This article was originally published by The Advertiser – September 2016.
South Australian mining industry professional Jasmine Richards was last night named a national rising star, taking home the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources award.
Ms Richards, 30, was one of five 2016 Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA) recipients yesterday and the only local industry worker to win.
A senior environmental adviser at OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper-gold mine, she also won the Exceptional Young Woman in South Australian Resources award presented by the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) earlier this year.
A hydrogeologist and environmental professional, she is passionate about diversity in the workforce, pushing for stronger targets from mining sector companies in her role as deputy chair of AusIMM’s Woman in Mining Network South Australia.
WIRNA is a partnership between SACOME, the Minerals Council of Australia (and its Victorian and NT branches), the NSW Minerals Council, Queensland Resources Council, Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA.
The judges commended Ms Richards on her great career achievements and the great work done to promote women as well as community work and promoting the sector.
“Jasmine is a young lady with an extremely bright future, with a meteoric rise on the back
of hard work, development opportunities and sheer determination.”
These awards support the resources industry’s goal of attracting and retaining women across all areas of the industry, SACOME chief Jason Kuchel said.
“These awards are important in illustrating different career paths, different perspectives and different versions of what success can look like in a traditionally male dominated industry,” he said.
Last night’s other winners were:
■ OZ Minerals Gender Diversity Champion (male or female) in Australian Resources Award: Michael Schoch, Shell Australia (WA),
■ Excellence in Company Programs and Performance Award:Aurizon(Queensland),
■ Glencore Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award: Kelly Jane Down, Bell Bay Aluminium (Tasmania) and
■ Exceptional woman in Australian Resources Award: Cecile Wake, Shell Australia (Queensland).