GFG Foundation students get a taste of Tahmoor

Site visit reveals opportunities in the mining industry

Students from Picton High and Wollondilly Anglican College recently visited the SIMEC Mining Tahmoor Coking Coal operation in Australia to learn about opportunities in the mining industry.

The students are participants in the GFG Foundation programme which aims to mentor students from the local high schools, teach them the fundamentals of STEM and assist them with hints for entering the workforce.

The students toured the surface facilities of the GFG Alliance Tahmoor operation to learn about the Coal Handling Preparation Plant (CHPP), the administration building and the surface workshop.

These students walked away enriched and with a new perspective of the mining industry that operates in their backyard
Tahmoor Coking Coal Executive General Manager, Peter Vale

As co-ordinator of the visit, Production Manager Mat Davies, said the visit was designed to show the students the vast diversity of employment opportunities within the mining industry and at Tahmoor.

“The goal of the visit is to show the young people in our community what’s behind the big gates, or for Wollondilly Anglican College, what’s just across the road,” Mat said.

“We show them that a mine isn’t just all coal miners, we have electricians, mechanics, accountants, environmental and communications officers, there’s so much variety of opportunity and showing the students really opens their eyes to it.

“The kids really enjoyed it, particularly getting to pinch a piece of coal from the stockpile.”

Executive General Manager, Peter Vale has been a mentor for the program since its inception and said this year’s students are already gaining confidence just weeks in to the 20-week program.

“Often, we get students that haven’t come out of their shell yet, but this year every single student is confident and engaged … it’s amazing to see,” Peter said.

“We are getting to see these students grow into the leaders of the future.”

We show them that a mine isn’t just all coal miners, we have electricians, mechanics, accountants, environmental and communications officers, there’s so much variety of opportunity and showing the students really opens their eyes to it
Tahmoor Coking Coal Production Manager Mat Davies

The GFG Foundation programme is facilitated by volunteer mentors from the colliery. This year, there are seven mentors assisting the students with practical workshops.

“A very big thank you to Mat Davies for coordinating the event with the assistance of Phil Jones and everyone involved with the day from manning the barbecue, taking photos and sharing experiences of their role,” Peter said.

“These students walked away enriched and with a new perspective of the mining industry that operates in their backyard.”