Image: Anglo American.
Anglo American is taking steps to improve female representation in underground mine technician roles, with its Balancing the Team program at the Moranbah North mine in Queensland.
The program has opened eight new entry-level trainee underground coal miner roles for women, with no prior experience necessary to boost recruitment of women in coal mining.
Anglo American metallurgical coal business chief executive officer Tyler Mitchelson congratulated the Moranbah North team for its efforts to improve gender diversity in the company.
“Increasing female representation in underground mine technician ranks is one of the most challenging areas for our industry,” Mitchelson said. “So the significant of this program cannot be understated.
“This program was the first of its kind for a Queensland underground coal mine, and a critical step towards creating a more inclusive environment for women in underground coal mining.
“At Anglo American we aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential and Balancing the Team is an important part of that.”
The program has not only improved diversity at the Bowen Basin mine, it has also sparked facility upgrades, process improvements and enhanced selection and recruitment processes across all entry-level positions at the site.
Moranbah North general mine manager Paul Stephan acknowledged his team’s dedication to create and deliver Balancing the Team.
“We’re incredibly proud of what our Balancing the Team female underground miner trainee program has achieved in terms of gender representation and broader improvements to inclusion as a direct result of this program,” Stephan said.
“We had a record number of women applying for these roles, with more than 1300 applications.
“Fathers who work at the mine now see opportunities for their daughters in the industry.”