Lihirian women take the wheels

 JULIE Kenny and Hendriella Suvina are two young Lihirian women who recently graduated from Newcrest’s Lihir Gold operations heavy equipment operators (HEO) training programme.  

Fourteen Lihirian women who have qualified as haul truck dri­vers are now working at the Lihir Gold operations.    

The 12-month comprehensive training programme included three phases. 

The first involved trainees’ detail at the various mine departments so they can gain an understanding of the mine operations. 

The second phase involved an intensive supervised segment where trainees were guided through the concepts of heavy equipment operations and finally a six-month probationary period where they operated trucks and underwent weekly assessments of their performance. 

This stage also included heavy vehicle simulator assessments.     

A competency certificate is issued to the graduates to validate their skill in haul truck handling in all areas and conditions of the open pit operations.  

Kenny, of Mazuz, and Suvina of Pangoh, Lihir, were awarded competency certificates, witnessed by their parents and trainers at the graduation ceremony held at the Lihir Gold operations mining department last Saturday. 

“Growing up on Lihir, I would always look at the large haul trucks and I made a promise to myself that one day I would drive those trucks,” Kenny said. 

“Newcrest has helped me reach tremendous heights in my career as one of the few Papua New Guinean women now qualified to operate haul trucks. 

“My parents are very proud that I hold such an important job at the mine.”   

Deputy general manager Lihir Gold operations Greg Moore, who said all graduates should be proud of their achievements, paid special tribute to the young Lihirian women who have reached a milestone in their careers. 

“Newcrest invests in specialised training plans supported by a development culture aimed at giving local people the skills and opportunities,” he said.

“This approach delivers real and sustainable benefits to local communities.”