Jodi Edwards-Scharf is blazing a trail for future female leaders, recently being promoted to the role of Control Room Specialist – the first fully qualified female to hold this role in more than 50 years of operations.  

“I started my journey in the resources industry in 2009, and this is an achievement I’m incredibly proud of,” said Jodi, who explained that she started her career with no experience but over the course of her journey, worked with great mentors who gave her the opportunity to learn a lot in a short space of time.

“Getting the opportunity and experience to operate complex pieces of equipment and taking charge of the day-to-day running of the smelter feels ground-breaking and exciting,” said Jodi.

“In this senior role, I want to be a positive example to the younger generation – showing that with sheer determination and hard work, anything is achievable if you have the right mindset.”

Jodi completed her qualifications while taking time off to have her second baby, and said she wanted to be a positive example for women looking to come back to work after having a family.

“This is my greatest personal achievement, and wouldn’t be possible without the support of my family,” said Jodi.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing to grow as a Control Room Specialist to see where it takes me and be of help to other people that wish to embark on the same path - because it’s one worth taking.”

The Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter is a highly complex pyro-metallurgical operation with a large flash furnace and acid plant, converting nickel-in-concentrate into nickel-in-matte.

As the person with oversight and control on a lot of the critical aspects of the smelter operation – both production and safety related – the Control Room Specialist is vital to the safe operation of the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter.

“This is a huge achievement,” explained Kalgoorlie Production Manager Barry Dixon. “The learning journey to the smelter control room is not any easy one to take, and is a path that takes dedication, drive and many years of accumulated experience in the plant’s operations."

Congratulations Jodi!

More on Nickel West here - Nickel West | BHP