The MINEX award is a key part of the Minerals Council of Australia's safety and health leadership strategy and is made following a detailed assessment of applicants' safety and health performance.
"It's the first time a coal operation has received the honour since the awards commenced six years ago," Tarong Coal general manager, Darren Yeates, said.
"This is a recognition of the ongoing commitment to safety everyone at Tarong Coal has made," Yeates said. "Safety and health are the responsibility of everyone on our site."
Minerals Council of Australia executive director Dick Wells said that Tarong Coal was recognised with the major award because of its strong leadership, personnel involvement and risk management approach to prioritise safety and health issues.
"The MINEX evaluation found that Tarong Coal has a systematic and effective safety and health management system that is clearly evidenced in all areas of the mine," Wells said.
"All personnel are involved and are well aware of the initiatives and efforts that are going into improving safety."
Other minerals operations recognised for their safety achievements at last night's awards ceremony were BHP Coal's Goonyella Riverside Mine (Qld), Alcoa World Alumina Australia's Pinjarra Refinery (WA), Pasminco's Rosebery Mine (Tas), Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt (WA), and Wesfarmers' Coal Mine (WA).
