The BBMC Crib Room Podcast: Recent Episodes
Strategic Mining Communications
Hosts Sarah-Joy Pierce and Jodie Currie chat to the Queensland mining industry’s movers and shakers, getting you the latest information to be a success in resources.
Are you a small business servicing the mining industry? A contractor looking to find industry insights? An executive who wants to keep their finger on the pulse? This is the podcast for you. With interviews, timely inside information and bite-size episodes, it’s the perfect thing to listen to while you’re flying or driving to site.
Get your head in the mining game with the Crib Room podcast.
Executive geologist and board director Caoilin Chestnutt joins us in The Crib Room, sharing her remarkable journey from accidentally enrolling in geology at Trinity College Dublin to becoming a trailblazer in Australia's mining sector.
In our chat, Caoilin offers expertise spanning gold, coal and critical minerals exploration. We examine the stark differences between commodity cycles, highlighting how metallurgical coal's recent designation as a critical mineral by the US could reshape global perceptions. Caoilin champions Queensland's world-class met coal assets whilst addressing the industry's exploration crisis, where discovery rates lag far behind depletion. She advocates for unified industry messaging similar to the CSG sector's successful reputation turnaround, and reveals exciting innovations including bioprospecting – using plants and microbes to detect deep ore bodies.
From discussing asset attractiveness amid divestment trends to how the pubs of Dublin stack up against Moranbah's Black Nugget, Caoilin delivers exceptional insights on mining in Queensland, Australia and the world.
This episode is the one where Tim Strong, CEO of Waterline Projects, shares his journey from farm kid dreaming of big machinery to leading an engineering consultancy in Queensland's resources sector.
We talk about:
- Leadership through trust and transparency - Building client relationships by meeting them on their ground, being transparent about operations, and empowering people rather than micromanaging
- Innovation challenges in mining - The industry's tendency to be followers rather than first movers in technology, the need for incremental "small i" innovation, and avoiding short-term cuts that hurt long-term capability
- Talent pipeline crisis - The critical need to engage people early in their careers, retain apprentices even during downturns, and compete with other industries (especially with 2032 Olympics approaching)
- Industry advocacy and perception - The urgent need for everyone in mining to become champions of the industry, educating the public about coal's role in energy transition and economic contribution
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the Crib Room!
In this episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast, Nick Jorss, Executive Chairman of Bowen Coking Coal and founder of Coal Australia, joins us for a passionate discussion about the coal industry's struggles under the Queensland royalties regime. With Bowen Coking Coal currently fighting to save 500 jobs, Nick explains how the company paid $120 million in state royalties before making their first profit, highlighting the unsustainable nature of taxing revenue rather than profits. Is there a solution? We tackle this huge question.
Tune in to find out:
- What buying a coal mine for $1 actually means
- The surprising (yet closely linked!) business that Nick is diversifying into
- Which country we could be competing against for coal exports
- The origin story of Coal Australia
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
We're back!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we catch up with Janette Hewson, CEO of the Queensland Resources Council, just over 12 months after she took on the job. From policy to approvals, royalties, the next generation and the sector’s resilience - we cover a whole range of topics relating to the present and future of Queensland mining.
Tune in to find out:
- Current challenges faced by the industry, from changing political landscapes to ongoing royalties and approvals hurdles
- The continued importance of mining to Queensland
- Surprising stories of decarbonisation that deserve their ‘day in the sun’
- The steps our state needs to take to remain competitive
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we look at the world of finance that’s driving mining industry projects. From policy and activism’s effects on banking decisions, to alternative avenues for finance - what’s the current state of play? Nick Rees of Bridgend Capital comes through with the insights in this chat with Jodie and Sarah-Joy, against a backdrop of the Bowen Basin’s major trends and current acquisitions and divesments.
Tune in to find out:
- The financing challenges faced by coal and critical minerals alike
- When the financing landscape shifted, and how alternative financing plays a role
- Nick’s outlook on the future of coal in the Bowen Basin
- A surprising link between beer and coal
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we dig into the potential for collaboration between mining and agriculture, thanks to a fairly common rock in the Bowen Basin (and no, it’s not coal!). Join Jodie and Sarah-Joy as we chat with Carbonaught CEO Andrew Pedley about the opportunities that basalt presents to both industries in the Bowen Basin.
Tune in to find out:
- How crushed basalt from mine sites can be more than just waste or overburden
- What basalt actually has to do with carbon removal and environmental challenges
- The potential for global impact in both food production and emissions
- What thinking differently can do for the future of mining.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about nuclear power, and the compelling arguments for nuclear to be a part of Australia’s energy mix.
