Junior Engineer
Thiess, Mt Owen Coal Project
Total years of experience :6 years, 2 Months
- Assisted senior environmental advisor with all internal and external audits against corporate standards and ISO 14001
- Assisted technical services team during regulator inspections of operations against state dust, noise, waste and hydrocarbon management regulations
- Monitored and assessed dust, noise and blast vibration and overpressure data from mining and processing activities
- Estimated site energy saving opportunities and proposed initiatives through a comprehensive balance of energy use and fuel consumption on site
- Maintained the site environmental management system to corporate standards through procedural reviews, risk assessments and heads of department consultations
- Produced GPS mapping for clearing, fauna and flora surveying, and topsoiling operations
- Oversaw rehabilitation operations on spoil dump (incl. shaping, topsoiling, seeding and weed management). This involved forming close and productive working relationships with the sub-contractors involved, undertaking topsoil testing and quality assurance checks, and completing routine inspections of works
- Assisted with fauna and flora monitoring, surveying and other duties on site, as required by the site’s EIA commitments
- Assisted with a study of the movements of native Tiger Quolls on site, using GPS and radio tracking equipment
Overall, I helped Thiess improve its environmental standards, reach its targets, and maintain compliance with all licence conditions and EIS commitments. My role on site involved liaising closely with other members of the technical services team, the mine management team, clients and subcontractors, as well as taking part in community consultation meetings in accordance with our responsibility to local landholders. I used Vulcan 3D engineering software for topsoiling plans and rehabilitation design, Trimble surveying equipment in the field, and BlueView and ArcGIS for general mapping and environmental planning.
During my time with Thiess I also completed a Professional Development Program consisting of four multi-day professional skill-building workshops, over two years.
- Reported directly to the Technical Services Manager as part of the technical services team, comprising site surveyors, mine planners and engineers
- Completed a thorough water balance of the mine site, with limited information on site hydrology, spoil characteristics, dam capacities and pump rates
- Investigated options for the treatment of acidified tailings decant water caused by sulphurous mine spoil. This represented a considerable technical and financial challenge to the project.
- Conducted all surface water monitoring, maintaining and calibrating all monitoring equipment, and assisted with a geotechnical inspection of dams and the tailings impoundment,
- Conducted weekly site inspections of all environmental controls on site (solid waste, hydrocarbon waste, spill control)
- Collected and reported data as required by the Australian National Pollutant Inventory, National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, and the Federal Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act.
- Completed incident classification and reporting for all environmental incidents that occurred
- Undertook environmental awareness training of staff, operators and contractors, through presentations at pre-shift talks
- Assisted supply teacher during class-time activities (e.g. maths games, quizzes, reading activities)
- Helped supervise students while supply teacher was absent from class
- Corrected homework during class and provided constructive feedback to students
I completed the Engineering Professional Practice component of my Bachelor of Engineering program with Superior Coal.
- Home tutoring - primary and secondary (Year 5, Years 9 & 10 Physics and English). Assisted with homework and school assignments.
- University tutoring (CIVL3130 Fluid Mechanics, CHEM1001 Chemistry for Engineers)
4 months professional practice with Woodside, Perth Head Office.
4 months professional practice with Rio Tinto, Yarwun alumina refinery.
After being selected to enter the Australian Defence Force Academy, completed a year's training as an Officer Cadet in the Army. Training included field skills (navigation, weaponry, army logistics) and military law, completed alongside academic studies.