Rising Stars Shine as Women in Resources Awards Finalists Announced
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia has revealed the finalists for its prestigious 2026 Women in Resources Awards, with three exceptional young women leading the charge in transforming the traditionally male-dominated mining sector.
Meet the Outstanding Young Women Finalists
Isabella Carter, a 24-year-old project leader working with Rio Tinto through contractor WorkPac, has overcome self-doubt to manage multi-million dollar infrastructure projects. The Scotland-born professional now leads an $18 million safety initiative that reduces falling object risks on mine sites while generating up to $4 million in savings.
Larissa Diaz, a senior mine geologist with BHP, has revolutionized drilling and sampling processes at WA iron ore operations. Her innovations have preserved more than 600,000 tonnes of high-grade iron ore over six months, delivering over $5 million in savings while improving safety by reducing high-risk tasks.
Jemima Reid, an underground mining graduate engineer with Barminco, has developed a groundbreaking geotechnical modelling app that generates 3D caveback models in just two minutes - replacing a manual process that previously took up to 12 hours. Her self-taught coding skills have created technology set for commercial rollout in coming years.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
CME acting chief executive Brooke Fowles described the awards as a celebration of trailblazers and pioneers that inspires the entire resources sector. Female participation in WA's resources sector has reached 25%, up from less than 20% a decade ago when the awards began in 2010.
The competitive selection process began with more than 90 nominations across eight categories. Winners will be announced in March 2026, recognizing achievements across operations, technology, company initiatives, and advocacy for women in resources.
Other category finalists include Michelle Elvy, Tania Stevens, and Raimunda Townend for Outstanding Woman in Resources, while Emma Vincent, Emma Eltringham, and Lee van der Meulen are contending for the Women in Resources Technology Award.
