of the jersey references a range of metals and minerals mined in NSW, including gold, copper, silver, zinc, nickel, coking coal for making steel and our high-quality low-emissions thermal coal for electricity.

2022 has been a big year for the NSW Minerals Council and Newcastle Knights partnership. 

As well as celebrating 10 years in partnership with the Newcastle Knights, NSW Minerals Council has been named as a foundation partner and major sponsor of the Newcastle Knights' inaugural NRLW team.  

The sponsorship highlights our industry’s continued support for women’s sport, which has included sponsoring the Newcastle Knights under 19s team in the Tarsha Gale Cup since 2018.

Covid-19 Community Information

Our industry’s top priority is the health and safety of our mining workforce, their families and communities. Over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have kept our Voice for Mining community connected and informed with the latest information from health and industry officials.

You can read how the NSW mining industry has responded to Covid-19 on our Community Information and Industry Response portals.