Mine Electrical Safety Conference Western Australia
17-18 November 2026
Call For Presentations
The 2026 MESC WA Conference will bring together government departments, consultants, suppliers and key industry decision makers within the electrical field to hear technical presentations on all matters relating to electrical safety within the mining industry with specific focus on the Western Australian industry.
Hosted by the Mine Electrical Safety Association Western Australia (MESA WA), the conference is a great opportunity to learn and network among some of the most knowledgeable people in Australia on mining and quarry safety. It is also an opportunity for you to contribute to the direction of mine electrical safety within the industry.
The MESC WA Committee welcomes submissions for 30 minute technical presentations (allocated time includes Q&A).
Electrical superintendents, supervisors and team leaders are encouraged to submit a presentation on challenges you consider the audience should be made aware of, or solutions to challenges that you have found that you think others would appreciate.
It is important that presentations are NOT a ‘sales pitch’ or a way of promoting an organisation’s product or service – the presentation needs to provide information that is relevant and educational for the audience and showcases mine electrical workplace safety.
Key Dates & Information
Submission Deadline | Thursday 16 July |
Notification of Submission Outcome | Tuesday 4 August |
Programme Released | Tuesday 4 August |
Presenter Registration Deadline | Friday 18 September |
Conference Themes
Associated Battery Hazards
The growing use of lithium-ion and other advanced battery technologies in mining introduces new challenges in hazard management, emergency response, and operational safety. Battery systems present risks including thermal runaway, toxic gas release, fire propagation, DC arc flash, electrical shock, and challenges associated with charging, storage, transport, and disposal. This theme explores practical approaches to battery risk management across the entire asset lifecycle, from equipment selection and installation through to maintenance, monitoring, and incident response. Presentations could include case studies, battery fire learnings, monitoring technologies, firefighting strategies, importance of PPE with suitable ratings, ventilation impacts, and evolving standards for battery safety in mining and hazardous environments.
Cybersecurity, AI and Electrical Control Systems
As mining operations become increasingly digitised and connected, electrical control systems face growing cybersecurity and operational technology (OT) risks. Industrial control systems, protection relays, SCADA networks, autonomous systems, and remote operations are now critical components of mine infrastructure, creating new vulnerabilities that can impact both safety and production. At the same time, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are being introduced to improve monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational decision-making. This theme explores the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and electrical systems, including risk management, system resilience, human oversight, regulatory considerations, and lessons learned from cyber incidents and emerging technologies in mining operations.
Functional Safety
Functional safety is critical to ensuring that electrical and control systems respond correctly to dangerous conditions and effectively reduce risk to personnel, equipment, and operations. Mining environments increasingly rely on automated systems, programmable controllers, safety instrumented systems, and complex protection schemes where failures can have significant consequences. This theme explores the design, verification, validation, maintenance, and ongoing management of functional safety systems throughout the asset lifecycle. Presentations could examine practical applications of standards, safety integrity levels (SIL), machine safety, protection system reliability, human factors, and lessons learned from incidents involving safety-critical systems.
Microgrids, Renewables and Electrical Infrastructure Innovation and Safety
Mining operations are increasingly integrating renewable energy systems, battery storage, and microgrids to improve sustainability, reduce emissions, and enhance energy resilience. These technologies introduce new technical, operational, and safety considerations for mine electrical networks, including protection coordination, system stability, islanding, harmonics, energy storage integration, and maintenance of complex hybrid systems. This theme explores the safe implementation and operation of modern electrical infrastructure in mining environments. Presentations could include renewable integration projects, off-grid power systems, lessons learned from microgrid operations, emerging technologies, and innovations that improve electrical reliability, efficiency, and safety living and working around these systems.
Mine Electrification and Electrical Safety
Mine electrification is transforming mining operations through the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), electric mobile equipment, and expanded electrical infrastructure. While electrification delivers benefits such as reduced emissions, improved ventilation outcomes, and lower operating costs, it also introduces new electrical hazards and operational risks that require careful management. This theme explores the safe integration of electrified mining systems, including charging infrastructure, high-voltage distribution, isolation practices, arc flash mitigation, emergency response, and maintenance considerations. Presentations could examine lessons learned from electrification projects, emerging standards, practical safety controls, and innovations that support safe, reliable, and sustainable mining operations.
Safety Culture and Regulations
A strong electrical safety culture is essential to preventing incidents and ensuring that systems, processes, and people work together effectively to manage risk. Regulations, standards, and compliance obligations continue to evolve as mining operations adopt new technologies and face increasingly complex operational environments. This theme explores how organisations build and sustain positive safety cultures while meeting regulatory expectations and improving operational performance. Presentations could include regulatory updates, enforcement learnings, leadership approaches, contractor management, incident investigations, human factors, and practical examples of how organisations are strengthening electrical safety outcomes through culture, governance, and continuous improvement.
The Evolving Electrical Workforce
The mining electrical workforce is rapidly evolving as operations adopt new technologies, automation, digital systems, and electrification initiatives. At the same time, the industry faces ongoing challenges including skills shortages, an ageing workforce, succession planning pressures, and the need to attract and retain competent personnel. This theme explores how organisations are adapting workforce capability through training, apprenticeships, competency frameworks, remote support technologies, and knowledge retention strategies. Presentations could examine workforce development programs, changes to electrical trades and engineering roles, future skill requirements, and practical approaches to preserving critical expertise while preparing the next generation of electrical professionals.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Mine Electrical Safety Conference Western Australia acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Custodians
of the land on which Pan Pacific Perth is located, and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.
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