In a first for students at St Laurence’s College and Coorparoo Secondary College, minds will turn to the maths behind mining today.

In an event run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) students will explore the lifecycle of mining, from exploration to rehabilitation, mentored by staff from South32.

“We are delighted to support these events, which enable students to see the practical ways their classroom learning is used in the real world,” said Vice President of Operation at South32 Cannington, Rob Jackson.

“Our staff really enjoy mentoring the students and advising them about the wide range of careers open to them in our resources sector that are based on science technology engineering and maths (STEM),” he said.

“Brisbane is Queensland’s biggest mining town in terms of the sector’s economic contribution, with many careers available locally, particularly with remote operations centres housed in city offices,” said Director Skills Education and Diversity with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Katrina-Lee Jones.

“Being able to talk to people who work in the sector about their careers can be a life-changing experience for these students,” she said.