Author: Women In Mining
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The Cracked Mirror in the Crib Room
I used to stare into that mirror during crib room. I pretended to fix my hair while silently rehearsing how to speak up in the pre-start. The glass was cracked—right through the middle. A jagged line that split my reflection in two. One side looked like the woman I was trained to be: shaped by Read more
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‘Mothering from Miles Away: Mining, Motherhood, and the Art of Staying Close”
“I didn’t take time off because I’m soft. I took time off because I’m a mum. And that’s not negotiable.” In mining, time off can feel like a weakness. But when your child needs you, it’s not a break—it’s a boundary. We need a culture where caring isn’t punished. Where showing up for your family… Read more
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“Not Yours to Define: Body Policing and the Cost to Inclusion”
“In the cribhut, I heard it: ‘She’s probably cheating—Ozempic or surgery. No one loses weight that fast.’ But I knew better. I’d seen her walking after dark for years. Quiet effort. No applause. Just grit. When I spoke up, the woman who made the comment went cold. That’s the cost of being the change—not the… Read more
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🧠 Connection Isn’t Compliance: The Science and Strategy of Human Bonding in Tough Environments
“Energy, Integrity, and the Courage to See Clearly” In mining , reputations often arrive before people do. But real connection doesn’t come from hearsay—it comes from experience. I challenge every crew member to look beyond the gossip and meet each other with fresh eyes. Be brave enough to form your own opinion. Stand for what’s… Read more
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🧠 Scanned and Scored: When QR Codes Undermine Confidence in Mining
This powerful blog explores the emotional and safety impacts of QR code-based operator scoring systems in mining environments. Through a lens of neuroscience, storytelling, and advocacy, it reveals how performance metrics like spot times can foster fear, compromise safety, and diminish the true value of women on site. It challenges fear-run team dynamics and offers… Read more
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🔍 Emotions Aren’t the Enemy—But They’re Not the Map Either
In mining, we’re trained to respond with logic—checklists, procedures, hazard reports. But before logic kicks in, there’s often a flicker: a gut feeling, a subtle shift in tone, a tightening in the chest. These emotional flags aren’t weaknesses—they’re early warning systems. The body knows before the brain can articulate. The key is learning to trust… Read more
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💎Finding Glimmers In Mining: A Neuroscience Approach To Wellbeing At Work”
In the dust and diesel of Australia’s mining sites, resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline. But what if strength didn’t have to mean pushing through pain alone? What if it could start with something as small as a glimmer—a fleeting moment of joy, safety, or connection that lights up the brain’s pathways for healing?… Read more
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🔥Mud, Metal and Mood Swings. Mining Life beyond the Machinery
We don’t just carry rocks—we carry rage, resilience, and stories buried deeper than any drill rig has ever reached. Out here, mood swings aren’t just hormonal or seasonal. They’re seismic. Each shift tells a tale of a woman who chose to stay, speak up, or walk out, despite everything stacked against her. This isn’t just… Read more
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💬 The Quiet Cost of Looking the Other Way: What Safety Culture Really Means
“In mining, danger doesn’t always roar—it whispers. A skipped step. A silent nod. A fleeting hesitation to speak. In those quiet moments, safety is compromised, and lives are altered forever. Breaking the silent culture isn’t about shouting—it’s about finding the courage to say, ‘This isn’t right,’ even when no one else does.” Read more
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🛠 Dust, Discontent, and the Missed Moments: A Woman’s Perspective on Mining Work
We all forget. We all count down. But this job—this life—is more than knock-off. It’s safety. It’s legacy. It’s showing up. One thought at a time. Mining started as an opportunity—a dream for many Australians. But over time, the dust settled not just on our boots, but on our mindset. The grind became the focus,… Read more