From tradesman, sales/marketing, management, business owner to mining
After completing a trade as an Auto Electrician I went into the steel industry due to a great job offer coupled with a sporting contract. From there I worked my way up from sales to sales management, to business development manager. From there ventured out and bought a engineering/fabrication business for 14 years in which I ran as the Managing Director. From there my life took a huge turn due to personal circumstances and my new passion would be to enter the mining industry in which I already had exposure to, to challenge myself personally and to focus on role that was not only financially rewarding, but more importantly emotionally rewarding. I am extremely pleased to say this has been the case.
Senior Field Technician - Heritage/Land Access Exploration
In exploration we require to explore new grounds for the next big mineral discovery. To do this areas must be cleared for entry by Traditional Owners as well as Land owners (Farmers). To complete this we do surveys with the Traditional Owners on the prospective grounds to ensure our work will not impact on areas of significance to Traditional Owners. This is not only a physical presence on the ground in the proposed area, but also completing all necessary requests and mapping to complete the surveys. We also seek approval from Land owners for entrance on the land and work out how impact can be minimalised, as well as establishing a mutually beneficial relationship.
I also work one step further in the chain in which I work with the Geology department as well as drilling companies once we begin working the new areas of interest to IGO assisting in the sample drill core processing and logistics.
Variation in roles and locations. Working with the Traditional Owners.
With exploration at IGO we have areas all over Australia which are of interest to us for possible future resources that go hand in hand with the company vision. To take this further we must investigate thoroughly. With my role this means my work is required and various locations and with various Traditional Owner groups as well as Land owners. It is a great way to see our state, and hopefully country. Also as mentioned my role has various facets which include administrative work, map design and creation, permits and documentation, as well as more labor intensive work such as drill core sample processing and logistics. Every day is different and brings its own form of satisfaction to the role.
Look for the opportunities!
Whether it be a long term career that you already have your eye on, or are undecided on the long term direction your career will take, IGO has a huge amount of opportunities available to its staff. I have had a fairly long working career. It has taking me in a few different directions in which I have worked in privately owned business's as well as one of Australia's biggest companies. Never have I seen the opportunities as well as the support to ensure our staff get the best possible opportunity to achieve the working goal. I am a living testament to this.
Winning the "Spirit Award" for IGO
In 2021 I was lucky enough to win the spirit award for IGO. This is for the staff member that lives by the IGO values. Basically a good person who values others and basically does the right thing. A good bloke I suppose. I still remember the night and how humbled I was on the announcement. That night I made a speech totally unplanned. It was easy. Honestly IGO brought the best out in me and all I did was thank them for that. I am so proud of that award and that night, but also how it has given me the oppportiunity to pass on my experiences to others, including new recruits to our company.
