QMIHSC 2025 highlighted why the mining industry’s future depends on the strength of its foundations.
The Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference (QMIHSC) returned to the Gold Coast this year with a powerful message: when it comes to safety, the basics still matter most.
Held at the Star Gold Coast from August 17–20, the 36th iteration of the annual event welcomed delegates from across the mining and resources sector under the theme, ‘Rock solid: The foundations of safety excellence’.
Across four days of presentations, workshops and networking, the message was clear that while technology continues to shape the future of mining, the real strength lies in communication, culture and care.
From the outset, this year’s program leaned into reflection, urging the industry to revisit the principles that have long underpinned safe operations: proactive hazard identification, strong leadership and clear, consistent safety systems.
The keynote line-up drew some of the biggest names in the safety conversation.
Forensic engineer Sean Brady returned with hard truths about the root causes of major incidents, while safety advocate Helen Fitzroy shared the deeply personal story that fuels her mission for change.
Fatigue specialists Naomi Rogers and Nicholas Mabbott took the stage to address one of mining’s most persistent challenges, offering practical insights that resonated with many on the ground. Sidney Dekker, with his progressive ‘safety differently’ approach, challenged attendees to rethink traditional compliance mindsets in favour of trust and
human-centric design.
Interactive workshops gave delegates the chance to turn learning into action. From emergency response exercises to understanding Queensland’s incoming critical control legislation, each session delivered tools for immediate application on-site.
Outside the formal program, more than 60 exhibitors brought innovation to the exhibition marquee – a busy hub of new technologies, solution-sharing and conversation.
Social events struck a balance between celebration and connection, with highlights including the always-popular trade display, the ‘Legends of Rock’ appeal auction in support of CapRescue, and a fairytale-inspired gala dinner to close the week in style.
Among those who took part in this year’s event were Body Armour and Bollé Safety, who shared their reflections on the experience and what it meant for their teams.
For Body Armour, an industrial hydration, nutrition and sleep-support company, the event was a success on all accounts.
“It’s a great touch point for us with important decision-makers,” Body Armour marketing manager Oisin McQuinn told Safe to Work.
“The people at the event are always looking to improve safety, recovery and performance on site and they’re also able to get us more insight into our end-users, which is the workforce on sites – they’re the biggest asset.”
Bollé Safety APAC trade marketing manager Tamara Mika also emphasised the importance of the conference.
“We get to meet customers who we wouldn’t be able to see normally since they work at hard to access mines, and so this gives us the opportunity to see people from those remote sites all in one place and present some new products to them,” she told Safe to Work.
As the mining industry faces growing operational and regulatory complexity, QMIHSC 2025 reminded attendees that the future of safety isn’t just about what’s next, it’s about strengthening what’s always been there. And if this year’s turnout and engagement were anything to go by, that foundation remains as rock solid as ever.
This feature appeared in the September-October edition of Safe to Work.