Rob talks to Kevin Sabin, the Director of Hargreaves Services, a diversified group of companies delivering services to the industrial, mining and property sectors.
Kevin heads up their mining division and goes into what exactly Hargreaves offer in terms of services, as well as what makes them unique in their field. Through associations with important initiatives such as the Sirius Minerals project, Hargreaves Services have grown into a valued and trusted part of the worldwide mining industry.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Kevin began in the mining industry in 1975 as an apprentice electrician and has worked extensively through mines in the north of England. Since his association with Hargreaves Services, the company has grown throughout the worldwide mining supply chain providing end-to-end solutions through their various divisions.
Through their wide experience of mining, logistics and research, Hargreaves have grown into the largest surface mine operator in the UK, handling processing and operating their own transport fleet. 
Health and safety is something that Hargreaves particularly believe and specialise in. Maltby Colliery, owned and operated by Hargreaves was the first mine in the world to be awarded the British Safety Council’s Sword Of Honour.
Hargreaves have found that lately, there seem to be more and more mining opportunities in the UK, which is resurgent. 
Fundamentally, Kevin believes that having competent people in place is far more valuable than having numerous people in place. It’s also about making sure that the people you have in place are trained in not just the methods and qualifications of yesteryear, but also in today’s standards.
Kevin believes that even though some from the last generation of UK mining may now not be in a position to take up their former positions, they can still provide valuable and essential training to the new generation of UK miners, and hopes to utilise this past generation’s considerable knowledge in improving UK mining today.
Steep-seam geology, and the difficulties it presents have forced Kevin and his team to use more radical thinking in terms of success. He has found that methods used in the UK mines have not translated throughout the world. However, each challenge is an opportunity for growth, and Hargreaves learn from every obstacle placed in their path.
In terms of future growth, Hargreaves hopes to diversify their output from products like coal, which has seen its demand slowly decline, to future industries such as biomass processing, and services such as installation, maintenance and operations. 

 
 
.BEST MOMENTS 
“While a lot of our experience has been in coal, it certainly transfers into other minerals”
“We really have put a lot of effort into making sure we do the best for the mine and for the services we provide” 
“For us it’s about collaboration, looking right across the patch”
 “How can we knit all of these opportunities and people together?”
 “One of the biggest challenges in the mining industry is the ageing mining population in the UK”
“There are lots of willing people out there who want to become a part of the mining industry”
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES 
Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast on iTunesHargreaves Services
 
ABOUT THE GUEST
 
As Director of Hargreaves Services, Kevin Sabin heads up their mining division and explains what services the company offers and what makes them unique. He talks about their involvement with the Sirius Minerals project and other projects their involved in around the world. 
You can contact Kevin at kevin.sabin@hsgplc.co.uk
 
ABOUT THE HOST 
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community insight to peoples experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and