A career in Resources. But not as you know it.
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Whatever your skills, whatever your interests.
There is a career waiting for you in the resources sector. The South Australian resources sector is enabling the transition to Net Zero and underpinning a shift to advanced manufacturing and robotics. In fact, nearly everything you touch is made possible by the resources industry, from light bulbs, computers and mobile phones to solar panels and electric cars. At the forefront of technology and innovation, there are a diverse range of jobs and skills involved in mining, producing and utilising our natural resources. Whether you love the outdoors, want the FIFO lifestyle or enjoy a desk job, the resources sector offers limitless career opportunities and transferable skills to take you anywhere. It's resources. But not as you know it. |
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A trade.
But not as you know it. |
A profession.
But not as you know it. |
A passion.
But not as you know it. |
What does South Australia's resources sector look like?
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From local copper mines to global energy markets, from raw materials to cutting edge technology, the South Australian resources sector is the foundation of our future.
The resources sector contributes significantly to the South Australian economy and involves the exploration, mining and distribution of our state's world-class mineral and petroleum deposits including copper, gold, iron ore, graphite and natural gas. It also includes the production and maintenance of our energy network. Our natural resources are enabling the shift to electrification and is underpinning the green energy transition, helping to build the world's carbon neutral infrastructure including wind farms, solar panels and electric vehicles. Mining and producing resources involves a wide variety of different skills and professions including engineering, surveying, geology, metallurgy, data science, environmental management, logistics and marketing as well as hands-on trades such as mechanics, electricians, drillers, welders and labourers. The opportunities are endless. |
A career in resources offers enables you to build a long-term and financially-rewarding career to suit your interests and expertise.
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What is it like working in South Australia's resources sector?
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"As a surveyor, you get to travel the world, see so many different places and meet lots of different people. Not many jobs offer you that."
Dale Robinson originally thought he wanted to be an engineer but at the end of Year 12 discovered surveying. He decided to study a Bachelor of Geospatial Science and joined Alexander Symonds in 2017 before going on to study a Masters of Surveying. Surveyors measure everything from property boundaries, roads and construction sites to structural mechanical plant and even heritage buildings and culturally important areas. Dale specialises in the high precision engineering aspects of surveying and enjoys working with the latest technologies including 3D laser scanning and drones. He also enjoys the variety that comes with the role. "At the moment I am doing fly-in, fly-out of Olympic Dam, currently doing 2-weeks on, 1-week off. Tomorrow I could be setting out a land boundary in town, the day after that I could be surveying a furnace at Olympic Dam or measuring a survey rail 40-metres in the air. It pretty much changes on a daily basis." |
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." Learn more about Alex's role here. |
Sam Chester
Specialist, Processing Plant BHP, Prominent Hill Sam works at BHP's 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 BHP and appreciates all the support they’ve given him on his journey. |
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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." View Callum's Study Pathway here |
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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.
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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." 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. 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 and has since been promoted into several leadership roles. “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.” View Jess' Study Pathway here |
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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." View Jake's Study Pathway here |
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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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