Hard work sees students secure Glencore scholarship support

Media release

Glencore has awarded a broad range of scholarships to talented locals to set them on a pathway to success in the mining and resources industry as well as across other fields that will benefit our regional community.

Glencore Student Excellence Scholarships

Local Spinifex High School graduate Cody Burnett and Good Shepherd Catholic College students Tara Gavan, Taku Tembo and Henry Carland were the worthy recipients of this year’s Glencore Student Excellence Scholarships.

Now offered for the second year, Stuart Reid, Head of Mount Isa Zinc Operations says Glencore Student Excellence Scholarships support graduating Year 12 students from the north west region to complete full-time tertiary studies.

Each recipient will receive a scholarship of $5,000 for the first year of their university studies, commencing in 2020.

“These scholarships are not just awarded to students interested in mining but are open to a range of disciplines that will support and enrich the communities in which we operate,” Stuart says.

“It’s great to see that many of this year’s recipients participated in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Engineering Camps and work experience at the mine which helped guide their secondary studies.”

“We are really proud to support home grown talent and these students have the potential to make a really positive impact on the world,” says Stuart.

Cody, Taku and Henry plan to study towards a Bachelor of Engineering specialising in a range of fields, while Tara intends to complete a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Matt O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, Glencore Copper Assets Australia says the scholarships reward high achieving students who are good role models with a strong sense of community.

“In particular, we’re pleased that Tara had the opportunity to take part in our Girls for Mining Mentoring program and now plans to become a doctor in the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” Matt says.

While she will miss the opportunity to go camping in Mount Isa when she moves to study at James Cook University in Townsville, Tara says she’s willing to put this hobby aside to follow her passion for helping people.

“I love the community and am proud to call Mount Isa home so this scholarship will hopefully not only help me, but also the wider regional community,” says Tara.

In addition, these students will have the opportunity to gain real on the job experience when they complete Glencore’s three-month summer vacation program.

Vic Stampton Technical Growth Scholarship

During his 40 years at Mount Isa Mines, Vic Stampton, Supervisor of Mining Research embodied the idea of innovation contributing to the transformation of mining technologies in areas of ground support, instrumentation, testing and backfill.

The Vic Stampton Technical Growth Scholarships aim to continue his legacy, Matt O’Neill says, by awarding multiple Technical Development scholarships every year that provide financial support to assist successful recipients in their first year of university studies.

“This year’s recipients are Grace Mclauchlan, Camden Mitchell and Freya Allen, who are all planning to undertake their studies in Brisbane,” Matt says.
“Both Camden and Freya will study a Bachelor of Engineering, while Grace will complete a Bachelor of Geological Science and Business.”

Grace currently works as an Assistant Planner – Concentrator at Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) and, while she’s looking forward to becoming a budding scholar, EHM unfortunately loses one of their finest Beat the Heat Festival Mine Cart Rally drivers.

“I’m very excited about my upcoming adventure at university as well as living at college – it’s going to be a great experience,” Grace says.
“I’ll definitely miss my family and friends in Cloncurry where I’ve lived for the past 18 years and it will be hard to leave but I certainly won’t miss the 4.30am starts or the heat!”

Pathway to Trade Scholarships

The two successful recipients of the Pathway to Trade Scholarships are Kirralee Adams and Yuri Tutor, both Mount Isa locals who were part of Glencore’s School Leavers Pathways Program.

Matt O’Neill says up to two Trade Scholarships per year are awarded to support employees in pathway programs looking to continue their career into an apprenticeship.

“The Pathway to Trade scholarship helps provide financial support during the first year of their apprenticeship and, in 2020, we’re excited that both Kirralee and Yuri will embark on electrical apprenticeships,” Matt says.

“We wish all the scholarship winners the very best in their respective studies and apprenticeships.”

For further information, please contact:

Colin Morrison
m: +61 447 846 702
e: Colin Morrison

Nadine Roberts
m: +61 436 341 650
e: Nadine Roberts

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities. The Group's operations comprise over 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of offices located in over 35 countries.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore’s companies employ around 158,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

About Mount Isa Mines

Mount Isa Mines operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. The site hosts the world’s largest zinc resource base, as well as the biggest network of underground mine development in the world.

The site includes two copper underground mines, one zinc underground mine, the copper concentrator and smelter, as well as the zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant. Together, these represent one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.

As well as the Australian market, our products are exported to countries throughout Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy every year. We provide work for close to 3,500 employees and contractors and are dedicated to supporting local people, local businesses, and creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.