School was in for the MMG Dugald River team when it hosted a group of students on site. Cloncurry State School toured the mine facilities and gained helpful insights about careers in mining.
Dugald River’s support for International Women’s Day was the perfect backdrop for inviting over 20 female students and teachers across years 8 to 12 to visit the mine. The site showcased the great value women working in the resources sector can bring to the industry.
Following a welcome morning tea and visitor induction with General Manager, Tim Akroyd, students donned personal protective equipment and set off on a bus tour. Starting with Dugald River’s impressive Processing Plant, the students were shown the ‘bubble experiment’ with a jar of water and detergent, simulating the flotation process used to separate and extract valuable mineral from the unwanted material. Next, they visited the North Portal opening, which is one of two main entrances used for trucking ore to the surface using specialist heavy machinery. The students experienced an up-close view of the scale of this vast entry point.
The highlight of the day was hearing from several female employees who are forging their careers in mining and the pathways they have taken to get there. Students heard stories of resilience as employees related working in the fast food industry to pay for university, studying while raising a young family and travelling the country to pursue their ambitions. In particular, Larrae Rencoule’s story resonated with many of the students. Larrae left school early and tried her hand at various jobs before landing her current MMG Apprentice Electrician role.
At the start of the day, students were asked whether they were considering a job in mining, with only two raising their hands. When the same question was put to them at the conclusion of talks, half of the group raised their hands. The teachers were very pleased with the response and encouraged MMG to conduct more school visits, thanking the site team for sharing this exclusive access with the local school community.
“It was great to see the next generation take an interest in mining and consider the endless opportunities available to girls and women who have so much to offer this industry. We definitely encourage any students who are considering a job in Resources to look out for our Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program which we advertise in July,” said Jody Seymour, Traineeship Coordinator.
A good day would not be complete without a BBQ lunch where students, teachers, and Dugald River employees were able to eat and mingle together before the students returned to school.
MMG Dugald River encourages and supports gender diversity and equality. In celebration of International Women’s Day, the site’s team was proud to host the experience for local female students. MMG also sponsored the Sisters of the North Picnic Day and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland breakfast in Mount Isa.
