Students from Moura State High School became dab hands at programming robots this week as they learned how technology is an everyday part of the mining industry that surrounds them.

“Our team really enjoyed mentoring the students as they programmed robots to enter a ‘mine site’ and pick up product at three different points, entering and exiting safely and efficiently,” said General Manager of Anglo American’s Dawson Mine, Clarence Robertson.

“They also mentored them through a chemical processing exercise, and the building of a catapult to launch a coin the maximum distance with time and budget constraints,” he said.

“These are the sorts of skills and creative thinking that are used on our mine sites every day. It’s great for the students to see some practical applications for their classroom work and visualise potential careers in STEM-related areas.

“At Anglo American, we appreciate the opportunity to share what we do and give students a stronger understanding of available careers in the mining industry so we’re very pleased to take part in these events.”

Anglo American’s Graduate Mining Engineer, Kyle Jarrett, was one of the activity mentors and said he was impressed by the Moura students.

“The students did a fantastic job of working through similar processes and using similar skills to those required in the resource industry,” he said.

The Beakers.Bots.Build activity was run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).