Who are you and what do you do?

Sandy Lettice, I am a Land & Property Officer for MACH Energy Mount Pleasant Operation near Muswellbrook. I was born in the Upper Hunter and live on a farm in the Scone area with my wife Hannah and three very busy children.

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

I started in 2015 as a Production Operator with Bengalla Mining Company and then went on to be a trainer assessor. It was a great start to my mining career.

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

Growing up I always wanted to be a farmer, my role at Mount Pleasant gives me the best of both worlds, mining and land and property.

What does a usual day at work entail?

Up nice and early to start the day, lots of liaising with local contractors and land holders to keep the MACH Energy offset properties in good working order. I spend a lot of time travelling between different properties and a fair amount of time on the phone organising my time.  

What’s the best thing about your job?

Being part of a diverse team. We have people from all walks of life at MACH Energy. Working in a new mining operation and having the opportunity to make a difference on the land.

The worst thing?

The interesting after-hours phone calls I sometimes receive.

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

Droughts and floods are always difficult.

What has been your proudest achievement?

My family, I have a beautiful wife and three healthy children who are actively involved in our local community.

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

MACH Energy’s Offset country is widespread and ranges from Muswellbrook out to Merriwa, Cassilis area and then across to Gunnedah.

What’s a funny story about work that you can tell?

We had a surveyor about to commence work around a rental property we own and when he walked around the house, all the windows and doors were open and the tenant, who we thought was at work, was in the shower.

What do you do in your downtime?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I volunteer my time coaching at our local junior rugby league club and spend lots of my time on our farm.

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

I have worked in the agriculture industry most of my life, and now the mining industry. I believe mining is just as important in supplying reliable energy across the world.  There is no doubt that everyone needs food and water to survive, but we still need everyone to work together because you can’t have one without the other.