AROUND 60 people took the opportunity to chat with mine representatives at the first of two community information evenings in Singleton on Monday night. A second will be held at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 31. Twenty-six representatives from nine mining companies were on hand to answer questions from the community. Monday's event was a quiet affair with residents slowly walking around the stands to discuss first-hand the issues they face as mining encroaches on their properties and way of life. For some it was the first time they had had a face-to-face discussion with those employed by the coal industry. It was also the first time industry had come together to meet the community simultaneously. The format reflects a change in the way coal companies intend to do business in the future. Deputy chief executive officer for the NSW Minerals Council Sue- Ern Tan said the industry was serious about improving community consultation. She added that the format recognised the need for coal companies to work together to address the issues, not independently, as had been done in the past. The session follows a survey of stakeholders late last year which raised serious concerns for the industry. Ms Tan said the results were a wake-up call to industry. “We were aware air quality and rehabilitation were big issues but we had no idea there was such a low level of trust (of the industry by the community),” she said. “It is a case of saying now, what can we do as an industry to improve this,” she said. She added that some companies communicated better then others but that the community viewed the industry as a whole and this was how industry must now respond. She said the credibility of the industry required this cooperation between companies but that new relationships took time. She was pleased nine companies were involved in the first of future information sessions. “It’s a change in the way we do business, it is no silver bullet, there is no short term solution, it will take time and commitment and we do need a bit of faith and drive to make it happen and we need concrete action,” she said. Monday’s session saw representatives from Xstrata, Coal & Allied, Ashton, Peabody, BHP, Bloomfield, Anglo Coal, Value and Muswellbrook Coal in attendance. Xstrata’s Nigel Charnock said the project was not about individual companies. “This is about the mining industry working together with the community to address issues of concern,” he said. A second information session will be held in Muswellbrook on May 31.