Mining Engineering Safety Seminar - MEMSS 2024

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Address: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth 61, 101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9228 9188

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is undergoing enhancements. During this period, limited services will be available until the project's completion in Spring 2024, with the main entrance located on Bligh Street.

Entry from Philip Street  ( Hotel Original Main Entrance) 

• Walk into the Wentworth Arcade and take a right once you pass Adora Chocolate Shop
• Follow the walkway to registration desk 

Entry from Bligh Street

• Make way to 2 Bligh Street  ( entrance next to Wilson Parking)
• Take the guests services lifts to Level 3 
• Turn Right upon arrival on Level 3 to Brisbane Room 

OR

• Make way to 2 Bligh Street  ( entrance next to Wilson Parking)
• Take the escalators up to Adora Chocolate Shop
• Upon arrival turn left.  

Complimentary WiFi is available for MEMSS attendees.

Connect to wifi via Sofitel Conference

Passcode is - Sofitel2024

Car parking is available, located next to the Bligh street entry to the Sofitel. It is a Wilson Parking.

https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/parking-locations/new-south-wales/sydney-cbd/sofitel-sydney-wentworth-car-park/

We suggest you refer to the latest transport timetables before using public transport, the best options are below:

Train

The closest station is Wynyard Station, from the station it is a 6 minute walk. From Wynard station turn right onto Margaret Street, then right onto George, once you reach Hunter Street turn left, walk for approximately 240 metres and then turn left into Bligh Street and you will see the entry to the Sofitel on your right. 

Light Rail

The nearest station for the light rail is Bridge Street, then a 5 minute walk east along Bridge Street, take a left along Phillip Street and the Sofitel will be on the right side past the crossing of Bent Street.

Metro

The closest Metro station is Martin Place, on the M1 Sydney line. From the station follow the signs to Elizabeth Street, you will exit at the intersection Elizabeth and Hunter street, continue straight along Phillip Street, the Sofitel will be on the left.

Bus

There are several buses you can catch, the closest bus stop is the Chifley Tower, Bent Street. From the bus stop turn left along Phillip Street and the Sofitel will be on the across the street.

Ferry

Circular Quay is the best option for the ferry and walk 6 minute west along Phillip Street. The Sofitel will be on the right side past the crossing of Bent Street.

The registration desk will be open during the following hours

• Wednesday : 23 October 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Thursday: 24 October 8:00am -1:30pm

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

Meg Peacock – 0428 601 046

Camilla Palamo - 0450 556 321

The seminar dinner is available for those delegates who have registered and paid for dinner.

• The dinner is held in the Wentworth Ballroom, level 3.
• Pre-dinner drinks will commence at 6:30pm.
• Dinner will be served at 7:00pm.
•  Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh will join us to be our guest speaker for the night.
• Dress is smart casual.

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

If you haven’t listed on your ticket that you have dietary needs, please let the team know as soon as possible.

MEMSS will be a filmed and photographed event.

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 (23 October and 24 October) 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 event staff. Arrangements will be made to ensure your requests are respected.

Between them

• 565 1st grade games
• 31 Origins for NSW
• 36 Tests for the Kangaroos
• Both have Captained NRL Teams
• 10 Club Best and Fairest Awards (Hindy has the NRL record with 8)
• 5 Provan Summons Medals (Hindy has 5!)
• 5 Dally M Second Rower of the Year Awards (Hindy has 5!)
• 3 Wooden Spoons (Fletch has back to back WS!)
• And.....1 Premiership

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 that oversee the NSW mining industry relating to the 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.
 

James has worked in the mining, power and consulting sectors in a variety of roles over more than 15 years. James is Policy Director with NSW Minerals Council and has held this role since 2017. In this role James has responsibility for the policy areas of health and safety, careers and skills and runs the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue community engagement program.

Since August 2021, James has also served as a non-executive Director of Coal Services.

Prior to this James worked in the mining industry for more than 10 years with Glencore, Yancoal and Centennial. James holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management from the University of Newcastle.
 

Osama (Oz) is a chartered professional engineer and covers product safety and compliance matters for Caterpillar in the Australia-Pacific region. His formative experiences have included product design and development, product compliance management, and testing and validation of earthmoving equipment. 

Oz is the current chairperson of ME-063 (Standards Australia’s Technical Committee for Earthmoving Equipment), and also convenes the Australian Construction and Mining Equipment Industry Group (CMEIG) Engineering Working Group.

Robin Burgess-Limerick is Professor of Human Factors in the Mining Industry Safety and Health Centre at The University of Queensland. Robin is a Certified professional member (CPE), past-president, and Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia.

