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Whatever your background, whatever your interests.
There is a career waiting for you in the resources sector. From local copper mines to global energy markets, from raw materials to cutting edge technology. The South Australian resources sector is the foundation for the future. Our natural resources are enabling the shift to advanced manufacturing and robotics, supporting the development of electric vehicles and helping to build the world's carbon neutral infrastructure. As the world changes, the resources sector is changing with it. It's resources. But not as you know it. |
What does South Australia's resources sector look like?
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South Australia has an enviable supply of natural resources and there are a diverse range of jobs involved in mining and utilising our resources.
The sector contributes significantly to the South Australian economy and involves the exploration, mining and distribution of our state's world-class mineral deposits such as copper, gold, iron ore, graphite, gas and petroleum, as well as the production and maintenance of our energy network. At the forefront of technology and innovation, the resources sector incorporates a variety of different skills and capabilities including engineering, geology, metallurgy, artificial intelligence, data science, automation, augmented reality and even robotics. In the next five years, three quarters of current jobs in the sector will be enhanced through technology. A career in resources offers limitless opportunities to build a long-term and financially-rewarding career that suits your interests and expertise. |
What is it like working in South Australia's resources sector?
Sam Chester
Specialist, Processing Plant OZ Minerals, Prominent Hill Sam works at OZ Minerals Prominent Hill copper-gold mine as a process plant specialist. He is based in Adelaide and is on a FIFO roster. For many people, especially young employees, this arrangement offers a fantastic lifestyle. “What I love about my role is the lifestyle. My accommodation, my meals. It’s all catered for. I can finish my shift, go straight to the gym, have dinner and go home, relax and go to bed. Everything is there onsite.” Growing up in Coober Pedy, Sam knew about the resources sector but it wasn’t until he started working in the industry that he realised just how diverse the opportunities were. “When you're out there on the mine, it's a shock at first to see how many different roles and opportunities there are that come together to make it all work.” Sam can see a clear career path with OZ Minerals and appreciates all the support they’ve given him on his journey. |
Jane Hosking
Principal, Climate BHP, Olympic Dam Jane’s team at BHP Olympic Dam mine are responsible for managing the impact the mine’s operations have on the local environment or community. Her day to day role can include anything from monitoring groundwater or dust levels, to ensuring the company has the right permits in place to continue operating. “To anyone looking at the possibility of working in the resources sector, I’d say keep your mind open, take a look at all the options because there’s a wide range of opportunities, and take a risk." Jane's career in resources has taken Jane all over the world, including South America. The industry has given her a chance to explore her career interests and to travel while retaining a secure job. “I’m really glad I came into the resources sector. BHP has given me a huge number of opportunities and I’ve been able to develop my career.” |
Alex Hardy
Apprentice, Mechanical Fitter Boart Longyear Alex started his career in resources with Boart Longyear in 2008. During that time he's held a number of roles including driller and engineering technician, technical representative and has recently commenced his apprenticeship to become a mechanical fitter. "The thing that surprised me most about working in the resources sector is the amount of travel and the variety of different roles and jobs that are available...You're not stuck on an assembly line doing the same thing day-in, day-out. It's extremely varied." Located at Adelaide Airport, Boart Longyear supply and maintain drill equipment and infrastructure to mining and exploration companies across Australia and the world. "Working in the industry gives you the chance to work hard and be rewarded for it...I can go home every night and see the family but still be involved within the mining industry and have the opportunity to go onto site when needed." |
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Jessica Telfer, Principal - Health, BHP.
"The best part of my role is the ability to lead change and be dynamic in thought." A health professional at BHPs Olympic Dam, Jess uses her clinical nursing experience to collaborate with colleagues across the country to develop systems, programs, and processes to care for the health needs of the BHP Olympic Dam workforce. Having worked previously as a Clinical Nurse Educator and Nurse Unit Manager in Emergency Departments across rural Australia, Jess started her career at BHP as a contracted Occupational Health Nurse in 2018. Since then, she has been promoted into several leadership roles before taking on her current position as Principal – Health. Her responsibilities have included injury and illness management, complex case management, leadership activities, risk accountability and governance as well as supporting with incidents and emergencies as they arise. 
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Jess’ role has enabled her to train and undertake professional development courses across Australia, and BHP’s flexible working arrangements allows her to work from home or the Adelaide head office and fly to Olympic Dam ad-hoc.
