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Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface

Jessica Rouse

Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, the podcast that shares the incredible stories of the talented and passionate people in our industry who not only shine on site but are doing incredible things in their local communities, on the national stage, and sometimes even making a global impact.

We often interview people and would love to share the WHOLE story with you, so here it is.

Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, hosted by Jessica Rouse.

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27 episodes
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English

Episodes 27

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S2 · E21
Monday · 33 min
PENNY WOODWARD: Eating the elephant one bite at a time
Penny Woodward is the Infrastructure Manager at Malabar Resources' Maxwell Underground mine at Muswellbrook. She has been working in mining in the Hunter Valley for a while, from her graduate job to spending nine years at Bengalla before moving over to kickstart the CHPP at the Maxwell mine in 2022. To restart a CHPP and a mine was an opportunity Penny couldn't pass up. Penny has been recognised for her incredible career so far by the NSW Minerals Council, receiving the Exceptional Woman in Mining Award at this year's NSW Women In Mining awards. Jess sat down with Penny on site to chat about her career, the journey with Malabar and her advice for young women in the industry. Leave us a rating and a review!
October 28 · 36 min
IMARC 2026 Highlights
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. Jess sat down with some of the suppliers on the floor of IMARC, including Lead Customer Relationship Manager Frank Oldfield with Geographe, Managing Director of First Principals Consulting Alex Franklin, Cassowary Group's Richard Kirkpatrick, and one of IMARC's Event Directors, Sherene Asnasyous.
October 28 · 14 min
IMARC 20226 Debbie Morrow: Executive Director Miners' Promise
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. Miners' Promise provides compassionate care and specialist support for families during times of crisis and bereavement. The charity is also the charity partner for IMARCH 2026 - Debbie Morrow is the Executive Director and dropped by to chat to Jess live from On Air @ IMARC. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
October 27 · 6 min
IMARC 2026 COURTNEY HOUSSOS: Minister for Finance and Natural Resources
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. Minister for Finance and Natural Resources Courtney Houssos sat down with Jess for a brief chat with Jess about what's happening in mining in terms of legislation and how great it is to see so many people at IMARC this year! Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
October 27 · 32 min
IMARC 2026: MISHA FAZEN: Whitehaven's Group Manager- Systems, Performance, Data Analytics HSE
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. Jess sat down with Misha Fazen, Whitehaven's Group Manager - Systems, Performance Data Analytics HSE to chat all things Artificial Intelligence (AI) and her role in mentoring young women in the industry. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
October 27 · 11 min
IMARC 2026 JODIE CURRIE: Bowen Basin & Hunter Mining Club Director
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. Jodie Currie is the Director of both the Bowen Basin Mining Club and the Hunter Mining Club. She has been in her role in Queensland for 16 years and certainly has her finger on the pulse with what is happening on the ground in mining and how both the industry and investors are feeling. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
October 27 · 25 min
IMARC 2026 SIMON TROETH: Minerals Council of Australia
Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface is recording from the bustling floors of the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney at the ICC. With thousands of delegates, over 100 countries and many, many mining companies and businesses represented, as well as government, there is plenty to talk about and plenty of people to chat to. First up, Simon Troeth, the General Manager - External Affairs with the Minerals Council of Australia talking about confirmation bias, how crucial mining is and the extraordinary demand for our coal overseas. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
S2 · E20
October 20 · 41 min
STEVE GALILEE: HVO, Mount Pleasant, activists, and an optimistic future
Steve Galilee has been the CEO of the NSW Minerals Council since 2012, so he's seen a lot. Steve is no stranger to the Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface podcast, he was one of our first guests. We thought it was timely to sit down with Steve again and talk about everything that's happening in mining in NSW. BEtween the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation project approval from the IPC, the Hight Court decision on MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant operation, and what it all means for the future of our industry. We also chat about activists, Steve's optimistic outlook for the future of mining, and whether he's rather be stuck in an elevator with an activist or a politician. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
