Leigh comes to the rescue
MCARTHUR River Mine ( MRM) employee Leigh Mott hasn’t always been interested in mining.
Growing up in a farm in central Queensland, her love of the land saw her begin her career in agriculture.
But it was the opportunity to work on bigger machines that saw her leave the pastoral life to join MRM.
“While I was working at Anthony Lagoon Station I received a call from an old colleague who had taken a job at McArthur River Mine,” Ms Mott said.
“Her job sounded amazing so I sent in my resume and, before I knew it, I was working at MRM as an operator in 2011.”
Not long after arriving on site, she joined the mine’s Emergency Response Team, a voluntary role to provide a rescue service for the mine and surrounding communities.
“I was excited to learn about the Emergency Response Team at work and applied to become a member as soon as I heard about it,” she said.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping people and had wanted to get involved in rescue work for some time. Since completing my Emergency Medical Technician certification I have also taken on the role of Relief Emergency Response Coordinator this year.”
Her hard work and dedication has paid off, winning the Outstanding Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician category in the Women in Resources Awards.
Earlier this week she capped the award in the Northern Australian Emergency Response Competition as Best Medic.
MRM General Manager Sam Strohmayr said she was an inspiration to both men and women at the mine and wished her well in the national awards in Tasmania in August.