Growing up in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, Liz Watts graduated with a Mining Engineering Degree in 2001, as the only female in a class of seventy.
Watts kicked off her career with Rio Tinto, progressing quickly through the ranks to be promoted to Superintendent level within four years of graduation.
In January 2012, Watts was promoted to the role of Operations Manager at Glendell Mine which last year produced about 7million ROM tonnes.
Watts is now responsible for managing a site with a workforce of over 380 employees and contractors and a $200 million operating budget.
Whilst working as an accountant at Anglo American's Middlemount coal mine, 27-year-old Kym Clark saw there was a gap in the market for women’s workwear and set about ensuring women could be comfortable in PPE.
The line, called Kym by She's Empowered, provides hi-vis everyday safety workwear and maternity uniforms for the growing number of women in the mining and resources industry.
“I could not believe the lack of workwear options for women in mining,” Clark said.
“Until my business was developed, there were no maternity workwear options for industrial workers. I knew I had the ability and drive to change that.
“Women work in all areas of the industry from administration to underground and open cut roles, and often work upwards of 50 hours a week. Women deserve to wear a well-fitted uniform just like those in any other industry,” she said.
Anglo American is already providing workers with the clothing option.
Clark told Australian Mining She’s Empowered is all about giving women a choice so they can be confident and comfortable at work.
“Being comfortable improves working conditions,” she said.
“Mining is a great industry for women; it just needs a little tweak to make it work better for women.”
Clark’s goal is to help women want to wear workwear.
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Source: Australia Mining