Singleton High’s HunterWISE students get up close and personal at Liddell Open Cut Mine.
There’s nothing like hands on practical experience to inspire students and you don’t get much more hands on then visiting an operating coal mine.
16 Singleton High School Year 8 students, teachers and HunterWiSE mentors got that opportunity recently when Glencore’s Liddell Open Cut site hosted a visit.
The students are part of the Girls in STEM initiative through the University of Newcastle’s HunterWiSE program. HunterWiSE is an initiative that establishes mentorship avenues for women in STEM throughout the Hunter region promoting positive collaboration and sharing of experiences aimed at increasing the number of girls and women participating in STEM.
As a partner of HunterWISE’s program, Glencore generously donated $15,000 to Singleton High to participate in the Outreach Program which includes mentoring from HunterWISE mentors and mine site visits.
During their visit the girls enjoyed exploring the CHPP where they were introduced to the chemistry of coal handling, experiencing up close the size and scale of mining equipment in the heavy mechanical workshops and visiting rehabilitation areas where they learnt about spoil, topsoil placement, planting methods and ground shaping, through to final landform and grazing use.
During their visit the girls enjoyed exploring the CHPP where they were introduced to the chemistry of coal handling, experiencing up close the size and scale of mining equipment in the heavy mechanical workshops and visiting rehabilitation areas where they learnt about spoil, topsoil placement, planting methods and ground shaping, through to final landform and grazing use.
They also drove into the pit to the inspection lookout to witness and discuss the pit floor workings and geology and throughout the whole day received interesting presentations and informative talks from a range of Liddell’s female mining professionals.
“The site visit was a fun and interactive way for the girls to experience coal mining. They were shown around by Liddell’s many female mining professionals, who shared their personal stories and encouragement with the students,” said Glencore Representative, Tracey Snedden.
“The girls were all beautifully behaved and attentive throughout the entire day, a real credit to Singleton High School and we are proud to be part of such a worthy program that is encouraging more young women to consider a STEM career.”
