At MinRes we are encouraged to act fast, seize opportunities and think differently. Everyday heroes like David and Sarbjit demonstrate this every day.
David started working at MinRes in April 2020 as part of the first in-house drill and blast crew at our Yilgarn Hub iron ore operations. Later transitioning to become a Compliance Trainer, he is now responsible for ensuring that our people are trained, competent, and compliant with the MinRes standard.
As part of his work, David was finding it difficult to get operators to stay on top of their online learning modules. Lack of access to the right technology on site was often to blame. Simultaneously, he noticed old laptops largely abandoned and forgotten.
David gathered nine of these laptops, loaded them into his luggage, and brought them to the IT Help Desk at our new 20 Walters Drive HQ.
That’s where Sarbjit came in. As an IT Support Officer in the service desk function, Sarbjit completes a wide variety of tasks on any given day. Having only worked at MinRes for a few months, she was already gaining a reputation for having a willingness and desire to help others.
David approached Sarbjit knowing she was the perfect person to help. As he expected, her efforts were nothing short of outstanding. Aided by a supportive team, she took the laptops away and began working to salvage them. After troubleshooting for software issues, and deploying the relevant fixes, eight laptops were released back to David in excellent working order.
As part of her work, Sarbjit created a generic training login for all operators to access the laptop and David returned to the Yilgarn Hub with the eight working laptops in tow.
By working together, David and Sarbjit enabled the establishment of IT kiosks across the Koolyanobbing and Windarling sites where operators could complete their modules during work breaks. And the results have been clear.
“Operators have immediately started to use the laptops,” said David. “With a lift in online learning compliance, we have more knowledgeable operators who are able to do their jobs better and safer.”
What’s next? Well, David has recently transferred to the training team at our Wodgina lithium site and with Sarbjit’s help, he has commenced work to replicate the successful initiative.
We recently sat down with David and Sarbjit to find out more about the people behind the MinRes Marvels.
David Ryan
Please describe your career journey including companies and places you’ve worked?
Once I finished school in Perth, I spent three years working as a pearl diver in Broome; this was in the late 80s. After this I worked for myself as a property developer in Busselton. It was in 2008 that I started working in mining, originally as a haul truck driver. I later transitioned to working as a driller. Over the years this took me to Rio Tinto, FMG, and Griffin Coal.
Tell me about your current role?
In April 2020, I joined MinRes as part of the first in-house drill and blast crew at our Yilgarn operations. Starting out as a Driller, I transitioned to become an Authorised Assessor, before progressing to become a Compliance Trainer. I have since moved to the training team at Wodgina. As a Compliance Trainer, I am responsible for ensuring that our people are trained, competent, and compliant with the MinRes standard. At present I am the only Drill & Blast Trainer in the business.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The thing I enjoy most about my work is the opportunities I am given to make a difference. The ramp up of Wodgina is a significant event for our business and I am excited to be part of it. I truly think that the site has the potential to be great.
Why did you join MinRes? What was it that attracted you?
The thing that attracted me to MinRes was the endless opportunity. At previous Tier 1 miners I only ever felt like a number; at MinRes it is different. When they say they will deliver you a career, rather than just a workplace, they mean it.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
I have had so many highlights, even in the less than 3 years at MinRes. Being part of the first in-house Drill & Blast crew at our Yilgarn operations is probably the most satisfying. The foundation crew evolved into such a successful team.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
Outside of work you will find me either spending time with my loving family, being a die-hard West Coast Eagles supporter, or getting involved with the Trinity Old Boys Rowing Club. In between I am developing some residential lots by the beach in Busselton.
Sarbjit Kaur
Please describe your career journey including companies and places you’ve worked?
I came to Australia from India in 2017 to complete my Masters of IT at the University of Western Australia. After completing my studies at the end of 2020, I went on to complete a three-month internship at Structerre Consulting Engineers, in Balcatta, as an IT Support Officer. I was part of a project to help them add all their Apple devices to their new mobile device management system. After that, I worked at Santos in the Perth CBD on a short-term contract. The role was focused on offering IT support to new employees who were joining Santos after their merger with Oil Search.
Tell me about your current role?
I joined the MinRes’ IT Support team in February 2022 as an IT Support Officer. At the IT service desk, my main responsibility is to help provide a single point of communication and coordination for all users of MinRes IT systems. The role sees me completing a wide variety of tasks on any given day. This includes working on the help desk, setting up devices, creating user accounts, installing software, dealing with printer issues, and much more!
What do you enjoy most about your work?
For me it is the people that make working at MinRes so enjoyable. I love my team members; they are very supportive. I also love helping the wider business with their problems; everyone is so friendly. I am a people person after all.
Why did you join MinRes? What was it that attracted you?
When I finished up at my previous employer, I wanted to find somewhere where I could gain experience, learn new skills, and most importantly grow a career. MinRes gave me the opportunity to do all these things. Living in the northern suburbs, the new office in Osborne Park was a bonus – only 10 minutes to work!
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
The highlight of my career was coming to work for MinRes. It is such a great company that always looks out for its people. Everyone is so respectful and caring. I love working in this environment.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
It’s my five-year-old daughter, Samayra, that keeps me busy. I love spending every precious moment with her. I used to take her to swimming lessons; now we mostly draw and paint together, go on outings to kid friendly places, and so on. She makes me proud every day.
