The coal industry is one of the most multi-disciplinary industries you’ll come across with endless opportunities for employment. Carrie Schuler is the Principal Resource Geologist at New Hope Group and loves the opportunities the industry can provide to anyone and everyone.

Carrie has been in the coal mining industry for 25 years after finally deciding on studying a degree in geology.

“I wanted to study science, but I hadn’t quite made up my mind about which scientific field I wanted to go into. I had a lot of family already working in mining, so my mum suggested geology and I thought why not!

“I also wanted to be active and out in the field so it turned into a no brainer.

“I started in 2001 in Central Queensland with Capcoal. I was on contract as a geologist there, I did my graduate internship with BMA after that based in Moranbah; I lived in Dysart for five years working as a senior geologist. I had some kids in between and did an education degree while I was still working for BMA until 2016.

“I joined the team at New Hope Group in 2018.”

For Carrie, geology is about solving puzzles and problems, something she loves.

“I’m naturally inquisitive and curious so having to work out complex problems in coal quality and fault systems is very fulfilling.

“I love helping people. A lot of people don’t realise we all help each other in the industry. I help the engineers and the environmental scientists and we’re all supporting and helping each other.”

After spending a lot of time in towns like Dysart, Moranbah and Middlemount, Carrie saw how crucial the mining industry was to those smaller towns, but also the overarching impact they have in the capital cities.

“A lot of the towns in Central Queensland grew and developed as a result of mining, but they’re now long well established and reliant on mining. The towns are modern now, but they still require the backing of the local mines for their economies.

“Mining is also important to the capital cities, there are so many people employed in cap cities with mining companies,” Carrie said.

Coal Australia advocates for everyone in the coal mining industry. From the FIFO workers to truck drivers, geologists, mining managers and accountants.

“I’ve been wanting an advocacy group for coal miners for a long time, I always thought it would be a good idea. I saw a massive transition from supportive to negative sentiment when I had children and I was out of the industry for a little while. From then I thought we really needed an advocacy group to shift that sentiment back into a positive space.

“Without people working in this industry, delivering the benefits of spending their money locally and in the cap cities, there’s a wider group that will fail if we fail.

“Coal Australia is really important to spread the message of positivity.

“We just need more supporters and more advocacy. Now we have a group that is getting traction, don’t waste time. Sign up, it’s easy to do and just get involved.

“I know a lot of people used to feel bad saying they worked in the mining industry, worried they would get shot down. But we don’t have to hide, we should have never had to.”

Carrie’s story isn’t unusual, it’s a story that we hear from so many people living in coal mining communities right across Australia. Reach out if you want to share your story or join the coal community and help forge Australia’s future at www.coalaustralia.com