18 SEPTEMBER 2026
Two South32 women will represent our organisation on the national stage when the 2026 BHP Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA) are held in Melbourne on 21 September.
The annual awards celebrate the achievements of women across Australia’s resources sector and promote inclusion, diversity and resources as an industry of choice for women.
For Sammi Rae from Worsley Alumina and Jeanine Brown from GEMCO, reaching the national awards follows success at their respective state and territory awards.
Ahead of the awards, we caught up with Sammi and Jeanine about what the recognition means to them, the experiences that have shaped their careers and what they hope to see for the next generation of women in resources.
Meet Sammi Rae
Superintendent – Drill, Blast & Exploration, Worsley Alumina
Finalist – Outstanding Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician in Australian Resources Award
Sammi began her mining career as a labour hire operator and has progressed through technical and supervisory roles to lead exploration, drilling and blasting teams.
What does being a national finalist mean to you?
It’s quite surreal. What means the most to me is being able to demonstrate to other women in our industry what’s possible. If my journey helps someone see a pathway they may not have considered before, or gives them the confidence to pursue opportunities they might otherwise hesitate to take, then that’s something I’m proud of.
What has shaped the way you lead?
Working in drilling and blasting has shaped the way I lead. It’s an environment where things don’t always go to plan, so I’ve learnt the importance of staying calm, adaptable and focused under pressure.
What might people not know about your career journey?
When I first entered the mining industry, I never imagined it would become a long-term career. Many of the most significant steps in my career have come from saying, ‘Yes, I’ll give that a go,’ and then backing myself to learn, grow and figure things out along the way.
What do you hope changes for women in resources?
We’ve made significant progress, but there’s still more work to do. I’d particularly like to see more women represented in operational and leadership roles, and for young women entering the industry to feel confident that those positions are both achievable and accessible if that’s where their ambitions lie.
Meet Jeanine Brown
Occupational Health Nurse, GEMCO
Finalist – Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award
Jeanine has spent more than 20 years working in the mining industry, supporting people through occupational health, injury management and wellbeing.
What does being a national finalist mean to you?
It is incredibly humbling. I’m most proud that I’ve continued to challenge myself and grow, even when the path hasn’t always been easy. My career has taken me in directions I never expected, and I’m continuing with further university studies to strengthen my knowledge. This recognition reflects not only my own efforts, but also the support of the incredible teams, mentors and colleagues I’ve worked with throughout my career.
What has shaped the way you work and lead today?
Working in mining for more than two decades has taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, being approachable and being willing to stand beside people when things are difficult. Every person who comes through my door has a different story, and sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply listen and make people feel heard.
What is something people might not know about your career journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that you should never put a limit on where your career can take you. It’s easy to think you must follow a particular path, but sometimes the opportunities that take you outside your comfort zone are the ones that shape you the most.
What do you hope for the next generation of women in resources?
I hope women entering resources today feel that they belong from day one and that they don’t have to change who they are to succeed. The next generation of women in resources shouldn’t feel like they are breaking into an industry that wasn’t designed for them. I hope they see it as an industry where they can build a long, successful career, lead authentically and make a real difference.
To reach finalist status, Sammi won the Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman Award at the 2026 Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia Women in Resources Awards and Jeanine took out the Inclusion and Diversity Champion category at the 2026 Northern Territory Women in Resources Awards.
Reaching this point is already significant recognition of the contribution each of these women are making to their teams, to South32 and to the broader resources industry.