Northern Queenslanders have been awarded mining industry accolades for their work. See more.
Ms King works as an indigenous liaison officer at South32’s Cannington mine near McKinlay in northwest Queensland. She is a Birri-Gubba, Bwgcolman woman.
Being a role model for other indigenous people at the mine and in the industry was “incredibly” important to Ms King.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to grow as a leader, advocate and mentor with South32,” she said.
“… I will work to give these same opportunities to other indigenous people in our industry.”
Announced in Brisbane on Tuesday, Ms King was jointly-awarded Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources at the 2023 Queensland Resources Council Indigenous Awards.
High school students at South32’s Cannington mine. Eights pupils went to the Queensland mine to find out about the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. Pictured: Ben Mills with his mentor Tafara Chipamaunga.
She set up the Cannington mine’s indigenous work experience program and a networking group.
Cannington operations vice president Joe Russell said Ms King was a “tremendous leader” and “incredible role model”.
The company wants to increase indigenous participation year-on-year and Ms King’s work was empowering, he said.
South32 was spawned from BHP Billiton and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2015.
Ms King shared the award with Kalkadoon man Matthew Body from Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines.
Mr Body is a metallurgical technical operator at the copper smelter and the award recognised his leadership and dedication to safety.
The father-of-five noted Glencore’s indigenous employment program as a way to kickstart careers.
Glencore’s head of zinc business in Australia, Sam Strohmayr said the company was proud of Mr Body’s hard work, perseverance and dedication during his 17 years at Mount Isa Mines.