NSW Women in Mining Awards Finalists 2025
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.
Penny Woodward, Malabar Resources
As a bassoon player in touring orchestras, Penny’s first career was a world away from mining. However, following her studies, she landed a role at Hunter Valley Operations Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) and found that she was able to transfer many of her learnings from being an orchestral music performer to the mining sector.
The resilience, perseverance and dedication she had learned as a top level musician stayed with her as she applied herself to her mining career, eventually taking on the role of Process Engineer onsite at Bengalla Mining Company.
Over the following nine years, Penny completed a Graduate Certificate in Management and rose from Process Engineer, to Process Specialist and eventually to Process Superintendent.
In 2022, Penny took on the role of CHPP Process Superintendent at Malabar resources, which she considers her career highlight. Penny has played a pivotal role in the start-up of the Malabar CHPP, restarting an operation that had been left idle for seven years. Penny’s role included implementing new systems and strategies, developing the CHPP to a point where it could operate efficiently and successfully once more.
Penny has also played an active role in the workplace and as Chairperson of the NSW branch of the Australian Coal Preparation Society to advocate for changes designed to make mining more attractive as a career path for women.
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.
Siena Linforth, Dartbrook Coal
As a high school student Siena was fascinated by STEM oriented programs, eventually leading to her studying a Bachelor of Engineering at University. Within her first semester of study, Siena was invited to take on a summer internship with Glencore’s Coal Vacation Program in Clermont QLD. Siena never looked back.
In 2024 Siena joined Dartbrook’s summer work experience and was so enthusiastic about the work, she transferred her course online and successfully balanced her studies to work full time at the Dartbrook mine. Even with such a demanding schedule Sienna achieved a GPA of 5.5.
Within her first three months of work at Dartbrook, Sienna was handed project coordination responsibilities for a coal handling circuit. In November 2024, the project culminated in the first coal train rolling out of the Dartbrook CHPP in 20 years.
Siena has also been a strong advocate for more women to join the Dartbrook workforce and for greater emphasis on understanding the valuable contribution women can make to the mining industry. As part of this Sienna supported University students during their vacation programs at Dartbrook, two thirds of which were women.
Tapuwa Shambira, Yancoal Australia
Tapuwa was attracted to a career in mining after learning about the critical contribution it made to so many industries, including steel making and electricity generation. Tapuwa joined Yancoal’s Graduate program as a Mechanical Engineering Graduate and advanced quickly, obtaining her supervisor qualifications within three months and taking up responsibility for managing various shut downs.
One of the major achievements of Tapua’s career was as Major Shutdown Coordinator for the Thickener Overhaul, a critical operational component. The project proved challenging due to unforeseen difficulties, however Tapua was able to adapt, keep all her team members safe, and complete the project with minimal delays.
A particular passion for Tapua as part of her career development has been inspiring other young professionals, especially women, to support one another through shared experiences. Tapuwa is currently developing a career network for early-stage professionals to regularly connect and build relationships.
Tapua has also been involved in key mining careers initiatives, including speaking to highschool students at NSW Minerals Council careers dinners to encourage young people, especially women, to consider a career in mining.
Cassidy Morley, Whitehaven Coal
Since leaving the Army to start work at the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) at Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri Coal Underground, Cassidy has excelled. She has completed her two year training course ahead of time, and is the first woman to complete this course.Cassidy is the first woman to work in the Narrabri CHPP, and has blazed a trail for other women.
In her short time in the industry Cassidy has risen to an Operator 3 level and been given opportunities to take on an Acting Supervisor role. Cassidy offers support and mentoring to other women joining the still largely male dominated workforce at her operation. Cassidy continues to be part of the Army Reserves where her leadership qualities have been recognised by promotion.
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.
Kelly Robinson, Orica
Kelly has improved a standardised Reactive Ground system for Bulk Explosives Testing. Reactive Ground in mining refers to rock or ore ground conditions where the material could undergo spontaneous and unexpected exothermic reaction with the ammonium nitrate-containing explosives. In the past 50 years there have been over 30 such global incidents as a result of these reactions, some causing serious injuries.
As bulk explosives technology becomes more demanding, the current Reactive Ground tests have become inadequate and expensive. They do not allow for the expansion of new and novel customer value propositions in mining, including the extension of the time the explosives can remain in the ground after loading (sleep time).
Kelly has developed a novel synthetic reactive ground reference material. This innovation allows for the standardisation of reactive testing across Orica’s global sites and enables further work to be undertaken to extend sleep time by a factor of three. Kelly’s innovation has been instrumental in developing safety cases that extend the commercial applications of Orica’s bulk explosive products in Reactive Ground.
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.
Stephanie Black, Coal Port Services
Stephanie’s 25 year career in the NSW mining sector has been marked by a commitment and determination to foster greater participation and inclusion for women working in mining.
As founder and Managing Director of Coal Port Services, Stephanie has sought to model a workplace that empowers women to build a thriving career, balanced with the importance of family life. This included pioneering practical on-ground work-life-balance initiatives at a time when such initiatives were rare in the sector. These included flexible work hours, digital systems that facilitated remote work options, and shifts that worked around family childcare and school commitments.
Responding to the industry’s need for new talent and leadership, Stephanie launched the Emerging Leaders Program, an initiative designed to connect young mining sector workers with industry veterans to share their years of experience and help grow the careers of emerging leaders. Over the last two years this groundbreaking program has supported 40 young leaders in growing their careers, including 16 women.
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.
Matthew Ireland, Newmont
Throughout his career, Matthew has been a strong advocate for creating a workplace environment that empowers everyone with the opportunity to succeed. As Manager-Ridgway at Newmont Cadia, Matthew has championed a more inclusive workplace with a focus on attracting, retaining and promoting more women and other underrepresented demographics to the workforce.
Matthew has taken a leadership advocacy role as a Regional Ally Lead for the Women and Allies Business Resource Group, through which he has worked hard to promote gender diversity at Newmont particularly in leadership roles. Matthew is also developing the Women in Mining ‘Get into Resources Program’ which seeks to attract new women to the workforce through practical initiatives such as part-time and other flexible work arrangements.
Matthews vision for the future of Newmont is to have women making up fifty percent of the workforce. In addition to his work to promote leadership roles for women, Matthew has advocated for the importance of awareness of the needs of neurodiverse employees, ensuring those on the autism spectrum or with other cognitive differences have the support they need to reach their full potential.
Glencore First Nations Pathway Program
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.