Congratulations to our BHP finalists in the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) Women in Resources Awards:

·       Danielle White, Manager Engineering Technical Stewardship & Governance, Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award; and

·       Our Bamboo Flexible Working Program, Outstanding Company Initiative.

Now in its 15th year, the Women in Resources Awards recognises the power of gender diversity in Western Australia’s mining and resources sector.

CME received more than 144 nominations for this year’s awards and the quality of those is reflected by a strong group of finalists, who occupy a wide variety of on and off-site roles at mining and resources operations around WA.

Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists. Winners will be announced at the 2024 WIRA presentation dinner on Friday 22 March.

More about our finalists:

Danielle White – Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award Category

Danielle prides herself on her strong work ethic and leadership skills. Initially considering law or medicine, she discovered a passion for engineering during high school, becoming the first in her family to apply to university. Graduating with First Class Honours in Chemical Engineering and specialising in Minerals Processing, Danielle stood out as the sole female in her cohort.

After graduating, Danielle joined BHP where she embraced the challenges of FIFO work in the Pilbara. Despite being one of the few females in the industry, she excelled and completed the graduate program ahead of schedule, soon advancing into Production Coordinator and Reliability Superintendent roles. Her leadership drove efficiency and cost savings and achieved tangible operational improvements.

In January 2023, Danielle became Manager of Technical Stewardship and Governance and now leads a global team of Principal engineers.

Danielle's contributions extend beyond her professional achievements. Actively participating in outreach programs, she is passionate about promoting STEM careers to students. At BHP, she has chaired the Inclusion and Diversity Committee and mentors young engineers within and outside the company.

Bamboo Flexible Working Program - Outstanding Company Initiative Category

The Bamboo Flexible Work Program, established over four years ago at BHP’s Newman Operations, is a successful residential gender diversity initiative with the primary aim of attracting and retaining women in non-traditional roles, specifically in haul truck operations. The program addresses operational challenges by offering flexible work options with reduced hours.

Bamboo's impact is evident in increased productivity, reduced shift change and meal break delays, and improved equipment utilisation. The initiative has evolved beyond truck operations, with team members now being multi-skilled across various production roles. The program's success is demonstrated by an 85% female participation rate and a 25% Indigenous Employee participation rate within the Bamboo team.

Newman Operations has experienced increases in female workforce participation, from 26.5% in FY21 to 34.7% in FY24, and the Bamboo initiative contributes to diversity by providing entry-level pathways for women in mining and fostering a supportive work environment. The program's longevity and adaptability to other residential locations highlight its success. Bamboo not only enhances workforce diversity but also serves as a model for social responsibility, offering flexible career opportunities and support for employees.  

Read more about all the WIRA finalists here