The NSW Minerals Council and radio station WSFM will team up to host a live broadcast from a Hunter Valley mine site in an initiative aimed at highlighting how the sector benefits to the community.
WSFM’s high profile breakfast pair Jonesy and Amanda Keller will give listeners the chance to win $1 million in a competition that will culminate at the unnamed mine.
The NSW Minerals Council said the event will help to shine “a light on the hard working men and women of our industry”.
It is believed to be the first time that an entire radio show has been broadcast from a mine in NSW.
"Mining is an essential service for Sydney. Our miners help keep the lights on by providing the coal that powers the state's power stations," NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.
"We've got some of the best miners in the world in NSW and some great characters in our mines – hardworking men and women of all ages and backgrounds – with great stories to tell about their contribution to the community, the innovative technology they've developed and world leading health and safety record.”
For the next five weeks, listeners can register as a miner at the WSFM website and listen for their chance to go into the draw.
One person will be chosen to travel to a Hunter Valley mine with Jonesy and Amanda Keller at the end of February where they will be given a 1 in 101 chance to win $1 million.
“More than 99% of people would never get to see how a mine works first hand,” Galilee said.
“That’s why we’re so excited that Jonesy and Amanda Keller will be able to give Sydneysiders an exclusive insight into a working mine that’s helping to power businesses and homes right across our capital city and the state.”
The direct spending included $3.1 billion spent on wages, and over $9.7 billion in spending on goods and services with over 10,500 local businesses across the state.
“Everyone is connected to mining in some way, whether it’s through your job, government services supported by mining royalties, shares in your superannuation fund, or most of the items you use as part of your daily routine from cars to ipads to toothpaste, as well as every time you turn on a power switch,” Galilee said.
“So this is a great opportunity for us to showcase how important the state’s miners are to our biggest city.”