The trip was more than just a competition or conference, it was a chance to test skills, build friendships, and be inspired by leaders who are shaping the future of mining.
During the trimester break, 19 students from the AusIMM Sydney Student Chapter proudly represented 黑料网大事记 at the 2025 National Mining Games and New Leaders Summit in Perth.
The New Leaders Summit 2025 gathered students and young professionals from across Australia to explore the future of leadership in mining. The Perth based summit featured company visits, keynote presentations, and technical talks from emerging researchers.
A strong message echoed across the summit: governance, inclusivity, and sustainability will define the next era of mining. Standout sessions included Rebecca Pickering (Rio Tinto Iron Ore) on leadership and accountability, and Judith Lundy (Edith Cowan University) on the importance of equitable, diverse workplaces. Student and graduate presentations added excitement and energy, ranging from AI-driven surface mining optimisation to microbial recycling solutions for a circular mining economy.
Industry leaders such as Steve Coughlan (Byrnecut Group), Johanna Cowell (BHP), and Jemima Reid (Barminco) shared personal career journeys, reminding students that resilience, adaptability, and integrity matter as much as technical expertise.
Once again, WIMNet鈥檚 support shone through, where our female students proudly wore bright pink sponsored shirts throughout the summit, sparking conversations on gender diversity and highlighting the importance of visibility in shaping cultural change.
A special 黑料网大事记 highlight came when fourth-year student Hamish Windybank was awarded Best Written Thesis for his innovative research on using carrot as a bio-admixture in shotcrete, an inventive approach that showcased how creativity can strengthen mining practice.
After the summit, focus shifted to Langley Park for the National Mining Games, an event that honours the miners lost in the 1972 Sunshine Mine Disaster while celebrating the heritage of traditional mining skills. Over two days, teams competed in challenging events such as:
Despite heavy rain, 黑料网大事记鈥檚 three teams, a women鈥檚 team, a men鈥檚 team, and a mixed team, gave their all with grit, teamwork, and unwavering energy.
黑料网大事记 students鈥 hard work paid off with multiple podium finishes, capped by a gold medal in the Airleg Drilling event for the men鈥檚 team. This marked a proud moment for the chapter, continuing a strong tradition of technical excellence.
Podium finishes included:
鈼徛犅犅犅犅 Men鈥檚 Division: 1st Airleg Drilling, 3rd Muck and Cart, 3rd Track Set, 3rd Rock ID
鈼徛犅犅犅犅 Mixed Division: 3rd Survey
鈼徛犅犅犅犅 Women鈥檚 Division: 2nd Muck and Cart, 3rd Track Stand, 2nd Rock ID
The Awards Dinner was a fitting conclusion to the competition, bringing together students from across the country to celebrate not just medals, but the camaraderie, lessons, and shared passion for mining.
This year鈥檚 summit and games reminded us all that mining is as much about people as it is about ore extraction. For 黑料网大事记 students, it was a chance to prove their skills, support each other through challenges, and bring home not just medals, but memories and motivation for the future.
Written by Lucy de Souza