Tune in to find out:
- What it would take to operate nuclear power in Australia from the 2030s
- What a nuclear future looks like for the mining industry
- Why climate activists are realising that nuclear isn’t a bad idea
- If the economic argument for nuclear really stacks up
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat about everything from how to cook rice in under 5 minutes (have a listen, we promise it’s relevant) to mental health with the fascinating Nathan Turner of Onsite Rental Group.
Tune in to find out:
- The difference between working in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea and Australia
- The lessons a former chef can bring over to the mining industry
- How the mining industry’s sentiment is shaping up for the short- and long-term
- And last (but certainly not least), the incredible importance of mental health awareness and advocacy in mining.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat emissions and the future of the industry with Michael Rosegren of QMetCo.
Tune in to find out:
- The reason potential mining engineers may be missing out on decades of a great career
- How changes to emissions legislation affect the industry
- What ‘green-shifting’ is and how it hurts industry
- The major differences between a big company and a smaller miner
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat with strategist, technology leader and all-around go-getter Theodora Le Souquet. Theodora leads Canaria Technologies and we chatted to her about technology (obviously), AI and the future.
Tune in to find out:
- Why AI can’t get to the future first (and why Theodora hopes the robots take our jobs)
- How predictive biometrics solve problems proactively
- Why Theodora is bullish about automation
- And why ‘hoping for the best’ isn’t a valid approach to technology.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we discuss the ‘critical resource called coal’ with Michelle Manook of the World Coal Association.
Tune in to find out:
- How the WCA as a ‘think tank’ is changing the representation of our industry
- Why coal’s contribution to society goes far beyond combustion
- The importance of not making a trade-off between development and decarbonisation
- How the renewables lobby is undermining its own agenda
- Why asking the media to support coal is a waste of time (and what we should do instead)
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about changing the narrative with Kate Campbell of Bravus.
Tune in to find out:
- Why fighting fear with facts is an effective communications strategy
- The surprising impact of FIFO on communications for industry
- What our own industry gets wrong about future demand for coal
- Why the Carmichael project has had to ‘try harder’
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we catch up with QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane to talk about royalties, industry trends like ESG, and where we’re headed. His answers might surprise you!
Tune in to find out:
- News on a project that’s been around for 20 years and is finally seeing major progress
- What really happened around consultation on Queensland’s controversial royalties hike
- What Queenslanders don’t understand about coal
- The hurdles that are in front of Queensland’s net zero targets.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about trends, tech and transition with Tim Guinea, Director of AAMG. Tim’s built a successful business in autonomy and asset management, after working his way through the ranks of several mining industry businesses from a trade background.
Tune in to find out:
- The unexpected challenges of launching a new business in the mining industry
- What Tim sees as a rapidly rising trend in the industry
- Why Australia loves to be ‘first to be second’, and how that’s holding us back
- Which common theme Tim has spotted across mining events in 2022
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk all things safety with Larnie Mackay, GM of MyneSight, a mining industry training organisation. Larnie has an amazing career background, having risen through the ranks at Anglo American to ultimately lead the team that created the world’s first intrinsically safe underground tablet - and now she’s taking on new adventures.
Tune in to find out:
- Why culture trumps instinct when it comes to safety decisions
- What’s different about working for a contractor vs. a miner
- What Larnie has in store as the chair of QMHSC 2023
- What’s the next big change for safety in mining
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat soil science and rehabilitation with Alison Price of SoilCyclers, the winner of the 2022 Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year. Along with her JV partners Innovate Enviro and Cammel Consulting, Alison has changed how we think about topsoil rehabilitation.
Tune in to find out:
- Why Queensland’s soil science leads the world
- How topsoil creation captured the attention of the judges to win the Queensland Mining Awards
- The importance of getting the soil right in rehabilitation
- Why the industry should share our environment and rehabilitation practices for a better future
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about a Queensland coal mine’s gutsy plan to get to zero emissions by 2050 - yes, it’s entirely possible, and Allan Fidock of Batchfire tells us how.
Tune in to find out:
- What you really need to know about mining and ‘net zero’
- How Allan’s early experiences shaped his career today
- What’s different about the current mining boom (compared to previous industry ‘ups’)
- The challenges and opportunities that come with running one of Queensland’s older mines
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk company startups, the future of exploration and skills shortages with the talented Kim Wainwright.