Sara Pazell, BAppSci(OT), MBA, PhD, CPE
Sara Pazell is a human factors specialist and the principal work design strategist for ViVA health at work. She helps businesses manage transformation when introducing new technologies, environments, systems changes or job re-design. She asks, “How to design when humans are part of the system? What can we dream that can become our new reality?” Sara specialises in transformative, participatory, action research to solve real-world challenges. Sara is a rabble rouser in the WhyWork Podcast, the founder and director of ViVA health at work and ViVID design labs, an educator and researcher with several Australian universities, and an advisory on global and national wellness design accreditation and training programs.

John entered the construction industry over 20 years ago in Safety through Baulderstone’s graduate program and has continued in the business through the acquisitions by Lendlease and more recently Acciona Construction Australia. 
John is currently the Safety Director on Sydney’s Western Harbour Tunnel project and has been part of several major projects, primarily in tunnelling in Sydney and Brisbane. He has also worked on the Port Botany Expansion, Bulahdelah Bypass and Sydney CBD Alliance.
With expertise in tunnelling, marine, road, and bridge construction, John has a thorough understanding of civil construction and extensive knowledge of safety systems and a passion for innovation.

Andrew was an expert witness at the Royal Commission into the 1998 Exxon gas plant explosion near Melbourne. He was a consultant to the US Chemical Safety Board in its investigation of the BP Texas City Refinery disaster of 2005, and also for its investigation into the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010. He has written books about these accidents as well books on mining disasters. Over 100,000 copies sold.
He has been involved in reviews of Work Health and Safety regulation and regulators and has done consultancy work for major companies in the mining, petroleum, chemical and electrical industries, as well as for Defence. He speaks regularly to audiences around the world about the human and organisational causes of major accidents.
•    BSc and MA (Sociology) from Australian Natl U, PhD (Sociology) from U of Connecticut.
•    Independent member of Air Force Board of Inquiry into poisoning of F111 maintenance workers. Author of the Board’s report.
•    Winner of the 2008 European Process Safety Centre safety award, the first in time it was awarded to someone outside Europe.
•    Honorary fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to process safety and to the analysis of process safety related incidents”
•    Life member of Aust Institute of Health & Safety. Recipient of award for “lifetime achievement”
•    Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of his “distinguished service to industrial safety and accident analysis”
•    Member of the advisory board of NOPSEMA – the Aust Nat Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority
•    Member of expert panel that drafted the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.
 

30+ years combined regulatory, WHS consulting & investigation experience with regulators, government instrumentalities and businesses across Australia:
•NSW police officer and prosecutor
•District Court Advocate
•SafeWork NSW senior prosecutor
•National WHS Consultancy - General Manager and Principal
•Global Oil & Gas Company – Principal Investigation & Learning
•Deloitte Risk Advisory – Principal WHS and National Investigations Director
•Chief Investigator since November 2020
 

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Jamie Macleod has over 16 years of experience in the mining industry, mostly in a frontline leadership capacity involving large teams. In his current role as Mine Superintendent at Mangoola Coal, Jamie is responsible for overseeing day-to-day mining activities, ensuring both safety and productivity across the mine. His previous role as Project Manager at Hunter Valley Operations saw him leading initiatives such as the mobilisation of a new explosives contractor and the construction of a Modular Emulsion Plant. Jamie holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Open Cut Examiner, and Mining Engineering Managers competencies.

With over 24 years of experience in the mining sector, Tian Oosthuizen has established himself as a proven leader in open-pit and underground mining operations across multiple commodities, including coal, iron ore, precious metals, and base metals. His extensive expertise spans operations management, compliance, technical services, and strategic project development.

Currently serving as Compliance Manager at Wilpinjong-Peabody, Tian oversees critical functions related to health, safety, environmental stewardship, and community relations. He has played a pivotal role in integrating cross-functional support structures and implementing centralised systems that enhance resource efficiency and compliance. Tian's leadership is underscored by his ability to cultivate a strong safety culture and drive continuous improvement across large-scale mining operations.

Previously, Tian held key roles at Whitehaven Coal, BGC Contracting, Arrium Mining, Aeris Resources, New Gold Inc., and Anglo American. As a Mine Manager, he was responsible for the daily operations and mobile plant maintenance, ensuring strict adherence to statutory requirements while achieving operational efficiency and safety excellence.

Tian's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Technology (Mining Engineering) from the University of Johannesburg and a Master of Mining Engineering from the University of New South Wales. He also holds multiple first-class mining management certifications, which complement his deep technical knowledge and business acumen. Tian is a full-time member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and the Mine Managers Association of Australia (MMAA) and is studying towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).  

A strategic thinker with a track record of delivering measurable results, Tian excels at optimising mine performance, leading capital programs, and fostering inclusive and high-performing teams. His approach to leadership focuses on safety, innovation, and continuous learning, making him a key driver of operational success in the dynamic and ever-evolving mining industry.
 

