Eighteen high-performing Indigenous resource employees, students and companies have been selected as finalists in this year's Queensland Resources Council (QRC) 2019 Indigenous Awards.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the Awards identified the leading individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to the sector and communities.
"Not only do these Awards celebrate the high level of talented Indigenous employees in our sector across all commodities but they encourage new participation into the workforce which further enhances the diversity of our sector," Mr Macfarlane said.
"Queensland's Indigenous population is 4 per cent and current census data shows the sector's Indigenous participation has grown to 4 per cent which places the sector as one of a few industries with a genuine representation.
"It is our hope that winners will go on to be ambassadors for the sector, acting as role models and encouraging more Indigenous people to join our industry. The Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of those companies and individuals making a real difference and to inspire others to do the same.
"As a sector that largely operates in regional and remote communities with high Indigenous populations our sector has a unique opportunity to be a leader in Indigenous employment.
"Across Australia, mining was acknowledged in the Closing the Gap report last year with 6599 Indigenous Australians employed by the mining industry which is an increase of 250 per cent since 2006."
The awards will be presented during National Reconciliation Week on the 27th May at the W Hotel in Brisbane.
Finalists for this year's awards:
Indigenous Advocacy Award
• Dee Clarke, Maintenance Centre of Excellence, BHP
• Florence Drummond, Founder, Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia
• Colin McLennan, Managing Director and Owner, Jangga Operations Pty Ltd
Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources Award
• Darryl Parker, Supply Superintendent, Glencore
• Brandon Butler, Operator, Middlemount South
• Nyah Teoitu, Mining Engineer, BHP
Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources Award
• Black Cat Civil
• Indigenous Beverages Australia
• ONABAC
Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award
• Rio Tinto, Amrun Project Local and Indigenous Participation Strategy and Implementation
• Thiess, Indigenous Business Breakfast
• Origin, Team Work between Procurement and Project Management Creates Opportunities
Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award
• BHP, Indigenous Leadership Programs
• Peabody, Bowen Basin Trainee Program
• QCoal, Thida Bullaroo 'One Foot After the Other'
Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award
• Lydia Taylor, Moura State High School
• Tristan Evans, Kirwan State High School
• Willow Sing, Dysart State High School
