Judging panel announced for photography competition
Three expert judges have been confirmed to choose the winner of the #UgOps2025 photography competition, with a wealth of combined experience in underground mining, media and photography.
The competition aims to attract the next generation of miners with honest and inspiring images from the underground.
Meet the judges
Iain Ross MAusIMM
Principal Mining Engineer, CaveConsult
An Underground Mining Engineer with a broad range of experience gained over 40 years in the industry, half of which has been in block caving.
Adrian Pratt FAusIMM (CP)
Principal Consultant, Adrian Pratt Mining Consultancy
Adrian’s 30+ years of industry experience includes design, evaluation, implementation and operation of underground mining projects.
Michael Flynn
Director, The Palms Agency
Mike’s 25-year tenure in the corporate events has woven a diverse array of skills, including content production, photography, operations, product development and eCommerce.
(L to R)ain Ross MAusIMM, Michael Flynn, Adrian Pratt FAusIMM (CP)
About the competition
A challenge for underground mining in Australasia is the struggle to communicate a sense of what working underground really looks like. How does the underground mining community continue to attract and inspire the next generation of workers to take their place? We believe these people are out there, and you can play your part in attracting them with honest and inspiring images from the underground.
Prizes
Two winners will be selected:
- One selected by a conference subcommittee, the “UgOps photography prize”.
- One selected by the conference delegates, the “people’s choice” prize.
Both winners will be awarded:
- A framed copy of their winnning photograph
- A certificate of achievement
- Exposure for their photograph in the Underground Operators Conference 2027 50th anniversary advertising campaign
- A complimentary full delegate registration to Underground Operators Conference 2027
Learn more and enter the photography competition
Register for Underground Operators 2025