The NSW Minerals Council has been a proud sponsor of the Newcastle Knights’ women’s teams from the beginning, so it was fantastic last year to see the Knights’ NRLW team win the premiership in just their second season.

Recently we signed up again to continue as a major sponsor for two more years. The Knights’ NRLW team will again wear the NSW Mining logo on its jersey for the next two seasons in a demonstration of the mining industry’s commitment to supporting women in sport.

The announcement of this new sponsorship deal coincided with the recent NSW Women in Mining Awards held at Parliament House in Sydney. The Awards recognise the achievements of an increasing number of women working in mining in NSW.

Bianca Newcombe, owner and principal metallurgist of Orange-based business OptiFroth Solutions, was named the Exceptional Woman in NSW Mining for 2023. Whitehaven Coal’s Hollie Sampson was named 2023 NSW Exceptional Young Woman in Mining.

Joanne Henry from WesTrac received the 2023 Technological Innovation Award for the development and implementation of WesTrac’s autonomous drilling technology project. Lucy McClean from the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) was awarded the 2023 Inclusion & Diversity Champion Award and the 2023 Outstanding Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award was presented to Julie Smith from Evolution Mining.

From technology and innovation to engineering and trades, as well as in operational roles and running businesses, the achievements of all the award finalists and winners highlight the broad range of opportunities for women in mining, and showcase the many different career paths available in our sector.

Whether it’s in sport or mining, NSW women are achieving great things. Go Knights. Go Miners.

Stephen Galilee, CEO, NSW Minerals Council