What's your job about?
Anglo American is a leading global mining company with a portfolio of competitive operations that produce and provide materials essential for modern-day life. I am employed by the Steelmaking Coal business unit in Australia, where three underground and two open-cut mines in Central Queensland provide high-quality hard-coking coal used in the production of steel.
My current role within the Steelmaking Coal business unit is as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer working within the Asset Management team at the Brisbane Corporate Office (BCO). As the name would suggest, my day-to-day tasks largely revolve around the management of the high-value assets owned and operated by the Steelmaking Coal business unit. The tasks themselves can range from the testing of new and current equipment to ensure that it complies with the requirements of our business, to the analysis, investigation and reporting of equipment that has failed or deteriorated prematurely. The information and results gathered from this work is then often used to help develop asset strategy and reliability-based decisions that can help to improve the efficiency of our operations and the business unit overall.
Whilst I currently work out of the BCO, the graduate program offered by Anglo American will see me involved in two one-year rotations at both an open-cut and underground mine. My first rotation is at the Capcoal Open-Cut mine in Middlemount, where I have been assigned to work in the Engineering & Maintenance sector. It is here that I hope to begin building upon my passion and knowledge of mechanical-based systems in a practical environment.
What's your background?
I was born in Brisbane and have lived in the Samford Valley/Camp Mountain area since 1999. Whilst only a 30-minute drive from the city, Samford has plenty of acreages, and beautiful mountains and was a great place to grow up. I attended high school at Marist College Ashgrove from 2009 to 2016, and then studied at QUT from 2017 to 2022, graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree. As alluded to earlier, I have a passion for mechanical systems that stemmed from my love of everything automotive and this is what pushed me to study mechanical engineering.
Originally, my plan was to graduate and find work for an automotive racing team to combine my skills and passion. I had several opportunities working with small and medium-sized race teams for event weekends, but my (second) biggest opportunity came when I started work experience at a mechanical engineering & performance fabrication workshop in 2020. Here I was able to apply what I had been learning throughout my degree in a practical application, and further my knowledge of mechanical systems. During this time, I begin my final thesis project and when I saw an application for a topic that studied the impacts of biodiesel on non-road diesel engines offered by Anglo American, I knew it was for me. Successful with the application, I developed my final thesis on the biodiesel topic, and this led to me getting my biggest opportunities including involvement in Anglo’s Vacation Placement program, working as an undergraduate, and finally as a graduate for Anglo American. I’ve been employed by Anglo American now for just over a year and it remains my best opportunity.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes. Despite the obvious implication that one would need a degree, I believe that anyone with a good work ethic, the ability to learn and apply knowledge, and the ability to communicate, would be suitable for the role regardless of previous disciplines or backgrounds. The work I am currently involved in on a day-to-day basis often relies on more than just engineering knowledge. Business management skills, communication skills, and being proactive are abilities that are consistently drawn upon.
In relation to the engineering side of things specifically, I would say that practical knowledge is key. Knowing what it is that you are working on and how it operates is invaluable, and never overlook what can be gained from hands-on practical work such as a trade.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
It’s hard to go past the career progression opportunities that are offered by Anglo American. Within a year of working here I have gone from a placement student to undergraduate to graduate and the whole time I have been exposed to many diverse tasks, operations, people, and responsibilities. This has been great in getting me engaged with the work I do, creating valuable contacts, and expanding my skill set. Further to this, Anglo American is a global company with different product operations in areas such as South Africa, North & South America, and Europe, and the ability to rotate to these areas and operations are supported and encouraged by Anglo American. Therefore, Career Progression and Sightseeing!
What are the limitations of your job?
Anglo American, being a global company with a global reputation, operates complex and competitive business units. As such, the expectations set by Anglo and reflected by the employees are of an incredibly high standard. This is not a bad limitation, but rather one that highlights the importance of fulfilling these expectations and aligning with the company’s operating model in order to be successful as an employee.
Regarding the role and lifestyle of mining operations, the typical day shift is on average 12 hours and the sites are in remote or rural locations. Life is what you make of it, and your workmates at the site are living the same lifestyle, but adapting to life away from home, or your usual friends, is important to master.
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