On International Women’s Day, two inspiring female leaders from Anglo American have taken out top honours in their respective categories in the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) 2022 Resources Awards for Women in Brisbane.
The awards, sponsored by Anglo American, aim to promote the Queensland resources sector as an industry of choice for women.
Kirra Harris, Manager of Anglo American’s Met Coal Analytics Centre (MAC), was named the Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources in Technological Innovation for her work in establishing the MAC and helping deliver step-change improvements in operational safety and efficiency using data science.
Kristy Purdon, Work Management Superintendent at the Capcoal Open Cut Mine in Middlemount, was recognised as the winner of the Inclusion and Diversity Champion award for her support of regional women in mining, and leading site-based cultural change and mental health initiatives.
Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, congratulated Kirra and Kristy on their awards, which recognise excellence and leadership in the Queensland resources industry.
"Congratulations to Kristy and Kirra, who are both leading the way for women in our business, and our industry. Their achievements also highlight the diversity of opportunities that exist for women who are considering where a career in mining could take them.
“As Manager of our new Met Coal Analytics Centre, Kirra is supporting the delivery of new, digitally-orientated ways of working that harness data analytics to help improve our safety and operational efficiency.
“Kristy has been instrumental in building strong networks of women in our operational areas, and helping create psychologically safe workplaces through her work as both the Chair of our site-based Inclusion and Diversity Council, and in heading up the Bowen Basin chapter of WIMARQ.
“At Anglo American, our vision is to create an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, so we’re pleased to be celebrating the achievements of Kirra, Kristy and all of the talented women we work with today,” Mr Mitchelson said.
In accepting her award, Ms Harris encouraged other young women to consider the future-enabling career opportunities that are forming an increasingly important part of mining operations.
“Careers in mining are becoming even more diverse, with exciting and sustainable career opportunities available across emerging areas like transformation, automation and data analytics. I hope to see more women from these fields considering joining the resources industry,” Ms Harris said.
Ms Purdon has long-championed regional women in the mining industry through her volunteer work for the Bowen Basin chapter of WIMARQ.
“I’ve been a WIMARQ committee member for seven years, providing support for women across our regional sites and the communities we operate in. Now at Anglo American, I’m pleased to be helping make further positive cultural change to help ensure we foster more inclusive, physiologically safe workplaces and communities,” Ms Purdon said.