Major Sydney radio show set for mine site live broadcast

The NSW Minerals Council and radio station WSFM are joining forces to help demonstrate how important mining is to the people of Sydney.

WSFM’s high profile breakfast pair Jonesy and Amanda Keller are giving listeners the chance to win $1 million in a competition that will culminate in a live outside broadcast of their breakfast show at a Hunter Valley mine, shining a light on the hard working men and women of our industry. It’s believed to be the first time that an entire radio show has been broadcast from a mine in NSW.

‘Mining is an essential service for Sydney. Our miners help keep the lights on by providing the coal that powers the state’s power stations,’ NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.

‘We’ve got some of the best miners in the world in NSW and some great characters in our mines – hardworking men and women of all ages and backgrounds – with great stories to tell about their contribution to the community, the innovative technology they’ve developed and world leading health and safety record.

“More than 99% of people would never get to see how a mine works first hand. That’s why we’re so excited that Jonesy and Amanda Keller will be able to give Sydneysiders an exclusive insight into a working mine that’s helping to power businesses and homes right across our capital city and the state.”

For the next five weeks, listeners can register as a miner at the WSFM website and listen for their chance to go into the draw. One person will be chosen to travel to a Hunter Valley mine with Jonesy and Amanda Keller at the end of February where they will be given a 1 in 101 chance to win $1 million.

‘Million Dollar Mine’ is another opportunity for the people of Sydney to lean more about how much their city and lifestyle relies on mining and how so many people are benefiting directly from a strong minerals sector.

“There are thousands of people in Sydney whose jobs are directly associated with mining, a clear demonstration how mining is good for jobs and good for Sydney’s economy,” Mr Galilee said.

“The 2012-13 NSW Mining Economic Impact Survey found that there are 3,474 businesses in Sydney supplying the state’s leading mines and benefiting from $3.2 billion in direct spending a year, with mining activity in NSW contributing to almost 40,000 Sydney jobs.

“And almost everyone is connected to mining in some way, whether it’s through your job, government services supported by mining royalties, shares in your superannuation fund, or most of the items you use as part of your daily routine from cars to ipads to toothpaste, as well as every time you turn on a power switch. So this is a great opportunity for us to showcase how important the state’s miners are to our biggest city.”

Contact: Chris Rath