Meet Rory, a Graduate Mine Geologist at our Mt Magnet operations, in the Galaxy mining area.

A study tour opportunity in India cemented his passion for the earth sciences.

‘The commitment of Indian students towards their education stood out to me and highlighted how fortunate we are in Australia to have such accessible tertiary education. That perspective reinforced my determination to make the most of the opportunities available to me and take my studies and future career seriously,’ said Rory.

After graduating from Curtin University in 2024, Rory secured his first full time mining job with Ramelius, working within the Galaxy area of Mt Magnet.

‘I was drawn to Ramelius because of my passion for geology and a desire to contribute to the discovery and production of rare and precious metals like gold – which, at present, is one of the hottest commodities!

As a progressive, mid-tier gold producer with a strong focus on low-cost production and an exciting growth trajectory, I knew Ramelius was where I wanted to be. It has had record breaking-operational performance in the last year, coupled with the recent acquisition of Spartan – it’s an exciting time to be a part of the company,’ said Rory.

Now a year into his career, he is not only contributing to the success of the Mt Magnet operation, he is learning plenty as well.

A day in Rory’s world

A day in the life of an Underground Mine Geologist is both diverse and unique, spending time both underground and on the surface:

‘A typical day as a Geologist working underground at Galaxy starts early. After completing a morning breath test and checking overnight emails, especially new assay results, I prepare for underground work and attend the daily pre-start hosted by Byrnecut, followed by a Ramelius technical services meeting,’ said Rory.

This part of his day also sees him handling drilling data, updating production and haulage records and inspecting the ROM to ensure ore quality and data accuracy.

Once underground, he conducts face mapping and sampling using block model grades, drill intercepts, and geological observations to determine the appropriate stockpile destination for the next cut of material.

Back on the surface, he splits his time between the core yard – processing, logging, and sampling diamond drill core – and managing data, including Rock Mapper data and digitising channel samples in Surpac.

Career development

Since joining Ramelius, Rory has had the opportunity to build on his underground skills set with the help of a supportive team.

He will soon be rotating to the open pits at Cue, which he says will broaden his perspective and help strengthen those skills. Rory admits that his role can be challenging at times and can be a real test of character. But he is certainly up to the test:

‘Personally, I enjoy seeking out challenges to see what I’m capable of, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to push myself in this way. Being agile and putting your hand up are both attributes I’ve learnt are rewarded and respected.

‘Furthermore, exposure to the underground work environment has provided an excellent foundation for my career as a geologist from a technical standpoint. Every day is different, which makes the job exciting. You can never predict exactly what you’ll encounter in the diamond drill core or at the next underground face – adaptability is paramount,’ said Rory.

A supportive culture backed by an experienced team

Being surrounded by experienced industry professionals has bolstered Rory’s learning.

‘I’m definitely a sponge for knowledge! I’ve been fortunate to benefit from the experience and guidance of Senior Underground Geologist, Brian Lucey. Brian brings a wealth of expertise in gold mining, particularly underground operations. He sets high standards, which has motivated me to consistently improve my performance across all aspects of the role,’ said Rory.

Rory’s talent and hard work is making a meaningful impact to the overall operations, and he is proud to see his contributions making a positive mark:

‘I take pride knowing that my work helps ensure the accurate identification, extraction, and processing of high-quality ore, which contributes directly to Ramelius’s operational success and, ultimately, the supply of precious metals that people rely on globally. It’s rewarding to know that even my small role is part of a much bigger picture,’ said Rory.

Advice for the next generation of geologists

Rory has some advice for students or graduates that are in the same position as he was back when he began on his journey with Ramelius:

‘Develop a passion for learning, set ambitious goals and hold yourself accountable to achieve them – don’t shy away from challenges. Underground mining will test your resilience, but it’s also one of the best environments to grow both personally and professionally.

Take every opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, put your hand up, embrace hands-on experiences, and approach each task with curiosity and attention to detail. It’s a demanding field, but the variety, responsibility, and sense of contribution make it truly rewarding,’ said Rory.

Originally from Shellharbour on the east coast, Nathan studied Environmental Science at the University of Wollongong before setting off on a cross-country drive to Western Australia in early 2023.

