Call For Presentations

Download Guidelines

Submit Presentation

The MESC Qld Committee welcomes submissions for presentations in the format of a technical presentation, panel discussion or Innovation Award presentation.

MESC Innovation Award

The Mine Electrical Safety Conference Innovation Award is a way to recognise the innovative ideas that flourish from people within the electrical sector of the mining industry. The award is the committee’s way of promoting the innovations that exists in the electrical stream of the mining industry to allow the learnings to be shared with industry that reduce harm to our workers and equipment.

Submissions that comply with the following criteria are able to be considered for the award. As part of the submission process, you will be asked to provide:

• A description of the innovation (to be used for marketing purposes) - 75 words maximum
• A paragraph explaining why the submission should be considered for the MESC Innovation Award - 150 words maximum
• How the innovation has reduced the harm that lead to the innovation - 75 words maximum

Key Dates

Submission Deadline	26 March 2025
Notification of Submission Outcome	11 April 2025
Presenter Registration Deadline	29 April 2025

Conference Themes

Automation / Innovation

With the drive towards zero serious harm and pressures at the mines to improve productivity there is a desire by industry to increase automation of equipment and the use of innovative technologies. Where automaton and implementation of innovative technologies has occurred, there has been a reduction in harm to workers and an increase in productivity. Submissions should detail how the use of automation and innovation has contributed to safety and productivity improvements. 

Case Study

If you have had an electrical incident at your site, or are able to talk about an incident on a mine site, then conference attendees would like to hear from you. They would like to understand:

• What happened
• Why did it occur and what were the precursors to the incident
• What factors and ineffective controls were identified
• How it impacted on the people involved and the site
• What corrective measures have been taken to prevent a reoccurrence of a similar event

Fostering Our Future Electrical Workers

With more operations commencing, a skills shortage and ageing workforce, what as an industry can we do to ensure that we have sufficient workers to sustain the industry growth and to replace those who are retiring. This not only extends to electrical workers, but also to electrical supervisors, Electrical Engineering Managers and Person to Control Electrical Work. 

Hazardous Area

The importance of selecting the correct equipment for installation of electrical equipment in hazardous areas (EEHA).  A hazardous area is a three-dimensional space in which an explosive atmosphere is or may be expected to occur. Electrical equipment within the hazardous area must be suitably rated and effectively earthed to ensure ignition risks are adequately controlled.  Purchasing Ex-certified equipment (ANZEx or IECEx) can be easy; however, knowing what to ask and what information is essential.  This requires knowledge and experience.  The site owner must manage the hazard under the relevant mining act to demonstrate the classified area is safe for the installation, site workers and the environment.

Mine Life Cycle

Be it short or long, the life cycle of a mine comprises the core elements of exploration, resource definition, cost modelling, approvals, design, construction, operations, de-commissioning and rehabilitation. Through this life cycle, electrical systems are a critical element to deliver the required outcomes, remain safe, be maintained, remain compliant and finally be de-commissioned. How can a mine ensure that they have safe electrical installations and maintain them in a fit for purpose state?

Renewables

This theme covers battery vehicles, carbon neutral activities, solar and other renewable technologies. License to operate is recognised as a primary risk to mining operations which, together with the industry drive to improve HSE outcomes, has led to great interest in the adoption of renewable energy and similar sustainability initiatives as a core consideration across the life cycle of mines. In addition to mining houses adopting renewable energy as a part of their approach to lean operations and carbon neutrality, the outputs of our resources industry are necessary for the global shift away from fossil fuels and toward smarter forms of energy generation, storage and distribution. How can industry drive down the emissions of green house gas generation at a mine?

Underground Mining Electrics

Submissions in this theme should highlight:

• The different types of underground cable protection being implemented as well as cable fixing and installation techniques that will be of interest to attendees
• Safety factors considered and allowed for when designing transformer installations
• Underground lighting – What’s new and what positive results have been achieved
• How protective earth testing (earth continuity) for fixed cabling in an underground IT earthing system is implemented
• Electrostatic management
• Optical and Radiation safety management

Other Related Topic

While we have outlined some categories for presenters to consider, we also encourage presenters to present on other topics that they feel relevant to present to the delegates at the MES Conference. The types of subjects, while not directly related to electrical, may include matters such as fatigue management, learning from past disasters or incidents outside of mining.