The mining industry is making steady progress towards gender parity, however there is still a long way to go with women only making up 14% of the NSW mining industry. The annual NSW Women in Mining Awards are a celebration of the achievements of the women who continue to pave the way forward and also a recognition of every other woman who has contributed to the mining industry and helped address the systemic barriers and biases that women face in mining every single day.

Congratulations to the winners of the six award categories who will go on to represent NSW at the Women in Resources National Awards.

EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN

HOPE MULVIHILL – GLENCORE COAL ASSETS AUSTRALIA (GCAA)

Hope’s passion for mining came from a one-off vacation placement at a gold mine which prompted her to switch degrees from Civil Engineering to Mine Engineering. From there Hope dove right in, becoming the first ever female president of the University of Queensland’s Mining and Metallurgy Association student chapter and vice president of the AusIMM student chapter.

Hope joined Glencore in 2011 as part of the management crew for the Liddell Seam Project, in 2013 she transitioned to GCAA as a Senior Mining Engineer and later, Senior Business Analyst, where she was involved in mine planning, economic modelling as well as technical and financial due diligence. In 2024, Hope rose to the position of General Manager of Business Development and Technical Services.

Her years of experience have driven Hope to become a strong advocate for women to see mining as a dynamic and fulfilling career path. Hope regularly speaks at careers events and visits local high schools to discuss career opportunities, particularly for women, in the mining industry.  In particular, she shares her experience in forging a successful work-life-balance, managing family time alongside a senior mining role.

“Whilst progress is being made in female participation in the NSW mining industry there is still work to be done. A male colleague once questioned why women have programs such as the Women in Mining Network (WIMNet) and why there are none for men. When I told him he would be welcome at WIMnet he said he wouldn’t be comfortable walking into a room filled with women! It wasn’t until I told him that walking into a room filled with the opposite gender is what I have to do every single day that he began to understand why we need programs and event like these awards as they play an essential role in reshaping cultural norms.”

EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG WOMAN

JENNY PARK – GLENCORE COAL ASSETS AUSTALIA

In 2020, Jenny Park was the first female to join Glencore’s corporate processing team taking on the role of Process Engineer (South). She also stepped up as CHPP Production Superintendent, providing her with critical leadership experience.

Jenny’s career in mining started through Glencore’s graduate program, completing rotations at Liddell CHPP and Ulan Surface Operations. From there she was promoted to Process Engineering and Logistics Coordinator in 2018 and then to her current role. Jenny also expanded her knowledge gaining valuable experience overseas at Glencore Canadian operations.

As Process Engineer (South), Jenny oversees coal quality, production, and costs across Glencore’s NSW CHPPs, driving operational efficiencies. While in that role, she has contributed a significant amount of time and effort to mentoring the next generation of engineers, particularly women.

Jenny has also spent time at local schools and universities encouraging young women to pursue STEM subjects to help them start their career in mining.

“This award is testament to the support and the mentoring I have received throughout my whole career. I have never been to an event on this scale, and I am truly amazed by the support here for women in mining. Congratulations to everyone here, you are not just shaping the industry but are inspiring future generations to follow in your footsteps.”

EXCEPTIONAL TRADESWOMAN/OPERATOR/TECHNICIAN

DANICA TYRRELL – NEWMONT

Danica discovered a passion for mining she wasn’t sure she had back in 1999, following in her dad’s footsteps at Cadia Valley Operations as a Confined Spaces Entry Officer. It was that job that solidified Danica’s passion for mining and she quickly gained experience with a range of heavy machinery.

In 2003 Danica found herself as a Mine Dispatcher, and in 2011 relocated to the Hunter where she took up the role at Mount Arthur. It was there that Danica became one of only six people in Australia to hold a Level 3 Modular Specialist Dispatcher Certificate.

Danica relocated to Orange in 2015 where she took up a role as a Site Asset Operations Centre Technician and became the only female working the centre to hold the role of dual concentrator Control Room Operator. Today, Danica works as the Senior SAOC Analyst at Newmont.

Danica has been a strong advocate for women seeking to foster a career in mining. She has been heavily involved in the WIMnet network and has also developed a passion for wellbeing in the workplace.

“During my 25 years in this industry I have witnessed incredible progress and there is a heightened awareness and support for work life balance. It’s so important to have events like this showing the opportunities that are out there. When I was in school, mining was not really considered an option for women, so it’s important we keep raising awareness so that girls know that there is a place for them in mining.”

EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

SU NEE TAN – ORICA

Su Nee has invented a solution for Orica to enable them to reliably deliver explosives with the potential to significantly change the landscape of underground mining.

Bulk explosives are ideally suited to underground mining and modern applications can be extremely challenging, including the capability to be placed and remain suspended in roofs of tunnels for extended periods of time and then effectively delivering blasting energy where needed. All this relies on pumping of the products through extended distances in delivery hoses where the inherent physical properties of the explosives make them prone to hose blocking during delivery.

Under Su Nee’s leadership and initiative, a multi-skilled team at Orica has invented a solution that applies a special sulfonation technology, typically used in the automotive industry, to create a new type of surface on the inside of the hoses and allow them to reliably deliver the explosives. The outcome of Su Nee’s work has been the development of a new Orica product, the Powerhose MK3.

“Working in a male dominated environment has always been a challenge but it is changing. There are so many talented women and it is important to showcase what they contribute but we still need more women working in technology to bring fresh perspective and create a more adaptable and resilient workforce. I encourage all women to support and uplift each other, celebrate our achievements, and work towards a future where diversity and inclusion lead the way to innovation.

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY CHAMPION

STEPHANIE GELLAND – KINGSTON RESOURCES

Stephanie has been in the mining industry for 18 years and over that time has led several programs in her professional and volunteer roles which have made a significant difference for women.

Stephanie works for Kingston Resources whose female participation exceeds 20% in professional and operator roles. In Kingston’s Papua New Guinea exploration project Stephanie is leading an initiative empowering local women, including a Women in Business Initiative, which has assisted over 600 participants.

Stephanie has been a tireless volunteer and leader of WIMnet NSW. Joining in 2015, Stephanie has held the position of co-lead for the WIMnet Mentoring program, Vice Chair and is currently chair.

“One of the biggest challenges I have found in my career is not having enough women at the table. There are a lot of women coming into the industry in entry level roles which is fantastic, but as you progress through your career there are less and less of them. We need these awards because while we are still so far from having parity, it is important that we celebrate the journey we have had so far and recognise we need to keep moving forward and pave the way for greater equity in our industry.”

EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY PROGRAMS AND PERFORMANCE

GLENCORE FIRST NATIONS PATHWAY PROGRAM (FNPP)

The FNPP provides a 26-week paid industry-ready training course targeting First Nations peoples who will profoundly benefit from pre-employment training; transition-to-work support; and specific support services needed to overcome challenges and barriers to employment.

The program operates across Glencore Coal’s Hunter Valley and Bowen Basin operations and is showing sustained results. Carrie Bendeich, Glencore Coal’s Indigenous Programs Coordinator accepted the award.

“This award recognises the achievements of 58 incredible women who have successfully complete the program since it started. It’s through their hard work, their resilience, and their dedication that we have been able develop the program into the lifechanging work readiness program that it is today. Our program is not an easy way in, it challenges. It pushes participants outside of their comfort zone and it drives them to break down barriers to employment, empowering them to be role models for the next generation.”