Women in Mining Awards 2026

Hope Mulvihill, Glencore Coal Assets Australia

A one off vacation placement at a gold mine was all Hope needed to realise her passion for mining and to switch university degrees from Civil Engineering to Mine Engineering.  As a result, Hope became the first ever female president of the University of Queensland’s Mining and Metallurgy Association student chapter and vice president of the AusIMM student chapter.

Hope joined Glencore in 2011 as part of the management crew for the Liddell Seam Project, designed to extend the life of Ravensworth Underground mine.  In 2013, Hope transitioned to Glencore Coal Assets Australia (GCAA) as a Senior Mining Engineer and later, Senior Business Analyst, where she was involved in mine planning, economic modelling as well as technical and financial due diligence.

In 2024, Hope rose to the position of General Manager of Business Development and Technical Services, overseeing governance, business planning, merger and acquisition due diligence assessments and project support.

Her years of experience have driven Hope to become a strong advocate for women to see mining as a dynamic and fulfilling career path.  Hope regularly speaks at careers events and visits local high schools to discuss career opportunities, particularly for women, in the mining industry.  In particular, she shares her experience in forging a successful work-life-balance, managing family time alongside a senior mining role.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee congratulated Hope on being named this year’s Exceptional Woman in Mining, highlighting her achievements as another example of world-class women in mining.

“Hope’s determination from a young age to forge a career in mining, and her rise to a position of significant responsibility within Glencore is a great example for other young women exploring their career options.  Hope’s example also highlights the opportunities for women in our industry.”

Jenny Park, Glencore Coal Assets Australia

As Process Engineer (South), Jenny oversees coal quality, production, and costs across Glencore’s NSW Coal Handling Preparation Plants (CHPPs), driving operational efficiencies. Jenny kicked off her career in Glencore’s graduate program, completing rotations at Liddell CHPP and Ulan Surface Operations, which inspired her understanding of the importance of coal to NSW.

Jenny’s hard work and passion for her job saw her promoted to Process Engineering and Logistics Coordinator in 2018 and then to her current role as Process Engineer (South) in 2020, making her the first female to join Glencore’s corporate processing team. Jenny also stepped up as CHPP Production Superintendent, providing her with critical leadership experience.

In addition to her work in Australia, Jenny gained valuable international experience while working in Glencore’s Canadian operations. During her time at Elk Valley Resources, Jenny focused on optimising production processes and improving efficiency in a diverse, global work environment. She worked closely with cross-functional teams to address challenges in geotechnically challenging operations and enhance the overall coal handling process. This experience broadened her technical expertise and provided a global perspective on mining operations.

Jenny has used her experiences to drive process improvements and optimisation in her current role as Process Engineer (South). She has also contributed significant time and effort to mentoring the next generation of engineers, particularly women. Jenny has been an active advocate within local schools and universities, particularly encouraging young women to pursue STEM subjects to help them start their careers in mining.

Su Nee Tan, Orica

Su Nee has recognised and set out to solve numerous key demands in the delivery, handling, and usage of bulk explosives in underground mines. While bulk explosives are ideally suited to underground mining, modern applications are extremely challenging – including the capability to be placed and remain suspended in roofs of tunnels for extended periods of time – and then efficiently delivering blasting energy where needed. All this relies on pumping of the products through extended distances in delivery hoses where the inherent physical properties of the explosives make them prone to hose blocking during delivery.

Under Su Nee’s leadership and initiative, a multi-skilled team at Orica has invented a solution that applies a special sulfonation technology, typically used in the automotive industry, to create a new type of surface on the inside of the hoses and allow them to reliably deliver the explosives.

The outcome of Su Nee’s work has been the development of a new Orica product, the Powerhose MK3. The product is a critical component of Orica’s new global 4D™ UG Program, that is expected to significantly change the landscape of underground mining.

Danica Tyrrell, Newmont

Danica grew up in a mining family, and although she wasn’t sure she wanted to follow in Dad’s footsteps, she took the opportunity to test the waters as Confined Spaces Entry Officer at Cadia Valley Operations in 1999.  This experience solidified Danica’s passion for mining and she quickly gained experience with a range of heavy machinery.

In 2003, Danica found her niche, transitioning to the role of Mine Dispatcher where she enjoyed the fast paced, the emphasis on safety, fleet optimisation and problem solving.

In 2011 Danica and her family relocated to the Hunter where Danica took up a role as a Dispatcher at Mount Arthur.  The size and complexity of the Mount Arthur operation drove Danica to excel, becoming one of only six people in Australia to hold a Level 3 Modular Specialist Dispatcher Certificate.

Relocating to Orange in 2015, Danica took up a role as a Site Asset Operations Centre (SAOC) Technician and became the only female working the SAOC to hold the role of dual concentrator Control Room Operator.  Today, Danica works as the Senior SAOC Analyst at Newmont.

Danica has been a strong advocate for women seeking to foster a career in mining.  She has been heavily involved in the WIMnet network and has also developed a passion for wellbeing in the workplace.  Danica plays an active role in Cadia’s Peer-to-Peer Support Network, where she provides mental health and first aid support to colleagues in need.

Stephanie Gelland, Kingston Resources

Stephanie’s 18 year career in the mining industry has seen her lead programs both in her professional and volunteer roles which have made a significant difference for women.

