Australian schoolgirls explore mining careers

The 14 girls took part in the tour, organised by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), which coincides with National Science Week.

QMEA Ambassador and former Nanango State High School student Sarah Coughlan led the tour. She’s now a graduate engineer at Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine and one of the small percentage of women who work underground in the sector.

Coughlan said: “Without the QMEA I would never have imagined a career in this industry and I really want to share with the girls the fantastic opportunities it offers and the interesting career options…I’d really love to see more women come and work in our sector and it’s great to see all the initiatives that have been put in place by resources companies to attract and retain women.”

Katrina-Lee Jones, Director Skills, Education and Training Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said: “The six-hour experience included a mine site induction and observation of underground operations, and we’re hopeful that it will help promote mining careers to women.

“Currently women represent 15% of our resources sector workforce in Queensland and this sort of activity will help the QRC’s members reach our shared goal of at least 20% by 2020.

“Anglo American continually looks for innovative ways to help women launch a career in underground coal mining and we were really pleased to welcome the group of students to our mine today,” said Paul Stephan General Manager, Moranbah North.

The QMEA is a partnership between QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 46 schools throughout Queensland.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/17082018/australian-schoolgirls-explore-mining-careers/