The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy is proud to host the South Australian Women in Resources Awards for 2020.​
2020 award winners and finalists with The Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP,  Minister for Energy & Mining.
Recognising exceptional women in resources is vital if we are to meet the growing demand for professionals in South Australia’s high-tech, highly-skilled resources sector.

By celebrating women who are contributing to the success of the resources sector and championing diversity, the awards are an important recognition of excellence in the sector in South Australia.

Winners in each category have been elevated to finalists in the Women in Resources National Awards, and were profiled in the Advertiser on Saturday 8 August.

SACOME are thrilled to announce the South Australian Women in Resources Awards winners and finalists for 2020:

Exceptional Young Woman in Resources Award
This award recognises an outstanding young woman who has shown significant promise and achieved significant milestones in her career to date. It also recognises her contribution to promoting the Australian resources sector’s social acceptance and increasing gender diversity in the sector.
The award is open to women 35 years and under.
Winner
Ying Luo
Project & Strategy Lead, Energy Solutions 
Santos

​"My personal commitment has been to deliberately take on diverse, challenging positions at every opportunity to develop myself professionally. I have also actively participated in a number of mentoring programs to develop interest in engineering and the resources sector, especially for women".
Finalist
Lauren Beynon
Operations Engineer | Cooper Energy

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​“Working at Cooper Energy with positive female role models  has allowed me to learn from multiple leadership styles, different ways of balancing careers and different pathways to leadership”.
Finalist
Louise Faint
Mining Superintendent Prominent Hill 
OZ Minerals

“I am the first female operational superintendent at Prominent Hill and am determined to use that position to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of men and women who are supporting each other in their journeys to reach career and life goals".
Exceptional Woman in Resources Award
This award recognises the exceptional achievement of a woman in the South Australian resources sector in any occupation. It notes her leadership skills, resilience, her methods of overcoming barriers and seeking out and accepting new responsibilities and challenges.
The award recognises her work to promote the industry’s social acceptance. This work may include a commitment to community engagement and development, contributing to gender diversity within the sector or other sustainability initiatives.
Winner
Dr Kathryn Amos
Head of School, Australian School of Petroleum & Energy Resources | University of Adelaide

"I have great passion for Earth science and resources; for advancing knowledge through research and education. I passionately believe that we need to inspire more young people to study subsurface resources, so that they can go on to resolve the challenges that lie ahead".
Finalist
Amelia Jalleh
Company Secretary & General Counsel
Cooper Energy

"Over the course of the last 20 years my career has taken me from my hometown of Adelaide to roles in the Middle East, Brisbane, Canada and Singapore. Amid these career opportunities I have had two children. It is a testament to the fantastic support from my family, and from key mentors, that I have been able not only to survive, but to thrive in the resources industry – while at the same time being able to read to my kids before bedtime, most nights!"
Finalist
Genene Kleppe
CEO | Digital Twinning Australia


"In my own company, Digital Twinning Australia, I build dynamic digital twins using off the shelf products. I get operating technologies talking to a 3D replica of mine systems. I believe digital twinning will result in a far more equal gender balance in the resource sectors because there will be more jobs for women that have equal or greater value".
Finalist
Chris Barnesby
Head of Pandemic Response | BHP


"I have had many roles which have brought years of diverse and unique experiences. Working across many different divisions has given me a rare and invaluable combination of varied technical expertise and a passionate approach to safety and sustainability. As a line leader for over 20 years in the mining and oil and gas industry I have always supported and recruited for diversity".
Outstanding Trade, Operator or Technician Award
This award recognises the achievement of a woman working in a trade, operational or technician role in Australia’s resources sector.
The award recognises her achievement in breaking new ground for women in non-traditional careers as well as her resilience, achievement of goals and support for gender diversity.
Winner
Alison Altree
Shift Supervisor, Developement Rehab | BHP

​"I have achieved a frontline supervisory role that historically has been dominated by men. I believe my success has enabled other women to aspire and achieve the same, if not higher, than what I have accomplished so far".
Finalist
​Mariah Gavin
Electrician | SIMEC Mining
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"Seeing what I have achieved in my 5.5 years underground as the first female worker at the mine has opened opportunities for women coming into the business. I have broken new grounds for these new female employees".
Finalist
Carlie Hayward
Specialist Mine Development Engineering | BHP

"Working in the resources sector has provided me with many opportunities and career pathways. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of committees that drive and implement change that impact the wider workforce.  To see these changes around site and know that the work I am doing has a positive impact on others in this industry is why I continue to work in the resources sector".
Company Gender Diversity Program Award
This award recognises a resources company/subsidiary for achieving outstanding performance in increasing the attraction and retention of women.
Companies that have achieved increases in the proportion of women in non-traditional roles, such as senior management, engineering, sciences, operators and trades will be highly regarded.
Winner
Santos
Working Parents Support Program

"The Santos Working Parents Support Program promotes both social and financial equality between men and women. Our new policies are equally available to all Santos employee regardless of gender or sexual orientation. 

This initiative forms part of our culture of inclusion, where family and carer responsibilities are accepted as equally male and female duties, and where the financial and emotional impact of taking time off from work to start, or grow, a family is minimised. Since the program launched, we've had nine males opt to be the primary carer and access 18 weeks paid parental leave, which is a fantastic result".
Finalist
BHP
Jasper - LGBT+ employee inclusion group

"Jasper creates a safe space for our LGBT+ colleagues, many of whom enjoy the opportunity to break through geographic barriers to connect with colleagues around the world to share knowledge, professional development opportunities and form lasting friendships".