The chair of the international organising committee of the World Mining Congress (WMC) has moved to inspire delegates at the Brisbane event.

The message from Professor Marek Cala was delivered in a velvet glove when he said, it was ‘OK’ to be a miner.

Look at what miners are up against.

Communities that don’t trust them, young people shunning careers and governments in open conflict with parts of the industry.

Professor Cala called on the industry to trust itself and the contribution it makes to the built economy. 

He drew on history as an example of mining being a positive social force and said the European Coal and Steel community, established in 1952, was the predecessor to the European Union. 

He noted the first World Mining Congress took place on September 15, 1958 in Warsaw, Poland, noting at the time it was behind the iron curtain.

It was one of the oldest and most important industries in the world and need to be recognised as much, he said.

“Mining is also a source of wealth, employment and innovation. Knowing that, I dare say, mining is OK!,” Professor Cala said.

“This slogan expresses our pride in our industry, our faith in its potential and our determination in overcoming difficulties. 

“This slogan also encourages us to reflect on what we can do better, how we can improve the quality and efficiency of our work, how we can minimize the negative impacts of our activity and how we can build good relationships with our stakeholders.”

He continued the theme, saying mining had a bright future in contributing to solutions including carbon neutrality and mine site rehabilitation.

“Mining will also help us achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“Do not be afraid to say it. Mining is OK! Are we okay with that? If we are not OK with it, let’s try to do something together to make it OK. Let’s do this together. Let’s make mining OK!”