Nathan was recommended to apply to Ramelius, and was soon welcomed to the team as an Environmental Advisor at Mt Magnet.

Growth and development

Nathan has embraced every opportunity to grow, working across Cue Gold Mine, Penny Gold Mine and the Dalgaranga Gold Project, and has completed a wide range of training. This includes Cert III in Mines Rescue; ArcGIS Beginner and Intermediate Courses; Environmental Law and Essentials; ArcGIS; 4WD; Working at Heights; Confined Space Entry; and even a Venomous Snake Handling Course.

“The opportunities for growth have been clear from day one. Hard work is recognised and rewarded. As the company continues to grow, I can see even more opportunities opening up not just in the Environmental Department, but for others coming into the business across all departments.” said Nathan.

A balanced and diverse work life

Nathan’s time is split between office and field work, spending around 60% of the time in the office and 40% in the field; a balance he says works well. From processing to the open pits at Cue, or underground with mining contractor Byrnecut, no two days are the same.

“There’s always a high workflow and a wide variety of tasks, including some projects that are outside of the typical environmental scope. I enjoy the challenge of diving into new areas and expanding my skill set through that hands-on experience,” said Nathan.

Make a positive impact

Nathan highlights Ramelius’ high regard for environmental compliance and sustainability being essential parts of responsible mining. 

“One of the most meaningful parts of the job is being involved in land rehabilitation and working closely with pastoralists and traditional owners to achieve outcomes that are both practical for the business and respectful of the land’s cultural and historical value.” said Nathan.

A culture of collaboration and shared experiences

For Nathan, genuine collaboration is essential in mining in order to deliver meaningful sustainability initiatives and long-lasting outcomes. 

“It’s a shared effort. That constant communication and cooperation is what keeps things running smoothly and ensures we’re all working toward the same goals, for safe, compliant, sustainable and efficient operations.” said Nathan.

He says he felt welcomed and respected from day one.

“Everyone brings their own experience, but it’s the approachable leadership team and supportive culture that makes you feel part of the team from the start. The Administration Team is putting in a lot of effort to create new social experiences like food vans and karaoke nights, which are helping to strengthen and grow the culture at Mt Magnet.” said Nathan.

Looking forward

Looking ahead, Nathan sees exciting growth opportunities, as he continues managing environmental responsibilities not only for Mt Magnet, but also for Cue, Penny and Dalgaranga. He recommends others explore the field if they are interested in the mining industry.   “If you’re looking for a career that’s hands-on, diverse and has real, lasting impact, environmental management in mining is a great space to be in.” said Nathan.

Nilan’s first year as a Geologist at Ramelius Resources has been a mix of hands-on learning, collaboration, and professional growth. ‘I chose Ramelius because they have a solid reputation in the mining industry, and a clear focus on growth,’ Nilan explains. ‘Their approach feels genuine and practical, which really appeals to me.’

Getting hands-on with geology

A typical day at work for Nilan involves a mix of field and office work. On-site, he is actively involved in ore markups, ore spotting, blasthole mapping and logging. In the office, Nilan tracks daily production numbers, updates databases, works in Excel and helps create dig blocks and maps. He enjoys the variety of tasks in his role and is proud of how his work can make a positive mark, with the data he collects helping with decision-making on site. 

‘It’s rewarding to know that your work directly contributes to defining resources and improving operational outcomes – as well as moments like finding a gold nugget in the field, which really brings home the excitement and potential of what we’re doing.’

Supportive team and continuous growth

The natural collaboration of the Ramelius team has been one of the highlights of Nilan’s experience so far, and he has embraced the support and mentorship from his colleagues that are helping him grow in his career.

‘Everyone’s been so amazing!’ said Nilan. ‘I’ve learned so much just from collaborating and chatting with the pit techs, engineers and survey team and I feel really lucky to be part of it. As a grad, I thought I might feel a bit out of place at first, not knowing much, but everyone’s been really supportive and open to sharing their knowledge, it’s made a big difference in helping me settle in and grow.’

With opportunities to rotate between different teams, regular check-ins and training opportunities, Ramelius are helping Nilan gain experience and broader exposure to various aspects of the mining process.

