Fifteen Anglo American female employees have taken out top honours today at the Queensland Resources Council’s 2010 Resources Awards for Women (RAW) held in Brisbane.
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal’s (AAMC) Foxleigh Mine located near Middlemount in Central Queensland was awarded the Best Company Initiative for the introduction of its entry-level “Hot Seat Crew” for haul truck operators, while Dawson Mine Production Trainee, Patricia Rankin received Highly Commended in the Operator category.
AAMC Head of Human Resources David Diamond said the company was delighted to be leading the way within the resource industry with its workforce diversity programs and initiatives.
“Mining has historically been a male-dominated industry, today I’m pleased to report Anglo American is making real progress in attracting and retaining an increasing number of women, especially in non-traditional female roles such as engineering and machine operation,” David said.
“Anglo American’s winning Foxleigh Mine’s “Hot Seat Crew” campaign provides women with a genuine entry-level opening into the resource industry.
“The introduction of flexible working hours, primarily in day shift, has resulted in close to 75% of the 19-person production crew being female,” David said.
Foxleigh Mine General Manager Martin Ryan said the “Hot Seat Crew” had launched the mining careers of 15 previously unskilled mining personnel.
“Our “Hot Seat Crew” members now have much sought after operator skills and work experience, and are directly responsible for increasing our equipment utilisation and production rates by one hour each day per truck and excavator,” Martin said.
AAMC Dawson Mine’s production trainee Patricia Rankin’s achievements in encouraging women from her home community, Woorabinda, to work in non-traditional roles were fittingly recognised when she was presented with a High Commendation in the 2010 RAW Operator category.
“The Dawson Mine Readiness Program and Production Traineeship have had such a positive impact on my life,” Patricia said.
“My interest in joining the mining industry has never been a case of remuneration being the major attraction, rather it was the opportunity to be a positive role model for my children and for the other women in my community,” she said.
For further information:
Jacqui Strambi
Tel: 07 3834 1935