Tune in to find out:
- How Kim manages her time to be a director of no less than 7 companies
- What a respite care organisation has to do with Kim’s mining industry businesses
- The current state of Queensland’s exploration pipeline, and what that means for the future
- The one thing we need to do now to ensure a healthy industry in years to come
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we go behind the scenes of the Department of Resources, and chat with Mike Kaiser, the Director-General. If you’ve ever wished you could catch up with the Director-General in the Crib Room, this is your chance.
Tune in to find out:
- Mike’s opinion about Queensland’s approvals process
- How new economy minerals are changing the way we think about resources
- Why the way to alleviate climate change is to increase mining (yes, really!)
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about safety - both physical and psychological. We’re talking to Anton Guinea, motivational speaker and advocate for safety in industry.
Tune in to find out:
- What happened the day that Anton nearly didn’t come home from work
- Why it’s important for people to bring their ‘whole selves’ to work
- What psychological safety is really about
- How the mining industry’s safety culture is trending
- The effects of industrial manslaughter legislation on the practicalities of safety culture
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we speak with Florence Drummond, CEO of Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia. Florence has built her organisation from the ground up, creating visibility, voice and quality participation for Indigenous women in the sector.
Tune in to find out:
- The ‘sliding doors’ moment that landed Florence in the mining industry
- What being named one of the top influential women in mining globally meant
- How Florence is building towards a bigger presence for Indigenous women in the sector
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we dive deep into net zero - what it actually is and what it means for the mining industry. We’re talking with Lisa France - director of Climate Change Roadmap, environmental scientist and ex-politician.
Tune in to find out:
- How to explain net zero over the pub counter (or a glass of wine)
- The real steps companies are taking to get there
- What the long-term impacts on industry might actually look like
- And, most importantly, how industry can communicate how we’re moving towards net zero.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we interview Queensland’s Minister for Resources, the Hon. Scott Stewart. We haven’t spoken with Minister Stewart since he took on the portfolio, so we were keen to ask his views on the important issues facing mining in Queensland. Tune in to find out:
- The Minister’s long-held family connection to mining
- What the QRIDP is, and what it means for the future of industry
- The key challenge facing the Queensland resource industry
- How technology and industry 4.0 mean more job opportunities, not less
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat to Dr Benjamin Heard, an ‘environmentalist voice for nuclear’. Surprisingly, nuclear and our industry don’t have mutually exclusive futures - and we chat to Ben about what that future might look like.
Tune in to find out:
- What actually constitutes an environmental perspective on nuclear
- How Ben actually started out as anti-nuclear
- The importance of ‘measuring our monsters’
- The need for a controlled sense of urgency when it comes to changing the energy mix
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we catch up with Ian Macfarlane of the Queensland Resources Council. Ian nearly needs no introduction, following a long career in politics and resources.
Tune in to find out:
- The next big challenge for resources
- What Ian calls the ‘policy tragedies of Australia’
- The one piece of legislation Ian would change
- The surprising role Mrs Macfarlane has played in Ian’s career choices!
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
In E13 of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast we enjoy finding out what makes Darren Oliver one of the industry's experts on procurement. Darren is Group Manager Procurement for Glencore Australia.
Tune in to find out:
- What Darren's learned over 25 years with Glencore.
- How the procurement process is accessing technological gains - and what the next big disruptor will be.
- What Glencore might look like in 2050.
- How Glencore maximises their local content spend.
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we discover what’s on the horizon for minerals exploration and new projects. We’re chatting with Warren Pearce, CEO of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies.
Tune in to find out:
- The power of ‘thinking small’ and what it means for industry suppliers
- The state of international investment in Australia’s resources
- How the industry is really coping with COVID-19
- What the future looks like for critical minerals
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about cultural change and women in the mining industry - fittingly, we recorded this ep on International Women’s Day. We’re chatting with Maria Joyce, Chief of Staff to BHP CEO Mike Henry.
Tune in to find out:
- How Maria made it from mining engineer to executive leader
- How the industry’s changed along the way
- The key difference between in-house and consulting roles
- The advice she’d give to the next generation
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
In the final episode for Season 1 of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast, we talk with Mark Scott, Chief Operating Officer of Hastings Deering.
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat career paths, diversity and the challenges of doing business internationally.
Tune in to find out:
- How Mark went from a gap year and sales roles to an international COO
- How resources are operationally different here and in other Pacific countries
- What’s next for OEMs in adapting to technology changes
- The effects of big data on the resources industry
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
Welcome to the BBMC Crib Room! Today we’re speaking with Ngaire Tranter, founder and Director of Nitro Solutions, an environmental approvals consultancy working in the mining sector. Ngaire is an environmental scientist by trade, and she’s been around the industry for as long as she can remember.
