Pilbara talent honoured at annual Women in Resources awards

Hard-working Pilbara talent has been rewarded at the 2026 Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA Women in Resources Awards. Seven women and one company were crowned winners at the 17th annual WIRA awards ceremony, hosted at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and attended by more than 1100 guests on Friday. Proud Guruma and Yindjibarndi woman Tania Stevens took home the Outstanding Woman in Resources Award for her work as co-founder of Eastern Guruma, a wholly Indigenous and female-owned civil and mining company that employs more than 300 people, including one-third Aboriginal staff. Ms Stevens said it had been a long journey to get to where she was. “We got into the mining sector with Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue as an Indigenous contractor that offers drilling and blasting, civil work and rehabilitation,” she said. “It was a long journey but we’ve been operating for 22 years now. First, through the Native Title process, we had to prove that we are traditional owners of our country (Muntulgura Guruma) and then we had to sit down and negotiate with mining companies. “Rio Tinto was the first company that took us on that journey, that was in 2004. “I’d like to thank the mining companies for giving us this opportunity and building and growing Aboriginal businesses. “My next aim is how do we take Eastern Guruma to become the number one Indigenous contractor for mining companies, but also taking our people on the journey and getting them into management roles as well.” CME chief executive Aaron Morey congratulated all 18 individual finalists, as well as three company finalists, for their remarkable contributions to the WA resources sector. “The women recognised through WIRA are shaping the future of WA’s resources sector at every level – from operations and engineering through to leadership and entrepreneurship,” Mr Morey said. “As our sector competes for the next generation of talent, it’s vital that women see themselves reflected in the industry’s success stories. “The experiences of our finalists and winners show that mining offers dynamic careers that are challenging and adaptable, while contributing to the economic and social strength of Western Australia. “By showcasing these leaders and innovators, WIRA sends a powerful message to women and girls that there is a place for them in this industry and that their skills and ideas are not only welcome but essential.” CME’s most recent Diversity and Inclusion Report found women accounted for a quarter of all WA resources workers in 2023 – up from 18.8 per cent a decade earlier. The results found strong growth in female participation across a wide variety of roles, including machinery operators and drivers (up to 21.4 per cent), management (up to 23.5 per cent) and board roles (up to 32.8 per cent). “While there is more work to do, the momentum we are seeing across the sector is encouraging,” Mr Morey said. “By continuing to support diversity, flexibility and inclusive workplaces we can ensure the WA resources industry remains a destination of choice for talented women now and into the future.” Winners Outstanding Company Initiative Award: BHP’s Gender Equal Mining Program Woman in Resources Technology Award: Emma Eltringham, Woodside Energy Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman Award: Sammi Rae, South 32 – Worsley Alumina Outstanding Young Woman in Resources Award: Jemima Reid, Barminco Outstanding Contribution or Achievement Award: Sue Steele, Red Earth Health Solutions Champion of Women in Resources Award: Marnie Finlayson, Northern Star Resources Outstanding Woman in Resources Award: Tania Stevens, Eastern Guruma Peoples’ Choice Award: Raimunda Townend, Diamantina Laboratories