Tablet breakthrough draws honour for project lead

A Bowen Basin worker who played a key role in the development of an electronic tablet for underground coal mining has won recognition at the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards. Larnie Mackay, Digital Transformation: Underground Project Lead for Anglo American in Moranbah, took the inaugural Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award. Innovation award winner Larnie Mackay. The judges selected Ms Mackay for her innovation and perseverance in leading the development of the first, and so far only, electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground coal mining in Australia. “Our underground tablets have changed the way we work underground and opened the door for further improvements in digitisation and data analytics to help improve safety and productivity in our operations,” Ms Mackay said. “It has been a culture and technology game changer at our underground mines, and the way it has been embraced by our teams - especially those underground - has been phenomenal. “I’m proud to have been recognised for a project that has been a passion of mine for a long time, and that I know will have an impact on our industry into the future.” She was one of two Queensland women to take top honours in the Women in Resources National Awards presented by the Minerals Council of Australia today. Kathryn Young, Geotechnical Engineer at BHP’s Peak Downs Mine in Moranbah took the Newcrest Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award for her impressive technical leadership, mentoring and strong advocacy on gender diversity. “The winners of the prestigious BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards announced today highlight the diversity, calibre and skills of people working in Australia’s world-leading resources industry,” MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable said. “These awards celebrate initiatives that create a more diverse, safer, fairer and stronger sector. And as ambassadors and role models, the award winners will inspire more women to enter the resources workforce." The winners of the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards are: Dyno Nobel Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award - Renata Roberts, chief corporate services Officer, The Bloomfield Group in Singleton New South Wales for the extensive examples of her leadership across a number of areas, her capability and agility throughout her career, and for her community outreach particularly through the HR Hub and Educators Forum initiative. Newcrest Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award - Kathryn Young, geotechnical engineer at BMA’s Peak Downs mine in Moranbah Queensland for her impressive technical leadership, mentoring and strong advocacy on gender diversity. Rio Tinto Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award - Brett Robins, crew leader, Bell Bay Aluminium in Tasmania for his strong personal commitment to diversity and for achieving a 50 per cent increase in female participation as well as sustainable cultural change in the workplace. St Barbara Excellence in Company Programs and Performance Award - Vanessa Davies, national general manager, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous engagement at the Compass Group in Perth for the Launch into Work program which supports long-term unemployed women. Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award - Larnie Mackay, Digital Transformation: Underground Project Lead, Anglo American in Moranbah Queensland for her innovation and perseverance in leading the development of the first and so far only electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground coal mining in Australia. Thiess Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award - Jennifer Ward, open pit supervisor at Newmont’s Boddington gold mine in Western Australia for her strong leadership and influence on-site and in the community.

Tablet breakthrough draws honour for project lead

Industry Queensland

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