2020 NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards winners announced in special online broadcast

NSW Minerals Council has announced the NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards winners in four categories for 2020, in a special online live-stream event.

The annual event, typically held in Sydney, was transformed into a digital live-stream event in response to restrictions due to the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Young entrepreneur and Indigenous business owner Steven Fordham has been recognised for his business acumen and his service to the community, providing job opportunities in mining to Aboriginal men as part of their reintegration into the community after custodial sentences.

Ellie Hawkins, Scheduling Engineer, CMOC-Northparkes Mines in central NSW was named a joint winner in the same category for her outstanding success to date.

In recognition of its commitment to changing lives for the better in mining with its ‘Rockstarter’ system as well as innovating to help prepare our health system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Newcastle-based advanced manufacturing and technology business Ampcontrol has been named Supplier of the Year.

Ampcontrol took swift action to manufacture additional ventilators to support our healthcare system at the height of the pandemic emergency. CEO Rod Henderson praised the resilience of the wider Australian manufacturing industry and local supply chains.

“What the last few months have shown through these challenging times is the incredible ingenuity and agility of Australian manufacturing and onshore supply chains.”

Mr Henderson also urged industry and decision-makers to work together as we look to the future.

“We have such highly advanced skill and capability in this country, it’s so important that industry and government continue to work together now more than ever for our economic recovery and security,” he added.

John Richards, Chairman of The Bloomfield Group and winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Mining award, commended the NSW mining industry’s efforts to protect the health and safety of its workforce during these challenging times.

“The minerals industry’s response to Covid-19 has shown just how highly they value employees. It’s a credit to the industry and an opportunity for demonstrating the great careers that are available,” he said.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee praised the outstanding finalists and all working in mining across NSW who have risen to the challenge of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The first half of 2020 has been tough. We’ve endured terrible bushfires off the back of a severe drought, followed by a global health crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our miners have kept operating under strict health and safety protocols, and that has helped protect jobs, support local communities and maintain our contribution to the NSW economy,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.

“Our Industry and Suppliers’ Awards acknowledge our high achievers in mining in NSW. Our award winners are critical to the ongoing pursuit of excellence in our industry,” Mr Galilee said.

If you were unable to join us in person, you can watch the live-stream event in the video below.

The winners of the 2020 NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards are:

NSW Mining Operation of the Year

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal, South32

NSW Mining – Supplier of the Year

Ampcontrol

Young Achiever – Joint Winners

Ellie Hawkins, Scheduling Engineer, CMOC-Northparkes Mines; and

Steven Fordham, Managing Director, Blackrock Industries

Outstanding Contribution to Mining

John Richards, Chairman, The Bloomfield Group