The winners of the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards have officially been announced.
This year’s winners were announced at an online ceremony, held on 16 September 2020. The awards were hosted and presented by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) in partnership with the state chambers.
Chief Executive Officer of the MCA, Tania Constable, said the winners of the awards highlight the diversity, calibre and skills of people working in Australia’s world-leading resources industry.
“These awards celebrate initiatives that create a more diverse, safer, fairer and stronger sector. And as ambassadors and role models, the award winners will inspire more women to enter the resources workforce,” she said.
“While the number of women participating in the resources sector has improved in past decades, there is still a way to go to lift female participation in the industry.”
“These awards clearly demonstrate that women play a significant role in improving the industry at all levels. Sharing the stories of the winners and finalists also helps to raise awareness of the diverse resources sector careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, social sciences and the trades.”
Kathryn Young, Geotechnical Engineer at BHP’s Peak Downs Mine in Moranbah took out the Newcrest Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award for her impressive technical leadership, mentoring and strong advocacy on gender diversity.
“Attracting women to pursue careers in the resources sector should begin at school and university,” said Kathryn.
“To do this I’m actively involved in Space Design Competitions Australia – to mentor and encourage female school students to pursue careers in science technology engineering and maths (STEM) fields,” she said.
Kathryn also participates in a wide range of industry events at local universities as a BHP representative and supervises interns (of which 50 per cent have been female) during their summer vacation period.
“I truly believe that I’m very lucky to work in the industry that I do, and no day is the same and there are always things that can be continually improved and new challenges that we can overcome. So, it’s a really exciting time to work in the industry and I can’t wait to see what the future in mining holds for me.”
Larnie Mackay, Digital Transformation: Underground Project Lead for Anglo American in Moranbah took out the inaugural Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award.
The judges selected Larnie for her innovation and perseverance in leading the development of the first, and so far, only, electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground coal mining in Australia.
“Our underground tablets have changed the way we work underground and opened the door for further improvements in digitisation and data analytics to help improve safety and productivity in our operations,” detailed Larnie.
“It has been a culture and technology game-changer at our underground mines, and the way it has been embraced by our teams – especially those underground – has been phenomenal.”
“I’m proud to have been recognised for a project that has been a passion of mine for a long time, and that I know will have an impact on our industry into the future.”
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Queensland had eight finalists in the awards and each one should be congratulated for their outstanding achievements.
“These awards play a pivotal role in our sector’s efforts to bring better gender balance to our workforce, and it’s a great outcome that the MCA pushed ahead with the awards, despite COVID-19 restrictions,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“More than double the number of women are now working in our resources sector in Queensland compared with 2006 when we began our Women in Resources Action Plan.”
“It’s a testament to the hard work of QRC members, and resources companies nationally, who have incorporated gender diversity into their mainstream business plans. They recognise that with diversity comes improved safety, innovation and productivity.”
The winners of the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards are:
Dyno Nobel Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award
Renata Roberts, Chief Corporate Services Officer, The Bloomfield Group in Singleton New South Wales for the extensive examples of her leadership across a number of areas, her capability and agility throughout her career, and for her community outreach particularly through the HR Hub and Educators Forum initiative.
Newcrest Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award
Kathryn Young, Geotechnical Engineer at BHP’s Peak Downs Mine in Moranbah Queensland for her impressive technical leadership, mentoring and strong advocacy on gender diversity.
Rio Tinto Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award
Brett Robins, Crew Leader, Bell Bay Aluminium in Tasmania for his strong personal commitment to diversity and for achieving a 50 per cent increase in female participation as well as sustainable cultural change in the workplace.
St Barbara Excellence in Company Programs and Performance Award
Vanessa Davies, National General Manager, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenous Engagement at the Compass Group in Perth for the Launch into Work program which supports long-term unemployed women.
Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award
Larnie Mackay, Digital Transformation: Underground Project Lead, Anglo American in Moranbah Queensland for her innovation and perseverance in leading the development of the first and so far only electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground coal mining in Australia.
Thiess Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award
Jennifer Ward, Open Pit Supervisor at Newmont’s Boddington gold mine in Western Australia for her strong leadership and influence on-site and in the community.