Call For Presentations

Download Guidelines

Submissions Open

The 2025 MESC WA Conference will bring together government departments, consultants, suppliers and key industry decision makers within the electrical field to hear technical presentations on all matters relating to electrical safety within the mining industry with specific focus on the Western Australian industry. 

Hosted by the Mine Electrical Safety Association Western Australia (MESA WA), the conference is a great opportunity to learn and network among some of the most knowledgeable people in Australia on mining and quarry safety. It is also an opportunity for you to contribute to the direction of mine electrical safety within the industry. 

The MESC WA Committee welcomes submissions for presentations in the format of a technical presentation or case study.

• Technical presentations & case studies will be allocated 30 minutes including Q&A

It is important that presentations are NOT a ‘sales pitch’ or a way of promoting an organisation’s product or service – the presentation needs to provide information that is relevant and educational for the audience and showcases mine electrical workplace safety.

Key Dates

Conference Themes

Arc Flash / Personal Protection

Arc Flash is a topic with which MESA Conference attendees will be familiar, having had a period of major focus within the industry. With changes in arc flash standards, developments in risk reduction technology, new electrical workers joining the mining industry and new apprentices and graduate engineers coming through, it is timely that we include this important subject.

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 automation 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.

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.

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 lifecycle, electrical systems are a critical element to deliver the required outcomes, remain safe, be maintained, remain compliant and finally be de-commissioned.

Operation Safety and Maintenance of High Voltage Equipment on Mine Sites

This theme covers the importance of maintaining and operating HV equipment on mine sites, including replacing ageing infrastructure. Submissions on incidents, near misses and shared learnings should focus on what went wrong and what we can do to prevent a similar occurrence. This can also include remote switching, testing techniques and advancements in technology and design, and anything to improve safety and management of high voltage equipment on mine sites.

Renewables

This theme covers battery and autonomous vehicles, carbon neutral activities, solar, wind, battery and other renewable power sources including micro grids and pumping systems. Adopting renewable energy as an approach to both lean operations and carbon neutrality in our industry are necessary and align with the global shift away from fossil fuels. This change however does have its risks, safety concerns and new hazards to consider. We are keen to hear how mines and industry is taking this change onboard and how they are identifying, mitigating and controlling the risks to ensure a safe transition going forward.

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 are 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.

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