40 FEBRUARY 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® A Young Operator Shares Insights and Advice for New Starters Adapted from Information by BHP Meet Gabby Wilson. She works in the South Flank mine, owned by BHP in Western Australia. As a Nyamal woman, Gabby is proud of her Indigenous heritage. She is also the youngest drill operator in the mine - and possibly the youngest in the region. She began her career a week shy of her 18th birthday. “I had spoken to some of my family members who had experienced mining life, and it sounded very appealing to me,” she said. “In January 2021, my aunty sent me a Facebook ad for a traineeship in the drill and blast team. I had no clue what drill and blast really entailed, but I was excited and had a good feeling about it.” Gabby was aware she would be one of the youngest on her crew, but soon discovered she was the youngest on-site! She credits support from team members and line leaders for helping her settle in quickly, despite a few speed bumps along the way. “The hardest part was my own thoughts, to be honest,” she reflected. “I worried whether people would think I wasn’t mature enough to handle the lifestyle. In the end, it drove me harder to do my best and to prove my worth at BHP.” Within a month she was on a drill, supported by a trainer every step of the way. Three months later, she had completed training and was ready to operate the machine on her own. Gabby is currently building her own home, enjoying a new four-wheel drive, and was just named BHP’s Indigenous Trainee of the Year - and she’s still only 19. Her advice to new starters? “Never feel like you are alone. Everyone has been in your position once, even though it may not feel like it. You’ll always have people to support you, whether it be family, friends, or work colleagues. I would also say: don’t be afraid to have goals that might seem out of reach for others; aim for something that you really want in life, it will help you progress. “Before mining, I didn’t know where I would end up, but I always dreamt of having my own home. Now I am striving towards making my dreams come true, and all I want to do is to keep achieving my goals.” Editor ’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash by WorldWide Drilling Resource®. This newsletter is filled with articles not included in our print issue. Based on readership, this was the most popular article of the month. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: worldwidedrillingresource.com EXB As a 19-year-old equipment operator, Gabby Wilson looks forward to a long, fulfilling career in drilling and blasting. Powered Haulage - A tragic accident at a sand and gravel mine in Texas, highlights the importance of proper safety training. A miner operating a haul truck stopped in front of his personal vehicle to get his lunch when the haul truck, parked on a two percent grade, rolled, trapping him against his personal pickup truck. When coworkers discovered him, he was pinned between the left front bumper of the haul truck and the driver’s side door of his personal pickup truck. The haul truck was still running, the parking brake had not been set, and the tires had not been chocked. Despite all efforts, the man died from his injuries. Investigators determined the miner did not receive task training for operating the haul truck as required by MSHA Part 46 training regulations. Proper task training would have included setting the parking brake and chocking the tires, preventing the haul truck from moving. MSHA would like to remind miners of the following best practices: a Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the brake is set. a When parking mobile equipment on a grade, chock the wheels or turn them into a bank. Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment. a Position yourself in a safe location away from potential “dangerzone” areas. a Train miners to safely perform their tasks. MIN
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