Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Anika Weimer and I’m an electrical apprentice working underground at Chain Valley Colliery.
When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?
I started in the mining industry when I began my electrical apprenticeship at Chain Valley. Before starting my apprenticeship, I worked in the power station and experienced the other side of the coal industry but working underground was a completely new experience for me.
How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?
My job now is very different to what I wanted to be as a kid. Growing up I wanted to be a hairdresser or a nurse as I got older, and I started pursuing a nursing career which is very different to where I have ended up working now underground. Working in mining was never something I expected for myself growing up but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What’s a usual day at work entail?
There are honestly no usual days underground especially as an apprentice. Every day comes with new challenges and something different happening. My days can include maintenance, installations, inspections, fault finding, and repairs. As an apprentice I get to work with a variety of trades on all different jobs which lets me experience all the different aspects of mining.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is the people I get to work with and the atmosphere of the crew underground. I also enjoy the variety of work, learning new things and problem solving.
The worst thing?
Working underground can be hot, dirty and physically demanding. Some days are definitely harder than others but that’s all part of the job.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges was stepping into a role as the first female underground employee at my site. When I started out my apprenticeship there were no other girls working underground so there was definitely some pressure to prove myself and fit in, but the crew were great and adjusted really well which made it a lot easier.
What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?
I think people would be surprised with the amount of teamwork and problem solving that is required underground. A lot of people probably assume mining is just physical labour but there is a lot of technical work required and everyone relies on each other to keep things running safely.
What’s your best advice for people about to enter the industry?
Don’t be afraid to give it a go, ask questions and step outside your comfort zone. It can be intimidating at first but if you work hard, listen to the people around you and back yourself you’ll gain confidence pretty quickly.
The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?
I’m still learning a lot about the industry myself but from my experiences so far, I think a lot of people from the outside don’t see the opportunities mining creates for the local community by providing jobs for families, supporting local businesses and providing resources that people rely on every day. I’ve seen how much effort goes into safety, environmental responsibilities and operating in a more sustainable way. While different sources of energy continue to develop coal still plays a major role in providing reliable energy. I don’t think enough people realise how important the industry still is to everyday life and the Australian economy.