S2 · E19
October 4 · 57 min
JOE CLAYTON (PART 2): Witch doctors, illegal miners and run ins with natives
After Jess sat down with Joe Clayton in Episode 18, Joe reached out with a hundred more stories. Stories about witch doctors, how he dealt with illegal miners, and run-ins with natives. Joe has worked in Australia and overseas in gold mines. You would be fooled into thinking Joe was retired now though, watching the coal ships go past in the Port of Newcastle from his verandah. But he's still very active in the mining space and the mining community. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!
S2 · E18
September 20 · 1 hr 6 min
JOE CLAYTON (Part 1): Buried up to his neck, unions, and semi-automatics
Joe Clayton started working underground in the 1970s. He's been buried up to his neck, had his ear just about cut off, been in charge of mining operations in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia, and hired mercenaries with semi-automatics to keep a strike at bay. He has about a thousand stories, so enjoy Part 1 of our chat with Joe. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review, and if you've got a story or want to dob a mate in send Jess an email: jess@thecoalface.net.au
S2 · E17
September 7 · 28 min
COURTNEY TAYLOR: From the ground up
Courtney Taylor spent more than ten years working as a geologist before moving into operations management and project delivery for major mining companies. Now Courtney is the Managing Director of Yari Resources, an emerging resources company exploring the Bowen Basin for coal resources that could support more than 70 years of mining. Courtney has had a hugely successful career, and she is a big believer in industry professionals giving their time to support the industry and promote it to younger generations, particularly in schools, to ensure young children know that there is a strong industry for them to strive towards, creating things we will need for many years to come. Enjoy this episode, don't forget to leave us a rating and a review! If you have an idea for an episode or have a mate you want to dob in, email: jess@thecoalface.net.au
S2 · E16
August 23 · 28 min
DALE LAST: Queensland is doing the heavy lifting
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last joined Jess on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface. Dale joins Jess fresh after a Coal Industry Event in Brisbane, a report earlier this year from Future Coal showing the international demand for our coal, and Coal Australia releasing their very first annual Coal Report breaking down the data not only state by state, but region by region and town by town on how crucial coal is. Coal isn't the only topic on the agenda on this episode; there's plenty of chat about critical minerals, gas and oil. Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review, and if you have an idea for a podcast guest send Jess an email: jess@thecoalface.net.au
S2 · E15
August 10 · 23 min
IMARC 2026: It's not just about the C-suite
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is returning to the ICC in Sydney this October 27-29. IMARC brings together not only the mining sector here in Australia, but a huge international contingent as well. This year it's not just about the C-suite coming along, everyone is being encouraged to get to IMARC, including engineers, operators, students and more. Sherene Asnasyous and Paul Phelan are IMARC's Event Directors, and they've been putting this event together for years. Sherene and Paul sit down with Jess to chat the industry, the event and why you should come along. https://imarcglobal.com/
S2 · E14
August 5 · 25 min
HSEC LIVE: Psychosocial safety and your mental wellbeing
We are LIVE at the NSW Mining HSEC Conference for another year… HSEC is where people from across the industry come together to share ideas, challenge thinking and learn from each other. It’s one of the few opportunities each year were operators, contractors, regulators and experts are in the same room with a common goal – making our workplaces safer and healthier. For this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface, we're talking about why mental wellbeing matters—not just outside of work, but on site as well. While we often think of safety in terms of physical hazards, one of the biggest conversations at this year's NSW Mining HSEC Conference is around psychosocial safety. As workplaces place greater focus on managing psychosocial hazards such as burnout, chronic stress and mental illness, it's increasingly recognised that how people are feeling can influence everything from safety and decision-making to teamwork and job satisfaction. Today, we'll explore why protecting workers' mental wellbeing has become such an important part of creating safer, healthier workplaces. Dr Jorian Kippax is going to bring the perspective from working on the front line with Ambulance Tasmania and being part of multiple rescue missions. Renata Roberts, Chief Corporate Services Officer with Bloomfield, will share her experience working in mining and developing wellbeing initiatives in the workplace and Craig Semple a former detective of 25 years will share some powerful insights drawn from his lived experience that he delivers in the mining industry.
