Thomas Manns

Mining Engineering
"As a kid, I always loved crystals, I would memorise all the names. My mum worked in the jewellery industry and that also inspired me. Once I understood what mining was and what makes up rocks, I became drawn to work in mining.”

Thomas’ pathway to mining wasn’t straightforward, although his fascination with rocks and crystals started at a young age, along with a love of building blocks and Lego. He was also influenced by his grandfather’s background in mechanical engineering and his childhood passion for crystals and rocks. “As a kid, I always loved crystals, I would memorise all the names of them. My mum worked in the jewellery industry and that’s also inspired me.”

It was his early fascination with geology that led Thomas to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering with a focus on mining. 

“Once I started to understand what mining really was and what makes up rocks, I became even more drawn to the mining sector.”

Following a school talk by a University of Adelaide representative about careers in engineering and mining, Thomas decided to transition from sports-focused subjects to Advanced Maths, Physics, and English.

The Playford Trust Scholarship and meeting SACOME’s CEO, Rebecca Knol, at the award night helped him to secure a highly sought-after internship at Hillgrove Resources and opened doors to valuable connections.

“The biggest thing about the Playford Trust Scholarship has been the people I’ve met and the opportunities it has offered. It has allowed me to take a step in the right direction for my career.”

“I really didn’t think I would get it,” he recalls. However, he kept an open mind and applied anyway. When he found out he had been selected, he was genuinely shocked. “It’s important to give it a go, even if you don’t expect to win.”

Thomas’ internship at Hillgrove Resources gave him hands-on experience and a chance to explore various roles within the mine, including truck driving, time as a field technician, charge crew, and emergency response training, as well as nipper – which he enjoyed the most.
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“I landed the Hillgrove opportunity through a recommendation from Viv Nadu, Sustainability Superintendent at Hillgrove Resources,” Thomas shares. He loves working at Hillgrove because it offers a flexible contract that allows him to balance work and study, providing valuable experience while pursuing his degree.​

“The job is close to home, and there are a lot of brilliant and inspiring people who work there,” he explains.

It’s not only his colleagues at Hillgrove Resources that Thomas values. At his part-time job as a baker, Thomas describes his co-workers as mates, “so it doesn’t really feel like a job.”

“My most enjoyable class so far is probably Geology. I find the identification of various crystals and rocks interesting. We’ve done a few field trips, which were very exciting. I’m looking forward to more mine-focussed classes over the next few years.”

Looking toward the future, Thomas has big plans for his career. “I’ve always wanted to travel, and I have an opportunity with this kind of work to do that,” he says. He aims to work in different mines and gain experience with major companies like BHP.

His advice to students considering engineering is simple: “Listen to others, ask questions, and be patient in your learning journey… and don’t be afraid to apply for a scholarship, even if you think you won’t get it.”