Although it's not Peabody's biggest mine, Wambo le the way in achieving more cost-per-unit-moved than all of Peabody's other mines, according to the NSWMC.

 

"Wambo puts this down to its focus on achieving a positive and supportive management team which encourages its workers to use their initiative, providing them with a sense of purpose," it said.

 

"In 2018 Wambo spent $68.5 million with 194 local businesses and paid $52.7 million to 390 employees who shop in and around Singleton.

 

"Women make up 40% of all new-to-industry appointments, showing that they are serious about making changes in workplace culture."

 

Wambo was also a winner in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance for its Wambo Women Program.

 

The young achiever award went to Wambo's Nicholas Sainty while the outstanding contribution to mining went to Glencore veteran Mick Buffer who is also the deputy chairman of the World Coal Association.

 

The outstanding supplier award was presented to Hitachi Construction Machinery.

 

NSWMC CEO Stephen Galilee said the awards highlighted the importance of mining in fostering growth in regional communities by providing jobs and investment.

 

"Our Industry and Suppliers' awards highlight the vital role mining plays in NSW, particularly the contribution our industry makes to regional communities," he said.

 

"We had outstanding entries for the awards this year, reflecting the quality of our state's world-class mining sector.

 

"A strong mining sector is critical to NSW. More than 40,000 people work in mining in NSW, and coal, copper and gold are our state's most valuable exports.

 

"NSW also relies on our sector for its energy needs, with our coal helping to generate around 80% of NSW electricity."

 

BHP's Sarah Withell won the Exceptional Woman in NSW Mining award.

Withell started her career in mining as an environmental scientist in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria.

 

Since then she has had a distinguished career, becoming BHP's first female head of Health, Safety and Environment and first female member of the NSW Energy Coal Asset Leadership Team.

 

Withell was accountable for delivering the state and federal approvals to enable Mt Arthur Coal Mine to produce 36 million tonnes per annum - at the time, the largest approved coal mine in Australia.

 

Key to the success of this project was ensuring that community support was maintained.

 

Withell has also been a mentor in the WIMNet NSW Mentor Program since 2016 and is passionate about the wellbeing of the workforce.