Queensland’s top talent recognised at national women’s resources awards

Click here for photo of award winner Kanae Dyas and Simon Trott, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto, Iron Ore (award sponsor)
Click here for photo of award winner Ashara Moore

Two Queensland women have received national recognition for their outstanding contribution to the resources sector at a prestigious awards event in Canberra last night.

Gold Coast based FIFO engineer, Ashara Moore, and Support Manager, Kanae Dyas, were honoured at the BHP Women in Resources National Awards presented by the Minerals Council of Australia.

Ashara Moore who works at BHP’s Saraji mine in Central Queensland was named the Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources and Anglo American’s Workplace Support Manager Kanae Dyas was recognised as the Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources.

As well as the individual recognition, Anglo American was also awarded a highly commended in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award category.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Officer, Janette Hewson, congratulated the two winners and all Queensland finalists at the awards.

“Ashara and Kanae are both deserving winners of the awards, but all of our finalists are outstanding examples of the world class workforce behind the success of Queensland’s resources sector,” Ms Hewson said.

“Ashara Moore heads a team of engineers as portfolio lead, responsible for over $45 million in capital projects and has shown what women can achieve through a dynamic career in the resources sector.

“Kanae Dyas is a champion for diversity and equity reform who is dedicated to improving health and safety outcomes for women and marginalised people to create a safe and welcoming workplace for all involved in the industry.

“The achievements of both Ashara and Kanae will inspire more women to consider a rewarding career in Queensland’s resources sector.

“Awards like these, and the jointQRC and WIMARQ State Resources Awards for Women are just one way of recognising the sector’s commitment to better gender balance in our workforce.”

The QRC with the support of member companies and WIMARQ actively encourages more women into the sector and deliver diversity and inclusion programs to support them once in roles.

“Since 2006, female participation in the Queensland resources sector workforce has grown from 6 per cent to more than 22 per cent but we know can do better to meet the growing skilled workforce needs of our industry,” Ms Hewson said.

“The door is wide open for more women to move into a trade or professional career pathway in Queensland’s minerals and energy sector.”

National finalists were selected from the Queensland Women in Resources winners’ pool from May 2024.

• Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources – Sonia Winter BHP
• Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources – Ashara Moore BHP
• Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award – Anglo American
• Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources – Kanae Dyas Anglo American
• Outstanding Australian Tradeswomen/Operator/Technician – Tanya Olive Jellinbah Group
• Women in Resources Technical Innovation Award – Claire Graham Aurizon

The QRC Women in Resources awards have just reopened and we’re encouraging all women in the sector to nominate themselves or a peer for exceptional work in the sector.

For more information on the awards and nominations, visit www.judgify.me/RAW2025

Media Contact: Matt Dunstan – [email protected]