Who are you and what do you do?
I am Darryl Messenger and I have the privilege of being the General Manager of Mt Arthur Coal.
When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?
My first job out of Uni was as an operator in a glass furnace operation. I started as a shift worker making glass bottles! It was hot and noisy, but I loved the process of taking minerals and making them into something useful. That was in the 90’s… and to this day I think everything tastes better out of a glass bottle!
How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?
When I was growing up through school I had a plan of being a carpenter or builder. I ended up studying business and economics at university but always liked the idea of doing something practical. The opportunity of the mining industry – mixing business with something really practical – is what I love.
What’s a usual day at work entail?
I prioritise getting to site early to attend a prestart every day in either the Maintenance, Production or Washery teams. Then I am out in the field, observing and speaking with the team about safety. I try to split my time between the desk and being out where the action is.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Definitely helping team members succeed. I spend a lot of time coaching emerging leaders and get a lot of satisfaction seeing people grow in their roles.
The worst thing?
Emails! I get so many, like we all do, but it is the way so much information is shared so I try and get to them all. It’s important.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Learning leadership. Note: I’m still learning! Leadership can be developed in so many ways – education, experience and with some good mentors. You’ve got to figure out what works for you and what works for your team. You don’t always get it right but if you keep focused on your values and make sure you put your team first, it comes together.
What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?
There can be a lot of competing priorities, so my time isn’t always my own. I have to work hard on keeping the balance right and making sure my time is spent on the things that are most important.
What’s your best advice for people entering the industry?
Don’t be afraid of the challenge and taking on something new. I spent a lot of time in remote locations around Australia. It was a fantastic experience and opened up so many opportunities.
The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?
We know in our industry we add so much value to the lives of everyone – our team members – but also to the communities around us. We also know we are lucky to be doing what we are doing. I believe we need to continue to be positive about the benefits we bring to the communities where we operate and how much value we add to the country.