Bradley has been Operations manager and Statutory Mining Engineering Manager at Bloomfield Open Cut Coal mine for the past 6 years. 
Bradley has worked in various roles at The Bloomfield Group including roles in Technical Services, Production Superintendent at Rixs Creek and now Operations Manager at Bloomfield Mine. 
Bradley has over 15 years’ experience in the mining industry and his qualifications include a Bachelor Degree of Engineering (mining) and an Open Cut Managers Certificate of Competence.
 

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Christian Mans is a geotechnical engineer specialising in support and pillar design. He has worked across QLD, NSW, and NZ in underground coal mining and construction since 2004. Some of his career highlights included the opportunity to assist in the Christchurch rebuild with liquefaction investigation, preservation of indigenous sites of cultural significance in the Sydney water catchment affected by the impacts of mining, and maintenance/restoration of historical water tunnels in the Manawatu-Whanganui region.

Christian is the Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Appin Mine, where their geotechnical team faces constant challenges from the increasing depth as the mine develops further north.
 

Paul is a Mining Engineer with post-graduate qualifications in Rock Mechanics / Geotechnical Engineering, including a PhD.
He has had mine site experience at well over 50 collieries, primarily in Australia and Southern Africa but also including: the UK, the USA, Indonesia, Russia, Poland, New Zealand and Italy. This extensive experience covers longwall mining, bord and pillar, pillar extraction, partial extraction, auger mining, raise bore shafts and cross-measures drifts.
In the mid-1980s, Paul was involved in the research under Miklos Salamon at the South African Chamber of Mines that led to the development of the squat pillar formula, and he has maintained a keen interest in pillar design and behaviour ever since. This led him to conceive the current ACARP funded research project, Optimum Design of Pillars with Various Sizes and Shapes at Increasing Stress Environment, which he is conducting in collaboration with the University of Queensland.
 

Murray has worked with Whitehaven Coal across their Gunnedah Basin mines since 2014, holding and exercising an MEM practicing certificate since 2018. Murray has enjoyed a diversity of experiences with WHC, from the greenfield commencement of Maules Creek Coal Mine, working up the deployment of the first Autonomous Haulage System in NSW mining through to spending the last three years completing mining at Werris Creek Coal and helping the workforce and community transition to life after Werris. 
Murray will share some of the learnings from Werris Creek’s successful response to a significant highwall failure which occurred in 2023 and significant influenced the final 14 months of mining operations. 
 

Chris Salkovic is an asset management leader and certified asset management assessor (CAMA) with over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure risk management, strategic planning, program management and operations and maintenance improvement. As Chief Executive Officer of Dams Safety NSW, Chris is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency.

Karen is an occupational hygienist who has worked with the mine safety inspectorate team at the NSW Resources Regulator for the past 2 years. Her 26-year career was established working as a consultant for industry, mining, government and the private sector after completing degrees in environmental science and occupational hygiene.
Karen’s role at the Regulator is to assess mine operator compliance with the legislative requirements for mine worker exposures to airborne, chemical, biological, physical and ergonomic hazards. She also provides technical expertise and advice on these matters to the wider Resources Regulator team in relation to WHS compliance and enforcement at NSW mines.

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Fritz is a certified occupational hygienist (COH) and a fellow of the Australian institute of occupational hygienists (AIOH) with over 25 years’ experience in the field of occupational hygiene, primarily in Coal Mines. Fritz has held various senior roles with consultancies, industry and regulator.
In 2012, Fritz was appointed as an Inspector of Mines (Occupational Hygiene). This role has focused on assisting industry to manage exposures to physical, biological and chemical stressors including respirable dust, diesel exhaust, and polymeric chemicals. Fritz has had significant involvement in the regulatory reforms in response to the re-identification of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP).

In 2022 Fritz was appointed to the tripartite Coal Mining Safety Health and Advisory Committee (CMSHAC) established to advise the Minister of matters relating to the health and safety of Coal Mine Workers.
Fritz is currently chair of the tripartite industry committee developing recognised standard for the use and control of polymeric chemicals in underground coal mines. 
 

Andrew moved to the Central West NSW in 2019 after working in Queensland for 8 years. Since 2022 he has been at Tomingley Gold Operations as the Underground Manager and fulfilling the statutory MEM role for the site. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of NSW and his experience is predominantly in underground metalliferous mines.

Darryl has been in involved with the development and rollout of the ASW in the Mining Sector for the past 5 years. As a background, more than 25 years senior management experience in the heavy engineering, maintenance, manufacturing and mining services sector. 
With significant experience in both mining product development and large-scale project management for companies in both the public and private sector.