Top talent recognised at Women in Resources National Awards

Two Queensland women have received national recognition for their outstanding contribution to the resources sector at the BHP (ASX: BHP) Women in Resources National Awards.

Gold Coast based FIFO engineer, Ashara Moore, and support manager, Kanae Dyas, were honoured at the awards presented by the Minerals Council of Australia.

Ashara Moore, who works at BHP’s Saraji mine in Central Queensland, was named the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources.

Anglo American’s workplace support manager Kanae Dyas was recognised as the Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources.

As well as the individual recognition, Anglo American was also awarded a highly commended in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award category.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Janette Hewson says Ashara and Kanae are both deserving winners of the awards, but all of the finalists are outstanding examples of the world class workforce behind the success of Queensland’s resources sector.

“Ashara Moore heads a team of engineers as portfolio lead, responsible for over $45m in capital projects and has shown what women can achieve through a dynamic career in the resources sector,” she said.

“Kanae Dyas is a champion for diversity and equity reform who is dedicated to improving health and safety outcomes for women and marginalised people to create a safe and welcoming workplace for all involved in the industry.”

Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says the company is committed to ensuring true gender equity and inclusion.

“I congratulate Kanae, the passionate force behind our industry-leading Workplace Support Unit, for taking out the Inclusion and Diversity Champion award,” he said.

“She has already made great strides in improving our culture; ensuring we have safe spaces for people to speak up.

Ms Dyas says the resources industry has made significant progress because of its maturity to see the value in diversity and inclusion.

“We need safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces for women to thrive; career development and progression opportunities; increased leadership and executive roles for women to inform, drive and sustain change and to close the gender pay gap,” she said.

“The achievements of both Ashara and Kanae will inspire more women to consider a rewarding career in Queensland’s resources sector,” said Ms Hewson.

“Awards like these, and the joint QRC and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) State Resources Awards for Women are just one way of recognising the sector’s commitment to achieve a better gender balance in our workforce.

“Since 2006, female participation in the Queensland resources sector workforce has grown from 6% to more than 22% but we know can do better to meet the growing skilled workforce needs of our industry.

“The door is wide open for more women to move into a trade or professional career pathway in Queensland’s minerals and energy sector.”

National finalists were selected from the Queensland Women in Resources winners’ pool from March 2023.

Winners include:

• Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources – Sonia Winter, BHP
• Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources – Ashara Moore, BHP
• Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award – Anglo American
• Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources – Kanae Dyas, Anglo American
• Outstanding Australian Tradeswomen/Operator/Technician – Tanya Olive, Jellinbah Group
• Women in Resources Technical Innovation Award – Claire Graham, Aurizon