BHP Billiton employees Laura Tyler, Vanessa Torres and Tina Markovic were recently recognised among 2016’s 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining 2016 for their respective achievements in the industry.

Women In Mining (WIM) is a UK non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the employment, retention and progress of women in the mining industry and mining-related businesses.

This is an incredible honour for Laura, Vanessa and Tina. It provides global recognition of their efforts and leadership in creating work environments that are more diverse and collaborative, both at BHP Billiton and within the sector.

Congratulations to Tina, Laura and Vanessa on this great achievement, and for inspiring new generations of professionals to work within the mining industry.

Tina Markovic

Tina has over 21 years of diverse global experience in mine operations, marketing, business development, transformation and project management across four countries and six commodities.

Tina first joined BHP Billiton in 1994 as a Mine Engineer at the EKATI Diamond Mine in Yellowknife, Canada. Over the next eight years, she progressed through different mine development and operational roles at EKATI, and also had the opportunity to work on the Muskeg River Mine Project in Alberta for BHP Billiton.

In 2002, Tina moved to Australia to work at the Crinum Coal Mine in Queensland and was appointed the first Mine Manager/Site Senior Executive of Poitrel Mine in 2005. Tina was Queensland´s first ever female mine manager of a major mine operation and was Queensland Resources Council’s inaugural winner of the Resources Award for Women in 2006. 

Tina was recognised by Women in Mining in 2013, when she was nominated while working in Iron Ore as the General Manager of Yarrie Operations.

In 2015, Tina became the first female Head of Integrated Operations at Escondida, Chile, the world’s largest copper-producing mine.

Laura Tyler

After starting her career in the British civil engineering industry, Laura moved into mining in 1994. Since then, she has worked across three continents in operations spanning civil engineering, open-pit mining and underground mining.

Laura is passionate about attracting and retaining women in the sector. She led the introduction of Cannington mine’s first diversity plan to ensure the business supports females with high potential, before the mine transitioned to South32.

Laura was the first woman to be appointed as a Vice President of the Queensland Resources Council and the first woman to be appointed as a BHP Billiton Asset President at Cannington.

Now in the Office of the CEO at BHP Billiton, Laura draws on two decades of experience running company assets to work with senior executives on delivery of the Company’s strategic plan.

Vanessa Torres

Over a 23 year career spanning six countries and five commodity groups, Vanessa Torres has built a strong background in strategy, planning, valuation, technology, transactions, operations and projects.

After moving from Vale to BHP Billiton in 2007, Vanessa was appointed Vice President Production Logistics and Infrastructure in 2015, making her directly accountable for all port, rail, utilities, infrastructure, and remote operations of BHP Billiton’s Iron Ore Business.

Vanessa stands out at BHP Billiton for her generosity of spirit and commitment to leading the next generation. She firmly believes that inclusion and diversity starts with, and results in, good leadership. This belief saw her emerge as an integral part of the creation of BHP Billiton’s Group Functions Inclusion and Diversity Council.