Drayton mine second year automotive electrician apprentice Gabrielle Horn has taken out the Rising Star Award at the inaugural Women in Mining New South Wales (WIMIN_NSW) Awards announced in Sydney on Thursday last week at an event coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Gabrielle was one of four winners announced from across the New South Wales mining industry, recognised for her continuing development as a woman working in a non-traditional role and her passion for promoting the resources industry to other women.
“Over the course of my career, I would like to use my role as a woman in the workshop to change perceptions about women working in non-traditional roles and see the percentage of women working in these environments increase over time,” Gabrielle said.
Originally enrolled in nutrition and dietetics at university, after two years of study Gabrielle decided she wanted to do something different and applied for an apprenticeship with Anglo American. She said she hasn’t looked back.
These days Singleton local Gabrielle works alongside a qualified tradesperson to complete a range of planned maintenance works on huge mining equipment or fault finding work on breakdowns, either in the Drayton mine workshop or out in the pit.
“I have been very fortunate to learn from Drayton mine Engineering and Maintenance Supervisor, Mark Vallance and Auto Electrician Dean Moore who have provided me with lots of support as I start out in my career,” she said.
“I plan to use my award as an opportunity to raise the profile of women in mining and encourage and inspire more women to consider applying for apprenticeships or pursuing careers in mining.”
Metallurgical Coal CEO Seamus French congratulated Gabrielle on her award and said she provided a shining example of the significant contribution women were making across Anglo American.
“Gabrielle is not only doing well in her trade and making her mark on the workshop at Drayton, but she is also going above and beyond through her willingness to provide support to other women starting out in our industry,” Seamus said.
“Met Coal is a fantastic business with many exciting career opportunities.
“We would like to see the representation of women at Met Coal grow to 20 per cent over the next five years and it’s through role models like Gabrielle that we will encourage more women to consider careers with us now and into the future.”
Drayton mine HR Manager Karine Williams said the Drayton mine was very proud of Gabrielle’s achievement.
“We look forward to watching her career grow and to her being a role model for women in the industry, or those considering entering the industry,” Karine said.
“It is fitting that we recognise the people who have mentored and encouraged Gabrielle along the way, especially her family and the people in her department.”
ENDS
Contact Metallurgical Coal Corporate Affairs (Australia):
Jacqui Strambi: +61 439 774 526
Notes to editors:
Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
www.angloamerican.com