NSW Resources Regulator – Statewide Mining Image Library
Client: NSW Resources Regulator (Department of Regional NSW)
Project: Statewide digital image library for regulatory, reporting, and communications use.
Duration: 3 days, across 3 sites
Location:
Bengalla Mine (Open Cut)
Mount Owen Mine (Open Cut)
Myuna Mine (Underground) – NSW
Documenting Mining Operations Across Multiple Sites
The NSW Resources Regulator commissioned a series of photography shoots to build a comprehensive digital image library reflecting the breadth of mining activity across New South Wales.
The brief was to capture realistic, accurate imagery suitable for use across internal communications, annual reports, presentations, and public-facing publications. Existing imagery was limited and did not adequately represent the diversity of mining environments, roles, and regulatory activities undertaken across the state.
Photography was delivered across three separate shoot days at multiple mine sites, including open cut and underground operations.
Scope of Work
The project required the capture of a broad range of operational and contextual imagery, including:
Mine workers performing day-to-day tasks
NSW Resources Regulator inspectors carrying out site inspections
Consultation between inspectors, mine managers, and workers
Heavy machinery and plant in operation
Vehicles and access points
Crib rooms and site facilities
Landscape imagery showing operational areas and rehabilitation
Underground mining environments
Aerial imagery providing site overviews
Each site contributed to a growing image library intended to be reused across multiple platforms and publications.
Operational Constraints & Site Conditions
All shoots were conducted in live mining environments under active operational conditions.
Key constraints included:
Active mine operations during all shoots
Strict site induction and access procedures
Escort requirements at all times
PPE compliance and framing rules
Restrictions on identifying certain personnel
Limited time windows in specific operational areas
At underground sites, photography was carried out in low-light conditions, requiring careful planning to balance safety requirements with usable imagery.
Several images were identified as “no second chance” opportunities due to operational timing and access constraints. These were planned and executed accordingly.
What Made This Project Challenging
While the brief appeared straightforward, the complexity lay in:
Coordinating logistics across multiple locations and dates
Working efficiently within limited access windows
Adapting to changing site conditions and operational priorities
Capturing candid, non-posed imagery while maintaining safety and compliance
Delivering consistent results across very different mining environments
The focus throughout was on accurate documentation rather than staged imagery.
Outcome
The completed image library provided the NSW Resources Regulator with a significantly expanded and representative visual resource covering:
Open cut and underground mining
Regulatory inspection activities
Operational environments and infrastructure
Workforce representation across different sites
The imagery is now used across reports, publications, presentations, and digital channels, supporting clearer communication of regulatory activity and industry oversight.
This project demonstrates the importance of understanding site operations, access constraints, and safety requirements when working in regulated, high-risk environments.
