Assessing critical risk maturity at an open-cut coal mining operation in NSW

An open-cut coal mining operation sought an objective assessment of the maturity of its critical risk management system to better understand the effectiveness of its current approach and identify practical pathways for improvement.

A structured critical risk management maturity review was undertaken using the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) Maturity Assessment Model. The review commenced with a desktop assessment of key documentation, followed by a multi-day site visit to test how the framework was designed and implemented in practice.

The site visit included attendance at pre-start meetings, field inspections, and direct engagement with key personnel, including Critical Risk Owners and Critical Control Owners. The assessment focused on five principal hazards: falling objects, confined spaces, falls from height, geotechnical hazards, and vehicle interactions.

The review provided a high-level, objective assessment of the completeness, adequacy, and maturity of the critical risk management program, covering system design, implementation, and operational execution. Targeted, prioritised recommendations were developed to support progressive improvement in maturity over time, enabling the site to focus effort where it would deliver the greatest uplift in critical risk performance.