Among other things (and with a fair amount of hilarity), we'll discover:
- how Ngaire's twisting career path set her up for success in environmental consultancy life
- some of the more challenging projects she's worked on
- how the latest regulatory changes have affected Nitro's clients
- what Ngaire would do with a blank slate for a new environmental approvals process
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we chat about the future of community engagement and why we need to change the way that we think. We’re chatting to Kieren Moffat, CEO of Voconiq, in this episode brought to you by Mackay Regional Council.
Tune in to find out:
- Why digital-first engagement might just be the future
- The place of a ‘professional’ engagement function in a mining company
- Whether or not the Bowen Basin is really that different to global mining communities
- How Kieren would redesign the whole community engagement process
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we dive deep on global commodities markets - more exciting than it sounds! In this episode, brought to you by Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia, we’re chatting with Mark Gresswell, director of Commodity Insights.
Tune in to find out:
- What coal marketing really is
- Where the coal price is currently sitting, and what it’s expected to do in the near future
- How COVID-19 has affected commodity markets, here and overseas
- What the evidence really says about the future of coal
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we take a ride through the ups and downs of the metallurgical coal market with Michael Gray - experienced industry executive and all-around good guy.
In this episode, brought to you by Coxons Group Australia, we ask Michael all about his perspective on industry - from current market conditions through to the approvals process, investors, customers and the importance of relationships.
Tune in to find out:
- Where the green shoots are in the current market cycle
- The surprising thing that Michael learned from Ken Talbot
- How being a ‘big small’ company changes things at the literal coalface
- What the future of investment in the coal industry looks like
Nothing is off the table - come and join us in the BBMC Crib Room!
This episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast is the one where we talk about why ‘the way it’s always been’ damages our industry.
In this episode, brought to you by SMW Group, we examine innovation with Sharna Glover of technology company Imvelo.
Tune in to find out:
- What industry 4.0 is really all about
- The surprising things that mining has in common with agriculture and forestry
- How innovation isn’t what you might think
- How automation adds, rather than ‘taking away’
You won’t think the same way about innovation in the mining industry after this episode!
The BBMC Crib Room Podcast exists to discuss what’s happening in the Queensland mining industry, keeping you up to date when you might not be able to get out on site.
We sat down recently with Margarita Escartin of Red Cliff Projects to chat indigenous engagement best practice. Fittingly, we recorded this episode during Reconciliation Week, and during a time while indigenous engagement is an important part of the national conversation.
Tune in to find out:
- Margarita's experience as an indigenous engagement practitioner in mining and resources
- What best practice looks like
- Challenges facing the industry
- What we can achieve together
Here we are again in the BBMC Crib Room - discussing what’s happening in the Queensland mining industry and keeping you up to date when you might not be able to get out on site.
This week on the podcast, we caught up with Nathan Sharpe - former rugby great and now Executive General Manager, Client Services with Brunel.
Tune in to find out Nathan's views on:
- The similarities between mining and rugby
- Mentorship and bringing 'cleanskins' into the industry
- The key ingredient to a successful team culture
- Balancing safety and productivity
- The most famous person that Nathan met during his time playing pro rugby!
Here's the second episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast.
We’re here to discuss what’s happening in the Queensland mining industry, keeping you up to date when you might not be able to get out on site.
Today we're talking business development with Dan Whitmore, covering:
- the importance of relationships (before, during and after a pandemic!)
- how COVID-19 has changed the way business development works
- some of the things that haven't changed
- the trick to having the right contact in the right place at the right time
Tune in to uncover Dan's top tips for mining industry business development!
Welcome to the first interview of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast!
We’re here to discuss what’s happening in the Queensland mining industry, keeping you up to date when you might not be able to get out on site.
You might not ever get the chance to sit in the crib room and have smoko with the Federal Minister for Resources - but we had the chance to sit down and interview the Hon. Keith Pitt a few weeks ago.
Tune in to find out:
- How Minister Pitt is planning to approach his new portfolio
- How COVID-19 has changed things over the last few months
- Where the Minister sits on big questions like energy security and the skills shortage
- And one thing that you might not know about the Minister!
Welcome to the first episode of the BBMC Crib Room Podcast!
We’re here to discuss what’s happening in the Queensland mining industry, keeping you up to date when you might not be able to get out on site.
Because this is our first episode, we want to talk a bit about what we’re doing with this podcast, who we want to talk to, and introduce ourselves. So, the easiest way to do that is to ask a few questions!
Tune in to find out:
- What are we doing with this podcast?
- Who are we and how did we end up here?
- What don't you know about us?
- How can you join future episodes?