From uncertainty to opportunity: Matty’s decade in mining

Matty never planned on carving out a long-term career in mining but 10 years later, he’s sure glad he did.

After finishing high school in 2015 and unclear on a career path, a two-year traineeship as a junior underground miner was a good opportunity to earn some money while he figured out what he wanted to do long-term.

Fast-forward a decade and he’s still working in the industry as a Rope Shovel Operator at our Hail Creek open cut coal mine.

Matty tells us he loves every second and it’s the people that he works with that motivates him to go to work every day.

“It wasn’t until progressing my mining career that I realised how much I love the people, the challenges and the culture that surrounds a great working team,” Matty said.

Linking with Glencore through Workpac, as a new to industry operator after his underground traineeship, Matty has never stopped upskilling.

While driving trucks, water carts, graders and dozers, he’s taken on the additional responsibility of being the crew health and safety representative.

“I’ve been fortunate to be included in a few project roles onsite to roll out the importance of the ‘No Plan, No Work’ initiative introduced to our Australian Coal business,” he said.

“Within the last 12 months I was offered a start on our Rope Shovels, this being my first load unit. The offer was daunting at first, but it was the next step in the direction I’m working towards so I was extremely grateful and took on the opportunity with both hands.”

Matt’s strong work ethic doesn’t stop away from the pit, either. Living rurally, he spends his downtime on the family property breeding and riding performance horses.

But it’s the mining sector that’s captured his heart. So much so, he aspires to earn a leadership role in the future.

“Looking down the track, I would like to think I can progress on the path I am going into a higher level of leadership within our company,” he said.

“I have worked for the business since I was very young, I understand the direction of the business, the values we work within and a shared passion for success.

When asked what the best thing about his job is, Matty didn’t hesitate to point to his coworkers.

“Along with our Glencore Values we have additional values as a mining team at Hail Creek,” he said.

“The first is to follow your gut. When you think something isn’t right there is a pretty good chance it’s not, so trusting that instinct is paramount. The second is being a good human and, in my opinion, the people are the absolute core asset to our business.

"I believe these are fundamental to our culture at Hail Creek, and we do it quite well.”