Bec plays a leading role in an operation that shipped 34.1 million tonnes (Mt) in FY26 – above upgraded guidance – but it’s her career in operational roles across multiple industries that set her up for success.
Bec’s experience as a pit technician, in fixed plant operations, maintenance, logistics management and the marine industry provides the ideal footing for her current position leading a supply chain as unique and innovative as Onslow Iron’s.
“My experience has been quite invaluable,” Keys said.
“It’s built a basis of knowledge that I have across all facets of the supply chain and really given me the experience to see where all the constraints are, both operationally and on the maintenance side of things.
“I get to see every facet of the project and I get to interact with everybody from head office to site. It’s role that’s challenging and ever changing.”
Bec balances her time between the Ken’s Bore mine site, coastal operations at the Port of Ashburton and MinRes’ head office in Perth.
Regardless of location, Bec’s day starts with the a review of the previous 24 hours across focus areas of intramine haulage, crushing, ex-mine haulage, port operations and shipping – all delivered by wholly-owned subsidiary CSI Mining Services.
At Ken’s Bore, intramine haulage has unlocked the Upper Cane and Cardo Bore East satellite deposits, with iron ore travelling on a private haul road to the central processing facilities supported by innovative NextGen crushing technology.
The Port of Ashburton, 150km west of Ken’s Bore, is home to Onslow Iron’s port facility and transhipping operation, where iron ore is ferried 40km offshore to awaiting ocean going vessels.
Bec said Onslow Iron's in-house design, construction, commissioning and operation was central to the project's success.
“It gives such great insight and knowledge across the business from the ground up. Everyone is helpful and wants to share that knowledge, which is extremely important when you’re running a supply chain,” she said.
“Onslow Iron is different to a conventional pit-to-port supply chain across other businesses – it’s quite innovative by comparison."
Despite the project’s rapid growth – ramping-up from first ore on ship to nameplate capacity in just 15 months – Bec praised Onslow Iron’s close-knit team mentality.
“The culture is a little bit different here because we’re a bigger business and ever growing, but it still has that small site mentality. Everybody knows each other and there are some really good relationships across the business and project,” she explained.
“You’ve got a lot of people who’ve worked for the company for a long time, but also a lot of people who have just started, bringing new knowledge. I think it’s fantastic.”
As Onslow Iron continues to mature, Bec remains focused on the priorities that have guided her career from the beginning: identifying constraints, working collaboratively and helping the operation improve daily.
“Where we’ve come from in the last three years is absolutely phenomenal and I’m really excited to see where from here,” Keys said.
Learn more about Onslow Iron and CSI Mining Services.
