Student Journal - Illawarra Student Chapter - Mining Engineering Students Vacation Work

As a first-year mining engineering student, I had little idea of what to expect when I started my vacation work at Newmont - Cadia. Over the course of my placement, I took on a range of responsibilities that not only challenged me but also gave me a deeper appreciation for underground mining operations. From developing a KPI tracker to assess mining performance to updating the quarterly plan and creating a draw point compliance register, I found myself immersed in the technical side of the industry.

One of the biggest learning curves for me was working extensively with Excel. Before this experience, I had limited exposure to creating complex spreadsheets that needed to be both efficient and usable across teams. At first, it was overwhelming, but by troubleshooting and seeking guidance when necessary, I gradually became more confident. By the end of my placement, I had significantly improved my Excel skills and gained a much stronger understanding of mine planning processes.

The highlight of my time at Cadia was going underground and seeing firsthand how different crews and departments operated. Witnessing how all the moving parts of a mine come together gave me a much clearer understanding of engineering processes beyond just the theory taught in class. Observing mining operations in action not only reinforced what I had learned at university but also helped shape my career interests moving forward.

This experience laid a solid foundation for my future studies, allowing me to approach coursework with real-world applications in mind. If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be to push yourself to explore different areas and engage with as many departments as possible. The more you immerse yourself in the experience, the more you’ll gain from it.