The Ranger Women’s Network (RWN) encourages and supports the women of Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) by providing access to mentoring, networking and professional development opportunities, and information exchange on ERA and industry matters.

​The Network also recognises those who champion gender diversity and makes available information to inform its members about gender diversity issues, strategies and statistics.

In 2020, significant work was undertaken to refresh its approach to inclusion and diversity and to improve the knowledge base and attitudes towards inclusion and diversity from its Superintendents and Managers across the site. 
Outcomes have been achieved through a series of activities, leader endorsement and understanding allowing them to now link inclusion and diversity to Rio Tinto’s business plan and development tools to engage in meaningful conversations with their teams.

Congratulations to Adam Dunstan, winner of the 2020 Rio Tinto Gove Gender Diversity Champion. Adam is committed to seeing more women in trades and particularly across the resources industry. Having grown up with six sisters, three of whom are in traditionally- male trades, it’s the norm for him.

He has helped GEMCO achieve 54% female representation across 11 apprentice positions in electrical, mechanical and automotive electrical trades. Adam’s goal is to increase apprentice numbers to 20 across four departments, providing a sustainable pipeline of development that will ensure diversity in the industry for the long-term future.

Phillipa is a Yolngu woman from Gapuwiyak in North East Arnhem Land and is pursuing a career operating heavy mining equipment. Phillipa is a Mining Operator at Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite mine. She started her career in mining with Rio Tinto in 2018, and in 2019 commenced a traineeship within one of Rio Tinto’s two all-Indigenous work crews.

Having fast-tracked her two-year traineeship in Surface Extraction and completed this in just 11 months, in April this year, Phillipa began her current role as a qualified Mining Operator. She now operates heavy mining equipment including 777 haul trucks and loaders, contributing to the supply of high quality bauxite to the international aluminium industry.

Congratulations to Emma Williams, winner of the 2020 Newmont Gold Corp Exceptional Young Woman in Resources.

After leading several multi-million dollar projects as Reliability and Project Management Specialist at McArthur River Mine, Emma Williams was promoted to Superintendent Projects and Engineering in September 2019. In this role Emma is responsible for the majority of capital and operational projects in the environmental, concentrator, port and mining departments at the mine.

Emma works hard to deliver quality projects safely, on time and on budget, and is experienced in managing large and diverse teams. Emma is a champion lifesaving and surf sports athlete and credits this for building her strong work ethic and appreciation for community and teamwork.