MY MINING LIFE: Georgia Sweetapple

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Georgia Sweetapple

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Georgia Sweetapple, I’m a graduate mechanical project engineer with the Sustaining Capital team at MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant Operation. I work on various tasks that support operations on site and the expansion of the project.

When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?

I only entered the mining industry last year, so the memories are still pretty fresh! My first job was with a contractor, working on dragline and shovel maintenance shutdowns. The sheer scale of the machinery was incredible. It was a rewarding and eye-opening experience.

How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Well, I definitely didn’t envision myself working in mining when I was a kid! Back then, I thought I’d be a vet so I could help animals, then a diplomat, then a lawyer.

What’s a usual day at work entail?

Emails. Lots and lots of emails! But beyond that, every day brings variety. I support the Sustaining Capital team on various projects, taking on roles like managing budgets, tracking schedules, and preparing tender packages.

Also, one of the most rewarding aspects is getting out onto the site itself. There’s something special about seeing a project in action, not just from behind a desk.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Definitely the people I work with. You spend so much time with your colleagues, and it makes a world of difference when you feel appreciated and genuinely enjoy the company of those around you.

The worst thing?

Those aforementioned emails…

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

Getting over the fear of not knowing everything. Starting a new job, especially fresh out of university, can be intimidating. There’s always a worry about how much you’re expected to know, but you soon learn that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.

What has been your proudest achievement?

My work with Youth Without Borders, a charity organization, is something I’m incredibly proud of. I first attended their Spark Engineering Camp in high school and later became a volunteer. Since then, I’ve held roles like Brisbane Student Logistics Manager, National Students Manager, National Secretary, and now, Chief Operations Officer. It’s been fulfilling to help lead an organization that supports young people from rural and disadvantaged communities.

What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?

The sheer diversity of the projects we work on would surprise most people. It’s not all about the mining itself. We’re involved in environmental initiatives and many infrastructure projects outside of the immediate mining operation like improving roads in the area.

What might also be surprising is the amount of support you get as someone new to the industry. When I first started, I was worried I would be thrown in the deep end, but you never feel like you’re tackling things alone.

What do you do in your downtime?

I love the outdoors. You’ll often find me camping, fishing, snorkeling, or swimming. In the warmer months, I’m almost always in the water, whether it’s swimming laps, floating in the waves, or exploring reefs.

The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?

It’s important to acknowledge that mining has an impact on the environment, however, there is a large effort put into mitigating those impacts, and the environmental team here on site works on a range of projects, to mitigate the impacts and rehabilitate the land we mine. Currently, the renewable power generation infrastructure just isn’t sufficient to meet the growing global energy demand, and coal still plays a critical role in providing the base-load power that the world needs.

Also, mining is a lifeblood for local communities. It provides stable, well-paying jobs to a wide range of people. Many businesses in nearby towns thrive because of the investment brought into the area. The company also invests in community programs, support local infrastructure, and fund initiatives that benefit the wider region.

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