WA women in global mining ranks

Rio Tinto employees have dominated a list of 16 executives and key operational players based in Western Australia who feature in the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.

Five of the 16 WA-based women work for Rio Tinto, including Joanne Farrell, its global head of health, safety, environment and communities. 

Other prominent local players were Toro Energy managing director Vanessa Guthrie and her chair Eric Smyth, Brumby Resources CEO Alison Morley and recent Fortescue Metals Group recruit Julie Shuttleworth, who manages the Cloudbreak iron ore mine and was a finalist in this year’s Business News 40under40 awards.

It is not just those working directly in mining who rated a mention in the list compiled by Women in Mining (UK).

Management consultant Sabina Shugg, head of mining at Momentum Partners, and lawyer Meredith Campion, partner at Allen & Overy, were also listed.

Below are the Western Australian-based women on the list:  

• Margaret Beck - vice president of finance (iron ore) BHP Billiton
• Meredith Campion - partner Allen & Overy
• Joanne Farrell - global head health, safety, environment and communities Rio Tinto
• Marnie Finlayson - general manager port maintenance Rio Tinto 
• Jodie Gray - pit technician supervisor Newmont Boddington Gold
• Vanessa Guthrie - managing director Toro Energy
• Sinead Kaufman - Tom Price and Marandoo general manager Rio Tinto
• Kirsty Liddicoat - site senior executive and mining manager CopperChem Ltd
• Kalpana Maharage - mine development superintendent Rio Tinto 
• Tina Markovic - Yarrie Mine general manager BHP Billiton
• Lisa Mirtsopoulos - dump truck operator and trainer Newmont Mining
• Alison Morley - CEO Brumby Resources
• Sabina Shugg - head of mining Momentum Partners
• Julie Shuttleworth - Cloudbreak Mine general manager Fortescue Metals Group
• Erica Smyth - chair Toro Energy
• Donna Weston - port safety officer Rio Tinto