The trophy was presented to Kestrel general manager Dan Teal by Mines minister Stephen Robertson at the annual briefing of about 80 leaders of the state's mining and quarrying industries hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines' Chief Inspector of Mines, Peter Minahan.

Robertson said that the awards set the benchmark for mine management in this state and were a standard for large and small mines and quarries to strive for.

"Queensland has the toughest health and safety legislation in Australia, but we cannot rest on that record. The target of achieving zero fatalities will be a challenge and we are all working to move in that direction," he said.

Two awards were presented in each of the Department's regions.

The perpetual trophy and award for Best Safety Management in a Queensland mine was presented to Mr Steve de Kruijff, General Manger, Ernest Henry copper-gold mine near Cloncurry. Ernest Henry also won the Best Safety Management Award for the Department's North region.

Other award winners included Readymix quarry, Gregory coal mine, New Acland coal mine and New Oakleigh coal mine.

Robertson commended the industry for the tremendous improvement in the recording of high potential incidents over the past 12 months.

"This reflects a more open-minded approach to recording high potential incidents. By knowing these incidents and their causes, mine operators, unions and government are able to give greater attention to ensuring the safety of everyone who works in the mining industry," he said.

Robertson also acknowledged the downward trend in the lost time injury frequency rate for 2002-03, saying it was at an all-time low of 6.2 lost time injuries per million hours worked, down 25% from 8.3 the previous year.

"There were 324 lost time injuries in the mining and quarrying industry during 2002-03, 79 fewer injuries than the 403 during the preceding year," he said.