Student Journal - Southern Queensland Student Chapter - Environmental Management Students Vacation Work
As a first-year Master's student in Environmental Management with a bachelor's degree in Architecture, this experience was an incredible and eye-opening introduction to mining. Having transitioned into the industry only four months ago, I took a leap of faith—and I was fortunate that Aurelia was willing to take that leap with me as their Vacation Student. From changing my Master's degree to gaining residential industry experience and being selected for the International Mining Games, all within a few months of making the decision, it was all hands on deck.
During my three-month residential placement in Cobar, a regional town in NSW, I fully immersed myself in the mining environment and culture, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and industry insight. I was fortunate to be employed across two disciplines—Mining Engineering and Environmental/Social—giving me exposure to both underground and surface operations. Going underground for the first time, with no prior mining experience, was a completely new and exhilarating challenge. Sitting with boggers, drillers, and geologists, visiting fresh stopes, and grading ore—not only was I exposed to my area of work, but I also gained an understanding of how the mine functioned as a whole. Every team, across every site, was exceptional in ensuring I learned and experienced as much as possible.
From water and dust sampling to shadowing boggers and Geotechs, living both in town and at camp, analyzing samples in the lab, touring the mill, and working alongside the exploration drillers—I had the opportunity to thoroughly experience a mine site. I worked on several projects during my placement, and I felt I was able to make a meaningful contribution. These projects ranged from community and environmental initiatives, such as developing a new Weed Management Procedure, Water Management Procedure, Signage and Branding review, Compliance Monitoring and working alongside other employee projects.
Gaining access to four different gold and base metals sites, each at a different stage of production, allowed me to observe operations from exploration and design through to rehabilitation. Working alongside service, geotechnical, mining, environmental, and community teams provided me with a comprehensive view of the industry's complexities, with mentors from every team always willing to let me shadow them.
A huge thank you to the Aurelia team for an immersive vacation program—I look forward to what this year brings and the opportunities ahead!
