He will join a panel of three other senior mining executives, Bowen Basin Mining Club director Jodie Currie said.

The judges each bring extensive operational and global mining expertise to the Queensland Mining Contractor Awards 2016, she said.

“Their combined knowledge across the coal, minerals and gas sectors is impressive. They bring technical scrutiny and big picture thinking to judging our state’s best mining projects,” Currie said.

“It’s fair to say that Award finalists will have earnt their stripes.

“True contractor excellence, value-adding and the most progressive companies driving Queensland’s resources sector is demonstrated by award entries.”

Other judges are partner of Integrated Global Partners and former president, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance Lucas Dow; Arrow Energy vice president health, safety and environment; and Anglo American Coal supply chain specialist, former regional supply chain manager Margaret Davies.

The judging panel all agree recognising contractor innovation is valuable to Central Queensland resource operations.

Lucas Dow, who brings senior management experience in metallurgical coal and other commodities, said contractors are essential players for the future mining sector.

“Australia’s competitive edge relies on market innovation and we need our industry to continue to drive this. Mining contractors in particular have a critical role to play in driving such innovation and performance improvement. Those contractors who are able to do this in a safe and reliable manner are delivering a competitive advantage to their clients,” he said.

“These awards not only celebrate this enormous contribution, but also benchmark Queensland’s role in managing a sustainable mining industry for Australia.”