The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue and Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce “meant business” at a June business networking event and mining economic update.

In a double opportunity for Upper Hunter businesses, the June 7 Procurement Networking Event at Muswellbrook RSL Club was preceded by a breakfast address by NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee who delivered a mining economic update.

The Procurement Networking Events are jointly organised by the Dialogue and local chambers of commerce and offered to local businesses.

The events give local supplier businesses the opportunity to network face to face with procurement personnel from Upper Hunter mining companies and develop relationships mutually valuable to both business and the mining industry.

At the Muswellbrook event, more than 60 representatives from local supplier businesses met with procurement representatives from BHP-C-Res, Thiess, Bengalla Mining Company and Mach Energy’s Mount Pleasant Operation.

Mr Galilee’s presentation to more than 100 people over breakfast highlighted the ongoing economic contribution of mining in the Hunter region.

Using data collated by the NSW Minerals Council from its membership, Mr Galilee said mining contributed $6.1 Billion in direct spending in the Hunter in 2020-21.

In the same year, the industry also provided 13,250 direct mining jobs in the region and supported 3,160 Hunter supplier businesses.

Mr Galilee also said the future of coal mining appeared positive with embedded demand from overseas markets.

He noted the overwhelming bulk of NSW coal was exported with nearly 90 per cent being shipped overseas.

While there was some uncertainty about the future of some local coal-fired electricity plants which used domestically supplied coal, exports were increasing with growing demand from overseas and sustained positive market conditions.

Click for more information regarding the Dialogue’s Business Procurement Events.