NSW finalists win two major awards at Women in Resources National Awards

6th September 2023

NSW finalists win two major awards at Women in Resources National Awards

The outstanding achievements of women in mining in NSW have been recognised with NSW finalists winning two of the five awards announced at the 2023 Women in Resources National Awards held in Canberra last night.

Bianca Newcombe, owner and principal metallurgist of Orange-based business OptiFroth Solutions, has won the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1998, Bianca completed her PhD in Mineral Processing in 2014 before working on mine sites in production metallurgy for companies including Newcrest and Evolution Mining. Also in 2014 Bianca started her own mining support business, OptiFroth Solutions, which specialises in mineral process engineering utilising a ‘froth flotation’ system for separating metals like copper, zinc, silver, nickel and gold from mined material. Since starting OptiFroth, Bianca has been able to support mining operations in Australia, Asia, Africa, Canada and South America.

Lucy McClean, Chair of Women in Mining NSW, won the Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award for her work as Chair of WIMnet NSW, the key network to support, nurture, connect, recognise and empower women in the NSW resources sector. Lucy’s tenure as Chair has seen a 43 per cent increase in mentee/mentor participation as well as an increase in industry sponsorship. Lucy has also volunteered as a WIMnet NSW mentor since 2017.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee congratulated the NSW winners and finalists for their accomplishments and recognition through the national awards.

“It’s fantastic to see our NSW winners recognised nationally for their remarkable achievements as women working in the NSW mining industry,” Mr Galilee said.

“Whether it’s through pioneering industry-leading technology or highlighting the diversity and career pathways available to women in the mining sector, these award winners are making an important and growing contribution to our industry.”

“Congratulations also go to all of our NSW finalists of this year’s national awards, with their own contributions recognised at the NSW Women in Mining Awards earlier this year.”

The Women in Resources National Awards, hosted by the Minerals Council of Australia, are the peak industry accolades for women in the resources industry.

The full list of award winners can be found on the Minerals Council of Australia website.

Contact: Brad Emery