Ross Ogden discusses importance of safety after 50 years at Goonyella Riverside mine

Ross Ogden has experienced the evolution of mining safety standards across his career that has spanned decades. As he prepares to hang up the helmet, he reflects on the changes he’s seen.

When Ross Ogden first started his career in the mines, it would take someone retiring or dying before you had a chance to get onsite.

Now, Mr Ogden sees his industry as one with ample opportunities for aspiring mine workers, including his granddaughter Logan, who he now works alongside.

“It’s great that future generations are able to get into mining more easily. Everyone is entitled to a job,” he said.

In September 2021, Mr Ogden reached 49 years with Goonyella Riverside Mine.

He plans to retire when he reaches his five decade milestone next year.

Mr Ogden was a 17 year old from a western Queensland farming family when he got his chance with the Goonyella blast crew.

He said the friendships and work kept him in the pit for so long.

Goonyella Riverside mine site is donating $50,000 to community groups and initiatives to celebrate its 50 years in operation. Picture: Christian Sprogoe Photography

“When you move to different places you need to re-establish yourself,” he said.

“When I first started at Goonyella the more experienced crew members really supported me with training and my development. And I respected their guidance.

“Your workmates become good friends and everyone supports each other – particularly in those early days.

“I’ve had good mates, good equipment and a good working environment – why go anywhere else?”

As the mining industry continued to develop, one of the biggest changes the industry veteran witnessed was within safety.

His passion for maintaining safe work environments led to him working as a Site Safety Health Representative for the past 30 years.

“Changes in the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act and Coal Mining Regulations over the years have definitely made the pits safer,” he said.

“I strongly believe that the processes and commitment to safety now in place give us the best chance of going home safely each day.”

It is his diligence to safety that colours his advice for fellow or future mine workers.

Hay Point’s first coal was loaded 50 years ago in 1971. Picture: Contributed

“There’s no job on a mine site that is so important that you cannot take the time to stop and discuss what you believe is not right,” he said.

“No one comes to work to injure themselves so the most important thing is for every one of us to walk out of the gate the same way we walked in – not injured or hurt.

“We do this and BHP is able to produce and sell the coal and we all get paid, safely.

“I never want to see another death on a mine, while I am here or not. The pain of an injury or death impacts the whole family life, not just the person.”

This year, Goonyella Riverside Mine and Hay Point Coal Terminal both celebrated 50 years of operations.

Hay Point’s first coal was loaded in 1971 – with just a single berth, shiploader and crawler mounted reclaimer and stacker.

Hay Point now has three berths and five stacker reclaimers and has conveyed more than 1.3 billion tonnes through operation.

To celebrate its 50 year anniversary, Goonyella Riverside mine is running a $50,000 for 50 years donations program where the site will donate $10,000 grants to five local community organisations or initiatives.

“I’d like to recognise all our teams, past and present, who have contributed to building what these are operations are today,” BMA Asset President Mauro Neves said.

“The ongoing resilience and dedication of our people, and the communities where we operate, has shone through and I’m excited to see what the teams deliver next.”