#UgOps2025 Photography Competition
IMAGES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
#UgOps2025 Photography Competition
IMAGES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
The Underground Operators 2025 Photography Competition is our challenge to everyone in the resources industry: Capture, with a photo, a sense of what working underground really looks like.
AusIMM has recieved an overwhelming number of outstanding entries, and after much deliberation our judges have narrowed the field down to 10 finalists. Please see our finalists below. Underground Operators 2025 delegates will have the opportunity to vote for the "People's Choice Award" winner during the conference.
See our ten finalists:
Prizes
Two winners will be selected:
- #UgOps2025 Photography Award (selected by Photography Competition judges)
- People’s Choice Award (selected by Underground Operators Conference 2025 delegates)
Both winners will be awarded:
- $1,500 in professional development spending with AusIMM
- A complimentary full delegate registration to AusIMM's Underground Operators Conference 2027 - the event's 50th anniversary - valued at over $2,000 AUD
- A framed copy of their winning photograph with a certificate of achievement
See below for more details including FAQ and judging panel.
Meet our judges
Frequently asked questions
Why a photography competition?
- A challenge for underground mining in Australasia is the struggle to communicate a sense of what working underground looks like. How can we shape the community view of what this work entails, the shapes defining the environment and people you meet underground?
- Beyond this, how does the underground mining community continue to attract and inspire the next generation of workers to take their place? This is necessary to continue the evolution of underground mining in the. You can play your part in attracting them with honest and inspiring images from the underground.
How will the winners be acknowledged?
- With your consent, many of the submitted images will be displayed onsite at Underground Operators 2025, and the two prize winners will be presented with a high-quality framed copy of their winning entries.
- These images will also be utilised as part of the marketing campaign for the Underground Operators 50th anniversary in 2027.
Am I able to submit more than one photo?
- Each entrant may submit up to two photographs.
- No image can be entered more than once.
Are there any required photo specifications?
- Entrants are required to retain a copy of any photographs submitted in the highest resolution possible.
- The entrant should ensure that all photos are uploaded so that when they are opened there is no need to rotate the photo.
- Portrait and landscape photos are acceptable.
- Image minimum specifications:
- Sensor Resolution (megapixels) - 12.1
- Typical Image Resolution (pixels) - 4000 x 3000
- Maximum Print Size - 20 x 15 inch
- Print Resolution - 200 dpi
- Maximum Output Size - A3+ sized prints
Additional permissions
- Entries which include a close-up photo of a person, or persons, must have permission from the person/s in the photo.
- Entrants should seek permission from their employer and/or operator of the site on which the photograph was taken.
What else should I include in my submission?
- Photographer name
- Date and location
- Equipment used, e.g., camera, phone, etc.
- Title, with an accompany 250-word limit description of what it shows, in plain English.
Competition terms and conditions
The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and personal details concerning entrants and to disqualify any entrant who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions or who tampers with the entry process.
Click here for full terms and conditions.