S2 · E13
July 19 · 1 hr 12 min
DANIEL ROCKHOUSE: I refuse to let anything scare me underground
Daniel Rockhouse was one of only two men to survive the fatal Pike River Mine disaster in New Zealand on November 19, 2010. He lost his brother and his crew. Daniel and Russell Smith were the only two to make it out alive that day, and to this day, their crew is still underground. The disaster and the months after the disaster have recently been played out in a film which delves into that fateful day and what happened afterwards. Jess sat down with Daniel, who detailed what happened on November 10, and how he is determined not to let anything scare him underground ever again.
S2 · E12
July 5 · 19 min
KEN BAYLEY: Everyone needs an escape, fishing is mine
Fishing has always been part of Ken Bayley's life, but it was during some of his toughest periods that he realised it was far more than just a hobby. Ken has worked in the mining industry for the last eight years after returning home from the military. Whatever job Ken as has had, or wherever he has lived, fishing has always remained a constant. Something he did to settle his mind and find peace in the craziness of the world. After years of fishing, one thing always stood out to Ken - people opened up when they were out on the water. It could be ten random people, but eventually everyone opens up and talks about what is happening in their lives. So, Ken has created 'Mental Fishing', a community built around fishing, the outdoors, and creating spaces where people feel comfortable connecting with others. Jess had a chat to Ken about his new venture on this episode of Digging Deeper with @ The Coalface!
S2 · E11
June 21 · 1 hr 1 min
NICK JORSS: Keep up the fight
Nick Jorss is the founder of Coal Australia, founder of Stanmore Coal, former Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal and Non Executive Director of Ballymore Resources among many other things including QLD Beer Co. Jess sits down with Nick to talk all things Coal Australia, coal, mining, activists, and beer. Enjoy this episode! Let us know what you think, leave a rating and review!
S2 · E10
June 8 · 58 min
CRAIG SEMPLE: The cop who fell to earth and into a career he could never have imagined
Craig Semple was a career detective in the New South Wales Police Force for twenty-five years, investigating homicides, outlaw motorcycle gangs and hundreds of other serious crimes. Medically retired from law enforcement in 2013 due to psychological injuries, Craig is now a sought-after keynote speaker and mental health advocate. Craig is the founding director of Mentality Plus delivering mental health, wellbeing and resilience education to tens of thousands of people all over Australia and internationally. Craig has written two books, and thrives on sharing his story in the hope it has a tangible impact, even if it's just one person. A lot of Craig's keynote speaking and mental health programs take him out to mine sites across NSW and Queensland. Jess sat down with Craig to talk all about it, let us know what you think in the comments! More info on Craig's programs: https://mentalityplus.com.au/ You'll find Craig's books here: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Craig-Semple-Cop-Who-Fell-to-Earth-9781760687939
S2 · E9
May 24 · 25 min
SHARON BUSHBY: Opening doors you didn't know existed
Sharon Bushby is the Policy Manager: Industry Skills and Education with NSW Mining. There are a few miners across the industry who would have come across Sharon during her six years at Zeal Futures, five in recruitment at Centennial, and now through the various outreach and school programs she's part of with NSW Mining. Jess sat down with Sharon to find out about all the programs and events NSW Mining is doing to encourage students to take up a trade or head to university to get their start in the mining industry. You can find out more about the NSW Mining Careers here: https://nswminingcareers.com.au/ You can contact the team here: https://nswminingcareers.com.au/contact/
S2 · E8
May 10 · 59 min
RAE O'BRIEN: Setting the standard, then breaking it
You wouldn’t meet anyone more approachable and humble than Rae O’Brien. Starting out as a mining engineer, she has spent 30 years quietly lifting the sustainability standards of mine sites across NSW and Queensland, while breaking quite a few records along the way. Rae got engaged to a fellow mining engineer in the final year of her university degree, and they began their life together in Middlemount. Fast forward, and the pair have twin daughters, one of whom is now studying to be a mining engineer herself. Rae set the standard at every mine site she worked at, and then broke it each time, leaving mine sites in a better position every time. She was also the first woman in NSW to hold both first and second-class Mine Manager’s Certificates. Now the Group Executive, Australia East for Thiess, Rae sat down with Jess to talk about her incredible career. Let us know what you think in the comments!

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