Looking to the future

Nilan’s advice to future geologists: ‘Get comfortable with being outside your comfort zone, geology is really a learn-by-doing kind of career. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, no matter how simple they might seem. And try to get as much field experience as you can early on as that’s where you’ll learn the most.’ One day Nilan hopes to mentor new graduates, just as he has been mentored during his early career.

Why Ramelius?

Nilan’s introduction to Ramelius has been defined by growth, mentorship and hands-on learning. With a focus on career development, collaboration and creating pathways for emerging talent, Ramelius is proud to support the next generation of geologists. 

Meet Genevieve, a Project Mine Geologist at Ramelius.

Growing up in Melbourne, Gen never imagined that an interest in Earth Sciences would take her across the country to Western Australia. Her career began with exploration, open pit and underground work, but it was underground geology that really captured her enthusiasm. That passion brought her to Ramelius, where she started as an Underground Mine Geologist at Edna May Operations.

“The opportunity at Edna May was too good to refuse. I loved the bus trip and the town of Westonia, and thanks to some excellent supervision and a great team, I was afforded the opportunity to develop my technical and professional skills. It was sad for everyone when Edna May shut down, but I was lucky to be transferred over to Penny Gold Mine – a site where I have encountered fresh challenges and opportunities to learn.”

During her time at Ramelius, Gen has participated in training, conferences and professional development courses, providing her with the opportunity to grow in her career.

Recognition and rewards

Gen says working at Penny is a real honour. ‘Featuring some impressive gold grades, it’s rewarding to get to work on such a rare and special deposit.’ she said. She is proud of her achievements at Ramelius, notably winning a lawn bowls competition in Westonia! She was also proud to be promoted to a Project Mine Geologist role, which she said indicated that Ramelius recognised and valued her work, motivating her to further pursue her career.

She is also proud of her engagement with the Emergency Response Team (ERT), attending fortnightly training days, and completing her Cert III in Mines Rescue. Fortunately, she hasn’t attended any emergencies but has learned the practical skills needed to be emergency prepared, which not only creates a great sense of achievement, but also camaraderie with other team members.

Culture and belonging

For Gen, the best part of working at Ramelius is the people, the relationships built and the sense of teamwork.

“It’s truly integral to enjoy each other’s company in a place where we not only work long days together, but eat dinners and socialise after the work day is done, especially in the absence of being at home. The culture among the team at Penny is vibrant and supportive – just what you need on those more challenging days.”

Impact and purpose

Gen often thinks to herself that she has the best job onsite, being some of the first and only people to see a fresh exposure of an incredible deposit, on a daily basis.

“Looking at weathered rock, rock chips or even diamond drill core doesn’t compare to actually standing inside an orebody and being surrounded by it. Gold mineralisation occurs during complex deformation of a host rock, so there is always something interesting to see, no matter where you are. We are custodians of the data that directly relates to both the operational requirements of the mine, and economic success of the resource – a huge responsibility but one that feels exciting and important.”

Teamwork and success

Gen explains geology as sitting at the intersection of many other teams, whether it’s the engineers chasing an updated model, the mining contractor with questions about an ore drive or drill program, or the site manager wanting to know about ore delivery to the Run-Of-Mine (ROM).

“We spend a lot of time liaising with other disciplines. With experience, it becomes easier to anticipate what other teams require from the geos and try to stay one step ahead of them,” Gen said.

Reflections and advice

For anyone who is considering a geology career, especially if they are coming from interstate and know very little about mining, Gen would strongly encourage them to take the leap.

“My career uprooted my life across the country, but looking back, it was a great move for me, and I love living in Perth. It has been incredibly rewarding to work in a fast-paced, challenging environment, doing something I feel passionately about. I would also tell them to say yes to as many opportunities as they can – it will open doors that they might never have considered.”

With a number of different career pathways to follow, Gen said she is excited about the possibilities ahead of her.

“I may find myself contributing to Ramelius more technically with resource updates, helping with training, or working towards management. I’m not sure what my future at Ramelius holds, but I didn’t really get this far by following a single plan!”