Female trailblazers paving the way for a new generation of NSW miners

There are thousands of women and gender diversity champions breaking through barriers and empowering more and more women to see mining as a dynamic and rewarding career path.

To recognise this fact, the trailblazing achievements of women working in the NSW mining industry are celebrated annually at the NSW Women in Mining Awards.

These awards highlight the efforts and achievements of women and gender diversity champions, demonstrating to young women the potential career opportunities in the NSW mining industry.

Pictured: 2022 NSW Women in Mining Awards – Winners (except for Emily Jaques, Newcrest Mining– Cadia Valley Operations) L-R: Tamara Woods, Hetherington, Michelle Wetherell, CMOC-Northparkes Mines, Casey Martin, Alkane Resources – Tomingley Gold Operations and Lyndsay Potts, Newcrest Mining– Cadia Valley Operations.

With the February 6 deadline for entries fast approaching, the NSW Minerals Council is calling on the NSW industry and suppliers not to delay in nominating exceptional women in their workforce.

Last year’s ‘Exceptional Woman in Mining’ winner, Lyndsay Potts was the first female Mine Manager at Cadia. Her leadership brought significant health and safety improvements and saw Cadia East achieve a record 221 days without any recordable injuries.

Lyndsay has juggled an impressive career while raising three young children. She has used her leadership role at Cadia to advocate for women in mining.

Hetherington’s Tamara Woods was named NSW Exceptional Young Woman in Mining. Tamara has become a highly regarded senior adviser, developing community consultation strategies. Her work includes navigating and enhancing negotiations for important mining and exploration projects between all parties.

Emily Jaques from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations received the Technological Innovation Award for developing the world’s first application of HydrofloatTM technology for the recovery of sulphides. The HydrofloatTM technology was used successfully in other applications, but this was the first use in a sulphide operation anywhere in the world.

Michelle Wetherell from CMOC-Northparkes Mines was awarded the Gender Diversity Champion Award for introducing the company’s parental leave program resulting in a one hundred per cent return to work rate.

The Outstanding Trade, Operator or Technician Award was presented to Casey Martin from Alkane Resources – Tomingley Gold Operations, a pioneer for women seeking to forge a career in mining, particularly nontraditional roles.

In her previous position at the CSA mine in Cobar, Casey was the first woman on-site to gain a Blasting Explosives User License. In 2021, Casey joined Tomingley Gold Operations as an Underground Bogger Operator, again breaking new ground as the first woman underground at the mine.

If you know a fantastic woman working in the NSW mining industry, send in a nomination for one of the award categories.

Enter the NSW Women in Mining Awards today!

Entries close on Monday, 6 February; visit www.nswwomeninmining.com for award criteria and to enter.