Local employees nominated for mining industry awards
Two of Aurelia Metals’ employees have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2022 NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards.
Laura Barnes, Environment and Social Re-sponsibility Officer at Peak Gold Mines and Daniel Kim, a Mining Engineer at the Hera Mine, have both been named as finalists in the ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ category.
A Cobar local, Laura has worked at the Peak Mine for almost four years.
She said it was very rewarding to have been named as a finalist.
“It feels like such an achievement just to be recognised as a finalist,” Laura told The Cobar Weekly.
“I’m so grateful for this experience.”
Daniel, who graduated as a mining engineer from the University of Wollongong has worked in the mining field for the past six years.
He’s been at Hera for almost a year and pri-or to that he worked at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Victoria and also with Whitehaven Coal at Narrabri.
Daniel said the nomination means a lot to him, and also a lot to his family.
“As an immigrant this defines how hard we worked and achieved goals,” Daniel said.
“When we first came to Australia in 2002, I did not know English and it was a struggle.
“However, my parents have worked hard to ensure a good education was provided and I studied and worked hard to accomplish my goals,” he said.
“This is a good indication that I am doing a good job as a mining engineer and I am very pleased that the industry can recognise all the hard work I have done.”
Daniel said the nomination also helps to shine a light on the work Aurelia are doing at Hera, including the development of their new Federation Project, which was discovered in April 2019.
An Aurelia spokesperson said they were thrilled the pair had been named as finalists.
“NSW Minerals Council confirmed they received many outstanding submissions this year; it’s such an honour to have two of our people make it through to the final round.
“Both Laura and Daniel love working in the mining industry and are proud Aurelia Metals ambassadors.
“Both continually look for ways to improve what they do, better serve the communities in which they operate, and talk enthusiastically about being role models for the next genera-tion of miners,” the spokesperson said.
Laura and Daniel will represent Aurelia Metals at the awards dinner at Parliament House in Sydney next month.
The NSW Mining Industry and Suppliers Awards recognise the people and businesses whose hard work and achievements contribute to a thriving industry that generates an im-portant economic return to NSW.
NSW has some of the world’s leading min-ing operations, producing high-quality coal, copper, gold and other commodities for local and global markets
