The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue meant business at its inaugural Procurement Opportunities Breakfast on August 13.

A full house at the Muswellbrook RSL, made up of local business people and mining industry representatives, learned about current and upcoming procurement opportunities within the mining industry at the Dialogue event which was hosted by Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking to a crowd of 130 people, mining industry leaders and procurement experts from Muswellbrook-area mines detailed how businesses could be involved as local suppliers.

Speakers included BHP Mt Arthur General Manager David Boshoff; C-Res Business Development Manager John Aurisch; MACH Energy Mount Pleasant Operation General Manager, Operations, Richard Bailey and Procurement Specialist Simon Collins; Bengalla Mining Company Procurement and Supply Superintendent Phillip Hollway; and Thiess NSW Operations Manager Heather Parry.

Following the speakers’ presentations, the room was abuzz with conversation as business people took advantage of the networking session to have face-to-face discussions with industry procurement representatives.

Singleton Business Chamber will host a Procurement Opportunities Lunch on September 12 at Singleton Diggers. Confirmed speakers for the lunch include representatives from The Bloomfield Group, Thiess and Peabody Energy.

The procurement events have been organised by the Dialogue’s Economic and Social Development Working Group which was formed this year following community feedback for more liaison between the mining industry and local businesses.