Following two successful camps, the WA Mining Club expanded its student career exploration initiative with a third camp, held from the 24th to 27th of September. This time, we extended the camp to three nights, building on lessons learned from previous experiences. We also welcomed Della Smith Rawlins, a high school careers practitioner from Kelmscott Senior High School, who provided valuable guidance and insight.
This camp saw a diverse group of participants, with students from 11 different schools, including four Year 12 students from Manjimup, known as the “Manjie crew.” Most participants were Year 10 students, reflecting the camp’s focus on early career development.
One of the camp’s highlights was the students’ first visit to the Boddington Gold Mine. The group was thrilled to witness the operation of driverless trucks and even got to experience a blast, safely viewed from the bus. We extend our thanks to Newmont for hosting this memorable visit.
Ventia’s involvement as the camp caterer provided another boost to the experience. Their support allowed the chaperones and students to focus more on engagement and interaction, while also enjoying high-quality meals. Our live broadcast at Worsley Alumina during the camp into the WA Mining Club’s October lunch brought the experience to life for many WA Mining Club members.
Other key hosts included Barminco, Worsley Alumina, Westrac Technology Training Centre, and Roy Hill’s Remote Operations Centre (ROC). These visits offered a comprehensive overview of the mining industry, covering surface and underground mining, processing, and refining. Evening sessions filled in gaps by addressing topics such as exploration, finance, commercial aspects, and mine closure. A visit to Premier Coal’s open pit mine and a drive past the Bluewaters Power Station in Collie also shed light on the coal sector.
Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire for the camp to last longer. The chaperones, however, may have felt the three nights were just right!
“My son attended this year’s camp. To say he loved it is an understatement. It was brilliantly done and he has not stopped talking about everything he saw and experienced. He went to the camp hoping to figure out his pathway to his desired career. It was insightful and inspiring and I can see how even just 4 days away from home has given him more confidence in himself and his choices for his future. Thank you Barry Upton and team for showcasing Mining and giving our kids some insight into what they can expect. It is appreciated.”
These camps are proving invaluable in providing real-world insights into the mining industry. By visiting actual sites and engaging with industry professionals, students are gaining knowledge that will help inform their career choices. Moreover, the camp helps to dispel the often distorted public perceptions of the mining sector. We are hopeful that the lessons learned during the camp will have a lasting impact on the schools represented, with Kelmscott Senior High School now having a strong advocate for the industry.
This camp was a huge success, and plans are already underway for another camp during the 2025 school holidays, subject to securing sufficient sponsorship.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tasman Training for their generous funding, Ventia for their sponsorship of catering, and Gold Road Resources for providing boots for the students. We also appreciate the leadership and humor of Rob Humphryson, Liesl Kamp, and Barry Upton, who guided the camp with their wealth of expertise over the three nights and four days.
View Photos from the camp here: Get in to Mining September 2024 Camp | Flickr
