Two Queensland women, Ashara Moore and Kanae Dyas, have received national recognition for their outstanding contribution to the resources sector at the BHP Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA) presented by the Minerals Council of Australia.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Officer, Janette Hewson, congratulated the two winners and all of the finalists at the awards.

“Ashara and Kanae are both deserving winners of the awards, but all our finalists are outstanding examples of the world class workforce behind the success of Queensland’s resources sector.

“Awards like these, and the joint QRC and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) State Resources Awards for Women are just one way of recognising the sector’s commitment to achieve a better gender balance in our workforce.

“Since 2006, female participation in the Queensland resources sector workforce has grown from 6 per cent to more than 22 per cent but we know we can do better to meet the growing skilled workforce needs of our industry.

“The door is wide open for more women to move into a trade or professional career pathway in Queensland’s minerals and energy sector.”

Ashara Moore is a FIFO engineer who works at BHP’s Saraji coal mine in Dysart and was named the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources.

After starting her career as the sole engineer on construction projects in remote areas, Ashara’s technical abilities saw her progress quickly through the ranks to now head a team of engineers as Portfolio Lead, accountable for the delivery of over $45 million in capital projects.

Ashara aims to encourage more women and young people into the resources sector by sharing her experiences.

At BHP, 37 per cent of its employees are now women, a figure that has more than doubled since 2016.

“BHP was proud to be the principal sponsor of the WIRNA again in 2024, an annual occasion to celebrate the many varied achievements of women in the Australian resources sector. We are especially proud of Ashara for representing BMA and inspiring future female leaders,” said a BHP spokesperson.

“We know that diverse teams are safer, more productive and engaged, and we’re committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

“By supporting these awards, we hope to inspire the next generation of female leaders and role models and to showcase the diverse and rewarding opportunities that the resources sector offers.”

The Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Resources award went to Anglo American’s Workplace Support Manager Kanae Dyas.

Kanae pioneered a program dedicated to supporting women while committing to zero tolerance of bullying, sexual harassment or discrimination. Her leadership in developing impactful programs has set a new standard for cultural and gender safety in the industry.

Anglo American was also highly commended in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance category for a suite of programs designed to drive female leadership.

Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said they are committed to ensuring true gender equity and inclusion.

“I congratulate Kanae, the passionate force behind our industry-leading Workplace Support Unit, for taking out the Inclusion and Diversity Champion award,” he said.

“She has already made great strides in improving our culture; ensuring we have safe spaces for people to speak up.”

Kanae said the resources industry had made significant progress because it had the maturity to see the value in diversity and inclusion.

“We need safe, inclusive and equitable spaces for women to thrive; career development and progression opportunities; increased leadership and executive roles for women to inform, drive and sustain change; and to close the gender pay gap,” she said.

The QRC WIMARQ Resources Awards for Women have just reopened and all women in the sector are encouraged to nominate themselves or a peer for exceptional work in the sector. For more information on the awards and nominations, visit www.judgify.me/RAW2025 A