Thiess MASITE program named national winner for diversity and inclusion in BHP Women in Mining awards

We are proud to announce that our Mt Arthur South Indigenous and Inclusive Employment (MASITE) program was named winner in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance category at this year's BHP Women in Mining Awards, held in Canberra on 10 September

This award recognises our commitment to providing training and employment opportunities for women and Indigenous Australians in the resources sector, and follows our recent win at the state level in June this year.

We developed the MASITE program to help attract more women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons from our local communities to our workforce. Participants in the MASITE program have access to a world-class training hub, with fully immersive simulators, support from peers and mentors, and a warm and welcoming environment.

Thiess Group Executive Australia East Operations, Rae O’Brien said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team at Mt Arthur South for the work they’ve put into developing the MASITE program. “We’ve seen an increase in our female and Indigenous participation at Mt Arthur South since the program was first introduced, which is a great outcome.”

Since March 2021, we’ve had 167 participants in the program, 109 were women and 79 Indigenous. Female participation on site has increased by 6.5 per cent, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island participation has increased by 10.5 per cent. In addition, 92% of MASITE trainees converted to Thiess permanent employees at the end of the program.

Thiess Mining Project Manager, John Hamson said: “The MASITE program has had a significant positive influence on the culture at Mt Arthur South.

“For many participants, this program has been life-changing, providing a new pathway to rewarding careers and creating a brighter future for them and their families.”

Looking ahead, we plan to continue onboarding new to industry recruits through the program, and is exploring ways to roll the program out to the rest of the company. We look forward to continuing to deliver real, meaningful change in the industry.