Lucy Barrie on the pathway to success

While studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) at the University of New South Wales, Lucy Barrie kick-started her career by joining the Glencore Vacation Employment Program in 2018.

She gained hands-on operational experience and was offered a Talent Development Scholarship, giving her the opportunity to return for a second round of vacation work the following year, and providing financial support towards her studies.

Upon returning, Lucy was tasked with identifying an alternative solution to secondary blasting, which involves the reduction of oversized rocks using explosives.

She investigated the use of a rock breaker machine, a hydraulic breaker fitted to the front of a Sandvik 517 loader. Pressure and vibrations are used to crack the rock, making them easier and safer to handle by the underground loaders.

Finishing her second vacation work period, she continued the project as her thesis research topic in her final year of university and implemented it upon her return to Mount Isa Mines (MIM) as a graduate.

Lucy says that the rock breaker has achieved economic and production improvements for the operations.

“Previously, we had to interrupt the underground loaders’ production during blasting, as a safety measure, but now the loaders can operate alongside the rock breaker, reducing stoppage time. The cost of purchasing and maintaining the rock breaker is much less than what we were spending on explosives,” Lucy says.  

“While the hydraulic breaker component is new, we already operate the same model of loader at MIM which means the maintenance of the machine will be compatible with the rest of our fleet.”

The rock breaker machine is the first of its kind at MIM and it has aptly been named ‘Lucy.’

Lucy says that being involved in this project has given her fantastic experience in project management.

“There aren’t many places where you can be given responsibility for a project of this nature as a vacation student and have the opportunity to see it through to fruition as a graduate,” Lucy says.

“Since starting the two-year graduate program in 2021, I’ve rotated between the underground operations and development engineering teams and am currently working with the scheduling department. I’m challenged every day due to the size, history and different mining methods used at MIM.”

“I love that I get to live and work in a regional mining town such as Mount Isa. I’ve joined a local netball team and have experienced the best of north-west Queensland at the iconic rodeos and race days.”

“The development and learning opportunities offered here are invaluable. I’m looking forward to seeing where my career with Glencore will take me,” Lucy says.

Lucy is also the 2022 Vice Chair of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) North West Queensland branch and is involved in hosting local conferences and discussions with technical professionals on improvements and innovations in the resources industry.

Learn more about Glencore’s Pathway Programs.