2025 AREEA Industry Awards honours trailblazers
The resources, mining and energy sector’s most innovative businesses and individuals have been celebrated at the 2025 AREEA Industry Awards last week.
Announced at AREEA’s Gala Dinner events in Brisbane and Perth, the annual Industry Awards recognise outstanding workplace achievements across wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, innovation and leadership.
AREEA chief executive Steve Knott says the winners reflected the sector’s ability to adapt, innovate and lead through transformative times.
“Our industry continues to navigate immense change — from global market shifts and energy transition to workforce and technology challenges,” he said.
“Yet what these awards show is that people remain at the heart of success. Each winner has not only delivered excellence within their organisations but also set new benchmarks for the broader sector.
“These programs and leaders are driving safer, more inclusive, and more innovative workplaces. They represent the best of what our industry can be — resilient, people-focused and forward-looking.”
2025 AREEA Industry Award winners
New Frontier Award: Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN)
In a first for the AREEA Awards, Mineral Resources received the inaugural New Frontier Award for its groundbreaking Mungala Resort, a reimagined FIFO village designed to enhance safety, comfort and inclusivity.
With extensive employee input, the resort has lifted female participation to 24.5%, boosted Indigenous representation and cut turnover to record lows. The initiative is lauded for redefining the employee experience and linking cultural transformation directly to business performance.
Future Leader Award: Francesca Marlow, Sodexo Australia
The Future Leader Award was presented to Sodexo Australia HR projects office Francesca Marlow. Ms Marlow created the SoBelong program, breaking down barriers for women, Indigenous Australians and those facing long-term unemployment to access FIFO careers.
The program has already supported more than 100 participants, leading to dozens of hires and outstanding retention rates.
Workforce and Work Place Relations Innovation Award: Santos
Santos was recognised for its “Real Thrives Here (RTH)” initiative, co-created with employees to embed transparency, recognition, wellbeing and career pathways under the pillars of real meaning, real impact and real progress.
The program has delivered a 37% increase in employee engagement, a 20% reduction in absenteeism and stronger diversity outcomes, demonstrating how a people-centred approach directly boosts organisational performance.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award; Monadelphous
Sponsored by Sodexo
Monadelphous received this award for its Wellbeing Supporter Program, tackling the unique mental health challenges of remote, site-based workforces.
The program embeds trained peer supporters directly into crews, with custom-designed high-vis shirts by an Indigenous artist, regular debriefs and a digital wellbeing platform. The initiative is breaking stigma, making support visible and accessible and strengthening psychological safety across the workforce.
Diversity and inclusion awards:
This year, two organisations were recognised for outstanding contributions to the industry’s workforce diversity and inclusion.
Gender: Compass Group’s “Women in Food” program
Compass Group’s Women in Food initiative is transforming gender diversity by providing tailored development, mentoring and clear career pathways.
With strong executive sponsorship and measurable outcomes, the program is building a pipeline of female leaders and creating lasting cultural change.
Indigenous Employment: Newmont’s (ASX: NEM) Indigenous Employment Recruitment Day
Newmont’s Alice Springs Recruitment Day created a culturally safe, one-stop pathway for Indigenous jobseekers to explore mining careers.
With more than 150 participants, immediate hires and success stories the initiative delivered real outcomes while building sustainable Indigenous workforce participation.