Stephanie currently works for Kingston Resources, an emerging metals producer that has restarted a mine near Condobolin and has an exploration project in Papua New Guinea. Since 2022, workforce size at the Condobolin mine has grown from 30 to 100, with female participation exceeding 20% in professional and operator roles. In Kingston’s Papua New Guinea exploration project Stephanie is leading an initiative empowering local women, including a Women in Business Initiative, which has assisted over 600 participants.

Stephanie has been a tireless volunteer and leader of WIMnet NSW. Joining in 2015, Stephanie has held the positions of co-lead for the WIMnet Mentoring program, Vice Chair and is currently chair. A hands-on leader, Stephanie’s human resources skills have been invaluable to WIMnet.

Glencore First Nations Pathway Program 

Award accepted by Carrie Bendeich, First Nations Programs Coordinator.

The Glencore First Nations Pathway Program (FNPP) provides a 26-week paid industry-ready training course targeting First Nations peoples, and First Nations women who will profoundly benefit from pre-employment training; transition-to-work support; and specific support services needed to overcome challenges and barriers to employment.

The program produces high quality job ready candidates. Graduation requires not only participation, but regular performance reviews, with expectations set across Attendance; Attitude; Communication; Safety; Values and Technical Skills.

The program is in operation across the operations in the Hunter Valley and Bowen Basin, and is showing sustained results. In 2024, with all 12 NSW participants graduated the program and went on to secure job offers within the industry. Seven of the 12 participants were women, achieving a key goal of the program to increase women’s participation. Since 2021, the program has helped 58 women participants across NSW and QLD become workforce and industry ready.

Website

BHP Mt Arthur Coal is proud to sponsor the 2026 NSW Women in Mining Awards.

At BHP, we’re committed to providing a safe, inclusive and diverse workplace; it’s a commitment that’s embedded in Our Charter and is critical to our success.

In 2016, we set an aspirational goal to achieve gender balance globally by 2025, and there are over 10,000 more women now working at BHP than when we set our goal. Our aspiration is about harnessing the enormous potential that a more inclusive and diverse workplace will deliver at BHP, so we can leave a positive legacy for generations to come.

Website

Established in 2011, Evolution Mining has grown into a globally relevant gold producer that prospers through the cycle, with a reputation for delivering value to all stakeholders. Today, we operate six mines in Australia and Canada with a portfolio vision of up to eight assets, in Tier 1 jurisdictions, generating superior returns.

Our priority is to keep our people safe and well, provide a diverse and respectful workplace and create sustainable value for all stakeholders in an environmentally and socially responsible way. With a bold team focused on financial discipline and a high-performing culture, where values and reputation are non-negotiables, Evolution has a bright future.

Website

Thiess partners with its clients to deliver excellence in open cut and underground mining in Australia, Asia and the Americas. For almost 90 years, Thiess has operated in diverse commodities, geologies, environments and cultures. The team uses that global insight to optimise solutions and create value for each project, positioning them for optimal efficiency, productivity and cost performance, backed by how they meet their commitments. Thiess is committed to being at the forefront of sustainable mining, leveraging the power of its people and technology to drive sustainable change.

Website

For 20 years, Yancoal Australia has been contributing to the Australian coal industry, communities where we operate and broader society. With over 4,500 people working across our operations in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, Yancoal’s story goes beyond the product we mine. It is about the positive impact we have on people’s lives, as we continue to deliver lasting benefits for all of our stakeholders.

Website

Team Super is the top specialist super fund for transport, energy and mining workers, with a strong history of helping deliver exceptional retirement outcomes to our members since 1941.

The Team Super difference:

• Top performing fund – Team Super was awarded Money magazine’s Best Super fund of the year for 2025, as well as Best-value super fund for young people for the second time in a row.
• Insurance for our members – We’ve got your back. Our flexible insurance cover options can help financially protect you and your family if you’re unable to work or if the unexpected happens – and you can change your level of insurance anytime.
• Advice when it matters – We offer all Team Super members a complimentary first appointment with Team Super Financial Advice.

Team Super offers its members super, pension, insurance and financial advice services.

Website

In operation for over 25 years, Bengalla Mining Company is located 15km west of Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter. We aim to be a world class operation and a valued supplier, employer and community partner. Our mission is to produce safe, productive and profitable coal with strong community/environmental performance and market presence. Our contribution to the local community extends beyond the immediate economic benefits of our business. Bengalla supports a wide range of projects and partnerships to build stronger and more sustainable communities. Most importantly we invest in the local communities surrounding our operation.

Website

Newmont (ASX: NEM) is the world’s leading gold company, a producer of copper, zinc, lead and silver and Australia’s only molybdenum producer. The company’s world-class portfolio of assets, prospects and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in Australia, Africa, Latin America, North America and Papua New Guinea. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social and governance practices. The company is an industry leader in value creation, supported by robust safety standards, superior execution and technical expertise.

Website

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets.

For more than a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create consumer products.

The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.

Website

Aurelia Metals Limited (ASX: AMI) is an Australian mining and exploration company with a highly strategic landholding and two polymetallic underground mines, the Peak and Federation Mines, location in the Cobar Basin in western New South Wales. In this region, the company holds one of the most geologically prospective ground positions in Australia and have the expertise and capability to discover and convert this endowment to unlock exceptional value for its shareholders. Additionally, Aurelia has a consented, high-grade copper development project located proximate to the Peak Mine underground infrastructure, Great Cobar.