WHEN: Tuesday, 17 February to Thursday, 19 February
WHERE: Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Twin Waters QLD
WHO: See agenda
Internationally recognised dust disease experts are gathering on the Sunshine Coast this week for the Mining and Energy Union’s Global Dust Conference, marking ten years since black lung reemerged in the Queensland Coalfields.
Worker representatives and leading mine safety experts from around the world will join doctors, researchers and lawmakers to share their experiences and build a framework of best practices that can be applied to mines across jurisdictions. While prevention remains at the forefront, this year’s conference will feature a renewed focus on the treatment and care of workers affected by dust diseases.
Since the redetection of black lung in 2015, cooperation between Unions, regulators and medical professionals has led to major improvements to the prevention and screening of the disease in the Queensland coalfields.
Mining and Energy Union General Vice President Stephen Smyth said that while these reforms were worth celebrating, more must be done to support the miners living with the disease:
“Over the last ten years, since we first detected the reemergence of black lung, we’ve driven a massive improvement to the prevention and screening of this disease.
“However, black lung is a life sentence for those affected by it, and it’s vital we improve their treatment and care”
Mr Smyth also said the conference was an opportunity to lift standards around mine dust safety in developing countries.
“From the outset this conference has taken an international stance on fighting mine dust lung diseases, because it poses a risk to all mine workers, regardless of their country of origin.
“This year, we’re hosting worker representatives from the US, India, Poland, Mongolia, and across Africa. The hope is, as we develop our best practices and standards, that they’ll take some of the lessons we’ve learnt and apply them to their own industries.”
The Global Dust Conference 2026 is being held all week at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Media appearances from our Mining and Energy Union officials and our guests are available upon request.
Contact details:
Ned Bukarica - 0439 060 556