Friends and family of a popular NSW miner who was killed alongside a colleague in an accident will gather at Hunter church for his funeral.
Jamie Mitchell, 49 and Phillip Grant, 35, died after being trapped 500 metres below the surface at the Austar Coalmine in Paxton on April 15 following a wall collapse.
Mr Mitchell's children, Ryan, Renae, Cameron, James and Jessie, and granddaughter Layla, who he never met, will farewell the Cessnock local at a church on Thursday.
"Jamie loved life and enjoyed shooting, fishing, motorbikes and most of all partying," his family said in a statement.
At 16, Mr Mitchell started as a boot end boy in 3 tunnel at the Old Pelton Colliery, and during his 33 years on the job became "very experienced ... in all aspects of mining".
"One of his favourite sayings while at work was 'I can't believe they pay me to do this'," his family said.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has expressed its condolences to the Mitchell family.
"Jamie was a well-liked and active member of his lodge," CFMEU northern mining district president Peter Jordan said.
"He will be badly missed by his friends and workmates."
A service for Mr Grant was held in Bathurst on Monday.