“I’ve met some of the best people in the last four years, all coming from different backgrounds and experiences, and all striving for excellence, whether that’s in the endeavor for quality copper or providing the best health care and support to our workers.” “There is an amazing amount of variety in the opportunities available, not only at BHP but in the resources sector in general. Once you get your foot in the door and see that potential, with ambition, hard work and succession planning you can move your career in any direction.” Jess’s advice to anyone thinking about a career in the resources sector is simple: “Take a leap of faith. Be willing to work, learn and share gratefulness for the opportunities that come your way.” |
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Callum McNair, Legal Counsel, Adbri
"My office is not what you'd expect." Callum joined Adbri’s legal team following working in law, politics, and government. His work is incredibly varied, covering a range of aspects of Adbri’s legal requirements from contracts through to regulatory compliance. Exposure to all aspects of Adbri’s business is what he enjoys most about his role: "One of the things I really like about being in-house at a company like Adbri is dealing with people right across the country in a variety of roles. That could be a concrete agitator driver, right up to the CEO and CFO. You're not just in a room with other lawyers." |
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Jake Muller, Plant Metallurgist, Nyrstar
"No two days are ever the same." Jake Muller started working at Nyrstar as a graduate and has worked his way up to his current position of Plant Metallurgist over the past 4 years. Jake works with the metallurgy team to come up with solutions to complex problems every day, analysing data and trends to advise how to operate the plant most efficiently. As part of his role, he supports the resources sector to move towards a cleaner future by reducing material waste, environmental emissions and driving process improvements. "The best part of my role is the variability in what I get to see everyday, the people that I work with and the outcomes that I get to drive for not only myself but the business." Learn more about Jake's role at Nyrstar here. |
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Triparna Das, Graduate Process Safety Engineer, BHP.
“The industry offers a rewarding lifestyle with plenty of flexibility.” Triparna is an Electrical Engineer and is currently in her second year of the Graduate Program at BHP. She helps to implement and manage safety process improvements for BHP’s Olympic Dam asset. “During my time at university, I applied for an internship at BHP to explore what the mining industry has to offer. That experience made me fall in love with the resources sector and I knew then that is where I wanted to take my career going forward.” Triparna is currently based in the Adelaide office working a 8.30am-5pm job but often visits Olympic Dam for meetings and inspections. Through the Graduate Program she has also spent extensive periods living and working on site. "It can be long hours on site but the best part about living in the camp is not having to worry about cooking. I just head to the dining hall after work and dinner is ready to go. There is always a familiar face to enjoy dinner with and never a shortage of conversation." Olympic Dam is one of the only places in the world that has a processing plant and mine in the same location, providing a unique work environment for the budding engineer: “It’s amazing to see in operation and it’s very rewarding that I get to contribute to making it a safe environment to work in.” |
“The industry is continuously incorporating new technologies to make mining and processing even safer, while delivering greater efficiencies and results. It’s pretty cool to see robotics, drones, and automation in action."
"And the workforce is evolving as well. Resources has been traditionally viewed as a heavily male dominated industry but it’s really diverse now. We have women in various technical and leaderships roles who are exceptional at what they do.” |
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Lesley Waye, Surveyor, Alexander Symonds
"We're often the first people on the ground for many projects and it's amazing to be involved in the transformation of various sites." 
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Lesley wasn't 100 per cent sure on what she wanted to do as a career. She started with an architecture degree, before changing to environmental science during which she did a GIS mapping course - sparking her interest and career in surveying.
"We're the ones people see on the side of the road with what looks like a camera on a tripod...we get to use a range of equipment including theodolites, levels, GPS, drones and 3D laser scanners. The data is then turned into CAD plans or 3D models by drafters depending on what the survey is for." Surveyors measure everything from property boundaries, roads and construction sites to structural mechanical plant and event heritage buildings and culturally important areas. "Surveying was a way I could combine the outdoors with drafting and being able to see lots of Australia. I am lucky to be working for a company where I am supported and given the opportunities to broaden my horizons, try something different and be given a chance to create a new path." |
Current career opportunities
Whether you are a school leaver, apprentice, university graduate or considering a change in direction,
there is a career for you in resources, right here in South Australia.
Explore current job opportunities by clicking on the company logos below:
there is a career for you in resources, right here in South Australia.
Explore current job opportunities by clicking on the company logos below:
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Read more stories from graduates and young professionals:
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