Talking with… Lexie MacHunter, Metallurgy, Capricorn Copper, 29Metals

To celebrate this week’s International Women’s Day (IWD) we talked to some of the women of 29Metals, including Alexandra MacHunter , a metallurgist from our Capricorn Copper operation in Queensland. This is what Lexie had to say…

On why she likes working in mining…

I get to work with such a diverse range of people with so many skill sets, I get to spend time outdoors and I never cease learning. It’s a catch all environment that accommodates and challenges my thought processes that make me, me. Despite some days where it’s very challenging, it’s also so rewarding.

On the pathway she took into the industry…

A fortunate and traditional path of going to university, completing a chemical and materials engineering degree, applying for hundreds of grad positions, and then landing a job as a graduate process engineer in the coal industry. I transitioned into the mineral and metals space because I wanted to broaden my horizons and see as many plants and processes as possible. Then I took an opportunity to remain on site as a metallurgist.

On her inspirations and mentors…

My parents – I come from a line of metallurgists and engineers on both sides of the family. Pursuing a career with a STEM background was natural to me. Mum and Dad have supported me through it all and still do so today. It’s handy that my Dad is a metallurgist too and I can sponge as much knowledge as possible from him.

On what she would say to women interested in entering the industry…

Give it a go and remember no two pathways are the same - there are many ways to get into the industry. Having a little self-confidence and a positive attitude gets you far. I also wouldn’t be ashamed to have emotional days too, sometimes a good cry provides so much clarity.

On what we need to do to attract and keep women in the industry…

It’s a little disheartening that there is so little understanding about what roles are out here that women do and can do. People are influenced by what they see, what they hear, what they read. If we want to attract more women into our industry, we need to communicate the types of roles and opportunities available. The underlying bias that mining is not a welcoming place for women compared to other industries needs to be broken by sharing inspiring success stories to empower women.?