This week it’s my time to answer Yvette’s questions, so you can all get to know the mining engineer in your life a little better.
Where do you work and what do you do there?
I am a Senior Mining Engineer for an Australian company that makes mine planning software, based in their Edinburgh office. Just in case you’ve not been lucky enough to cross paths with a mining engineer, once the geologists use their magical powers to locate an orebody a mining engineer is then involved from the long term evaluation and mine design through to short term production of the orebody. At Maptek I dabble in selling software, technical support and consulting projects.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Though I sometimes miss site work, as our office covers the European, Northern & Western African and Russian regions I am gaining a much greater understanding of different mining methods and the global mining industry, projects that are upcoming and the various players in the industry.
What did you study at uni and where?
I graduated with a Bachelors of Mining Engineering from the University of New South Wales back in 2006. It seems like an awfully long time ago…
What is your biggest regret?
Not completing my Underground Mine Managers ticket. At the time it was the best decision as my head and heart just weren’t in it.
Who has inspired you?
My Dad was a geologist in a past life, and family holidays often had a geological bent. It also meant that Dad’s friends and colleagues were banker, geologists and engineers so I’ve spent time with some inspirational women who have had amazing success in their chosen fields.
What decisions have led you to where you are?
In high school, all I really wanted to do was play with rocks so I studied all the requisite subjects to begin a career in Geology. Halfway through Year 12 however I thought that given the cyclical nature of mining, a mining engineer could better withstand the busts. Honestly though, I was mostly just excited about large trucks and being able to blow things up.
I was then lucky enough to be offered a position with Xstrata’s graduate program at their geologically interesting George Fisher Mine near Mt Isa. It was definitely a case of choosing my graduate job for the deposit and mine rather than the company.
What was the greatest moment in your professional life?
I have been given some amazing opportunities throughout my career to date. From a personal point of view surviving 12 months working underground and then 9 months supervising a crew of 12 to 16 underground workers. It was really tough as a 24yo female in a very male dominated industry, but I made some long lasting relationships, gained some amazing experience, hit all my safety and production targets, and grew a lot as a person! No awards at the end, but the sense of achievement has been unequalled since.
What is your favourite thing about yourself?
I’m still fascinated, often overly excited, by the world in which we live. So many things to see and learn about.
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
No matter how uncool it is, keep doing the things you love. One day you’ll end up living in Scotland and it will all make sense!!
Where is your favourite place in the world?
The beautiful glacial U shaped valleys of Yosemite, and The Lakes District isn’t far behind.
What is the hardest decision you have ever had to make?
To quit my job at EHM and travel. Thankfully I had a bit of a financial security blanket, but it was still really stressful to take that leap.
Why do you need feminism?
All through these questions I’ve just been copying over the top of Antionia’s answers, and her answer to this question is spot on so I’m going to be cheeky and not change a thing! To quote Antonia “I need feminism because having children shouldn’t end my career and not having children shouldn’t make me less of a woman. I wish Women in Leadership conferences didn’t require a parenting tips segment.”
What is at the top of your bucket list?
Living in Scotland was at the top for a long time, as was taking a gap year to travel, but now they’re both ticked off I need to put a bit more thought into it! I’ve done the solo travel thing, so now I would most like to take my boyfriend to the States and Canada, hire a car and just drive! It would allow us both time to get back in to photography, and the Scottish music and dance scene is bigger than you think so we’d always have something to do.
What would be the most effective items in your Eden Jar?
The most rewarding items would be of a musical or dance bent, along the lines of “Tickets to a gig”, “A new CD” or “A fiddle lesson from one of the many amazing muso’s in Scotland”. But even “A new box of tea” or “High tea with a good friend” would put a very large smile on my face and bring balance back to the force!
Where are you going from here?
I have recently started studying an MBA in International Resource Management, so ideally coupled with my practical experience I would like to evaluate projects for a medium sized mining company in a head office somewhere.
Is there anything else you’d like to know about me? Feel free to ask in the Comments section below.
A Hedy Journey 