Tapuwa “Taps” Shambira hadn’t thought about a career in mining until she babysat her neighbours children and got talking to their mum who worked in mining and discovered there was a plethora of opportunities and experiences that could be waiting for her.

When Taps finished Year 12 she went on to study engineering at the University of Wollongong. She got involved in as many clubs and societies as possible and ended up getting some vacation work, in the middle of nowhere, at a mine at Nyngan.

“That was my first proper introduction to the industry. It was an interesting three months and a very good test of my will and endurance. I like trying new things and challenging myself, you don’t grow in comfort.

“It was a chance to learn more about myself and the industry and I am so grateful I got to do it,” Taps reflected.

Despite the opportunity, Taps didn’t apply for any more mining vacation work and instead dabbled in manufacturing and some design work for a couple of different companies.

But, when it came to looking into what she wanted to do when she graduated and what would bring her joy, it was mining.

“I decided to give mining another go. I figured that the worst that would happen was that I didn’t like it and I could just leave!

“An opportunity came up to do a graduate program with Yancoal so I applied and got it and moved to Newcastle to work at Mount Thorley Warkworth. I thought it was better than the middle of nowhere, I could live near the beach and enjoy myself!

“It was well worth it because I have had so many opportunities already. They haven’t landed in my lap though, it’s been hard work. You have to be invested in your growth, go out and source it, form relationships, and fight for it.

“Mount Thorley Warkworth has been a great space for me to be able to do that.”

Three months into her Mechanical Engineering Graduate position, Taps obtained her supervisor qualifications and took responsibility for managing various shut down and projects activities.

One of the major achievements during that time was taking up the role of Major Shutdown Coordinator for the Thickener Overhaul. It was a challenging project due to some unforeseen circumstances, but Taps was able to adapt and complete the project with minimal delays while keeping her team safe.

“I am still so early on in my career, and we have so many knowledgeable people in our team, so I like to “harass” them every now and then, tag along with what they’re doing and ask them questions. Unless you’re on the ground you’re not going to learn so I try and step out a bit.

“It gives me a chance to learn more and opens me up to further opportunities.”

Taps was nominated for the Exceptional Young Woman in Mining at the NSW Women in Mining Awards earlier this year. She didn’t take home the trophy, but she firmly believes the recognition was about more than individual achievements, it’s about an industry all of us build together.

“I spoke at a NSW Mining Careers Dinner in Wollongong sharing my experience in mining with students and their parents. After my talk, a young girl full of excitement about turning over dirt came up to me – she wanted to be just like her dad and work in mining.

“But her father pulled me aside and asked if he could be at peace with sending his daughter into the mining industry.

“It took me a moment, but I asked him, ‘Would you be comfortable with your daughter joining your crew? What is your crew like and what have you seen?’ and his reaction said everything.

“He hesitated, he was shocked, and it became very clear that we all as individuals contribute to the environment we work in and to people’s experiences. I love that I can discuss this stuff with young people. I will never say “it’s scary and it’s hard”, it can be but there are so many great opportunities out there.

“It’s definitely important for us to be honest. I think if someone comes into the industry with rose-coloured glasses it can be detrimental to their growth and their experience.

“I have had friends like that, and they leave the industry after a short time because it just doesn’t turn out to be what they thought. Not every day is going to be a good day. That’s the human experience, you’ll have incredible opportunities, but you have to take the hard days as well.”

After seeing her connection with young people at the careers dinner and her passion for the industry, the NSW Minerals Council asked Taps to come on board to help with some of their promotional activities, spreading the positive messages about the coal mining industry.

“While I was studying at the University of Wollongong, I worked with the student representative team talking to hundreds of high school students about the opportunities, so I was no stranger to talking about something I was passionate about in front of a crowd.

“The work NSW Mining is doing is invaluable, as an industry they give us a voice and represent our interests, work and contribution to broader communities. They have given a new face to the “average miner” and humanised those within the industry shining a light on the reality of our impact.

“Mining is one of the most highly regulated industries in Australia and as such there is a lot of legislation in place to ensure we keep people and the environment safe. NSW Mining gives those initiatives, and us, a voice.”

Her experience with NSW Mining has helped Taps with networking, something which can be quite daunting at first.

“Networking sucks but all you have to do is say hello to someone and there will also be someone willing to chat to you and discuss something and that’s how you make those important connections.

“For me personally I didn’t have mentors at high school or many people to look up to within the industry. I’m a big believer of ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it’ and that was the reality that I had until I met that beautiful family I babysat for before I finished Year 12.

“So, for me it is super important to give people that voice and role model to look up to, I’m 25 with a little sister who is 14 so she is someone I look at a lot and think now she has all these incredible opportunities of being exposed to people doing different things.

“Her sister is an engineer so maybe she will want to be an engineer one day too.”