Katie Siemsen worked in the health and safety area of coal mining for about ten years. Earlier this year she decided it was time to step out on her own and take on being her own boss with 'Empower Business Solutions'.

Without planning it, Katie has become something of a disrupter. Sharing her thoughts on LinkedIn about the harsh realities she experienced while she worked in the industry and what she believes needs to change, and be better.

Through her business she hopes to empower leaders in the industry to make the workplace a better place for women, and men to be. From toilets to a fair share or work to having work uniforms that actually fit.

Enjoy this episode! Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.

11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".

Jess sat down with Dale Last, the Queensland Minister for Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development to talk all things mining, and find out a bit more about Dale and why he's so passionate about mining and our regional communities.

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The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.

11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".

Idemitsu Australia is certainly diversifying their coal business down under, expanding their portfolio to include critical minerals and building renewables like the country's largest vanadium battery on their coal sites. They are backing coal all the way, but see the benefit in doing more - Chief Executive Officer Steve Kovac sat down with Jess to explain.

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The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.

11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".

Jodie Currie started the Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC) 15 years ago, and this year expanded to NSW starting the Hunter Mining Club. The BBMC has helped guide it's members through many ups and downs and continues to do so in unsure times in the coal sector.

Leave us a rating and a review!

The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.

11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".

Nick Jorss is the Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal, a story in itself after sadly going into administration earlier this year, and also founded Coal Australia. He is loud and proud about coal and we couldn't agree with him more.

Leave us a rating and a review!

The @ The Coalface team are at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025 at the ICC in Sydney. IMARC brings together people in industry not just from down under but from right across the globe.

11,000 people are expected to walk through the IMARC doors over the next three days and Jess has caught up with some of them on Digging Deeper, recorded live from the bustling floors of IMARC in their exclusive podcast zone called "OnAir @ IMARC".

Michelle Manook is the Chief Executive of Future Coal and sat down with Jess to talk all things coal here, and around the world.

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The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) is celebrating 50 years of saving lives across northern NSW this year.

David Gatwood isn't just a volunteer, he was rescued by the WRHS in 2021. It was on the October long weekend that he was riding with his mates in the Upper Hunter and rode over a cattle grid coming off his bicycle. David thought that was it.

Until he heard the comforting sounds of the WRHS overhead.

David is forever grateful to the Service for saving his life. Jess sat down with David in Scone to hear his story and believe us when we say you'd better have the tissues ready.

Leave us a rating and review, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface wherever you're listening!

BHP's Mt Arthur Coal Mine is finishing up mining in 2030.

Since the announcement was made, there has been plenty of planning happening behind the scenes and a lot of engagement with the employees, local businesses and the community.

So, where is that planning up to?

What is the sentiment on site?

Is there any chance mining could continue post-BHP?

Jess sat down with some of the BHP team including General Manager Darryl Messenger, Manager of Strategy and Closure Execution Georgia Manning, Amanda Walker the Manager of Corporate Affairs and Rob Kennelly Manager of Transition after the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry Breakfast.

The closure of BHP's Mt Arthur mine in the Upper Hunter is just five years away.

There are plenty of conversations that have been happening with the community, businesses, and the industry, but where are those conversations up to and what has been happening on the ground?

How far along is planning for the Pumped Hydro Project?

And is there any truth to the rumours that mining could continue at the site post-BHP?

Jess sits down with Mt Arthur General Manager Darryl Messenger, Georgia Manning the Manager of Strategy and Closure Execution, Amanda Walker who is the Manager of Corporate Affairs and Rob Kennelly, Manager of Transition after their panel discussion at the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2016 Steve Fordham started a business with Glen Finnan providing manpower and equipment to support mining and civil projects across the Hunter Valley. Blackrock Industries was born and from that came Dreampath Recruitment and then 'Second Chance for Change' helping incarcerated men find full time work and many other community projects.

Steve has become a leader for the mining community, fighting for what the community deserves.

Jess sat down with Steve for this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface!